No, it’s not just your imagination; natural disasters really are becoming more common. According to a 2021 report by the World Meteorological Organization, a weather-related disaster has, on average, occurred every day for the last 50 years, resulting in the deaths of 115 each day. Be it fires like those in Hawaii or tropical storms like Hilary, the first to hit Los Angeles in 84 years, natural disasters can happen anywhere, at any time. So it’s important you stay prepared by stocking the necessary emergency essentials.
While every natural disaster is different, be it flooding, tornados, hurricanes, or fires, there are common essentials we can all buy to put into our emergency kits. Here’s where you should begin.
Foods to stock in case of emergency
It’s critical to have food on-hand that won’t spoil quickly and doesn’t require refrigeration should the power go out for extended periods of time. Here are the foods to keep in your pantry in case of emergency, according to the experts at The Cleveland Clinic and Ready.gov.
- Protein or fruit bars
- Non-perishable pasteurized milk
- Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables
- Canned tuna
- Peanut butter
- Dried or canned beans
- Unsalted nuts
- Rice or pasta
- Comfort foods
- Baby formula
- Pet food
- Don’t forget a can opener!
Emergency essentials checklist
Beyond foods, it’s also key to have a few tools to keep you up and running during an emergency, even if you’ll be off the grid for some time. Here are the essentials FEMA recommends you have in your emergency kit and at the ready along with suggestions of where to buy them.
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Extra batteries
- Whistle
- Dust mask
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape
- Personal sanitation products
- Tool kit
- External cell phone charger
- Prescription medications
- Nonprescription medications
- Fire extinguisher
- Waterproof Matches
- Activities for children
Remeber, building an emergency response kit isn’t a set it and forget it kind of thing. As the experts at REI recommend, it’s a good idea to start by storing your kit in a cool, dry place to ensure your items stay fresh. Next, set a calendar reminder to check your kit, including swapping out any expired food or medications, refreshing your water, and making sure to check the expiration date on batteries. Also, set a yearly reminder to address any changing needs for your entire family. Had a new baby? Add supplies. Adopted a dog? New supplies. Use this time to update any essential documents and paperwork, too.
Need help narrowing down exactly what to buy? Here are 10 emergency essentials we recommend to maximize your disaster preparedness.
Emergency essentials to buy
Rather than having to pack an entire tool kit, get prepared with something small and compact like the Gerber Gear tool. The 15-in-1 tool will likely answer all your emergency needs as it includes a screwdriver, scissors, wire stripper, bottle opener, pliers, and more, all in one.
Now isn’t the time to think small. For your emergency flashlight, get something a little hefty like this camping lantern by LE Store. The rechargeable lantern has both a front and side light to help you illuminate your entire surroundings. It’s also water-resistant and comes with a charging port so you can juice up your other electronic devices.
Keep emergency food preparedness simple by purchasing and packing a few already prepped meals. The Adventure Meals by Mountain House offer a wide array of flavors, including this Beef Stroganoff with Noodles, which comes with 12g of protein. All you need to do is add hot water and it’s ready.
If you lose power in an emergency you’ll be happy to have a few of these external power banks handy. This way, you can continue to charge phones and other electronics, so you can stay informed and in touch with family and responders until you are rescued or safe. This particular one from Otterbox allows users to fully charge multiple devices at once.
Yes, this is one of the more expensive items on the list, but it’s also the most important. Keeping a water supply fresh can be difficult, but the water purifier system by LifeSaver safely filters water from any source, allowing you to fill up anywhere. According to the brand, it filters “99.99% of viruses, 99.9999% of bacteria, 99.9% of cysts, and parasites for safe water consumption.”
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REI:
The whistle is a small but mighty addition to your emergency preparedness kit. A whistle can be used to attract help if you're stuck or far away from first responders, letting them know exactly where you are. Keep one (or a few) handy. We’re particularly fond of this one thanks to its bright color, which keeps it highly visible both for you and responders.
Have all your medical supplies in one place with this pack-and-go first aid kit. The emergency kit includes an assortment of bandages, wound cleaners, and medications, along with a manual by Dr. William W. Forgey to walk you through how to dress any wound. (Pro tip: If you’re a pet owner, pick up this emergency medical kit for dogs too.)
Keep your area lit up at night with a few small headlamps. The lamps are excellent for those who need to maneuver around dark spaces and are also a stellar addition to an emergency kit for children who may be scared of the dark. The headlamps by Black Diamond are stormproof and come with three light settings for indoor and outdoor use.
Don’t pack just any blanket in your kit — add something a little more intentional, like the Escape Lite Bivy. The emergency bivy is made with windproof and water-resistant Escape fabric that will keep you dry and safe from any elements. And it packs up tightly so it doesn’t take up excessive space.
If the thought of putting together an entire kit is too overwhelming or you want to have a second kit for your car, pick up an already packed bag by Redfora Store. The kit includes medical supplies, hygiene items, food, tools, a blanket, and more. You can choose between a one, two, three, four, five, or six-person kit depending on your household needs.
Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing.
