19 Great Life-Saving Supplies You Should Always Have at Home

February 21, 2024

It’s good to be prepared for any situation. While having insurance up-to-date is great, there are more practical steps to take. Securing your home with essential supplies can save your family’s life during a natural disaster. Make sure you have these 19 items bundled together in packs around your home for easy access.

Extra Doses of Your Medication

Medicine Doctor Giving A Blister Of Pill To Patient — Photo by mojo cp on Shutterstock

If you are on medication, pack extra doses of the same in the emergency kit. For instance, have spare insulin shots if you have diabetes.

Also, have “OTC medications like pain relievers, NSAIDs, antibiotic ointments, and antifungals.“

Solar Lights

Small Solar Powered Led Light With Motion Sensor. — Source: Shutterstock

Solar lights are an excellent way of keeping the lights on during a power outage. A user shares, “During our last power outage, we realized the solar outdoor lights worked for indoors after dark. We put them in vases around the house.”

Camping Stove

A camping stove (with enough fuel) will help your family enjoy hot meals for a while.

Jugs of Water

Man Delivering Large Bottles With Drinking Water — Source: Shutterstock

Don’t forget to add lots of water for drinking and hygiene. “You can’t live long without water,” points out a user.

Batteries

Recycling Energy Power Environment And Ecology Concept Close Up — Source: Shutterstock

In case there’s a power outage, batteries can power flashlights, radios, and other electronic devices.

Non-perishable Food

Riga/latvia March 23 2019: The Meal Ready To Eat (mre) Packets — Source: Shutterstock

“I got doomsday prepper survival food because I live in Houston, and we have hurricanes. I can keep it in my closet for 25 years, and it will always be there,” shares a user.

Stocking up long-lasting MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) can also save you from hunger. A Katrina survivor says, “MREs are high calorie and nutrient dense.”

Flashlight

A flashlight is also vital for survival since you can use it as a signal for help. Moreover, it is a better and safer light source than a candle.

Propane

Why do you need propane if you already have a camping stove? Well, propane is cheaper and performs better during cold temperatures. Since propane is highly flammable, store it in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight.

Radio

Having a battery-operated radio allows you to get a reliable source of information during an emergency.

Can Opener

Process Of Opening The Metal Can With Preserved Foods — Source: Shutterstock

So you’ve got several cans of food, but how do you open them without a can opener? Unless you know how to open a can using a spoon, you should pack a can opener in your emergency kit.

Hunting/Camping Knife

Tactical Digital Camo Folding Knife With Black Blade. Folding Knife — Source: Shutterstock

You can do so much with a hunting or camping knife: “cutting, opening things, working with rope, etc.” If there’s still room in your emergency backpack, include an ax too. You can use it to open doors or chop down wood.

Matches

Match With Flame Woman's Hand Ignites Match On The Match — Source: Shutterstock

“Being able to heat things will become invaluable,” says a poster on the importance of having matches.

Blanket

How can you keep warm without power? Blankets. “These can help preserve body heat. Many don’t know, but shivering causes you to expend a lot of calories,” details a post. An emergency blanket in your car can also keep you warm if you get stuck on the road in a blizzard.

Poncho

Young Beautiful Happy Woman In Yellow Raincoat Enjoying The Rain — Source: Shutterstock

If you have to go outside but it’s raining, wearing a poncho can keep you dry and retain body heat.

Map

Woman,traveling,with,her,beagle,dog,by,convertible,car,and — Photo by Soloviova Liudmyla on Shutterstock

Why have a map when you can use the internet for navigation? Well, there’s a probability that cell towers are down. So, a paper map would be your next best option.

Hard Copies of Documentation

United States Passports On Top Of An American Flag — Source: Shutterstock

One user recommends, “Have IDs, medical information, contact list, birth certificates, passports, titles, and recent photos of loved ones and pets to help with the reunion, etc. Keep it all in a folder or a safe so you can grab it if needed.”

Satellite Phone

Also, having a satellite phone ensures you have reliable communication with the outside world.

First Aid Kit

Some items to pack in a first aid kit include “lots of gauze, cleansing materials for wounds, and surgical tape” and “tourniquets, antibiotics, and sterilization supplies.”