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Whenever there is a natural disaster or emergency, it’s natural to reevaluate our evacuation plan and take stock of our emergency supplies. Regardless of the season or where you live, it’s important to have a winter emergency survival kit for home and car (and a general emergency preparedness kit while you’re at it) if a natural disaster, power blackout, floods, or other safety crises should occur.
According to the CDC, it’s best to stay inside and avoid the roads during a winter storm, but it’s important to have your car equipped with cold-weather essentials if you ever need to evacuate or shelter in place (whether in your home or your vehicle). It’s essential to have vehicle safety accessories and tools on hand, including tire chains, rope, windshield scrapers, and cat litter or sand to improve traction. That said, it’s equally important to arm your home with emergency survival essentials—some of which should be portable for evacuations—to help you and your family withstand the elements when essential survival resources like food, water, heat, and power may be scarce or unavailable.
According to Ready.gov, there are a few non-negotiables every emergency preparedness kit must include. Backup water (one gallon per person, per day for drinking and sanitation is suggested), food (three-day supply of non-perishable foods), a battery-powered radio to listen for updates when the internet is no longer accessible, a flashlight, and a backup battery for your cellphone. You can check out the full list here.
Once you have your essentials covered, you may want to consider investing in a few additional products that will help you get through it comfortably and safely. From a heated coat to protect you against frostbite in below-zero temperatures to a portable campfire for cooking and added warmth, and a portable water filter that cleans filthy water for drinking, below are some winter emergency survival kit items to stock up on now.
Power Outage Emergency Kit
This comprehensive power outage emergency kit includes lighting supplies and waterproof essentials, including waterproof matches, a lantern, candles, a flashlight, and spare batteries.
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LifeStraw Personal Water Filter For Emergency Prep
This portable water filter is able to clear out 99.99% of bacteria and is slim and lightweight, so you can throw it in your bag or pocket when you’re in a pinch.
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Quick Dam QD610-1 Water-Activated Flood Barrier
When evacuations are not in order, these expandable flood barriers are a great tool to have on hand.
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Pulsar 300W Portable Gas-Powered Inverter Generator
It’s important to have a gas-powered generator to power your home during a blackout (in addition to a solar power generator to help charge your phones and appliances.)
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Always Prepared Premium 125 Piece Roadside Emergency Kit
This roadside emergency kit contains everything you need for winter storms, including a jumper cable, a reflective visibility vest, first aid essentials, and more.
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Gobi Heat Men’s Heated Puffer Jacket
Designed with conductive heat technology, this heated jacket allows you to choose between three heat level settings and delivers 10 hours of warmth. The Gobi Heat line is also available in other styles for both men and women.
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Oceas Outdoor Mylar Emergency Blankets
Designed by NASA for camping, these extra-portable emergency thermal blankets are a must-have car accessory for the winter months.
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Emergency Weather Solar Crank AM/FM NOAA Radio
The CDC suggests a crank battery-operated radio for emergency prep kits, and this multifunctional model is also equipped with a built-in power bank, flashlight, and reading light.
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Solgaard Solarbank Solar Powered Power BankPowered by sunlight, this solar charging bank is a must-have for emergencies. The battery is capable of storing 4-5 charges and it automatically charges when exposed to sunlight.
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HotHands Toe, Hand, & Body Warmer Variety Pack
These single-use air-activated warmers may look small, but they really do work. They do take about 15-20 minutes to warm up, but they’re an excellent addition to any winter prep kit.
Yaktrax Walk Traction Cleats for Walking on Snow and Ice
Walking on snow and ice isn’t only difficult, but it’s also dangerous. These lightweight cleats provide 360 degrees of traction on cold surfaces to prevent falls and slips.
Augason Farms Lunch and Dinne Emergency Food Supply
This four-gallon emergency food supply pail includes 92 servings of food, 21,170 calories, and 557 grams of protein to help sustain you whether you’re on the go during an emergency or sheltering in place.
Emergency Survival Kit and First Aid Kit
Designed by survival experts, this all-in-one emergency survival kit contains 142 items to help you stay safe in any situation. The set includes a bevy of premium quality tools, including a comprehensive first aid kit, flashlight, hatchet, and knives.
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The post Scouted: Emergency Prep Essentials to Have on Hand for Winter Emergencies, Floods, and Natural Disasters in 2026 appeared first on The Daily Beast.
