That said, doesn’t everyone have an emergency crate of two extra packs of Maruchan Ramen? I can’t be alone in this.
A very good flashlight
May we suggest… the best overall lighting? One that you can soak in water—and then later purify the water with its light?
A lamp
Courtesy of Coleman
A large wound
4D LED Camp Lantern
Flashlights are great for walking around. But holding still, you want a lamp. There are many electric-based options available, of course, but Coleman’s long-lasting, battery-powered LED Lantern ($22) is the real deal, with True Advice promising 175 hours before you need to change batteries.
First aid kit
Of course, you can buy a ready-made emergency kit from the American Red Cross ($43), even if this one is meant to stay in your car. Adventurous medical kits also feature the Mountain Explorer Medical Kit ($83).
But for frugal sake, check out this guide to put together the best emergency clock yourself for less money.
A face mask
Courtesy of honeywell
He’s sneaky
Safety DF300 N95 Respirator
Sometimes what you worry about is disease. Sometimes a wild fire smokes. Or good passions from the Lord know what else. But have you ever regretted having some open face forks lying around?
Digital digital backups
The biggest category people tend to overlook when thinking about emergency preparedness, Sury says, is limitations. This can be as simple as having a family communication plan and organized meeting points, so you know what to do if your family members are separated. But again, it’s important to have digital backups of important documents, Sury said, “Anything that’s too important to be damaged in a disaster.” This can include insurance documents, titles to homes and vehicles, medical information such as prescription drug lists and prescriptions, physician contact information, and passport photos and identification.
You probably have access to one form or another of cloud storage. See Wired’s guide to the best cloud storage services for every need and device type, and be sure to use a good password manager to keep any sensitive data safe. But especially if access to the Internet is not guaranteed – or you would like to store some documents in the Cloud-Another safe option for a portable Drive to store a Drive that can easily fit into an unauthorized wallet. Wilbert Scott Gilbertson’s review recommends OWC’s Elektron SSD for OLCRTON Or simply store important things on a USB Flash Drive such as the TOP Pick, SandIsk Extreme Pro ($42).
A hot phone, a passport, and a Faraday bag
Wait, does this seem strange? Well, maybe – but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Disaster takes many forms, and some of them are human. Here’s a wire-by-wire guide on how to buy and set up a hot phone in an untraceable way. But to avoid trackers on phones, you’ll also want a Faraday bag to block tracking signals, like the SLNT Faraday bag from a quiet pocket. True shirter calls don’t buy online. But if all you need is a safe phone to search across the border with, what you really need is something hotter than the design data: the moto g stylus 5g will serve your needs here.
Portable Power Banks
The world is running for electricity. The power grid can be weak. Lithium-ion power packs are today’s answer – but they can be a revolutionary technology, so you don’t just want to switch to more. Between portable portable banks and large power stations, cable testers can recommend available devices from jackery-pund, 300 hour model and include solar options in 62 Behemoth lungs with seven times.
For your car: Jump-Starter
In addition to basic power banks, you’ll probably want to make sure you can jumpstart your own car without needing to. Wire testers have great luck with devices from NOCO and Gooloo.
The radio
Courtesy of sony
Yes, the radio. You know, that thing in your car that you sometimes connect your iPhone to? However, whatever is going on with the Internet or satellites, the radio is a good source of emergency information. Have one. Classic Prepper Advice is a handheld radio. But for short emergencies, batteries are also a thing.
EMERGENCY EMERGENCY PHONES APPS
By the grace of Palsu
Another thing people forget to do until the Internet is already down? Download emergency applications. As of October 2025, FEMA has an action plan. Your local or state government may also have Emergency Push-notifications: keep an eye on logging in. Wired lists parts of other personal safety apps, including a subscription service called Palcus that can connect you directly to first responders.
Batteries are added
Do you have any portable battery powered devices? Have extra batteries in them.
Cool packs and ice
Courtesy of Pelican
A cooler helps keep food fresh, of course. But again, most drugs need to be a coluvity-arekerness of columbia disaster preparedness specialist. And if this is someone in your family, a small cooler can be part of the emergency equipment, when combined with an ice pack or two from the freezer.
Games for children
Courtesy of nintendo
This is another overlooked thing that every emergency professional recommends to everyone who has ever had contact with a child. In stressful or stressful situations, rely on distraction. This can be as simple as a puzzle book, a good construction kit, or foresight when you walk out the door to grab a nintendo switch 2 and a small bank like a high wind-pick.
Medical and personal items
In addition to prescription medications, over the counter painkillers and antacid tablets are helpful additions to any emergency kit. The same goes for femune hygiene products. So teeth and teeth.
Sanitizers
An emergency is a bad time to catch a stomach bug or any type of infection. “Anything to maintain HYGIENE, that’s very important,” said Sury. “Especially if we don’t have running water, we just don’t want to get any kind of transmission, or transmission of viruses, through word of mouth.” And so hand sanitizers end up being … big money. So bad snifes are good.
Nitrile gloves
With the help of medpride
Jehovah
Nitrile gloves for free
The world is full of bad things. And in some types of emergencies, pollution is a real problem. Nitrile gloves will help you not to take it, and they resist cuts and other tears. It is also important in first aid situations.
Pets App
Are you planning to leave fido or meower behind, when the rains come to wash these streets clean? To think, maybe keep a pet carrier with portable food and water bowls that work. If you have horses? You will need to own a trailer and something to attend to. If you have petal boa constriction, I have no good advice. [I do have a pet boa constrictor, and I recommend putting it in a pillowcase. —Ed.]
Useful extras
A Can Opener, to open cans. A scarf for all kinds of things. Duct tape and sheeting to build temporary shelters or provide cover from the rain. A box of games in a ziplock bag. Notebook and pen. Non-shatter plates and cups, either paper or metal.
Paper maps of your region
Yes, they are still there. Yes, they are a good idea.
