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Emergency & Prep Kit

The free, no-nonsense checklist for when things go sideways — the numbers to save, the bag to pack, and the small habits that make a bad day less bad.

Last updated: July 26, 2026 · Free to use, forever.

☎ Numbers to save right now

Put these in your phone today, and write the important ones on a card in your wallet — phones die, and you may not remember them under stress.

Also good to have on that wallet card: your doctor, your pharmacy, a trusted out-of-town contact, your kids’ school, and your local non-emergency police line.

🎒 The go-bag (basic kit)

Ready.gov’s baseline: enough to get you and your household through several days on your own. Keep it in one or two grab-and-go containers by the door.

• Water — one gallon per person per day, several days’ worth (drinking + sanitation).
• Food — several days of non-perishable food, plus a manual can opener.
• Radio — battery-powered or hand-crank, with NOAA weather alerts.
• Flashlight — plus extra batteries.
• First-aid kit — and any prescription meds + a spare pair of glasses.
• Phone power — a charged backup battery and charging cable.
• Whistle — to signal for help without wearing out your voice.
• Dust mask — plus plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place.
• Sanitation — moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties.
• Wrench or pliers — to shut off utilities if you’re told to.
• Cash — small bills and change (card readers go down too).
• Documents — copies of IDs and insurance in a waterproof bag (more below).
• Extras for your household — infant formula & diapers, pet food & water, hygiene/feminine supplies, warm blanket, change of clothes.

🚘 Car / road emergency kit

Because you don’t get to choose where you’ll be when it happens. Keep a small kit in the trunk year-round.

• Jumper cables (or a self-contained jump pack).
• Phone charger that works off the car, plus a backup battery.
• Flashlight + batteries and reflective triangles or flares.
• First-aid kit and any personal meds.
• Water & non-perishable snacks (protein bars, nuts).
• Blanket + gloves + a warm layer.
• Tire tools — jack, lug wrench, and a working spare (or a tire inflator/sealant).
• Traction help — a small bag of sand or kitty litter, and an ice scraper in cold climates.
• Basic tools + duct tape and a multi-tool.
• Paper map of your area, in case GPS is down.
• Small fire extinguisher (rated for car/electrical fires).

Habit worth building: keep your gas tank at least half full, so a sudden evacuation or detour isn’t also a fuel problem.

🍂 Four-seasons must-haves

A few things earn their spot only at certain times of year. Rotate these in and out.

📄 Documents & info to keep safe

The stuff that’s a nightmare to replace. Keep copies in a waterproof bag and a secure digital copy (encrypted cloud folder or a password-protected file).

• IDs — driver’s license/passport, Social Security card, birth certificates.
• Insurance — home/renters, auto, health, life — policy numbers and contacts.
• Medical — medication list, allergies, doctors, and any conditions first responders should know.
• Financial — bank/account info, a little cash, recent statements.
• Contacts — a written list of family + one out-of-town person everyone can check in with.
• Property — deed/lease, vehicle title, and photos of your home’s contents for claims.

💡 Life hacks & smart habits

• Add an ICE contact — save an “In Case of Emergency” contact and set up your phone’s Medical ID so responders can reach someone without unlocking it.
• Learn your shut-offs — know where the water, gas, and electric shut-offs are, and how to work them.
• Rotate your stock — use and replace stored water and food so nothing expires when you need it.
• Pick a meetup spot — one near home, one outside the neighborhood, so the family can regroup if phones are down.
• Screenshot the important stuff — insurance cards, meds, and key numbers, so they’re on your phone offline.
• Keep shoes & a flashlight by the bed — for getting out safely in the dark.

🛡 Personal safety

Awareness beats gear every time — trust your gut, keep your head up, and share your location with someone you trust when you’re out alone. If you choose to carry a deterrent:

• Pepper spray — a common self-defense option, but legality and size limits vary by state and city — check your local laws before carrying it.
• Bear spray — made for wildlife in the backcountry, not for people; know how (and when) to use it before you hit the trail.
• A loud personal alarm — legal everywhere and genuinely effective at drawing attention.

Programs, phone numbers, and local rules can change. Always confirm with the official source before you rely on anything. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone — call or text 988 anytime, or dial 211 for local help.