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Winter Storm Emergency Kit
What to keep at home and in the car before snow, ice and a power cut arrive.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
Tick the circles, tap any line to change it, drag the dots to reorder.
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The National Weather Service lists a flashlight and extra batteries, a battery-powered weather radio, and food and water that need no cooking or refrigeration. Medicine, baby items and first aid follow. The main concerns are losing heat, power and phone service, and running short of supplies if a storm lasts more than a day. Riverton's city safety message advises at least one gallon of water per person per day for three days. Each item is labeled Home, Car or both. The list leaves out farm animals and does not replace advice from local emergency officials.
Why these items are on the list
- Home: flashlight and extra batteries. Any open flame can start a fire, and LifeSecure recommends having at least one flashlight on hand.
- Home: battery-powered NOAA weather radio. Receives emergency information when power and phone service are down. A hand-crank model also works.
- Home: charged phone power bank. Riverton says a charged power bank is useful during outages. Keep a list of emergency contacts and local numbers.
- Home: water, three-day supply. Riverton says at least one gallon per person per day, for three days. Bottled water has a shelf life.
- Home: no-cook food, such as granola bars. Choose food that needs no cooking or refrigeration, in case power and heat are out.
- Home: manual can opener. Needed if your stock includes canned goods.
- Home: extra prescription medicine. Listed by the weather service among the supplies to have at home.
- Home and car: first-aid kit. Both the home kit and the car kit list first-aid supplies.
- Home: baby items, if needed. Examples are diapers and formula. Supplies can run short if a storm lasts more than a day.
- Home: extra blankets and sleeping bags. Heat can fail, so plan for staying warm without it.
- Home: warm clothing such as hats. Warm clothing belongs in the home kit, not only the car.
- Home and car: emergency thermal blankets. LifeSecure says when used correctly they can retain and reflect back up to 90% of body heat, and are reusable.
- Home: heating fuel, topped up. Refuel before you are empty. Fuel carriers may not reach you for days after a storm.
- Home: fire extinguisher and smoke alarm. The National Weather Service says to test smoke alarms monthly. Home fires are common in winter.
- Home: working carbon monoxide detector. Keep the outside vent clear of leaves and debris, and clear snow from it during and after the storm.
- Home: generator kept outdoors. Never run a generator in an enclosed space. Carbon monoxide can build up.
- Home: pet food and warm shelter. Extra food and a warm place for pets, or bring them inside.
- Home: pipes insulated, home kept warm. Run faucets too. A burst pipe can mean water damage or mold.
- Home: shovel and ice melt. For clearing snow around the home.
- Home and car: emergency whistle. Helps signal for help if you need it.
- Car: call 511 before driving. The National Weather Service says every state offers it, covering road incidents, conditions and restrictions.
- Car: nearly full gas tank. A nearly full tank helps avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
- Car: blankets and extra dry clothing. Keeps you warm and dry if you are stuck waiting in the car.
- Car: food and water. LifeSecure reports drivers stuck on I-95 for nearly 15 hours without a kit were left hungry and thirsty.
- Car: sand or cat litter for traction. Gives the wheels something to grip. Add a windshield scraper and brush.
- Car: jumper cables and tool kit. Both belong in the car kit, along with a tow rope.
- Car: road flares or reflective triangles. Alert other drivers if you are stranded.
- Car: paper road maps and compass. Do not depend on a phone with limited battery life.
- Car: small can, waterproof matches. Used to melt snow for drinking water.
On your phone the list follows you from pantry to garage to car, so you can tick items off as you find them. Share it with others in the household so supplies are not bought twice.
When to use it
Use it well before a storm arrives, because LifeSecure says grocery store shelves quickly empty as one approaches.