Build a kit you'll actually use

A good emergency kit is less about gear and more about decisions made now. Here's how to build one in a weekend, without spending a fortune.

The weekend plan

Saturday — the basics. Gather water (3 litres per person per day, 3 days), non-perishable food, a manual can opener, a torch, spare batteries and a battery-powered radio.

Sunday — the details. Add a first-aid kit, prescription medicines, a copy of ID and insurance, cash in small bills, phone chargers and a power bank.

Where to keep it

One bag in a place everyone knows — by the front door or in the garage. Keep a small car kit separate. See the full country-by-country checklist for extras that matter where you live.

Mistakes to avoid

• Don't store it "somewhere". Decide a spot, tell your family.
• Don't forget water. It's the item people skip, and the one that matters most.
• Don't let it go stale. Check the kit twice a year and rotate food, batteries and medicines.

Link to the rest

A kit is the plan; knowing what to do is the step that saves. Read the guide to what to do in a power outage, how to handle a water leak, or what to do in a car breakdown.