Emergency Essentials: What Every Kit Should Include

01-23-2025

Comprehensive emergency planning saves lives. Schools, businesses, and community spaces all play a critical role in ensuring the safety of those they serve. Having the right essentials on hand can make all the difference when it matters most.

Preparing for the unexpected requires more than flashlights and blankets. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reminds us that proper preparedness means “having your own food, water, and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours.” Professional emergency kits provide tools that groups need to navigate an extended crisis or temporary emergency.

From classrooms to office buildings and community centers, EmergencyKits.com is your trusted provider of preassembled, tailored emergency kits. In this guide, we’ll explore why these kits are essential, the must-have supplies they include, and which kits are best suited for various groups.

Why Every Group Needs Comprehensive Emergency Kits

The majority of emergency preparation takes place in the home. While this is an important step in preparing for a crisis, other types of emergency prep are often left out. The average person will spend 90,000 hours at work and thousands of hours in school over the course of their life.

These spaces should be stocked with high-quality emergency kits designed to keep people safe in a crisis. Comprehensive preparedness ensures safety in the event of an unexpected emergency. This means having access to supplies:

  • At home
  • On your person
  • In your car
  • At school
  • At work

It’s up to each group to prepare for emergencies and stock the supplies needed to support large numbers of people. Whether you’re managing a workplace, overseeing a school, or organizing a community space, having the right emergency kits is essential.

Must-Have Emergency Essentials for Survival

In an emergency, there are necessary supplies for survival. The exact tools needed depend on the situation and a person’s individual needs; however, some supplies should be included in every emergency kit.

The items below are a must in any emergency situation.

Emergency Food and Water Supplies

Food and water are non-negotiable in emergency situations. While the Red Cross recommends storing at least one gallon of water per person per day, this guideline accounts for both hygiene and consumption. For survival purposes, the industry standard focuses on storing eight ounces of water per person per day to meet basic, short-term hydration needs during an emergency.

Humans can go for days without food, but lacking adequate nutrition inhibits productivity, which is key to survival. Organizations need to maintain water and food stores appropriate for their typical population. For example, an elementary school should store enough water and food to sustain students and staff for three days.

Emergency food supplies should provide enough energy to sustain individuals during a crisis. While nutritional needs vary based on factors like age and activity level, it’s important to prioritize calorie-dense, long-lasting options.

Medical and First Aid Supplies

Institutions typically keep basic medical and first aid on hand for day-to-day eventualities. An emergency situation may call for more supplies to provide wound care or treatment for minor injuries. Supplies needed include

  • Gloves
  • Tweezers
  • Mini Scissors
  • Single Use Thermometers
  • Gauze
  • Antiseptic Towelettes
  • Triple Antibiotic Ointment
  • Bandages
  • First Aid Guide
  • Paper Surgical Tape
  • Trauma Dressing
  • Wire Splint
  • Wound Closure
  • CPR Shields
  • Eye Wash
  • Burn Gel
Shelter and Warmth

Weather disasters and power outages may create inefficient shelters and subject people to cold and unsafe environments. Keep the following supplies on hand:

Sanitation and Hygiene

Basic survival includes limiting the spread of disease and maintaining personal hygiene. Stock the following basics to keep your population safe:

Communication Tools

Effective communication is crucial during an emergency. Institutions may need to manage crowds, access real-time local weather, or communicate without cell service over distances. Use the following tools to stay informed and prepared.

Tools and Equipment

Institutions should keep essential tools alongside emergency supplies to significantly improve their ability to get through a crisis safely. Stock up on the following tools that will help you navigate any disaster with confidence.

  • Multi-purpose Tools
  • Gas and Water Tool
  • Pocket Knife
  • Knee Pads

Specialized Items for Different Environments

Here are the supplies that specific institutions should keep at the ready. These are tools that benefit unique environments.

For Schools

Teachers, staff, and students must be prepared for lockdown events and natural disasters. Schools must be ready to hunker down for an extended period of time at a moment's notice. Keep kits in each classroom and administrative area and centrally located in the school.

These school emergency kits come with child-specific supplies, such as:

  • Emergency Food, Water, and Gear for a Full Classroom
  • Yellow Lightstick
  • Emergency Attendance Form
  • Crayons and Coloring Book
For Workplaces

Office emergency kits are equipped to meet the needs of 5, 10, 20, 50, 1000, or more employees. These kits have all the emergency essentials and should also include:

  • Site Maps
  • Building Plans
  • Employee Contact/Identification Information
  • Emergency or Law Enforcement Contact Information
  • Copies of Evacuation and Shelter-In-Place Plans
For Emergency Responders

These trauma kits are specially made for first responders and designed to treat anywhere from 25 to 1,000 people. First responder kits contain supplies that support trauma treatment, rescue, and more. Your kits may need the following:

  • Canvas Stretcher
  • Nitrile Gloves
  • Tourniquet
  • Chest Seal
  • Bleeding Control Dressing
  • Triage Tag
  • Emergency Accountability Attendance Form
  • Clipboard and Pencil

Key Benefits of Professionally Designed Kits

Professionally designed kits offer proven quality that lasts without the stress of self-assembly. These are the main perks of working with emergency experts and ready-to-go kits.

  1. The EmergencyKits.com difference: The EmergencyKits.com kits are field tested and undergo rigorous quality checks to ensure every item is reliable and durable in an actual emergency scenario.
  2. Based on expert guidelines: These kits are often assembled based on FEMA or the Department of Homeland Security guidelines, ensuring they meet recognized safety and preparedness standards.
  3. Institution-specific: Kits are tailored to different environments, such as schools, workplaces, or emergency response teams, ensuring that every situation is appropriately addressed.
  4. No stress: Purchasing a preassembled kit eliminates the need to research, shop for, and assemble individual components, saving time and effort.
  5. Headcount specific: These kits are designed for scalability, allowing larger organizations or institutions to order kits that cater to large groups efficiently.
  6. Affordable: Buying premade kits in bulk can be more affordable than sourcing and purchasing items individually.

EmergencyKits.com specializes in custom emergency kits for large-scale preparedness. These custom kits are tailored to the precise needs and specifications of larger entities.

Be Ready for Any Emergency with the Right Essentials

Maintaining well-stocked emergency kits prepares your organization for any crisis. EmergencyKits.com is committed to providing expertly designed, high-quality kits for organizations and individuals.

We also provide free emergency information and planning guides to support institutional readiness. Explore our kits, guides, and other offers to remain prepared for any situation.