A home emergency kit, aka bug out bag (BOB), helps ensure that you and your family have what you need in case of loss of essential services, and is intended to contain enough supplies, food, and water to last for at least 72 hours.
We can’t always prevent emergencies at home, but we can be prepared for them if they do occur. A home emergency kit, aka bug out bag (BOB), helps ensure that you and your family have what you need in case of loss of essential services, and is intended to contain enough supplies, food, and water to last for at least 72 hours. Some of the items you’ll likely already have around your home, while others will need to be purchased. And since you won’t know that you need it until you do, it’s always a smart idea to build your home emergency kit sooner rather than later.
The items in your home emergency kit should include the essentials below, plus specific items geared toward unique needs, such as if someone in your household is a senior, a child, or has an illness or disability. You should also pack necessary items for your pets, if applicable. In this article, we’ll go over what you need to make sure you include in your home emergency kit, plus some recommendations for where to buy pre-made kits.
What To Put in a Home Emergency Kit
Your home emergency kit is only as effective as the items that you include in it. Here are the essentials you’ll want to put in your kit, as outlined by Ready.gov, a website maintained by the Department of Homeland Security, and the Red Cross.
The essentials
Water. For drinking and sanitation. Include one gallon of water per person per day for each member of your household.
For drinking and sanitation. Include one gallon of water per person per day for each member of your household. Portable water filter. One easy option is a LifeStraw, which can filter 99.9% of waterborne parasite, bacteria, and microplastics out of up to 1,000 gallons of water. You may also want to consider water-purifying iodine tablets.
One easy option is a LifeStraw, which can filter 99.9% of waterborne parasite, bacteria, and microplastics out of up to 1,000 gallons of water. You may also want to consider water-purifying iodine tablets. Food. A minimum three day supply of non-perishable food. Be sure to cover major food groups like protein, fat, and grains. Some good food items to pack in your kit include peanut butter, canned beans, canned tuna, nuts, dried fruit, granola, whole wheat crackers, and canned vegetables.
A minimum three day supply of non-perishable food. Be sure to cover major food groups like protein, fat, and grains. Some good food items to pack in your kit include peanut butter, canned beans, canned tuna, nuts, dried fruit, granola, whole wheat crackers, and canned vegetables. Food supplies. Include a manual can openers and some forks and spoons.
Include a manual can openers and some forks and spoons. Sanitary supplies. Such as moist towelettes, garbage bags, and some soap and toothpaste.
Such as moist towelettes, garbage bags, and some soap and toothpaste. First aid kit. If you already have one, create a duplicate so that you have one in the emergency kit and one more readily available.
If you already have one, create a duplicate so that you have one in the emergency kit and one more readily available. Spare chargers and spare cell phone battery. Buy a portable charger so that you don’t need an outlet to put juice in your phone. Consider putting a pay-per-use cell phone in the kit as well.
Buy a portable charger so that you don’t need an outlet to put juice in your phone. Consider putting a pay-per-use cell phone in the kit as well. Radio. Battery powered, hand crank, or solar NOAA radio. If you opt for battery powered, be sure to stick some extra batters in the kit too.
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Battery powered, hand crank, or solar NOAA radio. If you opt for battery powered, be sure to stick some extra batters in the kit too. Battery-free flashlight. Hand crank flashlights will give you about 10 minutes at a time of use. Get two or three, so you’re not dependent on one.
Hand crank flashlights will give you about 10 minutes at a time of use. Get two or three, so you’re not dependent on one. Basic tools. Have a wrench, pliers, screwdriver, and a pair of scissors handy. To cut out the guesswork, you could also just include a multi-tool army knife.
Have a wrench, pliers, screwdriver, and a pair of scissors handy. To cut out the guesswork, you could also just include a multi-tool army knife. Local maps. You might not be able to rely on your map app during an emergency, so keep a local map in your emergency kit just in case.
You might not be able to rely on your map app during an emergency, so keep a local map in your emergency kit just in case. Mylar thermal blankets. One per person.
One per person. Duct tape. You never know when you’ll need it.
You never know when you’ll need it. Copies of important documents. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, medical information, home titles, etc.
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, medical information, home titles, etc. Whistle. To signal for help, if required.
To signal for help, if required. Medications. If possible, aim to have at least a month’s worth of additional prescription medications in your home emergency kit.
If possible, aim to have at least a month’s worth of additional prescription medications in your home emergency kit. Cash. Even a little bit will be appreciated if you find yourself in an emergency.
Other things you might want to include
Some items in your home emergency kit will depend on your personal needs. This includes:
Glasses and contact solution Menstrual supplies Extra clothing and shoes, including an extra coat Books, games, and puzzles Paper and pen or pencil Matches Hand warmers Utility gloves Extra set of car keys and house keys Two-way radios Some towels Plastic tarp Rain poncho (one per person)
Always keep your climate in mind. If you live somewhere that gets extreme weather such as heat, cold, rain, humidity, or so on, account for this in your kit. This may mean including a battery operated fan for hot climates, or an extra sets of gloves and warm knit socks for cold climates.
If you have kids…
Make sure to accommodate their needs as well. Additional items you might need include diapers and diaper rash cream, formula, wipes, bottles, and medications. You’ll also need to consider distraction items like puzzles, coloring books and crayons, and games.
If you have pets…
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Include in your emergency kit at least three days’ worth of food and water for your pet, plus one or two collapsible travel bowls. Put a spare leash and harness in your home emergency kit as well, and any medications your pet is on, as well as a copy of important vet records.
You can’t be prepared for everything that could possibly go wrong, but with a well-stocked home emergency kit you’ll be in a much better position to withstand a wide range of potential scenarios.
If you don’t already have a kit, now is the time to build one. We know that it can be daunting to look at this list and think of all the things that you need to buy. If that’s how you’re feeling, go with a pre-made kit, or just take the list one item at a time until you’re fully stocked up. You’ll certainly have to make an investment in time and money, but if emergency strikes, you’ll always be happier that you did.
How to Take Care of Your Home Survival Kit
Your kit includes a lot of stuff, so you’ll want to have a plan for how and where to store it. Assemble your kit in a container that will help protect it from outside elements, and also consider that you may need to carry your kit at some point.
A good place to store all of the items is in a large plastic container (provided you are able to lift it) or a lined duffle bag. You may need multiple containers or bags to hold everything, in which case, label what’s where so that you can easily find things as needed. Don’t use a cardboard box to store your home emergency kit, since these can become easily damaged.
Because it includes food items, your home emergency kit is best kept somewhere cool and dry. Go through the food items at least once a year so that you can replace anything that has expired. You will likely need to adjust your kit as your family grows and changes.
Where to Buy Pre-Made Emergency Kits
If you’d rather buy a home emergency kit that is already stocked with the things that you want in it, you can buy it pre-made. Some options on where to buy one include Amazon and Costco, or you can go through a specialty supplier such as LifeSecure or EmergencyKits.com. Note that even if you buy a pre-made home emergency kit you are likely going to need to supplement it with additional supplies. Look through it carefully once it arrives to familiarize yourself with what it contains, and add more supplies as needed.
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