How to Create a Winter Emergency Kit for Your Home

Winter storms often bring unexpected expenses, from replacing spoiled groceries to covering emergency lodging or home repairs. By planning ahead and building an emergency kit with the right supplies, you can stay safe, comfortable and better prepared to handle whatever the season throws your way. We’ve put together tips to help you create your emergency kit and ease your worries. 

General Items

If you lose power, these supplies can keep you warm, light your space, help you follow weather updates and give you a reliable way to contact others.  

Now is a good time to check items you may already own, such as generators or other heat sources, to make sure they work well and don’t need replacing before the winter months. Below is a list of items experts recommend having: 

Always use generators and fuel-burning heat sources outdoors and away from windows, and make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working. 
 

Health and Safety Items

You may not know how long you could be without utilities, so it’s important to keep medications and toiletries on hand. 

Having a basic first-aid kit at home stocked with bandages, antiseptic and compresses can also help you prepare for unexpected injuries. Here’s a look at some basic items to factor into your kit: 

Food Items

Think about everyone in your household, including pets, children and anyone with special dietary needs. Stock up on food, water and other essentials that can help your family get through a winter storm. Keep in mind that if the power goes out, you may not be able to use your refrigerator, so choose food, beverages and other supplies that don’t require refrigeration. 

Remember to rotate out expired food and medications and update your kit each year as household needs change.

Other Things to Consider During Winter Weather 

Download our home winter emergency kit checklist to help you get started.

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