Get a Kit

Be Ready Utah

Get a Kit | Be Ready Utah

Start Here

Do This First

Emergency supply kits give you peace of mind before a disaster and a real survival advantage when one happens. Start with these steps.

  1. Build a disaster supply kit for each household member. A personalized kit for every person, including children, elderly family members, and those with access and functional needs.
  2. Store additional emergency supplies at home. Follow the 12 Areas of Emergency Preparedness (opens in new tab) to build longer-term supplies for shelter, water, food, and other essentials.
  3. Don't forget pets. Pets need their own kit: food, water, medications, records, and carrier. Most emergency shelters do not accept animals other than licensed service animals.
  4. Build kits for everywhere you spend time. You're away from home roughly half your day. Prepare smaller kits for your vehicle, workplace, and school.
  5. Create a prioritized evacuation grab list. Know what you'd grab in 5 minutes if you had to leave. See the grab list guide (opens in new tab)

Start today. A few items in a grocery bag beats nothing. Most kit supplies can be gathered from around your home at little or no cost. Build gradually. Any preparation is better than none.

Your Core Kit

Disaster Supply Kit

What was once called a "72-Hour Kit" is now better understood as a disaster supply kit: a portable collection of supplies designed to keep you going for at least 3–5 days whether you're evacuating or sheltering at home. Personalize it. Any list is a starting point, not a rule.

  • Use a Portable Container

    Store your kit in a backpack, wheeled suitcase, or similar bag near an exit, somewhere you can grab it fast.

  • One Kit Per Person

    Each household member should have their own kit, personalized to their specific health needs, age, and abilities.

  • Protect from Water

    Put items susceptible to water damage inside sealed plastic bags within your kit: documents, medications, electronics.

  • Check Twice a Year

    Review your kit every daylight saving time change. Replace expired food, medications, and batteries. Test your flashlight and radio.

What to Include

Personalize beyond this list. If you need it every day, try to include it

  • Water (minimum 1 gallon/person/day for 3–5 days)
  • Food: non-perishable, easy to prepare (3–5 days)
  • Manual can opener
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio
  • First aid kit
  • 7-day supply of prescription medications
  • Copies of important documents (waterproof bag)
  • Cash in small bills
  • Phone charger and backup battery
  • Dust mask (N95 or better)
  • Plastic sheeting and duct tape
  • Moist towelettes and hand sanitizer
  • Garbage bags and plastic ties
  • Wrench or pliers (to shut off utilities)
  • Local maps (printed)
  • Sleeping bag or warm blanket per person
  • Change of clothes per person
  • Whistle (to signal for help)
  • Written list of emergency contacts

Download the full suggested kit list: Disaster Supply Kit checklist (PDF) (opens in new tab) · Prioritized Evacuation Grab List (opens in new tab)

Beyond Your Home

Other Kits You Need

You're away from home about half your day. Emergencies don't wait for you to be in the right place. Build smaller kits for everywhere you and your family spend time.

Vehicle Kit

One in every vehicle, for accidents, breakdowns, getting stranded, or being away from home when disaster strikes

Keep in mind that vehicle kits experience extreme heat and cold. Only include items that can withstand temperature swings, and rotate supplies more frequently than your home kit.

  • Water (at least 1 liter per person)
  • Energy bars or non-perishable snacks
  • Basic first aid kit
  • Flashlight and batteries
  • Jumper cables or jump starter
  • Blanket or emergency mylar blanket
  • Reflective triangles or road flares
  • Cash in small bills
  • Phone charger
  • Written emergency contact list

Infant & Child Kit

Update every 2–3 months for children 0–2 years. Clothing should be one size larger than currently wearing.

  • 5-day supply of diapers and baby wipes
  • Baby powder and diaper cream
  • Water and infant formula
  • Baby food pouches (not jars)
  • Bottle, nipples, sippy cup, spoon
  • Infant/child medications and vitamins
  • Thermometer
  • 3–4 changes of clothing (one size up)
  • Fleece pajamas with feet
  • Favorite toy or comfort item
  • Pacifiers, teething gel
  • Child ID card sewn into clothing

Pet Kit

Pets are family and they need their own kit. Most emergency shelters do not allow animals other than licensed service animals.

  • Kennel, cage, or carrier
  • 5-day supply of food and water
  • Collapsible food and water bowls
  • Pet medications
  • Pet first aid kit
  • Leash, collar, and ID tags
  • Vaccination and medical records
  • License and adoption records
  • Blanket and pet toys
  • Waste bags, litter box and scoop

Every-Day Carry

A few items in your pocket, purse, or small pack for unexpected events when you're away from your supplies

Use discretion about what to carry based on where you're going. Follow the rules and policies of your workplace or school.

  • Mobile phone (charged)
  • Flashlight
  • Whistle
  • Cash in small bills
  • Identification
  • Written emergency contact list
  • Energy bar and water bottle
  • Pocket first aid kit
  • Personal medications
  • Hand sanitizer

Longer-Term Storage

The 12 Areas of Emergency Preparedness

Your disaster supply kit covers the first few days. For longer emergencies, which are common after major disasters, you need deeper supplies organized across 12 areas. You don't have to tackle all of them at once. Start with your greatest gap and build gradually.

  • 1. Shelter, Clothing & Fire

    Stay comfortable in extreme heat or cold. Warm clothing, rain gear, emergency blankets, fire-starting supplies.

  • 2. Water

    1 gallon per person per day. Minimum 14-day supply (14 gallons/person). Plus water treatment supplies and knowledge.

  • 3. Food & Nutrition

    Store what you eat; eat what you store. Start with 1 month of easy-to-prepare foods. Build toward 3 months per person.

  • 4. First Aid

    Supplies and knowledge to treat injuries when professional help is unavailable. Include medications and medical equipment.

  • 5. Hygiene & Sanitation

    Soap, hand sanitizer, waste management supplies. Sanitation failures spread disease rapidly after disasters.

  • 6. Communication

    Battery-powered radio, backup phone charging, written contact lists. Know how you'll stay informed and connected.

  • 7. Energy & Light

    Flashlights, lanterns, candles, backup batteries, and a plan for heating/cooking without power or gas.

  • 8. Tools & Safety Supplies

    Basic hand tools, utility shut-off wrench, dust masks, work gloves, and duct tape.

  • 9. Important Documents

    Copies of IDs, insurance, medical records, financial documents, sealed in a waterproof container.

  • 10. Financial Preparedness

    Cash on hand, emergency fund, and knowledge of your insurance coverage, including what it does NOT cover.

  • 11. Skills & Knowledge

    First aid training, CPR, utility shut-off procedures, and hands-on practice before you need these skills under stress.

  • 12. Community & Neighborhood

    Know your neighbors. Build relationships before a disaster. Community connections are survival assets.

See the full 12 Areas guide at beready.utah.gov (opens in new tab) for detailed guidance on what, why, how, and how much to store in each category.

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