Emergency Preparedness · Gear

Emergency preparedness gear

35 items across 6 categories, organized to match the go bag, 72-hour kit and 30-day plan. Start with water, light and power. You don't need everything at once.

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Water

The first thing to fix. Store some, and carry a way to make more.

Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-gallon water container

Rigid, stackable home storage with a spigot. Heavy when full (about 58 lb), so keep it low.

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Scepter 2.5-gallon water container

Smaller, BPA-free jug that one person can carry. Good for apartments.

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Sawyer Squeeze water filter (SP129)

Light enough for a go bag. Rated for bacteria and protozoa, not viruses or chemicals.

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Platypus GravityWorks group filter system

Gravity-fed, higher volume for home and the 30-day plan.

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Aquatabs water purification tablets (100 pack)

Cheap, light chemical backup to a filter.

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Food

Foods you will eat, with long shelf life and little or no cooking.

Datrex 3600-calorie emergency food bar

Compact, no-cook calories for a go bag. Not tasty; it is insurance.

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ER Emergency Ration 3600 (case of 20)

Same idea in bulk for a family kit.

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Mountain House Chili Mac with Beef (6-pack)

Freeze-dried; needs hot water. Try one before you stock up.

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5-gallon Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers

For repacking rice, beans and oats from the 30-day plan.

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Gamma Seal bucket lids (3 pack)

Screw-top lids for the buckets you use every week.

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EZ-DUZ-IT manual can opener

A simple, well-reviewed manual opener. Keep two.

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Light, Power & Communication

When the grid goes out, light and information matter most.

Black Diamond Spot 400 headlamp

Runs on AAA batteries, which you can find anywhere. One per person.

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Midland ER310 hand-crank NOAA weather radio

Alerts and news without power; can top up a phone in a pinch.

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Anker Zolo 20,000 mAh power bank

Several phone charges. Recharge it every few months.

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Jackery Explorer 300 portable power station (292 Wh)

Phones, lights, a fan or a small medical device for hours. No fumes, so it is safe indoors.

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EcoFlow River 2 Max 500 (499 Wh, LiFePO4)

Bigger battery with a longer-life chemistry, for longer outages.

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Jackery SolarSaga 100W solar panel

Recharges a power station or power bank in sun.

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LE rechargeable LED camping lantern

Safer than candles; doubles as a small power bank.

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First Aid & Health

Know how to use what you buy. Take a first aid class.

First Aid Only 298-piece family first aid kit

A solid base kit for home or car. Add your own medications.

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North American Rescue C-A-T tourniquet (genuine Gen 7)

Only with training: take a Stop the Bleed class first. Buy genuine; fakes exist.

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3M Aura N95 respirators (20 pack)

For wildfire smoke and dust.

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AUVON weekly AM/PM pill organizer

Keeps a 7-day supply ready to grab.

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Go Bag & Carry

Bags, shelter and documents for leaving fast.

Osprey Sportlite 30L backpack

Light, comfortable 30-liter pack. Any well-fitting 30–40 L pack works.

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Swiss Safe emergency Mylar blankets (75 pack)

Pack one per person; share the rest.

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Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 rain poncho

Reusable and light.

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Waterproof document pouches (3 pack)

IDs, insurance cards, cash.

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Leatherman Wave+ multi-tool

One good tool beats five cheap ones. Pricey; any sturdy multi-tool works.

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Amazon Basics 550 paracord (100 ft)

Cheap fixes for many problems.

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Gorilla Tape (2 pack)

Repairs, splints, sealing.

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Sanitation, Safety & Shelter

The overlooked part of every long emergency.

Reliance Luggable Loo bucket toilet

A workable toilet if water is out. Use with liners and kitty litter.

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Hefty contractor bags, 42 gallon (26 ct)

Sanitation, shelter and waterproofing.

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Gas One GS-3400P dual-fuel camp stove

Butane or propane. OUTDOORS ONLY, never inside or in a garage.

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Kidde battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm

Essential with any fuel-burning appliance or generator.

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First Alert HOME1 fire extinguisher

Rated 1-A:10-B:C. Check the gauge yearly.

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Coleman Heritage 10°F flannel sleeping bag

Cold nights without heat are dangerous. Big and warm, not light.

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Free printable checklists

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