Useful gear.
Thoughtful choices.

Begin with the things that help on an ordinary day

A working light, drinking water, a way to charge your phone, and something familiar for dinner can make an interruption much easier. Start by checking what is already in your home. Choose one gap to address, then use and maintain what you have.

You can begin here without owning a generator, a workshop, or a radio license. The more specialized equipment farther down this page belongs to particular jobs and interests. Let your household’s needs decide which sections deserve your attention.

Build on what your household already uses

Lighting and small-device power

Choose lights for the places you actually need them: a handheld flashlight, headlamp, or battery lantern may suit different tasks. Check the power supply and show another household member where the light lives and how to use it.

Power and charging

Check compatible charging cables, a wall charger, and any USB power bank you own. A vehicle USB adapter can be useful if you travel by car. Keep suitable spare batteries or a compatible rechargeable-battery arrangement for equipment that needs them. Test the complete combination.

Food you can prepare

Begin with familiar pantry meals and your ordinary utensils, pots, and manual can opener. Include a food thermometer and the supplies needed for cleanup. A cooler and ice packs may support your refrigeration plan. If you want an outdoor cooking option, see the section below before choosing equipment.

Dinner without electricity starts with meals your household will actually eat.

Water you can handle

Use containers intended for drinking water in sizes the people using them can comfortably lift or dispense. Approximately five gallons of water alone weighs about 42 pounds; smaller containers may be more useful. Keep utility water separately identified, and check any funnel or dispensing arrangement.

Treatment equipment depends on the water source and the problem. The water and sanitation guide explains stored water, advisories, treatment limits, and toilet arrangements.

Hygiene and cleanup

Keep a modest reserve of toilet paper, soap, hand sanitizer, waste bags, and the cleaning supplies you normally use. If normal toilets could become unavailable, work through an appropriate emergency-toilet arrangement and local disposal instructions before buying parts.

First aid and individual needs

Keep a clearly marked first-aid kit with suitable dressings, gauze, medical tape, gloves, tweezers, and a first-aid reference. Packaged eyewash or trauma shears may suit the kit and the work you do. Know what the contents are for, and keep them usable.

Medications and personal health

Account for prescription medications, appropriate over-the-counter medicines, a current medication and allergy list, and necessary measuring supplies. Follow medication storage instructions, including any cooling requirements, and discuss reserves or care arrangements with the appropriate provider.

Individual needs

Spare glasses, hearing-aid batteries or a charger, menstrual supplies, sunscreen, insect repellent, and other personal items belong here when someone needs them. Your household’s requirements matter more than a standard kit’s advertised piece count.

Clothing and comfort

Use suitable footwear, spare dry socks, rainwear, seasonal layers, and blankets you already own. A sleeping bag, cot, sleeping pad, or tarp may earn its place through camping or a particular household arrangement. Learn what fits and works before upgrading.

From the Boots Up covers clothing, footwear, and protection in more detail.

Useful information on paper

Keep printed emergency contacts, a usable map or road atlas, and instructions for equipment you rarely operate. A permanent marker helps with labels. When you can’t look it up explains how to keep the information readable and findable.

Small tools that earn their keep

Ordinary repairs

For small jobs you understand, a few screwdrivers, pliers, an adjustable wrench, a hammer, and a tape measure can be a useful starting point. Add a level, hex keys, or other tools when a real task calls for them. Choose sizes you can handle and learn when the repair needs qualified help.

Cutting tools

Scissors and a suitable utility knife can handle many ordinary cutting jobs. A multitool, fixed-blade knife, or folding pruning saw should have a specific use waiting for it. Buy and maintain tools you know how to use.

Fasteners and small fixes

A little repair tape, suitable glue, zip ties, and the correct screws or other fasteners for your equipment may be useful. Rope, utility cord, ratchet straps, bungee cords, and hose clamps belong where you have an appropriate job for them. Keep what you use rather than assembling a hardware aisle just in case.

Sewing and repairs

A few needles, suitable thread, spare buttons, safety pins, and small scissors can keep clothing useful. Add heavy-duty needles, fabric patches, or gear repair tape for materials you actually maintain.

Pocket Stuff: what I find useful

Choose a few items you use regularly and can carry comfortably. A phone, wallet, modest cash reserve, emergency contact card, or compact flashlight may fit your routine. Here are two personal favorites.

A notepad, pen, and pencil

I usually have a notepad, pen, and pencil in my pockets. You can go with a Moleskine, a Rite in the Rain notebook, or just a cheap spiral notepad. Pick something that fits your pocket and your budget, and actually carry it.

Once you get used to having one, it is awesome for names, directions, measurements, shopping lists, and the things you swear you will remember later. I find it much easier than trying to type everything into my phone—but I am old school.

Pocket knives: my everyday combination

I prefer to carry two: a single-blade folding knife and a medium-sized Swiss Army Knife (SAK). The Victorinox Climber is the one I carry and use all the time. I also add the small eyeglass screwdriver that screws into and stores inside the corkscrew, keeping it handy for small adjustments. For me, the pair provides a dedicated cutting tool alongside a useful selection of small tools.

That is a personal preference, rather than a requirement to buy or carry two knives. Other people have different skills and tasks and may prefer another Swiss Army Knife model, a multitool, or one simple pocket knife. Choose tools you can use comfortably and confidently, within your budget.

Personal care: a ready-to-go Dopp kit

I keep my everyday bathroom essentials in a Dopp kit and use it at home as well as when I travel. It keeps the things I actually use together, makes it easier to notice what needs replacing, and is ready to grab for camping or an unexpected night away.

Consider a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, soap, shampoo, deodorant, razor and shaving supplies, comb or brush, nail clippers, menstrual or other personal hygiene supplies, and a small washcloth or quick-drying towel.

Use a pouch or organizer you already own if it works. Replenish the contents as you use them; this kit should earn its keep between trips.

Add what fits your household and activities

These sections address particular needs. Read the ones that match your life, and leave the others for someone who has that job to do.

If you cook outdoors or camp

A suitable camp stove, the correct fuel, and cookware you already own may support familiar meals. Check the operating location, weather, lighting, and cleanup arrangements as well as the stove. Fuel-burning camp stoves and grills belong outdoors, away from enclosed spaces; follow the equipment instructions.

A lighter, spare lighter, or protected matches may serve an appropriate lighting or fire-starting task. A ferro rod is an optional interest for someone who has practiced with suitable tinder, not a necessary household purchase. Camping can be a comfortable practice run.

If you travel by vehicle

Understand the vehicle’s tire arrangements, tools, and roadside-assistance options. A tire-pressure gauge, suitable phone charger, work gloves, and reflective warning triangles may be useful. A suitable air compressor, jump starter, jumper cables, or emergency tire plug kit should match your vehicle, instructions, and ability. A plug kit does not replace professional tire inspection.

Read Ready when you’re away from home before adding more equipment to the vehicle.

If animals depend on you

Include familiar food, water, bowls or troughs, medications, identification, and care records. Leashes, carriers, containment, and handling supplies should suit the species and the plan. Arrange a willing backup caregiver as well as supplies. They depend on you, too covers pets, poultry, and livestock.

If essential equipment needs backup power

Identify what must run and for how long before choosing a portable power station, solar panel, or generator. Check the full arrangement: compatible connections, capacity, safe location, recharging or fuel, and maintenance. Where needed, include correctly rated extension cords and a plug-in energy meter for suitable appliances.

Keep the essentials running explains the options. Read Storing Fuel Without Storing Trouble if stored fuel is part of your setup. Some households are better served by reducing the load or having somewhere suitable to go.

If you want another way to receive information or keep in touch

Start with your phone, paper contacts, and an agreed check-in plan. A battery-powered AM/FM receiver or NOAA Weather Radio where coverage is available can add an information source. Test useful local reception.

FRS radios, or appropriately licensed GMRS and amateur equipment, are options for people who want and can use them. Agree on channels and listening times and test the arrangement. The communications guide starts with the people you need to reach.

For the work you already do—or want to learn

Open a section if it matches a real job or interest. Owning these tools is useful when you have the knowledge, suitable working conditions, and a reason to use them. Borrowing, taking a class, or hiring someone may be the better first step.

How recommendations earn a place

Before buying, name the job. Check whether something you own, a repair, a borrowed tool, or a different routine could meet the need. Include accessories, upkeep, storage, and the time needed to learn the equipment in your decision.

A brand name on this page is an example or a personal preference. You may already own something that serves the same purpose. Focus on the job, the features that matter, and what you can comfortably use and maintain. This reference supports practical decisions; it is not a product ranking or a shopping assignment.

For a little perspective before checkout, visit the Preparedness Hall of Questionable Purchases.

Brands and editorial independence

Everyday Ready is a personal project, not a gear-review business. Equipment earns a mention through its usefulness to the discussion. Price and brand are not measures of anyone’s preparedness. Read why I’m doing this and our editorial standards.