Gear & Kits Checklist for Families

Master checklist / 02

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Water

1 gallon water per person per dayDrinking plus basic hygiene. Start with 3 days, build to 14.Essential72hr Shop
Food-grade water containersSafely store larger amounts without plastic taste or leaching.Recommended7-day Shop
Water filterTurns questionable tap or stored water into safe drinking water.Recommended7-day Shop
Water purification tabletsLightweight backup when you can't boil.Essential72hr Shop

Food & Cooking

Shelf-stable no-cook foodEat without power: peanut butter, tuna pouches, crackers, fruit cups.Essential72hr Shop
Manual can openerElectric openers are useless in a blackout.Essential72hr Shop
Camp stove (outdoor use only)Hot food and boiled water. Never use indoors: carbon monoxide risk.Upgrade7-day Shop
Paper plates and utensilsSave water by skipping dishes.Recommended7-day Shop

Light

Headlamp for each personHands-free light, and safer than candles.Essential72hr Shop
Battery lanternsLight a whole room so the family can be together.Essential72hr Shop
Extra batteriesMatch the sizes your lights, radio and alarms use.Essential72hr Shop

Power & Charging

Power banksKeep phones alive for alerts and calls.Essential72hr Shop
Solar chargerRecharge when the outage lasts longer than your batteries.Recommended7-day Shop
Portable power stationRuns CPAP, fans, Wi-Fi or a mini fridge safely indoors.Upgrade14-day Shop

Communication

Hand-crank NOAA weather radioOfficial alerts when cell and internet are down.Essential72hr Shop
Two-way radiosTalk within the family or neighborhood without cell service.Upgrade7-day Shop
Printed contact listMost of us don't know our family's numbers by heart.Essential72hr Shop
WhistleSignal for help using far less energy than shouting.Essential72hr Shop

First Aid & Medical

First aid kitTreat cuts, burns and sprains when help is slow.Essential72hr Shop
7-day medication supplyPharmacies may be closed or out of stock.Essential72hr Shop
Copies of prescriptionsSpeeds up refills if you must leave home.Recommended7-day Shop
N95 masksSmoke, dust and illness protection.Recommended72hr Shop

Hygiene & Sanitation

Sanitation bags / bucket toilet kitToilets may not flush without water pressure.Essential7-day Shop
Wet wipesStay clean without running water.Essential72hr Shop
Heavy-duty trash bagsWaste, ponchos, ground cover, and more.Essential72hr Shop
Toothbrush, soap and hand sanitizerPrevent illness when water is limited.Recommended72hr Shop

Shelter & Warmth

Wool blanketsWarm even when damp, and they don't need power.Essential72hr Shop
Sleeping bagsKeep everyone warm in one room during a winter outage.Recommended7-day Shop
Hand warmersCheap, safe warmth for hands and feet.Recommended72hr Shop

Cooling

Cooling towelsQuick relief in heat without power.Recommended72hr Shop
Battery fansMoves air when the AC is down.Essential72hr Shop

Tools & Safety

Battery-backup CO alarmsCarbon monoxide is the silent killer during outages.Essential72hr Shop
Smoke alarmsOn every level and in every bedroom.Essential72hr Shop
Fire extinguisherStop a small kitchen fire before it spreads.Essential72hr Shop
Duct tape and plastic sheetingShelter-in-place, broken windows, quick repairs.Recommended7-day Shop
Multi-toolOne tool for a hundred small jobs.Recommended72hr Shop
Gas/water shut-off wrenchStop a leak or burst pipe fast.Essential72hr Shop
Work glovesProtect hands from glass and debris.Recommended72hr Shop

Documents & Cash

Small bills of cashCard readers and ATMs fail without power.Essential72hr Shop
Waterproof document pouchIDs, insurance, deeds and birth certificates in one place.Essential72hr Shop
USB with scanned documentsA backup if paper copies are lost.Recommended7-day Shop

Kids

Comfort items and games for kidsA favorite stuffed animal or card game keeps calm.Essential72hr Shop
Diapers, formula and kid snacksHard to find when stores close.Essential72hr Shop

Pets

Pet food and waterAt least 3 days, building to 2 weeks.Essential72hr Shop
Leash, carrier and pet recordsShelters often require carriers and vaccine records.Essential72hr Shop

Seniors & Special Needs

Spare glassesYou can't prepare if you can't see.Essential72hr Shop
Hearing-aid batteriesStay connected to alerts and family.Essential72hr Shop
Mobility aidsBackup cane, walker or wheelchair batteries.Recommended7-day Shop

Car Kit

Bottled water for the carStuck in traffic or a breakdown on a hot day.Essential72hr Shop
Car phone chargerYour car is a generator on wheels for small devices.Essential72hr Shop
Jumper cablesGet moving again without waiting for help.Essential72hr Shop
Ice scraper and small shovelDig out in winter storms.Recommended72hr Shop

Everything your family needs

Stay-at-Home Bin

Grab-and-Go Bag

Car Kit

Off Grid Family — My Checklist

Water

Food & Cooking

Light

Power & Charging

Communication

First Aid & Medical

Hygiene & Sanitation

Shelter & Warmth

Cooling

Tools & Safety

Documents & Cash

Kids

Pets

Seniors & Special Needs

Car Kit