What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit: The Complete, Real-World Checklist

Building resilience starts at home. What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit is a practical, field-tested system our family has refined after storms, blackouts, and wildfires. Below, we walk you through exactly how we assemble a 72-hour home disaster kit, how we scale it to a 2–4 week shelter-in-place plan, and the gear we trust. If you’re just starting out, or upgrading from a basic go-bag, this guide will show you What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit with simple, repeatable steps.

After years of testing, What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit always prioritizes water, food, power, comms, medical, shelter, tools, sanitation, documents, and special-needs items. Start small, build in layers, and be consistent.

Check out grid-down-ready water storage with the compact SmartWaterBox to anchor your home water plan right away.

We’ll reference What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit throughout this guide to help you implement fast. Bookmark this and revisit it every six months when you rotate supplies.

Water Comes First — The Backbone of What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit

Water is non-negotiable. What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit always starts with water because it underpins health, cooking, cleaning, and first aid. FEMA suggests at least one gallon per person per day. Our rule of thumb: 1.5–2 gallons per person per day for drinking and minimal hygiene. For a family of four, a 72-hour home disaster kit needs 12–16 gallons; for two weeks, plan 50–60 gallons.

How we store it in What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit:

• Primary storage: Stackable, BPA-free 5–7 gallon containers or compact boxed systems you can tuck under beds and in closets.
• Secondary storage: Reused 2-liter bottles (for non-boiling uses), plus a bathtub bladder if a storm is imminent.
• Grab-and-go: 1–3 gallon jugs near exits so you can load a car quickly if needed.

Purification and filtration we include in What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit:

• Gravity filter: Zero-electricity filtration that serves a whole family.
• Inline straw filters: Lightweight backups for each family member.
• Chemical purification: Chlorine dioxide tablets and unscented household bleach (4–6% sodium hypochlorite) with a printed dosage chart.
• Boil kit: Kettle compatible with a camp stove.

If your municipality fails or you’re on a shallow well, consider redundancy. We add a portable gravity-fed solution to What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit so we can make questionable sources safer and keep kitchens running.

• Add one reliable gravity filter to your supplies: Aqua Tower
• If you’re in rural or semi-rural areas, review off-grid well strategies with Joseph’s Well

Water management tips from What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit:

• Label and date every container; rotate every 6 months.
• Store off concrete floors, away from sunlight and chemicals.
• Separate “drinking-grade” from “utility” water to avoid accidental contamination.
• Keep spare spigots, O-rings, and a dedicated hose (potable water safe).

When you hear “What to pack in a disaster kit,” always think water first. Every other layer depends on it.

Food That Stores, Cooks, and Comforts — What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit

Food is morale, energy, and normalcy. What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit layers 72-hour ready-to-eat options, 2–4 week pantry staples, and ultra-long-term items. We aim for 2,000–2,400 calories per adult daily, less for kids, and we plan menus we actually eat.

72-hour, no-cook foods we rely on:

• Shelf-stable pouches: tuna, salmon, chicken
• Nut butters, trail mix, jerky, protein bars
• Ready rice, instant oats, ramen, shelf-stable milk
• Electrolyte packets to prevent dehydration

Two-week pantry plan we keep in What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit:

• Carbs: rice, pasta, oats, tortillas
• Proteins: canned beans, lentils, canned meats
• Fats: olive oil, ghee, nuts
• Flavor and micronutrients: salt, bouillon, spices, hot sauce, multivitamins
• Comforts: tea, coffee, cocoa, hard candies for morale

Ultra-long-term “backbone” foods:

• White rice, beans, wheat berries, pasta in mylar with O2 absorbers
• Freeze-dried meals for fast hot dinners

Cooking gear we pack with food:

• Butane stove + extra canisters, or a dual-fuel camp stove
• Mess kit, kettle, can opener, pot gripper, heat-resistant gloves
• Waterproof matches, ferro rod, stormproof lighter
• Paper plates, bowls, and biodegradable wipes to save water

To stretch and diversify your pantry, we like the creative preservation ideas in The Lost SuperFoods. It’s a good match for anyone expanding What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit into a deeper larder.

Food management tips:

• Rotate every 6 months; “store what you eat, eat what you store”
• Keep a printed 2-week menu to reduce decision fatigue
• Label allergy-friendly items and kid-friendly snacks

When people ask “What are 10 items in a survival kit?” at least three should be food-related: high-calorie bars, a can opener, and a compact stove. In What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit, food is designed to be simple, safe, and energy-dense.

Power, Light, and Communications — The Silent Essentials in What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit

Blackouts turn minor disruptions into real emergencies. That’s why What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit includes layered power, lighting, and communication gear that works for hours, days, and weeks.

Layered power strategy we use:

• Short-term: USB power banks (10k–20k mAh), one per phone, with braided cables
• Medium-term: Small solar panel (20–100W) and a solar generator/power station to run comms, lights, fans, and charge devices
• Long-term: Car inverter to pull emergency power from a vehicle

Lighting we always include in What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit:

• Headlamps for hands-free tasks (one per person), with spare batteries
• LED lanterns to light rooms safely
• Small task lights for kitchens and bathrooms
• Chem lights for signaling and kid comfort
• Candles are last resort due to fire risk

Communications make a difference:

• NOAA weather radio (hand-crank + solar + battery) for alerts
• Family FRS/GMRS radios for neighborhood coordination
• Whistles, laminated contact tree, and local maps
• Written plans with rendezvous points and backup channels

Home safety overlaps with power:

• GFCI outlet testers, surge protectors, fire extinguisher
• Smoke/CO detectors with fresh batteries, plus a small 2A:10B:C extinguisher per level

Practical tips:

• Keep a charging caddy: labeled bag with power banks, cables, panel adapters
• Test radios monthly; program local weather channels and emergency nets
• Set a blackout drill: 2–4 hours with breakers off to find gaps

When people ask “What should be in a 72 hour survival kit?” we always include power banks, a weather radio, and reliable headlamps. Those are staples in What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit to reduce risk and keep information flowing.

First Aid, Meds, and Health — The Medical Core of What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit

Medical capability isn’t just a kit; it’s the skill to use it. What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit pairs a robust first-aid setup with chronic meds and practical references.

Our first-aid base loadout:

• PPE: nitrile gloves, N95 masks, eye shield
• Bleeding: pressure bandages, gauze rolls, hemostatic gauze, tourniquet
• Wound care: antiseptic wipes, povidone-iodine, triple-antibiotic ointment, hydrogel pads, wound closure strips
• Splinting: SAM splint, triangular bandage, elastic wraps
• OTC meds: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, antihistamines, loperamide, anti-nausea, electrolyte packets
• Burn care: hydrogel, non-stick dressings
• Dental: temporary filling, clove oil, dental wax
• Essentials: tweezers, trauma shears, thermometer, space blanket

Chronic meds and special needs:

• 30–90 day supply of prescriptions (work with your doctor)
• Spare inhalers, epi-pens, glucose monitoring supplies
• Women’s health items and infant/elder care meds

Training matters. Mid-content recommendation: We keep a practical medical reference in our kit and bookshelf. The layperson-friendly Home Doctor teaches treatments you can do when help is delayed, which aligns perfectly with What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit.

Hygiene and infection control:

• Hand sanitizer, soap sheets, toothbrushes/paste, floss
• Nail clippers, deodorant, menstrual supplies
• Small sharps container, zip bags, biohazard bags

Documentation:

• A printed med list per person
• Allergies and contraindications
• Copies of insurance, ID, and a phone-number card in each kit

Practice:

• Monthly “minute clinic”: open your kit, perform a skill, and restock
• Keep pet-specific first-aid with a vet’s phone number

In a real emergency, medical readiness is as critical as water and power. What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit gives you the tools, meds, and knowledge to stabilize until help arrives.

Shelter, Warmth, Clothing, and Sanitation — Comfort and Cleanliness in What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit

Even in intact homes, disasters bring cold, leaks, smoke, or heat. What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit ensures we can seal rooms, stay warm or cool, and keep sanitation under control.

Shelter-in-place upgrades:

• Plastic sheeting, painter’s tape, and duct tape to seal windows/doors
• Draft stoppers and towels to limit smoke or dust intrusion
• N95 or P100 respirators and safety goggles
• Compact carbon monoxide monitor

Warmth:

• Sleeping bags rated for your climate, wool blankets, thermal base layers
• Emergency bivy sacks and hand warmers
• Insulated curtains to retain heat in one “warm room”

Heat caution:

• Avoid indoor use of outdoor heaters; prioritize safe, UL-listed gear
• Ventilate appropriately and monitor CO levels

Clothing loadout we include in What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit:

• 2–3 days of socks/underwear per person in compression bags
• Sturdy shoes, work gloves, hats, and weather-appropriate outerwear
• Rain gear to preserve body heat during outside tasks

Sanitation and hygiene:

• 5-gallon “Luggable Loo” with liners and absorbent medium (cat litter)
• Heavy-duty trash bags and contractor bags
• Bleach, disinfectant wipes, and paper towels
• Camp soap, baby wipes, microfiber towels
• Separate cleaning bucket and brushes
• Portable bidet or extra TP to keep comfort and cleanliness consistent

Water discipline:

• “Gray water” bucket for non-potable uses
• Handwash station: water jug with spigot, soap, catch basin

Why this matters: Illness spreads quickly when sanitation slips. What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit prioritizes cleanliness to keep everyone healthy and morale high, especially during prolonged outages.

Tools, Safety, and Documents — The Backbone of Capability in What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit

Tools turn chaos into manageable tasks. What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit includes simple tools that keep your home safe and operations smooth during and after a disaster.

Safety and utility:

• Gas and water shutoff wrenches
• Fire extinguishers (one per level), smoke and CO detectors
• Pry bar, multi-tool, screwdriver set, adjustable wrench
• Duct tape, zip ties, paracord, tarp
• Work gloves, safety glasses, hard hat if you’re in earthquake zones

Navigation and signaling:

• Whistles (one per person)
• Reflective vests and headlamps for night operations
• Paper maps, compass, and printed evacuation routes

Cash and documents:

• Small bills in a waterproof pouch
• Copies of ID, insurance, deeds, titles, and family photos
• Encrypted USB drive with scans of all important documents

Household sustainment:

• Spare batteries sorted by size, fresh matches and lighters
• Small toolkit for furniture stabilization and minor repairs
• Door wedges and window film in high-wind zones

Security awareness:

• Motion lights and window alarms with battery backups
• Practice a home lockdown drill and safe-room plan

Packaging and organization:

• Color-coded bins or duffels labeled by category
• QR-coded inventory list printed and stored in each bin

This is the practical backbone of What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit. With these items, you can secure utilities, navigate safely, and access critical documents under stress.

Kids, Seniors, Pets, and Accessibility — Adapting What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit to People You Love

The best kit is the one everyone can use. What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit adapts for kids, seniors, pets, and people with disabilities. It’s not one-size-fits-all.

For kids:

• Familiar snacks, spare clothes, comfort items
• Busy bags: crayons, cards, small toys, books
• Ear protection and child-sized N95s
• ID bracelets and a laminated contact card

For seniors:

• 30–90 day prescriptions and pill organizers
• Mobility aids, spare cane tips, wheelchair repair kit
• Hearing aid batteries, glasses, dentures with cleaning supplies
• Simple, high-calorie, easy-to-chew foods

For people with disabilities:

• Backup power for assistive devices
• Detailed care instructions in the kit
• Duplicates of critical gear and charging cables
• Waterproof pouches for controls and remotes

For pets:

• 2 weeks of food, collapsible bowls, leashes/harnesses
• Medications and vaccination records
• Waste bags, absorbent pads, and a pet first-aid guide
• A backup carrier and a familiar blanket

Mental health:

• Comfort items, games, routines, and sleep aids (eye masks, earplugs)
• A daily schedule to reduce anxiety during long outages

Training and drills:

• Practice kit access and simple tasks with the whole household
• Assign age-appropriate roles to build confidence

These customizations make What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit truly family-ready, not just gear on a shelf.

Recommended Gear and Resources — Curated Picks That Fit What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit

We test, then we trust. Below are curated resources that align with What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit. Choose what fits your scenario and budget.

Water and filtration:

• Compact, stackable storage with SmartWaterBox for fast, modular water capacity
• Family-grade gravity filtration with Aqua Tower for zero-electricity purification

Food security and menu planning:

• Preservation and heritage staples in The Lost SuperFoods to deepen pantry resilience

Medical readiness:

• Practical at-home treatment reference with Home Doctor to guide you when care is delayed

Urban survival and grid-down strategy:

• City-specific tactics in New Survival Offer: URBAN Survival Code for apartment and dense-neighborhood challenges
• EMP and blackout planning with New Survival Offer: Dark Reset to harden your plan against long outages

Why these fit What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit:

• They solve core problems: water, food, medical, and urban constraints
• They’re scalable: start with 72 hours, expand to weeks
• They prioritize no/low-power solutions and practical skills

How to deploy quickly:

• Pick one water upgrade and one food resource this week
• Add a medical reference, then set a 30-minute drill to learn it
• Layer urban/grid-down tactics if you live in high-density areas

Use these selectively—quality beats quantity. These recommendations align tightly with What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit and the real-world challenges households face.

Scenario Planning — Earthquakes, Wildfires, Storms, and Urban Disruptions in What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit

Your home disaster kit should flex for specific threats. We tailor What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit to the most likely risks in our region.

Earthquakes:

• Shoes under every bed, hard hat, gloves, and whistle
• Gas shutoff wrench and water heater restraint straps
• 15 must-haves for quakes: sturdy shoes, headlamp, whistle, gloves, first-aid kit, tourniquet, dust mask (N95/P100), safety glasses, pry bar, fire extinguisher, water, food, radio, cash, and copies of documents
• Practice “Drop, Cover, Hold On,” then utility checks and reunification

Wildfires:

• Go-bags at the ready, N95s, goggles, and pet carriers at the door
• Sprinklers/hoses staged, valuables pre-packed, vehicle half full of fuel
• Air quality plan: seal a “clean room” with plastic sheeting and run HEPA if power is up

Hurricanes and severe storms:

• Bathtub bladder fill, window protection, strap outdoor furniture
• Elevate electronics, store documents high, unplug unneeded devices
• Two-week water, food, meds, and a safe-cooking plan

Winter storms:

• Warm-room plan with sleeping bags, layers, and safe indoor heat
• Extra insulation (curtains, draft stoppers), and a carbon monoxide monitor
• Shovel, ice melt, traction aids, and a vehicle kit

Urban disruptions:

• Elevators, water pumps, and ATMs may fail—cache water on each floor
• Hallway lighting backups, door wedges, stair-safe shoes
• Neighborhood comms via FRS/GMRS, printed building roster
• City-specific tactics from New Survival Offer: URBAN Survival Code

Grid-down and long blackouts:

• Hardened comms, power budgeting, and EMP awareness with New Survival Offer: Dark Reset
• Redundant lighting, cooking, and sanitation plans

This scenario lens keeps What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit relevant. Build the foundation once, then adjust modules for your risks and seasons.

Conclusion: Put What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit to Work This Week

You’ve seen What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit from water to food, medical to power, tools to sanitation, and special-needs adaptations. The best time to start was yesterday. The next best time is today. Choose one category and act.

Quick-start checklist for this week:

• Water: Add 12–16 gallons and one gravity filter
• Food: Stock 3 days of no-cook meals and a small stove
• Power/Light: Two power banks, a headlamp per person, and a weather radio
• Medical: Build your first-aid core and print med lists
• Tools/Docs: Gas shutoff wrench, fire extinguisher, and document copies
• Organization: Bin, label, and schedule 6-month rotations

Ready to lock in the big wins fast?

• Secure modular water storage with SmartWaterBox
• Add family-grade filtration via Aqua Tower
• Put a trusted reference on your shelf: Home Doctor
• Expand your pantry intelligence with The Lost SuperFoods

Return to this guide as your living plan. What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit is a system—simple to start, powerful when maintained.

FAQ: What We Pack in Our Home Disaster Kit