Emergency Supply Kit
Spot it
No water or food stored beyond what's in the fridge; flashlights and batteries scattered around the house; no copies of important family documents; baby formula and diapers that would run out in a day.
Fix it
Keep a basic supply kit with water (one gallon per person per day for several days), at least several days of non-perishable food, a flashlight, extra batteries, a first aid kit and a phone charger with a backup battery, as Ready.gov advises. Ready.gov's basic list also includes a battery-powered or hand-crank radio with a NOAA Weather Radio, a whistle, dust masks, plastic sheeting and duct tape, moist towelettes and garbage bags, a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, a manual can opener and local maps. For families, its additional list adds infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream; prescription and non-prescription medicines; copies of important documents; and books or games for children. Replace expired items as needed and reassess the kit every year (Ready.gov). If the kit holds medicines, store it where children can't reach it.
Safer swaps
What actually fixes this — the category to look for, not a brand we were paid to name.
Gather what you already own into one bin: water, food, flashlight, batteries, first aid kit, chargersHabit
Free to start; Ready.gov's basic list
Add a few days of formula, diapers and wipes, and set a yearly reminder to refresh the kitHabit
Free; Ready.gov says to replace expired items and reassess yearly
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio with NOAA Weather Radio
On Ready.gov's basic kit list
No shopping list for this hazard — the fix is a habit, not a purchase.