BlackBoxSupplies
Power & Charging8 min readUpdated Jul 2026

Home Storm Prep Kit: The Full Checklist

Ready.gov and the American Red Cross agree on most of a storm kit. Here are 24 core items from their two lists, grouped by what they cover, each with the line it comes from.

By Lee

The short version

Build two sizes, as the Red Cross winter-storm page does: a go-kit of at least three days of supplies you can carry, and a stay-at-home supply of at least two weeks. Water at one gallon per person per day and non-perishable food come first. Then light, a radio, first aid, medications and copies of your papers.

Disclosure · As an Amazon Associate, BlackBox Supplies earns from qualifying purchases. Some links go to a maker's own store (Awin network) and also earn us a commission, never at an extra cost to you. See our full disclosure.

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As an Amazon Associate, BlackBox earns from qualifying purchases. Some links go to a maker's own store through the Awin affiliate network, and we earn a commission on those too. Neither changes your price or which product we pick.

The full list

The home storm-prep kit, 24 items

The core items from Ready.gov and the American Red Cross, grouped by what they cover. The Red Cross sizes a kit two ways: a go-kit you can carry and a larger stay-at-home supply.

24 items · tap a source to check it

Water and food

  • Water, one gallon per person per day

    The Red Cross says a 3-day supply to carry and a 2-week supply at home. Ready.gov says one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation.

    Ready.govRed Cross

  • Non-perishable food

    The Red Cross says 3 days for the go-kit and 2 weeks at home. Ready.gov says at least a several-day supply.

    Ready.govRed Cross

  • Manual can opener

    On both lists.

    Ready.govRed Cross

  • Mess kit and disposable plates, cups and utensils

    Ready.gov lists it among the additional supplies.

    Ready.gov

Light, news and power

Health and hygiene

Shelter and securing the house

  • Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape

    Ready.gov lists all three to shelter in place. The Red Cross lists each too.

    Ready.govRed Cross

  • Wrench or pliers

    Ready.gov says to turn off utilities.

    Ready.gov

  • Multi-purpose tool

    On the Red Cross list.

    Red Cross

  • Fire extinguisher

    Ready.gov lists it among the additional supplies.

    Ready.gov

  • Matches in a waterproof container

    Ready.gov lists it among the additional supplies.

    Ready.gov

  • Carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup

    Ready.gov says detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of the home.

    Ready.gov outage page

  • Tools and supplies for securing your home

    The Red Cross lists them for the disasters common where you live.

    Red Cross

  • Work gloves, rain gear and towels

    All three are on the Red Cross list for the disasters common where you live.

    Red Cross

  • Blankets or sleeping bags, and a change of clothes with sturdy shoes

    Ready.gov says a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person, plus a complete change of clothing and sturdy shoes.

    Ready.govRed CrossOur pick: Swiss Safe Emergency Mylar Thermal Blanket

Papers, money and keys

  • Copies of personal documents, cash and an extra set of keys

    The Red Cross lists a medication list, proof of address, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, extra cash and an extra set of car and house keys. Ready.gov says to save copies of insurance policies, identification and bank records electronically or in a waterproof, portable container.

    Ready.govRed Cross

Both agencies add items for the people in your house: baby supplies, pet food and supplies, and activities for children. Ready.gov also suggests keeping a kit at home, at work and in the car, replacing expired items as needed and re-thinking your needs every year.

Sources

Who this is for

  • Households in storm country who have never built a kit
  • Anyone who lost power in the last storm and went without light or a charged phone
  • People who built a kit years ago and have not opened it since

What to buy first

Start with water and food, since the Red Cross sizes both at 3 days to carry and 2 weeks at home. Light, a radio and a way to charge your phone come next. Ready.gov's outage page says to have flashlights for every household member and to plan for alternative power such as a portable charger or power bank.

The picks

Each pick links straight to Amazon — confirm the exact model, options, and current price there.

What to check before buying

Two kits, not one

The Red Cross winter page splits supplies into a go-kit of at least three days and a stay-at-home kit of at least two weeks. Size each to the people in your house.

Store it where you can carry it

Ready.gov says to put items in airtight plastic bags and keep the whole kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

Replace what expires

Ready.gov says to replace expired items as needed, keep canned food in a cool, dry place, and re-think your needs every year.

Plan for medicine and powered devices

The Red Cross lists a 7-day supply of medications. Ready.gov says to talk to your medical provider about refrigerated medicines and devices that run on electricity.

Common mistakes

  • Buying food and water and stopping there. Both agencies also list light, a radio, first aid, medications and copies of important papers.
  • Building the kit once and never opening it again, when Ready.gov says to replace expired items and re-think your needs every year.
  • Heating the house with a gas stove or oven, which Ready.gov says to avoid because of carbon monoxide and fire risk.
  • Running a generator or camp stove inside. Ready.gov says outdoors only, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages.

The honest tradeoffs

Our picks sit beside the items they cover. Water, food, a can opener, a radio, medications and copies of your papers come from any store.

How we choose: picks are based on rigorous research and manufacturer specs — no paid placement, ever. Outbound links are affiliate links (Amazon, and a maker's own store through the Awin network): as an Amazon Associate, BlackBox Supplies earns from qualifying purchases, and we earn a commission on Awin links too, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure.

Build the kitThe Backup Power KitPower for outages and off-grid travel — phones, laptops, and lights running without a generator.

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