Plans & Evacuation

5 Preparedness Supplies That Back Up Your Plan and Kit in 2026

A canvas go-bag on a closet hook above two pairs of boots and a flashlight

The short answer

Preparedness is three things: a plan, a kit, and a way to stay informed. Buy gear only to fill the gaps those three leave.

Last updated September 2026

Contents10

Our top 5 picks

  1. 1Best for home water storage
    Ready Store 20-Gallon Stackable Water Container Kit (4 x 5-Gallon)
    Ready Store 20-Gallon Stackable Water Container Kit (4 x 5-Gallon)View at Ready StoreRead our analysis
  2. 2Best for alerts in an outage
    Midland ER310 Emergency Crank Radio
    Midland ER310 Emergency Crank RadioView at MidlandRead our analysis
  3. 3Best starter go-bag
    Ready America 1-Person 3-Day Kit
    Ready America 1-Person 3-Day KitView at Ready AmericaRead our analysis
  4. 4Best for key papers
    Savor Folio Important Document Organizer
    Savor Folio Important Document OrganizerView at SavorRead our analysis
  5. 5Best for keeping copies dry
    YUMQUA Waterproof Document Pouches (3-pack)
    YUMQUA Waterproof Document Pouches (3-pack)View at YUMQUARead our analysis

Preparedness sounds like a big word for a simple idea. It means your household is ready to get through an emergency, whether you stay home or have to leave. Official guidance boils it down to three steps, and most of them cost little or nothing.

September is National Preparedness Month, when Ready.gov and FEMA push households to check their plans and kits. Any month is a good time to start, though.

#1. Ready Store 20-Gallon Stackable Water Container Kit (4 x 5-Gallon): best for home water storage

#2. Midland ER310 Crank Radio: best for alerts in an outage

Midland ER310 Emergency Crank Radio

Midland ER310 Emergency Crank Radio

Our verdict:

Best for alerts in an outage

Best for getting NOAA weather alerts and AM/FM news with no power.

View at Midland

Keep in mind: it is larger than a pocket radio, so it suits a home kit more than a small go-bag.

#3. Ready America 1-Person 3-Day Kit: best starter go-bag

#4. Savor Folio Document Organizer: best for key papers

Savor Folio Important Document Organizer

Savor Folio Important Document Organizer

Our verdict:

Best for key papers

Best for keeping birth certificates, insurance papers and titles in one place at home.

View at Savor

Keep in mind: it is not fireproof or waterproof. Keep copies in a waterproof pouch in the go-bag too.

#5. YUMQUA Waterproof Pouches: best for keeping copies dry

Factors to consider when choosing preparedness supplies

Each pick maps to a line on Ready.gov's build-a-kit list or its advice on documents. We chose real products that cover a gap many homes have. Check each product page for current details.

The three basics of preparedness

Ready.gov frames preparedness in three parts. Everything else hangs off these.

  • Make a plan. Pick two meeting places and one out-of-area contact. Decide how you will leave and where you will go. The family emergency plan guide walks through each line.
  • Build a kit. Store water, food, light, a radio, first aid and medicine. Keep a smaller bag ready to grab if you must leave.
  • Stay informed. Turn on emergency alerts on every phone. Learn the hazards in your area from your county's emergency page.

Some states push further. Oregon's emergency office runs a Be 2 Weeks Ready program, since help can take time to arrive after a big event. That matches the Red Cross advice of a two-week supply for staying at home.

Preparedness on a budget

You can be well prepared without spending much. Start with the free steps: the written plan, alert sign-ups and gathering what you already own into one bin. Then add one item per month. Water comes first, then a radio, then a go-bag. Spread over a few months, the cost stays small and nothing gets bought twice.

Preparedness for renters, pet owners and older adults

Renters should keep supplies in space they control and ask the landlord about the building's fire plan. Pet owners need a carrier and copies of pet records, and a pet-friendly place to stay, since many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets inside. Ready.gov's pet page covers the rest. Older adults should keep a written list of medicines and health needs with the kit, plus doctors' numbers.

Keeping preparedness current

Check your plan and kit twice a year. Update phone numbers, swap old food and water, test the radio and replace dead batteries. September's National Preparedness Month is an easy date to remember for one of those checks. For the full breakdown behind these steps, see the emergency preparedness guide.

Questions people also ask

What does preparedness mean for a household?

It means being ready to stay safe at home or leave fast when an emergency hits. Ready.gov breaks it into making a plan, building a kit and staying informed about local alerts.

When is National Preparedness Month?

September. Ready.gov and FEMA use it each year to remind households to update plans and kits.

How many days of supplies do I need?

Official lists start at several days. The Red Cross suggests a two-week supply for staying at home, and some states, like Oregon, run a Be 2 Weeks Ready program.

Do I need to buy special gear to be prepared?

No. The plan is free, and many kit items are already in your home. Buy only what fills a real gap, like stored water or a radio.