The Complete Home Emergency Kit Checklist (2026 Edition)

Whatever hazard tops the list in your state, the foundation of preparedness is the same: a stocked emergency kit. Here is a practical checklist based on Ready.gov and FEMA guidance.

The essentials

• Water: one gallon per person per day, minimum three days (two weeks for hurricane-prone states)
• Non-perishable food for at least three days, plus a manual can opener
• Flashlights and extra batteries — avoid candles
• Battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio
• First aid kit and at least a week of prescription medications
• Phone chargers and a power bank
• Copies of insurance policies, IDs and bank records in a waterproof container
• Cash in small bills — ATMs fail during outages

Adjust for your state's top risks

In hurricane and flood country, add waterproof document bags, tarps and materials to board windows. In wildfire zones, prepare a grab-and-go bag for fast evacuation. In winter storm states, add blankets, warm clothing and a safe backup heat source. Check your state's risk profile on this site to see which hazards deserve extra attention.

Maintain it

Set a yearly reminder to rotate water and food, test the radio and update documents. A kit you assembled five years ago and never touched may fail you when it matters.