Vimbo Watson · Home Readiness
My Emergency Kit List
Military life has taught me that the moment you need a plan is never the moment to make one. These are the things my family actually bought and keeps on hand for power outages, storms, and the unexpected. I hope this list makes building your own kit a little easier.
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Light and power
GasOne 115+ Hour Emergency Candles, 8-PackLiquid candles that burn for days, not hours. Unscented, clean burning, and easy to store.View on Amazon →Amazon Basics AA and AAA Batteries, 48-CountFlashlights, radios, and remotes all run on these. Buy them before you need them.View on Amazon →Communication and signal
Solar Hand Crank NOAA Weather RadioWeather alerts, AM/FM, a flashlight, and a power bank in one. It charges by sun or by hand when the grid is down.View on Amazon →Emergency Whistle with LanyardSmall, loud, and carries farther than a voice. I keep one in every go bag.View on Amazon →Car and first aid
211-Piece Waterproof First Aid KitPacked in an airtight dry bag, so it stays ready in the car, the boat, or the basement closet.View on Amazon →MateAuto Roadside Emergency Car KitJumper cables, a tow strap, a first aid kit, and a safety hammer, all in one bag that lives in the trunk.View on Amazon →ICEWRAPS Instant Ice Packs, 50-CountSqueeze and they turn cold. No freezer required, which matters when the power is out.View on Amazon →Rounding out a family kit
These are the next things on my list, chosen because thousands of families rate them highly and FEMA recommends having them on hand.
Primacare Mylar Emergency Blankets, 10-PackEach one folds smaller than a wallet and holds in body heat. Tuck one in every bag, glovebox, and backpack.View on Amazon →Energizer PRO-400 Rechargeable Headlamps, 2-PackOne for each parent. Hands-free light makes it so much easier to carry a child, pack a car, or cook in the dark.View on Amazon →Saalt Soft Reusable Menstrual CupOne small cup replaces boxes of disposables, and it comes with its own carry bag. Your period does not pause for a power outage or an evacuation.View on Amazon →Fireproof Two-Pocket Document BagPassports, birth certificates, insurance papers, and military records in one bag you can grab on the way out the door.View on Amazon →Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets, 100-PackA backup to the LifeStraw that treats water by the gallon, so the whole family can drink from the same jug.View on Amazon →3M Aura N95 Respirators, 20-PackFor wildfire smoke, storm debris, and dust. FEMA lists masks as a basic kit item for a reason.View on Amazon →ReadyWise Emergency Food Bucket, 132 ServingsJust add water. It stacks in a closet and takes the question of what is for dinner off the table when everything else is uncertain.View on Amazon →Ultra Bright Glow Sticks, 32-PackSafe light that kids can hold, with no flame and no batteries. To a scared little one, a glow stick turns a dark night into an adventure.View on Amazon →UNO Card GameNot every item has to be practical. A deck of cards keeps everyone laughing during hours in a shelter or by candlelight at home.View on Amazon →