Interested in Your Own Personally Branded Magazine? Click Here!

Want to customize this content for your business?

Learn More

Categories

  • Home
  • Decor
  • Real Estate
  • Life & Culture
  • Food & Recipes
  • Holiday & Entertaining

  • Printables
  • Videos


General

  • About the Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Copyright
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers


Editorial

  • Editorial Calendar
  • Issue Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Pitch an Idea

American Lifestyle Magazine Logo
  • Home
  • Decor
  • Real Estate
  • Life & Culture
  • Food & Recipes
  • Holiday & Entertaining
  • Search
  • Follow
  • 0 Heart
  • |
  • Food & Recipes Categories
    • All Recipes (774)
    • Appetizers (147)
    • Breakfast (63)
    • Cooking Tips (37)
    • Desserts (232)
    • Dinner (246)
    • Drinks (59)
    • Gluten Free (9)
    • Healthy (77)
    • Lunch (17)
    • Quick & Easy (67)
    • Vegan (38)
    • Vegetarian (59)
All Recipes | Jul 5, 2025

Ultimate Salad Wrap

  • Holiday & Entertaining Categories
    • Celebrate (5)
    • Christmas (106)
    • Easter (17)
    • Entertaining (56)
    • Fall (65)
    • Father’s Day (5)
    • Halloween (34)
    • Hanukkah (24)
    • July 4th (31)
    • Mother’s Day (7)
    • New Year’s (24)
    • Spring (29)
    • St. Patrick's Day (14)
    • Summer (52)
    • Thanksgiving (55)
    • Valentine’s Day (8)
    • Winter (82)
Backyard party
Summer | Jun 11, 2025

A Summer Party Playbook

  • Decor Categories
    • Crafts & DIY Projects (288)
    • Curb Appeal (5)
    • Decorate (93)
    • Interior Design (114)
Interior Design | Jun 4, 2025

Step Inside Virtual Design

Interior Design | Jun 3, 2025

Making Malibu Design Magic

Interior of home
Interior Design | Apr 2, 2025

A Colorado Interior Design Collaboration

  • Real Estate Categories
    • Buying & Selling (172)
    • Home Trends (16)
    • Staging (19)
    • Your First House (30)
Moving truck
Buying & Selling | Mar 25, 2025

The Proper Way to Unpack

Historic home
Buying & Selling | Aug 15, 2024

Living in History

Flower
Buying & Selling | Jul 31, 2024

Four Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value

  • Life & Culture Categories
    • Editorial (346)
    • Family & Pets (233)
    • Finances (33)
    • Health (165)
    • Travel (315)
© Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
Travel | Jul 9, 2025

A Scenic Wonder in the Midwest

Sound meditation
Health | Jul 8, 2025

Sound Bath Meditation

Board walk
Travel | Jul 2, 2025

America’s Best Boardwalks

  • Home Categories
    • Cleaning (46)
    • Organizing (55)
    • Home Improvement (92)
    • Outdoors & Gardening (78)
Flower
Outdoors & Gardening | May 19, 2025

Create Your Blossom Bliss

Patio
Home Improvement | May 15, 2025

Freshen Up Your Patio or Deck for Spring

Mattress store
Home | Apr 14, 2025

A Mattress Buying Guide

Follow us on social media today!

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

The Essentials to Pack in a Home Emergency Kit

Family & Pets | By Nathan Smith | 0 Likes
SHARE
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More

One of the best ways to improve your household’s safety is to focus on preparation. If disaster strikes, your household could be without power and running water for an extended period of time. That’s why having an emergency kit filled with supplies is an essential home safety measure.

Remember, when packing your emergency kit, disasters can be different throughout the country. Depending on where you live, you could face flooding, blizzards, tornadoes, or hurricanes, so make sure you make your emergency kit personalized to your location.

Food and water

During a crisis, you may not have access to basic necessities like clean water and food, so make sure you have a supply of these items available. According to the Red Cross, you should keep one gallon of water per person per day. You may also want to pack portable water filters designed to remove waterborne bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from water. When it comes to food, the Red Cross suggests keeping nonperishable, easy-to-prepare items handy. If you’re packing canned food, make sure you have a manual can opener in your emergency kit. You should have a three-day supply of both food and water for evacuation situations and a two-week supply for if you’re sheltering in place.

First-aid kit

A well-stocked first-aid kit can help you get through an emergency. You should regularly check your first-aid kit and replace any of the contents that have expired. You can buy a premade first-aid kit, or you can put one together yourself with the following items:

  • Adhesive bandages
  • Gauze pads
  • Adhesive tape
  • Roller bandages
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Scissors
  • Tweezers
  • Cold pack
  • Antibacterial wipes
  • Thermometer
  • Antiseptic spray
  • Latex gloves
  • Eyewash
  • Emergency blanket

Other basics

You should consider stocking up on several additional supplies that can help keep your household safe and sound. This list includes:

  • Prescription medications: If any of your family members regularly take medication, make sure you have a seven-day supply available.
  • Nonprescription medications: Keep over-the-counter medications, such as pain relievers, antacids, and laxatives, in your kit.
  • Personal hygiene items: Soap, toothpaste, and feminine products are all necessities.
  • Cell phone and power bank: A rechargeable power bank can help keep your phone charged so you can contact emergency responders or family members during a crisis.
  • Change of clothing: Each household member should have at least one extra pair of clothes in the emergency kit. If your area has cold winters, don’t forget to store seasonal clothing, such as warm jackets, hats, and gloves.
  • Flashlight: If your home loses power, a flashlight can help you safely navigate through your home.
  • Radio: A battery-powered or hand-crank radio can help keep you informed during an emergency.
  • Batteries: You should cache a supply of batteries to power your devices for several days.
  • Bedding: Items like pillows, blankets, and sleeping bags can help your household stay comfortable.
  • Personal documents: Important family documents, such as medical information, passports, insurance policies, and proof of address, should be stored in a waterproof and fireproof container or safe.
  • Pet supplies: Don’t forget to stock up on items for your pet, such as food, toys, and other supplies.
  • Map of the area: If you must evacuate your home, a map can help you navigate your way to safety.

Additional supplies

You never know what you’ll face in an emergency, so, depending on where you live, these items can be helpful to keep with your kit.

  • Cash
  • Waterproof matches
  • Rain gear
  • Life raft
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Tent
  • Flares
  • Hand warmers
  • Work gloves
  • Tools (hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, wrench, shovel, axe, utility knife)
  • Needle and thread
  • Plastic sheeting
  • Duct tape
  • Dust masks
  • Entertainment (games and books)

 

By taking some time to focus on preparation, you can help increase your chances of safely making it through a crisis.

15418 Views

This article is tagged in:

Home SafetySafety

Related Posts

Woman cleaning
Home | Feb 4, 2025

Resolutions for a Safer and Happier Home

Backyard
Home | Mar 12, 2024

Set Up a Safe Backyard

sun-screen-safety
Life & Culture | Jun 10, 2022

Here Comes the Sun: Summer Sunscreen Tips

decor
Holiday & Entertaining | Nov 5, 2021

A Safe Home for the Holidays

Life & Culture | Nov 3, 2021

On the Road Again: Holiday Driving Tips

Popular Posts

Life & Culture | Feb 17, 2020

Trash vs. Recycle: Do You Know When to Trash it?

spring-cleaning-countdown
Home | Mar 23, 2021

Spring-Cleaning Countdown

Make Your Own Seed Paper
Decor | Mar 17, 2016

Make Your Own Seed Paper

Real Estate | Dec 14, 2017

House Selling Checklist

home office with white furniture
Life & Culture | Mar 30, 2020

Here’s How to Work From Home Effectively

You may also like:

Health | Feb 17, 2020

Trash vs. Recycle: Do You Know When to Trash it?

spring-cleaning-countdown
Cleaning | Mar 23, 2021

Spring-Cleaning Countdown

Make Your Own Seed Paper
Crafts & DIY Projects | Mar 17, 2016

Make Your Own Seed Paper

Buying & Selling | Dec 14, 2017

House Selling Checklist

home office with white furniture
Health | Mar 30, 2020

Here’s How to Work From Home Effectively

decorating-basics
Interior Design | Jun 9, 2020

These Tips Are Your North Star For Home Decorating

for sale sign
Buying & Selling | Jan 18, 2021

10 Questions Everyone Selling a Home Should Be Asking

Share on Social Media

Our mission is to deliver entertainment that inspires and motivates our readers, encouraging them to follow their passions as they explore new horizons.

© 2025 American Lifestyle Magazine

General
  • About the Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Copyright
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers
Editorial
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Issue Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Pitch an Idea
Categories
  • Home
  • Decor
  • Real Estate
  • Life & Culture
  • Food & Recipes
  • Holiday & Entertaining
Follow Us
Facebook Pinterest Instagram Youtube

Customize this content for your business!

Learn More

,