Essential Gear for an Emergency Kit—for Cars or Go-Bags

However, doesn't everyone always have a spare box with two dozen extra packets of Maruchan Ramen? I can't be alone in this.

Great flashlight

We dare to offer… absolute best flashlight? The one that you can drown in water and then purify the water with your light?

Flashlight

Flashlights are great for walking. But to stay in place, you'll need a flashlight. Of course, there are plenty of fuel-powered options, but a battery-powered option is a long-lasting option. Coleman LED Flashlight ($22) is a proven, no-frills option that promises 175 hours of battery life without changing batteries.

First aid kit

You can, of course, buy ready-made emergency kit from the American Red Cross ($43)or this one wanted to stay in your car. Adventure medical kits also make the look more extravagant. Mountain Series Explorer Medical Kit ($83).

But for the frugal, see this guide to build the best emergency kit yourself for less money.

Face masks

Sometimes what you worry about is illness. Sometimes it's smoke from forest fires. Or particulate matter from God knows what else. But have you ever regretted having something nice? filtering face masks are you lying around?

Backup digital documents

The biggest category that people tend to ignore when thinking about emergency preparedness is intangibles, Suri said. This can be as simple as having a family communication plan and pre-arranged meeting places so you know what to do if your family members are separated. But it's also important to have digital backups of key documents, Suri said, “anything that is of high value and could potentially be damaged in the event of a disaster.” This may include insurance documents, titles to homes and cars, medical information such as prescription drug lists and instructions, doctor contact information, and photographs of passports and identification documents.

You probably have access to some form of cloud storage. See WIRED A guide to the best cloud storage services for every need and device type and make sure you use a good one password manager to ensure the security of any confidential data. But especially if internet access isn't guaranteed or you'd rather not store some documents in the cloud, another safe option is portable external drive which can be easily placed in a waterproof bag. WIRED columnist Scott Gilbertson recommends OWC Envoy Pro Elektron SSD ($179)) as a portable storage device that can withstand the elements and wet conditions – and can travel with you wherever you go. Or just store everything you need on USB flash drive as WIRED's best choice, SanDisk Extreme Pro ($42).

Disposable phone, passport and Faraday bag

Wait, does that seem dramatic? Well, maybe, but being safe is better than being sorry. Disaster takes many forms, and some of them are human-related. Here's WIRED's guide to how to purchase and set up a burner phone in such a way that it cannot be traced. But to avoid trackers on phones, you'll also need a Faraday bag that blocks tracking signals, e.g. SLNT Faraday bag from Silent Pocket. Real burner phones are not bought online. But if all you need to cross the border is a search-resistant phone, then what you really need is an affordable phone. alternative phone cut off from incriminating data: Moto G Stylus 5G will satisfy your needs.

Portable power batteries

The world runs on electricity. The electrical network can be fragile. Lithium-ion power supplies are the modern answer, but they may be unstable technologyso you don't want to just resort to the cheapest ones. Among portable power banks And larger power plantsWIRED testers have long recommended Jackery portables, starting with the 8-pound, 288-watt-hour 300, which also includes solar options to a 62-pound behemoth with about seven times the capacity.

For your car: starter

In addition to basic power banks, you'll probably want to make sure you can jump over your own car without the need for (overwhelmed) emergency personnel. WIRED testers had great luck with the Noco and Gooloo devices.

Radio

Yes, radio. You know, that thing in the car that you sometimes plug your iPhone into? In any case, no matter what happens with the Internet or satellites, radio is a good source of emergency information. Have one. Classic prepper advice: manual radio. But for short-term emergencies, batteries are also useful.

Downloaded apps for emergency calls

Another thing people forget to do until the Internet goes down? Download emergency calling apps. As of October 2025 FEMA has an app. Your local municipal or state government likely also has an option to sign up for emergency push notifications: consider subscribing. WIRED has also cataloged a number of other personal security appsincluding a subscription service called Rescu that can connect you directly with first responders.

Additional batteries

What battery-powered portable devices do you have? Have extra batteries for them.

Refrigerator and ice packs

Of course, a refrigerator helps keep food fresh. But also, many medications must be temperature-controlled, noted Shuri, a disaster preparedness expert at Columbia University. And so if it's someone from your family, little cooler can also be part of the emergency equipment when combined with one or two bags of ice from the freezer.

Games for children

This is another forgotten item that is recommended by everyone from emergency managers to anyone who has ever met a child. In stressful or protracted situations, distract yourself. It could be as simple as a book of puzzles, good designer or foresight on the way out the door to grab Nintendo Switch 2 and a small power bank like WIRED Magazine Top Pick – Nimble.

Medical and personal items

In addition to prescription medications, over-the-counter pain relievers and antacid tablets are useful additions to any medicine cabinet. So are feminine hygiene products. The same goes for toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Disinfectants

An emergency is a bad time to catch a stomach illness or any infection. “Everything to maintain hygiene is very important,” says Suri. “Especially if we don’t have running water, we just don’t want to get exposed to any viral transmission or bacterial infections that are transmitted fecally or orally.” So hand sanitizers will end up being… a big deal. So good old disinfectant wipes.

Nitrile gloves

The world is full of terrible things. And in some emergency situations, pollutants are a real concern. Nitrile gloves will help you avoid touching it and are cut and tear resistant. They are also needed in first aid situations.

Pet Action Plan

Do you plan to leave Fido or Meowser behind when the rains come and wash these streets? If not, perhaps keep a pet carrier with portable food and water dishes on hand. If you have horses? You will need a trailer and something that can tow it. If you have a pet boa constrictor, I don't have any good advice. [I do have a pet boa constrictor, and I recommend putting it in a pillowcase. —Ed.]

Additional useful items

A can openeropen canned food. Scissors for all sorts of things. Adhesive tape and film for creating temporary shelters or shelter from rain. A box of matches in a ziplock bag. Notepad and pen. Unbreakable plates and cups, paper or metal.

Paper maps of your region

Yes, they still exist. Yes, that's a good idea.