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Winter Home Emergency Kit Checklist (and a Gift That Might Save a Pipe)
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This is a checklist of categories, not a shopping endorsement. We name no brands and give no prices. We update it each fall.
The checklist (Ready.gov)
| Item | Notes from Ready.gov |
|---|---|
| Water | One gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation. |
| Food | At least a several-day supply of non-perishable food, plus a manual can opener. |
| Warmth | A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Clothing for your climate and sturdy shoes. |
| Light and news | Flashlight, extra batteries, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio (plus a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert). |
| First aid and medicines | A first aid kit. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and eyeglasses or contact lens supplies, based on individual needs. |
| Signals and tools | A whistle, and a wrench or pliers for shutting off utilities. |
| Communication | A cell phone with chargers and a backup battery. |
| Papers and cash | Important family documents stored electronically or in a waterproof container; cash or traveler's checks. |
| Pets | Pet food and extra water. Ready.gov's winter page says to plan for pets. |
| Sanitation | Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties. |
Source: Ready.gov (FEMA), Build a Kit. The page lists more items, such as a fire extinguisher, waterproof matches and local maps.
Winter extras (Ready.gov)
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Ready.gov says to install and test smoke alarms and CO detectors with battery backups, with CO detectors on every level of the home.
- Heat safely. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven. Run generators outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages. Keep a generator dry and let it cool before refueling.
- Seal and insulate. Ready.gov says to prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping, and to learn how to keep pipes from freezing.
- Be ready for days without power. Extra batteries for radios and flashlights, and a plan for medication.
Pipe-protection add-ons
If the gift is for a homeowner, pair the kit with the frozen-pipe basics. These are from our own guides, each with its sources:
- How to prevent frozen pipes
- Pipe insulation and heat tape
- Outdoor faucet covers
- What to do when pipes freeze and burst pipe first steps
Making it a gift
- Ask what the person already owns, so you do not duplicate.
- Pack the items in a labeled bin and add a card listing what is inside (our suggestion).
- Write where the main water shutoff is, if you know it, and pair it with the wrench or pliers (our suggestion; Ready.gov lists the tool).
- Leave medicines to the person. Ready.gov says medication is individual.
- Check batteries and water twice a year (our suggestion; we found no schedule on the pages we opened).
Add pipe protection to the kit
Pipe sleeves and UL-listed heat cable are the products Red Cross and extension services point to for exposed pipes. Read the label and follow the maker's instructions.
How to choose and use themSee pipe insulation and faucet coversSee UL-listed heat cableCommon questions
What should be in a winter home emergency kit?
Ready.gov's basic kit lists water (one gallon per person per day for several days), at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food, a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a flashlight, a first aid kit, extra batteries, a whistle, a wrench or pliers to shut off utilities, a manual can opener, a phone with chargers and a backup battery, and local maps.
Is an emergency kit a good Christmas gift?
It can be, especially for a first-time homeowner, a college student or an older relative. Ready.gov says to gather supplies for several days without power, to plan for medications and to plan for pets. Ask what they already have, and avoid medicines as a surprise.
How do I stay safe heating my home in a power outage?
Ready.gov says never to heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven, to run generators outdoors at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages, and to install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home.
Do I need pipe supplies in the kit?
Not for the emergency box itself, but pipe insulation, faucet covers and UL-listed heat cable are good add-on gifts. Read our guides on those products first.
Related guides
- How to prevent frozen pipes
- How to winterize a house
- Burst pipe: first steps
- Will my pipes freeze tonight?
Free printable: Frozen Pipe Night-Before Checklist
What to do before a cold night so your pipes survive it. Download the one-page PDF now, or get it by email along with a short series of five helpful emails.