Last Updated: February 2025
When an earthquake strikes, you won't have time to gather supplies. The shaking lasts seconds, but the aftermath — power outages, broken gas lines, blocked roads, damaged water mains — can last days or weeks. A well-organized home emergency kit isn't just a box of supplies. It's a system spread across your house that keeps you safe whether you need to evacuate in 60 seconds or shelter in place for two weeks.
This guide goes beyond the standard 72-hour kit. We'll cover three distinct kit types, a room-by-room setup strategy, and specific product recommendations so you know exactly what to buy and where to put it.
Key Takeaways
- Three kit types work together: A grab-and-go bag (evacuation), shelter-in-place supplies (staying home), and a document kit (records and cash) cover every scenario.
- Room-by-room placement matters: A flashlight in the garage doesn't help when you wake up at 3 AM with broken glass on the floor. Place critical items where you'll actually need them.
- 72 hours is the minimum, not the goal: FEMA recommends 72 hours, but major earthquakes (like the 2011 Tōhoku or 1994 Northridge) disrupted services for 1–2 weeks in many areas. Plan for 7–14 days of self-sufficiency.
- Rotate supplies every 6–12 months: Water, food, batteries, and medications expire. Put a reminder on your calendar.
- Don't forget documents and cash: ATMs and card readers don't work without power. Keep cash in small bills and copies of essential documents in a waterproof bag.
The Three-Kit System
Most guides tell you to build one emergency kit. That's a mistake. You actually need three complementary kits that serve different purposes depending on whether you evacuate or stay home.
Kit 1: The Grab-and-Go Bag
This is a backpack or duffel you can grab in under 60 seconds and carry out the door. It should weigh no more than 25–30 pounds — light enough that anyone in your household can carry it. Keep it near your primary exit, ideally in a hallway closet or by the front door.
What goes in the grab bag:
Your grab bag covers the first 72 hours away from home. It includes water (at minimum 1 liter per person), water purification, food that doesn't require cooking, a first aid kit, a flashlight with extra batteries, an emergency radio, personal medications, a phone charger or power bank, cash in small bills, copies of important documents, a change of clothes, and basic hygiene supplies.
A quality pre-built kit gives you a strong foundation. The Ready America 72-Hour 2-Person Emergency Kit comes with water pouches, food bars, blankets, light sticks, and a first aid kit in a backpack for around $55–70. It's a reasonable starting point, though you'll want to supplement it with personal items. For a more premium option, the Sustain Supply Co. Comfort2 72-Hour Kit ($130–160) includes higher-quality food, better organized packing, and a more durable bag. See our full emergency kit reviews and comparisons
Kit 2: Shelter-in-Place Supplies
These are the bulk supplies that stay in your home — too heavy and large to evacuate with, but essential if you're sheltering in place. Store these in a garage, basement, or interior closet on the ground floor.
What stays in the house:
This includes your main water supply (1 gallon per person per day for 14 days), bulk food supply (canned goods, freeze-dried meals, energy bars), a camp stove with fuel, a large first aid kit, tools (wrench, pry bar, work gloves), extra blankets and sleeping bags, a 5-gallon bucket with sanitation supplies, and a fire extinguisher.
For water storage, the WaterBrick Stackable Water Storage Container (3.5 gallon, around $18–22 each) is popular because the bricks stack neatly and are easier to move than a single large barrel. If you prefer bulk storage, a 55-gallon water storage barrel with a hand pump runs $60–90 and covers one person for roughly 55 days. Use Aquamira Water Treatment Drops ($13–15) to keep stored water safe for up to 5 years. Complete guide to earthquake water storage
Kit 3: The Document Kit
This is the most overlooked kit, and it can save you enormous headaches during recovery. Keep it in a fireproof/waterproof bag inside your grab bag or in a small safe bolted to the floor.
What goes in the document kit:
Include copies (not originals) of: driver's licenses and passports, insurance policies (home, auto, health, earthquake), property deed or lease agreement, bank account and credit card numbers, medical records and prescription lists, emergency contact list (printed — your phone might be dead), photos of your home's contents for insurance claims, and at least $200–500 in small bills ($1s, $5s, $10s, $20s).
A SentrySafe FHW40100 Fireproof/Waterproof File Safe ($50–70) bolted to your floor or closet shelf protects originals at home. For the grab bag, a simple ENGPOW Fireproof Document Bag ($15–20) keeps copies protected.
Room-by-Room Earthquake Kit Placement
Where you store supplies matters as much as what you store. Earthquakes happen at all hours — the 1994 Northridge earthquake hit at 4:31 AM. You need critical items within arm's reach in every room where your family spends significant time.
Bedroom
The bedroom is arguably the most important room to prepare because earthquakes often strike while you're sleeping and disoriented.
Under the bed or on the nightstand:
Keep a pair of hard-soled shoes or slippers (broken glass is one of the most common earthquake injuries), a flashlight (the Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA at around $35–45 is compact and runs on either lithium or AA batteries), a whistle (to signal rescuers if you're trapped), and work gloves. Our top emergency flashlight picks
Some people keep these items in a small bag tied to the bed frame so they don't slide away during shaking. A pair of thick-soled shoes is non-negotiable — after the Northridge earthquake, hospitals treated hundreds of foot lacerations from people walking through broken glass in the dark.
Kitchen
The kitchen contains both hazards (gas lines, heavy objects on high shelves, glass) and essential supplies.
Kitchen preparedness items:
Mount a fire extinguisher on the wall near an exit — not under the sink where a gas fire could block access. The Kidde Pro 210 (4-A:60-B:C) ($55–70) is a solid all-purpose choice for kitchens. Install cabinet latches on upper cabinets to keep heavy dishes from flying out during shaking. Keep a gas shutoff wrench attached to your gas meter with a zip tie or cable (the Earthquake Gas Shutoff Wrench from most hardware stores costs $10–15). Choosing the right fire extinguisher
Store a 3-day supply of non-perishable food that requires no cooking: canned goods with pull-top lids, peanut butter, crackers, dried fruit, and granola bars. Don't forget a manual can opener.
Bathroom
Your bathroom likely already contains a basic first aid kit — but earthquake preparedness means upgrading it.
Bathroom preparedness items:
Stock a comprehensive first aid kit. The Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiker First Aid Kit ($30–40) is well-organized for a small household, while the Surviveware Large First Aid Kit ($55–65) covers families and includes trauma supplies like an Israeli bandage and tourniquet. Keep a two-week supply of all prescription medications in a waterproof bag, along with basic over-the-counter meds (pain relievers, anti-diarrheal, antihistamines). First aid kit comparison guide
Store extra toilet paper, hygiene supplies, and a small bag of sanitation supplies (trash bags, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes). If water mains break, you can use water from the toilet tank (not bowl) and water heater for cleaning purposes.
Garage / Utility Area
The garage serves as your tool and utility hub for post-earthquake response.
Garage preparedness items:
This is where you keep the heavy-duty tools: a pry bar or crowbar, an adjustable wrench and pliers, heavy-duty work gloves, a utility knife, duct tape, a tarp or heavy plastic sheeting, rope or paracord (50–100 feet), a shovel, and a gas shutoff wrench (keep a second one here if your meter is outside).
A Stanley FatMax Xtreme FuBar III ($30–40) combines a pry bar, board bender, nail puller, and demolition tool in one. Keep a pair of Mechanix Wear M-Pact Gloves ($25–35) nearby — you'll need hand protection clearing debris. A Channellock 12-inch Adjustable Wrench ($15–20) handles gas shutoff and most bolt sizes.
Store your bulk water and food supplies here if you have the space. Keep a Midland ER310 Emergency Crank Weather Radio ($35–50) with your shelter-in-place supplies — it receives NOAA weather alerts and charges via hand crank, solar panel, or USB. Emergency radio buying guide
Hallway / Main Exit
This is where your grab-and-go bag lives. Keep the hallway path clear of furniture and clutter — after an earthquake, doors may be jammed, hallways shifted, and you'll need a clear path out. Mount a battery-powered or plug-in emergency light that activates automatically during a power outage.
Complete Home Kit Checklist
The table below consolidates every item mentioned above, organized by category and location. Use this as your shopping and inventory checklist.
| Item | Qty (2-person household) | Category | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water & Hydration | |||
| Water storage containers (3.5 gal each) | 8 (28 gal / ~14 days) | Shelter-in-place | Garage |
| Water pouches (individual) | 6 pouches | Grab bag | Hallway closet |
| Water purification tablets | 1 pack (50 tablets) | Grab bag | Hallway closet |
| Water purification drops (Aquamira) | 1 bottle | Shelter-in-place | Garage |
| Portable water filter (Sawyer Squeeze) | 1 | Grab bag | Hallway closet |
| Food | |||
| Freeze-dried meals | 14 meals | Shelter-in-place | Garage |
| Energy/granola bars | 12 bars | Grab bag | Hallway closet |
| Canned food (pull-top lids) | 20 cans | Shelter-in-place | Kitchen pantry |
| Peanut butter (plastic jar) | 2 jars | Shelter-in-place | Kitchen pantry |
| Manual can opener | 1 | Shelter-in-place | Kitchen drawer |
| Camp stove + fuel canisters | 1 stove, 4 canisters | Shelter-in-place | Garage |
| Light & Communication | |||
| Flashlight (compact, e.g., Streamlight ProTac) | 3 (bedroom, kitchen, grab bag) | All three kits | Bedroom, kitchen, grab bag |
| Headlamp | 2 | Shelter-in-place | Garage |
| Emergency crank radio (Midland ER310) | 1 | Shelter-in-place | Garage |
| Extra batteries (AA, AAA, CR123A) | 2 packs each | Shelter-in-place | Garage |
| Power bank (Anker PowerCore 10000) | 2 | Grab bag + shelter | Hallway, garage |
| Phone charging cables | 2 | Grab bag + shelter | Hallway, garage |
| Whistle | 2 | Grab bag | Bedroom, grab bag |
| First Aid & Medical | |||
| Comprehensive first aid kit | 1 large, 1 small | Shelter + grab bag | Bathroom, hallway |
| Prescription medications (2-week supply) | Per person | Grab bag | Bathroom (rotate into grab bag) |
| Over-the-counter medications | 1 set | Shelter-in-place | Bathroom |
| N95 masks | 10 | Shelter-in-place | Garage |
| Tools & Safety | |||
| Fire extinguisher (4-A:60-B:C) | 2 | Utility | Kitchen, garage |
| Gas shutoff wrench | 2 | Utility | At gas meter, garage |
| Pry bar / FuBar | 1 | Utility | Garage |
| Adjustable wrench | 1 | Utility | Garage |
| Heavy-duty work gloves | 2 pairs | Utility | Garage, bedroom |
| Hard-soled shoes | 1 pair per person | Utility | Under each bed |
| Duct tape | 2 rolls | Shelter-in-place | Garage |
| Tarp / plastic sheeting | 1 | Shelter-in-place | Garage |
| Rope / paracord (50 ft) | 1 | Shelter-in-place | Garage |
| Utility knife | 2 | Utility | Garage, grab bag |
| Sanitation & Hygiene | |||
| 5-gallon bucket with snap-on toilet seat | 1 | Shelter-in-place | Garage |
| Waste bags (heavy-duty) | 30 | Shelter-in-place | Garage |
| Hand sanitizer | 2 bottles | Grab bag + shelter | Hallway, garage |
| Toilet paper | 4 extra rolls | Shelter-in-place | Bathroom |
| Disinfecting wipes | 2 packs | Shelter-in-place | Bathroom |
| Trash bags (large) | 1 box | Shelter-in-place | Garage |
| Shelter & Warmth | |||
| Emergency Mylar blankets | 4 | Grab bag | Hallway closet |
| Sleeping bags or warm blankets | 2 | Shelter-in-place | Bedroom closet |
| Rain poncho | 2 | Grab bag | Hallway closet |
| Change of clothes | 1 set per person | Grab bag | Hallway closet |
| Documents & Financial | |||
| Document copies (waterproof bag) | 1 set | Document kit | Grab bag |
| Cash in small bills ($200–500) | 1 set | Document kit | Grab bag |
| Fireproof document bag | 1 | Document kit | Grab bag |
| Home contents photos (USB drive) | 1 | Document kit | Grab bag |
| Emergency contact list (printed) | 2 copies | Document kit | Grab bag + kitchen |
Buying Guide: What to Look For (and What to Avoid)
Pre-Built Kits vs. DIY
Pre-built emergency kits are convenient but rarely complete. They're a good starting point — especially if the alternative is having nothing — but you'll always need to customize based on your household's needs.
Advantages of pre-built kits: Faster to set up, professionally packed, consistent quality within the kit, good for basics.
Disadvantages: Often designed around minimum recommendations (72 hours, which isn't enough), may include lower-quality versions of items, don't account for personal medications or family-specific needs, and you're paying a convenience markup of 30–50% over buying individual items.
Our recommendation: Buy a quality pre-built kit as a foundation for your grab bag, then supplement with personal items and build your shelter-in-place supplies separately. Compare the top pre-built emergency kits
Water Storage: Key Decisions
The biggest decision in water storage is container size versus portability. A 55-gallon drum is cost-effective but impossible to move and useless if you need to evacuate. Smaller stackable containers (like the WaterBrick at 3.5 gallons) cost more per gallon but offer flexibility.
Avoid cheap plastic containers not rated for long-term water storage — they can leach chemicals and crack. Look for BPA-free, food-grade HDPE plastic. Treat stored water with water preserver concentrate to extend shelf life to 5 years, and still rotate it as a precaution.
Food: Shelf Life and Nutrition
For shelter-in-place food, prioritize shelf life and caloric density. Freeze-dried meals from Mountain House (25–30 year shelf life, $8–12 per pouch) or Augason Farms (up to 25 years, $5–9 per can) are the gold standard for long-term storage. For grab bags, energy-dense bars like Millennium Energy Bars (5-year shelf life, around $2–3 each) or Datrex Emergency Rations (5-year shelf life, $7–9 per pack of 18 bars) are designed specifically for emergency kits. Emergency food comparison and storage guide
Avoid stocking only canned goods — they're heavy, require a can opener (which people forget), and have shorter shelf life (2–5 years) compared to freeze-dried options. A mix of both gives you variety and resilience.
Batteries and Power: Lithium vs. Alkaline
For earthquake preparedness, lithium batteries (Energizer Ultimate Lithium) outperform alkaline in every category that matters: 20-year shelf life vs. 5–10 years, better performance in temperature extremes, lighter weight, and no leakage risk. They cost roughly twice as much but are worth it for supplies that sit unused for months or years.
For power banks, look for at least 10,000 mAh capacity (enough for 2–3 full phone charges), and store them at 50–80% charge. Recharge power banks every 6 months to maintain battery health. Flashlight and power bank recommendations
What to Avoid
Cheap "survival kits" with dozens of low-quality items: A $30 kit claiming to contain 250 pieces is mostly filler — tiny bandages, thin ponchos that tear immediately, and tools that break under light use. Fewer quality items beats many cheap ones.
Glass containers for water or food: They break during earthquakes. Stick with plastic or metal.
Candles as your primary light source: After an earthquake, gas leaks are common. Open flames can cause explosions. Use flashlights and battery-powered lanterns instead.
Single large water containers without a backup: If one 55-gallon drum cracks, you lose everything. Distribute water across multiple containers.
Maintenance Schedule
Your kit is only as good as your commitment to maintaining it. Set a calendar reminder for these tasks:
Every 6 months (spring and fall are easy to remember): Check expiration dates on food and water, rotate out anything expiring within 6 months. Test flashlights and replace batteries. Check that your power bank holds a charge — recharge to 50–80%. Verify prescription medications are current. Check fire extinguisher pressure gauge.
Annually: Review your emergency plan with all household members. Update document copies if anything has changed (new insurance policy, new address, etc.). Replace any items that show wear, rust, or damage. Update cash supply if needed. Review and update your emergency contact list.
After any earthquake (even minor ones): Check that all supplies are intact and accessible. Replace anything that was used or damaged. Verify your gas shutoff wrench is still accessible at the meter.
Create your household earthquake emergency plan
Special Considerations
Families with Children
Add age-appropriate supplies: diapers and formula (if applicable), comfort items (a small toy or stuffed animal — this makes a real difference for kids during a crisis), child-sized N95 masks, copies of custody documents if relevant, and games or activities to reduce stress during extended sheltering.
Households with Pets
FEMA recommends including pet supplies in your emergency planning. Add 3–7 days of pet food and water, medications, leash and carrier, copies of vaccination records, and a recent photo of your pet (in case you're separated). Don't plan to leave pets behind — many evacuation shelters now accept pets, and pet-friendly shelters are increasingly common.
Elderly or Mobility-Limited Household Members
Ensure the grab bag is light enough for the person to carry or can be carried by another household member. Include extra prescription medications (a 30-day supply if possible), mobility aids or backup glasses, medical device batteries or chargers, and a medical information card with conditions, allergies, and doctor contact info.
Apartment Dwellers
Space is limited, but you can still prepare effectively. Use under-bed storage for shelter-in-place water (flat WaterBricks fit under most beds). Keep the grab bag in a coat closet near the door. Use vertical storage — over-the-door organizers work for smaller supplies. Know your building's emergency exits and shutoff locations. Talk to your building manager about earthquake preparedness for common areas. Apartment-specific earthquake planning tips
FAQ
How much does it cost to build a complete home emergency kit?
Budget roughly $300–500 for a two-person household to cover all three kit types (grab bag, shelter-in-place, documents). You can spread purchases over several months. A pre-built grab bag ($50–160) plus bulk water storage ($80–150) and food ($60–100) covers the core. Tools, first aid, and miscellaneous items add another $100–200. If you already own camping gear, you'll spend significantly less.
How often should I replace stored water?
Commercially sealed water pouches and bottles have shelf lives of 5–6 years. Water you store yourself in containers should be rotated every 6–12 months, or treated with water preserver concentrate to extend it to 5 years. Even treated water should be inspected annually for cloudiness, unusual taste, or container degradation. When in doubt, replace it — water is cheap.
Where should I store my emergency kit if I live in a small apartment?
Use distributed storage: water bricks under the bed, grab bag in the coat closet, first aid kit in the bathroom, flashlights on nightstands and in kitchen drawers. The key principle is placing items where you'll need them, not keeping everything in one location. A single closet shelf can hold your document kit, power banks, and extra batteries. Consider a storage ottoman that doubles as both furniture and supply storage.
Should I buy a pre-made kit or build my own?
Both approaches work. A pre-built kit is better than no kit — if you've been putting off preparedness, buy one today and customize later. If you have time and want better quality control, building your own lets you choose higher-quality components, include personal items from the start, and avoid paying the convenience markup. Most people do best with a hybrid approach: pre-built grab bag supplemented with personal items, plus DIY shelter-in-place supplies. Compare pre-built kits here
What about earthquake insurance — should I have documentation for claims?
Absolutely. Take a video walkthrough of your entire home — every room, closets, garage, valuables — and store it on a USB drive in your document kit and in cloud storage. Keep copies of your earthquake insurance policy, your standard homeowner's/renter's policy, and receipts for high-value items. After an earthquake, photograph all damage before cleaning up or making repairs. This documentation dramatically speeds up the claims process.
Do I need different supplies for earthquake vs. other disasters?
About 80% of your kit works for any disaster — water, food, first aid, flashlights, and documents are universal. Earthquake-specific additions include: hard-soled shoes by the bed (broken glass), gas shutoff wrench, heavy-duty work gloves for debris, a pry bar, and a whistle (structural collapse rescue). You don't need separate kits for different disasters, just make sure your general kit includes these earthquake-specific items.
Sources
- FEMA: Build a Kit — Ready.gov
- American Red Cross: Make a Plan
- California Earthquake Authority: Earthquake Preparedness Guide
- FEMA: Earthquake Risk Management
- ShakeOut: Drop, Cover, Hold On
- USGS Earthquake Hazards Program — Earthquake preparedness resources
- FEMA P-530, "Earthquake Safety at Home" guidance document