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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFor a home emergency kit, prioritize reliable ways to receive alerts, see in the dark, communicate, treat minor injuries and signal for help. A radio, flashlight, phone charger, first-aid kit and whistle are useful gadgets—but they supplement, rather than replace, water, food, an emergency plan and official instructions. FEMA’s May 2024 emergency supply checklist is a practical starting point; adapt it to your local hazards, household size, pets and medical needs.
Start with the supplies gadgets cannot replace
Before shopping for devices, cover the basics. FEMA recommends one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation, and at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. The checklist also includes sanitation supplies, local maps, a manual can opener if you store canned food, and plastic sheeting and duct tape for sheltering in place.
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Think about where each kit will be kept. FEMA advises considering a full kit at home and smaller portable kits for places where household members spend time. Add provisions for children, pets, medical needs and the hazards common in your area. The list below focuses on useful gadgets and equipment, not a complete emergency plan.
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1. Hand-crank emergency radio with NOAA weather alerts
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio can help you receive information when internet access or normal power is unavailable. FEMA’s checklist also calls for a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert and spare batteries. When choosing a radio, check that it receives the alert service relevant to your location, supports tone alerts if needed, and has a power source you can maintain. A hand crank is a backup, not a reason to skip spare batteries or another charging option.
#1 Best Overall
- 72 HOUR EMERGENCY KIT FOR 2 PEOPLE WITH FOOD AND WATER: Includes 2 emergency food bars totaling 4800 calories and 12 sealed drinking water pouches to support hydration and energy during disasters. Designed for emergency preparedness, survival kits, earthquake kits, and evacuation planning.
- COMPLETE DISASTER SURVIVAL KIT WITH SHELTER AND WARMTH: Equipped with 2 emergency ponchos and 2 survival blankets to help protect against rain, wind, and cold conditions. Critical gear for outdoor emergencies, power outages, and shelter in place situations.
- FIRST AID KIT AND SAFETY PROTECTION SUPPLIES: Features a 33 piece first aid kit, dust masks, and nitrile gloves to support basic medical care and protection from debris and airborne particles. Essential for emergency response, injury care, and disaster safety.
- EMERGENCY LIGHTING AND SIGNALING TOOLS INCLUDED: Comes with 2 long lasting 12 hour lightsticks and a safety whistle for visibility and communication in low light or rescue situations. Ideal for blackout emergencies, nighttime evacuation, and search scenarios.
- COMPACT BACKPACK FOR GRAB AND GO EVACUATION: Lightweight emergency backpack keeps all survival supplies organized and ready for fast response. Perfect for home emergency kits, car emergency kits, office preparedness, and bug out bags.
2. NOAA Weather Radio with tone alerts
If your general-purpose radio does not provide NOAA Weather Radio reception and tone alerts, consider a separate weather radio. Confirm the alert functions and coverage for your area before relying on it. Keep its spare batteries with the device, and follow local authorities’ instructions during an emergency.
3. Flashlight with spare batteries
A flashlight makes it easier to move safely and handle basic tasks during a power failure. Compare power source, brightness and stated runtime, and make sure replacement batteries are readily available. FEMA specifically includes a flashlight and extra batteries in its basic-kit checklist.
4. Portable phone power bank or extra phone battery
A charged backup can keep a phone usable for calls, messages and alerts when wall outlets are unavailable. Check the power bank’s capacity, charging connections and compatibility with your phone; keep the backup charged and include the correct cable. FEMA lists an extra cell-phone battery or charger, and Ready.gov’s disaster-planning guidance advises having alternative ways to charge phones during power outages.
Rank #2
- [Preparedness for the Unknown]: While no one can predict when or how severe a disaster or unexpected event will be, our 262pcs survival kit helps your family stay prepared during the critical first 72 hours. Designed for family use, it was developed in collaboration with survival experts, outdoor professionals, special forces operators, and mountain guides. Whether you're preparing for earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires, or hurricanes, our survival kit provides peace of mind.
- [Comprehensive Emergency Supply Kit]: The included emergency supplies are stored in a bright red pouch, containing tweezers, scissors and pins, non-woven pad, triangular cotton cloth, cotton swabs, cotton balls, a generous supply of adhesive strips etc., meeting your general emergency and outdoor needs. It also includes an emergency information card to record your basic information, helping others quickly access important information when needed.
- [Safety Companion for Journey]: Our emergency kit includes many survival gear and supplies to ensure access to food, water, warmth, and light in a crisis. The fishing kit and multi-usage spoon help you catch and prepare food, while the collapsible water container bag helps store water. Fire starter and stick make it easy to build a fire. A flashlight, camping lamp, and glow sticks provide up to 72 hours of lighting, crucial for signaling for help and safe navigation.
- [Essential Survival Gear]: Additionally, this survival kit includes a detachable multifunctional axe with hammer and a 2-in-1 shovel with pick, made of sturdy carbon steel. Combined with wire saw, emergency tent and blanket, rope, and compass, you can quickly set up an emergency shelter while helping retain warmth. Unlike other mini axes, our axe and shovel are 17 inches long, providing effective protection in the wild against animals or in other emergencies.
- [Convenient Packaging]: The survival gear and supplies are packed in a crossbody bag, making it easy to carry and access in emergencies. The bag features multiple compartments and molle compatible straps and D-rings, allowing you to attach extra pouches or survival tools. The crossbody strap is also detachable, making it easy to connect to a tactical survival backpack using carabiners or the molle system.
5. First-aid kit
FEMA includes a first-aid kit in its basic supply list. Choose contents that suit your household and know how to use them; a kit is not a substitute for medical care. Account for personal medications and medical supplies separately, and check stored items periodically for expiration or damage.
6. Emergency water storage container
A suitable container gives you a way to store part of your household’s emergency water supply. Choose one intended for drinking-water storage, sized for the people and space involved, and follow its cleaning, filling and storage directions. The container does not change FEMA’s quantity guidance: one gallon per person per day for at least three days.
7. Signaling whistle
A whistle can help attract attention if you need assistance and cannot easily call out. FEMA includes one in its checklist. Keep it accessible in a home kit or portable bag rather than buried beneath supplies.
Rank #3
- 72-HOUR EMERGENCY KIT FOR 2: Built for disaster preparedness at home, work or on the road, this 2-person survival backpack includes food, water, first aid, lighting, hygiene and shelter essentials for up to 3 days.
- FOOD, WATER & PURIFICATION: Includes two 2,400-calorie emergency food bars, six 4.225 oz water pouches, water purification tablets and a 32 oz BPA-free bottle to help support hydration and nutrition during outages or evacuations.
- FIRST AID & PERSONAL PROTECTION: Packed with a 33-piece first aid kit, 2 N95 dust masks, nitrile gloves, hygiene kits, ponchos, survival blankets and tissues for added protection, sanitation and comfort during emergencies.
- POWER, LIGHTING & COMMUNICATION: Includes a hand-crank emergency power station with flashlight, AM/FM radio, siren and cell phone charging, plus 2 emergency lightsticks and a 3-in-1 whistle, compass and thermometer.
- DELUXE SURVIVAL TOOLS IN ONE BACKPACK: Adds a multi-function tool, duct tape, bio-hazard bag and emergency contact card in a portable backpack. Ideal for earthquakes, hurricanes, blackouts, wildfire evacuation, cars and workplaces.
8. Dust masks
FEMA lists a dust mask as a basic-kit item. Select masks appropriate to the likely use and fit the wearer correctly. A basic dust mask should not be treated as protection against every airborne hazard; follow public-health and emergency-authority guidance for specific threats.
9. Plastic sheeting and duct tape
These supplies can be used for sheltering in place, as FEMA’s checklist notes. Store them together and know that the right response depends on the hazard and official instructions. They are not a universal substitute for evacuation or a purpose-built protective shelter.
10. Adjustable wrench or pliers
FEMA includes a wrench or pliers for turning off utilities. Keep a tool only if you know the relevant shutoff procedure for your home and it is safe to act. Do not enter a hazardous area or attempt a shutoff when authorities or utility providers advise against it.
Rank #4
- COMPLETE 4-PERSON DISASTER SUPPLY KIT: Built to support four people for up to 72 hours with emergency food, drinking water, first aid, shelter, lighting, hygiene and survival gear packed together in one portable backpack for fast access at home or work.
- FOOD & WATER FOR 3-DAY PREPAREDNESS: Includes four 2,400-calorie emergency food bars and four 1-liter Aqua Literz cartons, plus survival blankets, ponchos and lightsticks to help support your household during outages, evacuations and major disasters.
- FIRST AID & SAFETY ESSENTIALS: Includes a 107-piece first aid kit, safety goggles, nitrile gloves, leather work gloves, biohazard bags, hygiene supplies and an emergency whistle to help support personal protection and comfort when conditions turn chaotic.
- POWER, LIGHTING & SURVIVAL TOOLS: Hand-crank emergency power station combines flashlight, AM/FM radio, siren and cell phone charging, while a multi-function tool, duct tape and emergency lightsticks add practical support for blackouts and evacuations.
- BUILT FOR HOME, WORK & EVACUATION: Grab-and-go 4-person emergency backpack is ideal for earthquake kits, hurricane supplies, wildfire evacuation, blackout preparedness, offices, vehicles and family disaster planning when critical supplies must move fast.
11. Manual can opener
If your emergency food includes canned goods, a manual can opener lets you use them without electricity. FEMA specifically lists a can opener when canned food is included. Check that it works with the cans you store.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose and maintain a useful kit
- Match equipment to your household: account for the number of people, pets, medical requirements and the hazards in your area.
- Plan for power: choose radios and lights with dependable power options, keep compatible spare batteries, and maintain a charged phone backup.
- Make portable items reachable: place essentials where you can find them at home and consider smaller kits for other places household members spend time.
- Check function, not promises: verify alert reception, device compatibility, battery availability and fit for your needs. The official guidance supports these equipment categories, not a ranking of specific models.
- Follow local instructions: gadgets cannot determine whether it is safer to shelter or evacuate. Use official alerts and emergency guidance to decide what to do.
FEMA describes its checklist as a starting point, not a complete one-size-fits-all kit. Its FEMA App information, updated October 29, 2024, also describes app-based National Weather Service alerts for up to five locations. An app can complement a kit, but it depends on a working phone and does not replace a battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
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