10 Things to Buy for Emergency Preparedness Right Now
You’ve decided to get serious about emergency preparedness. The problem: the full list of preparedness supplies is overwhelming: hundreds of items across dozens of categories. Where do you actually start? This guide cuts through the noise and gives you the 10 highest-impact purchases you can make right now, ranked by the preparedness gap they close per dollar spent. These are not luxury prepper items: these are the things that make the difference between a rough 72 hours and a dangerous one.
If you buy only these 10 things, you will be better prepared than the majority of American households.
Total cost to acquire all 10 items on this list: under $500 for meaningful emergency preparedness
The preparedness window these 10 items are designed to cover: the most critical period in any regional disaster
Of American households with no emergency supplies: buying these 10 items puts you ahead of most of your neighbors
#1: Water Storage: WaterBrick 3.5-Gallon Stackable Container
WaterBrick 3.5-Gallon Stackable Water Storage Container
Water is the single most critical emergency resource. You cannot survive more than 3 days without it, and water infrastructure is among the first things to fail in disasters. The WaterBrick stackable container solves the two main problems with water storage: finding space to store it and actually having clean water when you need it. Unlike flimsy jugs that degrade and leak, WaterBricks are food-grade HDPE, BPA-free, and stack tightly in closets, garages, and under stairs.
- 3.5-gallon capacity: 3 of these per person covers 10+ days at 1 gallon per day
- Stackable design: stores in any corner or under stairs without wasted space
- Food-grade HDPE, BPA-free: safe for drinking water storage
- Wide mouth for cleaning; spigot-ready design
Why It’s #1: Water kills you fastest if you don’t have it. This is non-negotiable. Buy at minimum 3 per adult in your household.
Price: ~$25 each | Category: Water Storage
#2: Water Filter: Sawyer Products SP160 Squeeze Water Filter
Sawyer Products SP160 Squeeze Water Filter
Stored water covers you for the first week. A water filter gives you the ability to make safe drinking water from any available source: ponds, streams, rain catchment, swimming pools: indefinitely. The Sawyer Squeeze filters 0.1 micron absolute, removing 99.99999% of bacteria and 99.9999% of protozoa from any water source, with no moving parts to fail and no replacement cartridges for the life of the filter.
- 0.1 micron absolute filtration: removes all bacteria and protozoa
- No replacement cartridges: backflush and reuse indefinitely
- Rated to 100,000+ gallons over its lifetime
- Connects to standard water bottles and hydration bladders
Why It’s #2: Makes safe water from almost any available source: extends your water independence from days to indefinite.
Price: ~$35 | Category: Water Filtration
#3: Emergency Food: Augason Farms 30-Day 1-Person Supply
Augason Farms 30-Day 1-Person Emergency Food Supply
One pail. Thirty days of food. Twenty-five years of shelf life. The Augason Farms 30-day supply is the most efficient single purchase for closing a food preparedness gap. It doesn’t require rotation, special storage conditions, or significant shelf space. Buy one per person in your household and your food preparedness problem is solved for a generation.
- 307 servings across breakfast, lunch, and dinner varieties
- 1,853 average calories per day: sufficient for adults at reduced activity levels
- Just-add-water preparation
- 25-year shelf life in original sealed packaging
Why It’s #3: The most calories-per-dollar, calories-per-square-foot, and least-maintenance food storage option available.
Price: ~$120 | Category: Emergency Food
#4: Emergency Radio: Midland WR120B NOAA Alert Radio
Midland WR120B NOAA All-Hazards Weather Alert Radio
In every disaster scenario where power or cell service is disrupted, a NOAA weather radio is your most reliable source of official emergency information. The WR120B automatically activates at full volume when NOAA broadcasts an alert for your county: even in the middle of the night. Without one, you’re dependent on a phone that may have no service, a dead battery, or be in a congested network. Battery backup means it works during power outages.
- SAME technology: alerts specifically for your county, not the whole state
- Battery backup (3 AA) for power outage use
- Alert light and loud alarm for nighttime warnings
- Receives all 7 NOAA weather radio bands
Why It’s #4: Information during a disaster is itself a survival resource. Without this, you’re flying blind when decisions matter most.
Price: ~$30 | Category: Emergency Communication
#5: Power Bank: Anker PowerCore 26800mAh
Anker PowerCore 26800mAh Portable Charger
Your phone is your emergency communication device, your flashlight, your camera, your map, and your weather app. A dead phone in an emergency is a significant capability loss. The Anker PowerCore 26800mAh charges an iPhone 14 approximately 7 times or a Samsung Galaxy 6+ times. That’s 4–5 days of phone power at moderate use without any external charging.
- 26,800 mAh capacity: 6–8 full smartphone charges
- Dual USB-A ports: charge two devices simultaneously
- High-speed PowerIQ charging
- Recharges via USB-C or micro-USB
Why It’s #5: Keeps your primary communication and information device functional for 4–5 days without external power.
Price: ~$50 | Category: Power Backup
#6: First Aid: MyMedic MyFAK Pro First Aid Kit
MyMedic MyFAK Pro First Aid Kit with Trauma Supplies
A first aid kit from a drug store is not emergency medical preparedness. Standard drugstore kits contain band-aids and antiseptic: they’re designed for minor cuts, not for traumatic injuries that become life-threatening when professional medical care is 72+ hours away. The MyFAK Pro includes trauma-level supplies: tourniquet, pressure bandage, hemostatic gauze, and chest seal alongside standard first aid contents.
- Includes tourniquet (CAT-style), hemostatic gauze, pressure bandage
- SAM splint, emergency blanket, CPR mask
- Complete standard first aid: bandages, gauze, antiseptic, tape
- Organized layout for fast access under stress
Why It’s #6: Injuries requiring trauma supplies are the medical emergency most likely to become life-threatening when professional care is unavailable.
Price: ~$80 | Category: First Aid
#7: Lighting: Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp (2-Pack)
Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp
Headlamps beat flashlights for emergency use: hands-free operation lets you work, pack, or assist family members while maintaining light. The Black Diamond Spot 400 delivers 400 lumens of bright LED light with 200+ hours of runtime on standard AAA batteries. Buy at minimum one per household member: a single shared flashlight fails in an emergency when family members need to move through a dark house simultaneously.
- 400 lumen maximum output with dimming capability
- 200+ hours runtime on low setting (3 AAA batteries)
- Water-resistant IPX8: usable in rain
- Red night vision mode (preserves night adaptation)
Why It’s #7: Hands-free light for 200+ hours covers 2+ weeks of nighttime use: no candles, no fire risk, no fumbling.
Price: ~$35 each | Category: Lighting
#8: Cash: Mixed Small Bills in a Secure Location
Emergency Cash Reserve ($200–$1,000 in Mixed Small Bills)
This isn’t a product: it’s an action. Withdraw $200–$500 in $10 and $20 bills the next time you’re at a bank or ATM. Store them in an envelope in a secure location in your home. When card readers fail and ATMs run out of cash (typically within 24–48 hours of a major disaster), cash is the only way to purchase gas, food, and emergency supplies.
- Recommended: 60% in $20s, 25% in $10s, 10% in $5s, 5% in $1s
- Store in a fireproof, waterproof location (fire-rated safe is ideal)
- Keep $100–$200 in your go-bag separately for evacuation expenses
- Don’t tell people outside your household you have emergency cash at home
Why It’s #8: Card readers fail. ATMs empty out. Cash is the fallback payment system for every disaster scenario.
Category: Financial Preparedness
#9: Multi-Tool: Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool
Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool
The multi-tool is the Swiss Army knife of emergency preparedness: 18 tools in a single, pocketable package. In the hours and days after a disaster, the ability to cut, strip wire, open cans, turn screws, saw small materials, and grip and plier objects becomes surprisingly critical. The Leatherman Wave+ is the standard against which all other multi-tools are measured: heavy-duty enough for real work, compact enough to carry in a go-bag.
- 18 tools including pliers, knives, saw, file, scissors, wire cutter/stripper
- All tools accessible from the outside: no need to unfold to access
- 420HC stainless steel: holds an edge and resists corrosion
- 25-year Leatherman warranty
Why It’s #9: 18 tools in one compact unit handles an enormous range of emergency tasks: from cutting seat belts to turning off gas valves.
Price: ~$110 | Category: Tools
#10: Go-Bag: Condor Outdoor 3-Day Assault Pack
Condor Outdoor 3-Day Assault Pack
A go-bag isn’t about the bag: it’s about having everything you need for 72 hours in one organized place that you can grab in 30 seconds. But the bag matters: it needs to be large enough (35–50L), durable enough to survive rough handling, and organized enough to find things quickly. The Condor 3-Day Assault Pack is a military-style pack used by CERT volunteers, search and rescue teams, and serious preppers for exactly this purpose.
- 50L capacity: enough for complete 72-hour supplies for one adult
- Multiple compartments with MOLLE webbing for customization
- Hydration bladder compatible
- Padded shoulder straps and back panel for comfort
Why It’s #10: Every other item on this list belongs in or near a bag that can be grabbed in 30 seconds when you need to leave immediately.
Price: ~$60 | Category: Bug-Out Bag
What to Buy Next
These 10 items build a solid 72-hour preparedness foundation. Once you have them, your next priorities are:
- Extended food storage: Grow your food supply from 30 days to 90 days per person
- Power solution: Add a solar panel + power station for multi-day power backup
- Communication upgrade: GMRS radios for neighborhood communication when cell networks are down
- Emergency fund: Build 3–6 months of expenses in liquid savings
- Skills: Stop the Bleed training, CERT certification, food preservation: skills that don’t require restocking
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a pre-made kit instead of building my own?
Yes: a pre-made kit is a perfectly valid starting point, and for many people it’s better than not starting at all because of the complexity of individual item selection. The limitation of pre-made kits is that they’re optimized for an average user, not your specific family size, dietary needs, medical requirements, and risk profile. A pre-made 4-person kit provides an excellent foundation; supplement it with the specific items that address your household’s unique needs: additional medications, items for pets, or specific food requirements. Our recommended starting kit: the Sustain Supply Co. Elite 4-person kit (~$120).
How do I store emergency supplies in a small apartment?
Small spaces require creative storage. Under the bed is the most underutilized storage space in most apartments: it can hold WaterBricks, food pails, and a go-bag flat. Under the bathroom sink holds sanitation supplies. A dedicated shelf in the hall closet can hold a complete 72-hour kit and water supply. Stackable containers (WaterBrick format) are specifically designed to fit into irregular spaces like under stairs, in closet corners, and along walls. The 10 items on this list fit in a closet shelf and under a bed with room to spare.
How long do emergency food supplies last before I need to replace them?
Freeze-dried emergency food (like Augason Farms) has a 25-year shelf life in original sealed packaging when stored at room temperature (below 75°F). Once opened, contents should be used within a year. Stored water in sealed commercial containers lasts 1–2 years; in your own containers (WaterBrick, barrel), 6 months before you should replace or add a few drops of bleach. Batteries: replace every 2 years or follow manufacturer guidance. Set a calendar reminder for quarterly supply checks: rotate anything approaching expiration into daily use and replace it.
Start With #1 and #4 Today
If you can only do two things right now: buy water storage (3 gallons per person at the grocery store: under $10) and a NOAA weather radio (under $30 at any hardware store). Those two items, costing under $40 total, close the most dangerous gaps for most households. The other eight items can follow over the next few weeks.