Emergency Preparedness Essentials
Practical equipment for a more prepared home
Prepare according to your household’s needs, existing supplies and budget. Explore ten equipment categories, each with our top pick, a few alternatives, and what to look for before you buy.
Plan first. You do not need to purchase every item listed.
Explore by category
Select a category to jump to what to look for, our top pick and alternatives.
Earthquakes can disrupt electricity, water and transportation. Start with a household plan and supplies you already own; use the sections below to identify any remaining gaps.
Affiliate disclosure: WestValleyFault.com may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Our picks are chosen using the criteria below. Prices, stock and availability on Lazada change often, so always check the current listing before you order.
Looking for free checklists, evacuation information, hazard tools and maps? Visit the WVF Resources directory.
Start with a plan, not a shopping list
Not sure what your household actually needs? Get the FREE WVF Earthquake Quick Start Guide first. Use it to identify preparedness gaps before deciding what equipment to add.
If you are starting from zero, start here
You do not need to buy everything at once. Prioritize the basics that support immediate household needs during an outage or evacuation, then add equipment according to your risks, household size and budget.
- 1. Emergency water — safe stored water first, with treatment options as a supplement.
- 2. First aid — a practical kit that matches your household.
- 3. Lighting & communication — reliable light, radio information and signaling capability.
- 4. Go-bag — a carryable bag for the essentials you may need during evacuation.
- 5. Phone backup power — enough capacity to keep essential communications available.
Add according to need: emergency food, portable power stations, hygiene and sanitation supplies, essential tools, and home-securing equipment.
- Fit for the job: the specifications and size match what the item is actually needed for during an earthquake or outage.
- Seller and reviews: an official brand store, LazMall or an established seller with solid ratings and a healthy number of reviews.
- Warranty and safety information: a stated warranty and manufacturer documentation where it matters, such as batteries and power stations.
- Value: sensible for a household budget.
First Aid Kits
A practical first-aid kit supports initial care for minor injuries while help is being arranged.
What to look for: useful contents, household needs, expiry dates and replenishment.
A mid-sized, waterproof kit that suits a family home and can go with you if you evacuate.
Alternatives
- First Aid Kit 357 Pieces, for up to 100 people — for offices, subdivisions or larger groups.
- 165-Piece Emergency Medical Rescue First Aid Kit Bag — a workplace-style bag with more room.
- 50-Piece Outdoor Camping First Aid Kit — compact, for the car or a second kit.
Emergency Food Supply
Plan around familiar shelf-stable food that meets your household’s needs. Specialty emergency rations are optional.
What to look for: dietary restrictions, storage conditions, preparation requirements and stock rotation.
A familiar, easy-to-prepare staple that stores well and is a low-risk place to start.
Alternatives
- Augason Farms 30 Day Emergency Food Supply Deluxe, 1 Person Kit — a longer-duration supply.
- High Energy Bar Emergency Survival Food — compact, for the go-bag.
- Sugar Free Compression Biscuits, Long Shelf-Life 20 Years — a specialty ration. Check the ingredients against your household’s dietary needs.
Emergency Water Supply
Prioritize a safe stored-water plan. Portable treatment products may supplement, but not replace, suitable water storage.
What to look for: household quantities, safe containers and each filter’s stated treatment limits.
Stored water is the foundation, and a container with a spigot is easy for the whole household to use.
Alternatives
- MOBI GARDEN Camping Portable Water Container — another storage option.
- PATGEAR | Emergency Drinking Water Pouch — single-serve pouches for the go-bag.
- Outdoor Mini Water Filter Straw Water Purification and Personal Straw Water Filtration System — treatment backups, not a storage substitute.
Emergency Go-Bag
A bag helps carry essentials during evacuation. A waterproof dry bag alone is not a complete stocked go-bag.
What to look for: fit, weight, durability, access and space for essential personal supplies.
A ready-to-pack backpack format, a better starting point than an empty dry bag.
Alternatives (good add-ons for keeping contents dry)
- ROCKBROS Waterproof Storage Bag
- Go bag Ocean Pack 7 Size Waterproof Bag
- Ocean Pack Dry Bag Camouflage design
Portable Power Stations
Rechargeable portable power stations can supply selected compatible devices during an outage; they are not fuel generators.
What to look for: watt-hours (how much it stores), continuous watt output (what it can run), charging options, device needs, warranty and manufacturer safety information.
Our pick for households that need more than a power bank: enough capacity for phones, lights, a router, a radio and a modest fan. Read the full guide to see if it fits your needs, and confirm the exact variation, voltage and local warranty before ordering.
Alternatives
- Smaller or lighter: BLUETTI Elite 10 Mini Portable Power Station; Promate 120 Powerstation; Anker SOLIX C300DC Power Bank Station.
- Mid-range: BLUETTI EB3A / Elite 30 V2 288Wh Portable Power Station; EcoFlow River 2 240Wh Portable Power Station.
- Higher output with solar: LANBAO Portable Power Station 1000W with 150W Solar Panel. Verify capacity, continuous output, battery specifications and warranty before you buy.
Power Banks
Power banks help maintain phone and compatible USB-device charging during an outage.
What to look for: stated capacity and output, included cables, device compatibility and a reputable seller.
A well-known brand at a capacity that charges a phone several times, a sensible default for most households.
Alternatives
- Philips 20000mAh Power Bank 45W Fast Charging — same capacity class with faster charging.
- UGREEN 10000mAh Magnetic Wireless Fast Charging Powerbank — compact, for phone-only needs.
- Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh and UGREEN 20000mAh / 25000mAh Powerbank — for laptop-class needs.
Multi-tools and Essential Tools
Compact tools can help with everyday preparedness tasks; they are not rescue equipment.
What to look for: practical functions, durability, safe handling and storage.
A recognized brand known for durability, the safer buy in a category full of look-alikes.
Alternatives
- Ingco Foldable Multi-Function Swiss Knife
- Multi Tool Cutter Pliers Saw Kit Survival Folding Screwdriver Outdoor Camping Tools
- Upgraded Version EDC Multi Tools Original Stainless Steel
Emergency Lighting & Communication
Reliable lighting and access to broadcast information can be useful during extended power and communications outages. Include more than one lighting method and keep charging or replacement-battery needs in mind.
What to look for: practical runtime, charging method, hands-free use where useful, radio bands and controls that household members can operate. Check the manufacturer-stated runtime and charging details on the listing.
One device that covers official information, light and a signal, and keeps working without grid power.
Alternatives
- SUPERFIRE Sensor Rechargeable Headlamp — hands-free light.
- OMNI LREL-F801 LED Rechargeable Emergency Lamp
- FIREFLY FEL201L Rechargeable Twin-Head Emergency Light
Hygiene & Sanitation
Disrupted water service, plumbing or waste collection can make ordinary hygiene difficult. Prepare basic personal-hygiene supplies together with practical cleaning and waste-containment items.
What to look for: supplies matched to household size and individual needs, including menstrual-hygiene supplies, infant or elder-care items and other personal necessities where applicable. A bucket, wipes or waste bags do not replace safe water and proper sanitation practices.
A single kit that covers personal-hygiene basics in one purchase.
Alternatives (build your own sanitation set)
- 20-L Plastic Bucket with Lid
- 70-L Extra-Thick Garbage Bags, 70 × 90 cm
- Giggles 70% Ethyl Alcohol Sanitizing Wipes, 50 Sheets × 3 Packs
Home Earthquake Safety & Securing Equipment
Preparedness also means reducing hazards before strong ground shaking occurs. Properly securing heavy furniture and keeping cabinet contents contained can reduce preventable household hazards.
What to look for: hardware appropriate to the furniture, wall construction and expected load, installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For heavy furniture, mechanically fastened anchoring is preferable to treating adhesive-only restraints as equivalent. Cabinet latches supplement rather than replace anchoring of the cabinet itself.
Metal, mechanically fastened anchoring is the right first step for tall, heavy furniture.
Alternatives
- 2-Piece Adjustable TV / Furniture Anti-Tip Safety Straps
- EUDEMON Cabinet and Drawer Safety Latch — supplements anchoring.
Equipment is only part of preparedness
Emergency supplies work best as part of a household plan. Decide how your family will communicate, where you will meet, what you will take during an evacuation and how you will account for the needs of children, older adults, pets and household members who may need additional assistance.
Build your household emergency plan
Explore the WestValleyFault™ Family Emergency Planner and turn your equipment checklist into a practical household preparedness plan for a major earthquake or other disaster.
Prefer to start free? Download the FREE Earthquake Quick Start Guide. For free checklists, evacuation information, hazard tools and maps, visit the WVF Resources directory.
Check your household’s existing supplies and practice your safety procedures before buying additional equipment. Equipment supports your plan; it does not replace it.
