If there’s an emergency, here’s the question you need to ask: Could you get by for a few days on your own food, water and supplies?

That’s how the U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines emergency preparedness — and while no one wants to think about worst-case scenarios, chances are most of us will need to answer that question eventually. You want your answer to be yes.

To be prepared, you’ll need a few essentials. Emergency kits (sometimes called survival kits) can help you get through earthquakes, wildfires, floods or blackouts with less chaos. According to a 2024 FEMA study, 69% of Americans have gathered some form of emergency supplies. If you’re in the other 31%, it’s not too late to start.

Here’s what the experts recommend keeping on hand:

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