52 Must-Have Emergency Kit Supplies

Even if a major disaster seems unlikely, you should have a variety of emergency kit supplies. The size of these kits and the items in them will vary depending on the size of your household. If there are people with certain needs or health conditions, the kits may have additional items.

What Should be in Your Emergency Kit

Everyone should have some standard emergency kit supplies in a go-to-bag in the event of a disaster.  Among these are basic first aid and medical items, although some emergency kits will have first aid items as well as other necessities. First aid supplies should include burn creams, over-the-counter painkillers, bandages, gauze and tapes, scissors, tweezers, cold packs and antiseptic wipes.

For most people, the following 52 items below are important items in their emergency kit supplies.

1. Lightsticks
   
2. Heavy-duty garbage bags
   
3. Water purifier and or water purification tablets
   
4. Water: At least one gallon per person
   
5. Emergency survival energy tabs
   
6. Honey
   
7. Upholstery needle and threads: Necessary for repairing sleeping bags or tents
   
8. Sewing kits
   
9. Paracord
   
10. Toilet wipes/clothes - washable
    
11. Aluminum foil - one or two sheets folded compactly
    
12. Menstrual cups and reusable menstrual pads: Younger females will find that it is easy to run out of regular sanitary pads and tampons, so having reusable items is a necessity
    
13. Rubber bands
    
14. Duct tape
    
15. Pencil
    
16. Cotton balls - soaked in petroleum jelly and stored in a tin
    
17. Shovel - folding type
    
18. Knives - a straight blade and folding blade
    
19. One tin plate/bowl one set of eating tools per person
    
20. Manual can opener
    
21. Salt
    
22. Toothbrush
    
23. Liquid soap: This is not just for bathing, but also for washing utensils and clothes
    
24. Blanket
    
25. Towel
    
26. Sleeping bag: Suitable even in cold weather, especially if you live in an area where the temperatures can become freezing.
    
27. Cooler
    
28. Gloves
    
29. Flashlight
    
30. Batteries rechargeable with solar battery charger
    
31. Candle
    
32. Tools such as a hammer, screwdriver and handsaw, etc.
    
33. Portable stove
34. Stove fuel
    
35. Solar charger
    
36. Whistle
    
37. Prescription medications (if needed)
    
38. Extra clothing; Include extra socks and sweaters if you live in an area where it gets very cold
    
39. Rain gear
    
40. Snow gear (if needed)
41. Extra cash, especially in small notes such as fives and ones as well as plenty of coins
    
42. Vital documents: Keep copies of personal items such as birth certificates in waterproof sleeves, etc.
    
43. Two-way radio
    
44. AM/FM/Weather/Shortwave receiver radio
    
45. Games for children (if needed)
46. Extra pair of reading glasses
    
47. Dust masks
    
48. List of emergency contacts: This should include telephone numbers for doctors and relatives
    
49. Pet supplies: This is especially important if you have to leave home with your pets (ie: guard dog to keep you safe)
    
50. Maps (inc. map of the local area)
    
51. How to Guides: Depending on the quality of supplies, some things may eventually run out.  How-to-guides can provide useful information on surviving without some items
    
52. Bible or other inspirational/comforting reads (inc. childrens books to keep them occupied too)
    

Some of the items above may seem excessive, but you will not be taking all of them with you. In most cases, they will come in handy if you are unable to leave home for an extended period. Depending on your lifestyle, the emergency kit supplies will also include items such as rifles, handguns and bullets, traps to catch animals for food and survival garden seeds.

A medical first aid kit, should of course be top of your list, plus sweets and energy bars can also provide a treat when you need a lift in morale during a taxing day.

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