SafeNComfyGather Emergency Essentials
Build your home supplies a little at a time. Start with water, shelf-stable food, lighting, medications, and first aid. Then add the extras that keep your household safe and comfortable.
1. Water
Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and basic sanitation. Aim for a three-day supply to start, and work toward two weeks when space and budget allow. Store extra for pets, hot weather, or medical needs.
Practical tip: Use commercially bottled water or food-grade water containers. Label and rotate stored water according to container guidance.
2. Shelf-stable food
Choose foods your household already enjoys that need little or no cooking: canned beans, vegetables, fruit, nut butters, crackers, ready-to-eat meals, and shelf-stable milk. Start with three days of meals and build toward two weeks.
Practical tip: Include a manual can opener and consider allergies, infants, and special diets. Check expiration dates and rotate foods into regular meals.
3. Lighting and batteries
Keep a flashlight or battery-powered lantern where each person can find it. Headlamps free your hands for safe movement, repairs, or caring for children.
Practical tip: Store spare batteries in their original packaging, and test lights regularly. Prefer LED lights over candles to reduce fire risk.
4. Medications and medical needs
Keep a current medication list with dosages, pharmacy details, and relevant medical contacts. Maintain a reasonable backup supply of prescriptions when permitted by your clinician, insurer, and pharmacy.
Practical tip: Remember eyeglasses, hearing-aid batteries, mobility equipment, and any supplies that need refrigeration or electricity. Plan backup power safely for essential medical devices.
5. First-aid supplies
Build a kit with adhesive bandages, sterile gauze, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, disposable gloves, tweezers, a thermometer, and any household-specific supplies.
Practical tip: Know where the kit is stored and learn basic first aid and CPR from a reputable training provider. Check supplies after use and replace expired items.
6. Communication and charging
Keep charged power banks and charging cables for phones, plus a battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio to receive updates if internet or power fails.
Practical tip: Test chargers and radios periodically. Use official emergency alerts and keep a printed contact list as a backup.
7. Sanitation and personal comfort
Store toilet paper, soap, hand sanitizer, trash bags, menstrual supplies, diapers if needed, and basic cleaning supplies. Add blankets, warm clothing, and simple activities for children.
Practical tip: A comfortable, hygienic home helps everyone cope better during a disruption. Include pet food, water, and medications where needed.
Your essentials checklist
Check off each category as you prepare it. Print this list and keep it with your emergency plan.