These are the top emergency supplies you should have on hand, including first aid kits and fire starters.
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No matter where you are No matter where you are located, an emergency can (and does) occur. But whether it’s snow storms, tornados, wildfires, or hurricanes, the danger of serious emergencies can almost always be mitigated by investing in the best emergency supplies.
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Related: The Best Emergency Bug-Out Bags
But choosing the right emergency gear — or just figuring out what types of emergency supplies you should have — can be tricky. To make things easier, we’ve created a checklist of the best emergency supplies to help your household stay safe in the worst-case scenarios.
What are the best emergency supplies?
When stocking up on the best emergency supplies, you’ll want to start by considering what needs your emergency stash has to meet. Namely, you’ll need food and water, first aid supplies, and light and heat. We recommend that you add power, shelter (such as an emergency tent), survival tools, and other essentials to your emergency supplies list.
No matter what kind of emergency supply you’re looking at — be it a multi-tool, a camping stove, or an emergency food supply — be sure it’s well-built and capable of staying in working order while shelved. You can store the best emergency supplies and take them out months or even years later and they will still work.
For a complete list of emergency supplies, read on.
1. Survivor Filter Pro
Clean drinking water is essential in emergency situations. A water tank can be purchased to store water for emergencies. if there’s a tornado warning).
A Survivor Filter Pro is a better option to ensure drinking water security. It uses a pump mechanism to collect water, filter it, and then pump out 500 milliliters. It’s also very lightweight (half a pound), so you can transport it if need be.
Buy: Survivor Filter Pro Water Purification System $69.95
2. Leatherman Wave+
Reliable multi-tool They are an essential part of every day carry. But they can also be used in times of disaster. The Leatherman Wave+ is our favorite multi-tool, with 18 tools packed in a compact package that measures just 4 inches closed. Inside, you’ll find basics like knives, scissors, screwdrivers, and pliers, as well as some good extras like a saw and a wire stripper.
Buy: Leatherman Wave Plus $109.95
3. Judy Mover Max
Survival kits These are great ways to have an emergency supply stash in one purchase. Good examples include the Oprah-endorsed Judy Mover Max, which has water and food, safety and warmth, and tools and first aid — all in one ultra-durable, weatherproof backpack. It has enough supplies to sustain four people for 72 hours, and you don’t have to worry about grabbing multiple items during an evacuation.
4. Mountain House Classic Bucket
Food supplies Another great emergency item is the Mountain House bucket. This bucket contains 24 healthy, freeze-dried food items that can be heated with hot water. The best thing about a Mountain House bucket is the shelf life. It will last for at least 30 years.
Buy: Mountain House Classic Bucket $119.99
5. First Aid Kit 298 Pieces
A first aid kit should be kept in every home and car. This is especially important in the event of a large-scale emergency. This 298-piece kit from First Aid Only is a great choice with all the basics for treating small injuries like cuts and scrapes, as well as some materials for taking care of serious injuries when real medical help isn’t immediately available. The case is lightweight at only ten by seven inch.
Buy: First Aid Only 298 Piece Kit $20.57
Rhino USA Folding Survival Shovel
If you’re moving snow or surviving outdoors during an emergency, a reliable shovel is crucial. For such purposes, we like Rhino USA’s survival shovel. The shovel, made of ultra-rugged steel and two pounds in weight, is lightweight and portable. The head can be folded to make it a pickaxe, which is useful for breaking up ice.
Buy: RHINO USA Folding Survival Shovel/Pick $24.99
6. 3M Particulate Respirator
In many emergency situations, such as wildfires or earthquakes, dangerous levels of dust and smoke are quite common. This N95-certified respirator from 3M keeps your lungs protected from such contaminates by filtering out oil-based particles. They also use 3M’s Cool Flow Valve technology, which reduces heat and humidity inside the mask. Overall, the mask’s design is ergonomic enough to wear for hours without feeling totally uncomfortable.
Buy: 3M Particulate Respirators $12.99
7. Champion Dual Fuel Generator
Portable generators are great to have around for both serious emergencies and minor ones like, say, power outages when you’re working from home and need WiFi. This Champion Duel Fuel generator is a favorite because it produces an impressive 3,800 watts. That’s enough power to power most household needs as well as some extras, like the TV. It’s also compatible with propane and gasoline, offering 10.5 hours of power with a tank of propane or nine hours with a tank of gas.
Buy: Champion 3800-Watt Generator $978.95
8. Coleman Portable Butane Stove
If you don’t have access to a kitchen (maybe the gas and/or electricity are out), it’s a good idea to have a butane camping stove available for cooking. This Coleman stove is affordable, lightweight, and has excellent temperature control. The stove uses only one butane canister and burns on high for approximately 1.25 hours before needing to be replaced. It also doesn’t require matches to start — a big help in windy or wet environments.
Buy: Coleman Camping Stove $34.99
9. Swiss Safe Emergency Mylar Thermal Coverets
Also known as emergency blankets, or a.k.a. Swiss Safe space blankets are an important part of any household. emergency kit. Two-ounce blankets weigh just five by three inches when folded. The blankets can be folded to 82×52 inches if you require extra warmth in an emergency. They can be wrapped around your body to trap as much as 90% of your body heat and keep out snow and rain.
Buy: Swiss Safe Mylar Thermal Blankets $16.49
10. Goal Zero Lighthouse Lantern
The Goal Zero lantern is a powerful way to illuminate a room, tent or campsite when power goes out. The light has a 600 lumen brightness, which can be adjusted with a crank, replaceable batteries or a USB charger. This clever design features a foldable stand and a carrying handle. It also has easy-to use buttons.
Buy: Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 Lantern $69.95
11. überleben Zünden Fire Starter
If you don’t know how to make a fire using foraged materials, the Ferro rod firestarter is an essential piece of gear that can be used in emergency situations. The traditional fire starter rod quickly throws a 5,500-degree F spark when used with the attached striker — even if it’s wet or snowing outside. You can also use the striker as a tinder scratcher, ruler, hex wrench and bottle opener (essential to make a fireside drink).
Buy: überleben Zünden Fire Starter $18.00
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