Sunset Supply

Simple emergency prep for every home

What should be in a basic home emergency supply kit?

Published October 28, 2026

A basic home emergency supply kit should help you get through at least a few days without outside help. The goal is not to prepare for every possible disaster. It is to cover the most common problems: power outages, bad weather, water interruptions, and being stuck at home longer than expected. A good kit is simple, easy to carry or store, and built around the needs of the people in your home. Start with the essentials, then add items that match your climate, health needs, and family size. Check the kit every six months so expired food, dead batteries, and missing supplies do not leave you unprepared when you need them most.

Water: start with the most basic need

Water comes first because people can only go a short time without it. A common goal is 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and basic washing. For a basic kit, plan for at least 3 days, and longer if you can store more. That means a family of four should have at least 12 gallons on hand for a minimum supply.

Store water in clean, sealed containers made for food or drinking water. Keep some smaller bottles too, because they are easier to carry if you need to leave quickly. Place water in a cool, dark spot and rotate it before it gets old or tastes flat.

Food: choose shelf-stable items you can eat without much cooking

Pick foods that do not need refrigeration and can be eaten cold if the power is out. Good choices include canned soup, canned vegetables, peanut butter, tuna or chicken, granola bars, crackers, dry cereal, and shelf-stable fruit. If your kit is for several people, choose foods they already eat so you are not depending on unfamiliar items during a stressful time.

Aim for at least 3 days of food for each person, and more if storage space allows. Include a manual can opener if you have canned food. If you rely on special diet foods, formula, baby food, or pet food, keep extra supplies in the kit as well.

Light and power: plan for outages

A home emergency kit should include a flashlight or headlamp for each adult in the home, plus extra batteries. Headlamps are especially useful because they leave both hands free. Add a battery-powered or hand-crank radio so you can listen for weather alerts and local updates if your phone dies or service is limited.

Keep a charged power bank in the kit for phones and small devices. Charge it every month or so and after any use. Avoid depending on candles if possible. They can tip over and start a fire, especially in a rushed or dark room.

First aid and medicines: cover common injuries and daily needs

A basic first aid kit should handle cuts, scrapes, minor burns, and sprains until you can get proper care. Include adhesive bandages, gauze pads, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment if you use it, tweezers, scissors, and disposable gloves. Add instant cold packs and an elastic bandage if space allows.

Put at least a 7-day supply of prescription medicines in the kit if possible, along with over-the-counter medicines your household uses regularly, such as pain relievers, fever reducers, allergy medicine, or antacids. Keep a list of each person’s medications, allergies, and doctor contact information in a waterproof bag. If anyone in the home has a severe allergy, include their prescribed emergency medicine and make sure it is not expired.

Tools, documents, and personal items you may forget

A small set of practical tools makes a big difference. Keep a multipurpose tool, duct tape, basic sanitation supplies, plastic trash bags, and a whistle. A whistle can help you signal for help if you need attention and cannot call out clearly. Include a notepad and pen so you can leave messages or write down instructions.

Store copies of key documents in a waterproof folder or bag. Useful items include IDs, insurance cards, emergency contacts, home insurance information, and a list of account numbers you may need in an emergency. If you have children, older adults, or pets in the home, add comfort items, spare glasses, hearing aid batteries, diapers, wipes, and pet leashes or carriers.

How to keep the kit ready

Do a quick check every six months. Look for expired food, dead batteries, empty first aid items, and old medicines. Replace anything used right away so the kit is always complete. A good habit is to review it when you change clocks for daylight saving time or at the start of hurricane, storm, or wildfire season.

Store the kit where you can reach it fast, not buried behind holiday decorations or in a locked attic. If your family has more than one level, consider smaller supplies on each floor. Keep the kit simple enough that every adult in the home knows where it is and what is inside. The best emergency kit is the one you can actually find and use when the power goes out or you have to leave in a hurry.

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