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Freedom251 › Blog › Emergency kit

How to Build a Household Emergency Kit for Power or Fuel Disruptions

By Freedom251 Team · · 4 min read

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Start with a three-day baseline of drinking water and nonperishable food, then add light, communications, first aid, sanitation, and supplies matched to your household. Plan separately for devices that need electricity, safe heat, and getting around if fuel or local services are disrupted.

Build a three-day household baseline

FEMA’s emergency supply checklist recommends one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation, plus at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food. These are baseline recommendations, not a customized estimate for every household. See FEMA’s basic emergency supply checklist.

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  • Water: Store water in clean containers intended for potable water. Include the needs of pets and consider whether household members’ health or circumstances require additional water.
  • Food: Choose shelf-stable foods your household will eat. Include a manual can opener if you store canned food, and account for allergies, dietary needs, and foods that do not require cooking.
  • Light and information: Keep a flashlight with extra batteries and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio. Check which alert bands the radio receives and that everyone can operate it.
  • First aid and signaling: Add a first-aid kit and whistle.
  • Sanitation and shelter supplies: Include moist towelettes, garbage bags and ties, a dust mask, plastic sheeting, and duct tape.
  • Basic tools: Keep a wrench or pliers available to turn off utilities if instructed by authorities or a qualified professional.

FEMA describes its checklist as a starting point. A preassembled kit may omit items your household needs, so compare its contents with your own list rather than assuming it is complete.

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Plan for phones, medical devices, and alarms

Identify which phones, medical equipment, and assistive devices depend on household electricity. Keep phones charged when severe weather is forecast and have a compatible power bank or another charging plan. Check that a power bank is charged before an outage and that its connections work with your devices.

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If life-sustaining equipment or essential assistive technology needs power, ask the equipment provider or clinician about backup options and when to relocate. FEMA’s FEMA App information includes preparedness guidance; households should also make an individualized plan for their equipment and care needs.

Use battery-powered smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms, or electric alarms with battery backup. Use flashlights for lighting rather than candles, which FEMA identifies as a fire hazard. Store extra batteries in a way that keeps them usable, and check them as part of routine kit maintenance.

Stay safe when power or fuel is unavailable

Use generators and cooking equipment outdoors

Carbon monoxide is an immediate danger when fuel-burning equipment is used indoors or too close to a building. FEMA’s February 2025 power-outage fact sheet says to use generators, camp stoves, and charcoal grills outdoors, at least 20 feet from building openings such as windows, doors, or garages. Follow the equipment manufacturer’s instructions and store generator fuel safely. Never use a gas stovetop, oven, grill, or clothes dryer to heat your home. See FEMA’s power-outage guidance.

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Make a fuel and travel plan

Before severe weather or a likely disruption, keep your vehicle adequately fueled if it is safe to do so. Do not assume a nearby station will be open: an outage can prevent a station from operating. Decide in advance which trips are essential and how household members would reach a safer location if needed.

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Protect food and drinking water during an outage

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. FEMA’s preparedness guide says a refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours and a full freezer for about 48 hours when left closed; actual results depend on the appliance and conditions. FEMA advises discarding refrigerated food exposed to 40°F or higher for more than four hours. Follow current local health guidance when deciding what to keep or discard. The guidance appears in FEMA’s in-depth preparedness guide.

For water, follow local advisories. Use bottled water or boil water when authorities instruct you to do so; do not assume stored tap water is safe if an advisory says otherwise.

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Tailor the kit and keep it usable

Set aside supplies for the people and animals in your household, including medication, pet food, and items related to mobility, communication, or diet. Consider local hazards and the possibility that a household member may need to leave home rather than shelter in place.

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  • Check stored food, water, medication, and batteries routinely; replace items before they expire or become unusable.
  • Keep the radio, flashlight, power bank, and charging cables together where household members can find them.
  • Confirm the water container is intended for potable water and that everyone knows how to access the supplies.
  • Write down medical-device power needs, backup contacts, and a relocation destination or route where appropriate.
  • Review the plan with everyone in the household, including how to receive alerts and whom to contact if separated.

The FEMA baseline covers common essentials, but household needs differ. Add to it based on the people, pets, equipment, and likely disruptions you actually need to plan for.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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