Neighborly Prep

Home Essentials

The basics that make an outage feel ordinary.

Build these up a little at a time. Start with what fits your space and budget.

Water

  • Aim for about a gallon per person per day, for a few days
  • Store in a cool, dark place
  • Refresh every six months

Food

  • Shelf-stable foods your family already eats
  • A manual can opener
  • Rotate items into regular meals

Light & power

  • Flashlights or lanterns in known spots
  • Spare batteries
  • A way to charge phones

First aid & health

  • A stocked first-aid kit
  • A few days of regular medications
  • Copies of key health info

Comfort

  • Blankets and warm layers
  • Games or books for kids
  • Basic hygiene supplies

Paperwork

  • Copies of IDs and insurance
  • A short list of important numbers
  • Kept together in one folder

Gear we may recommend

Heads up: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Neighborly Prep may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we'd suggest to a neighbor.

Product image pending Amazon-approved asset

Water storage pick (to be added)

Good for: Households starting a basic water supply

A slot for a stackable water container recommendation.

Link coming soon
Product photo: a two-pack of black collapsible MalloMe LED camping lanterns shown with batteries on a white background

MalloMe LED camping lantern

Good for: Anyone who wants safe, battery-powered light during an outage

A simple lantern that lights a room without the fire risk of candles.

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Product image pending Amazon-approved asset

Band-Aid Brand Travel Ready first-aid kit (80 pieces)

Good for: Households starting a basic first-aid supply

A small, portable kit of everyday first-aid basics for minor cuts and scrapes.

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Product image pending Amazon-approved asset

Amazon Basics AA alkaline batteries (48-pack)

Good for: Keeping spares for flashlights, lanterns, and radios

A value pack of AA batteries so your lights and radios are ready when you need them.

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Product image pending Amazon-approved asset

CoreMuse 2.1-gallon collapsible water jug with spout

Good for: Households adding some water storage without much space

A foldable jug with a spout that packs flat when empty; label and refresh stored water regularly.

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Product image pending Amazon-approved asset

LifeStraw personal water filter

Good for: A lightweight backup for filtering water

A personal straw-style filter for backup use. It has limits (it doesn't remove everything), so follow the maker's instructions and local water guidance.

View on Amazon