Storm Preparedness

How to Stock Your Safe Room for Emergencies

A safe room keeps you alive during a storm or emergency. But the room itself is only part of the plan. What you put inside matters just as much. A well-stocked safe room means your family has everything it needs to stay safe and comfortable until the danger passes.

This guide covers every supply you should keep in your safe room. We will go through water, food, first aid, communication, lighting, documents, comfort items, and more. At the end, you will find a simple schedule for checking and replacing your supplies.

Water: The Most Important Supply

Water is the number one priority. You can go weeks without food. You cannot go more than three days without water. FEMA's Ready.gov recommends one gallon of water per person per day.

For a tornado safe room, plan for at least one day of water per person. For a longer-term shelter like an underground bunker, stock three to seven days per person.

Food: Simple and Shelf-Stable

You probably will not be in your safe room for more than a few hours during a tornado. But it is smart to have food on hand for longer events like hurricanes or power outages. The American Red Cross recommends at least a three-day supply of food per person.

Choose foods that:

• Do not need refrigeration
• Do not need cooking
• Have a long shelf life (at least 1 year)
• Are easy to open (pull-top cans are best)
• Are things your family will actually eat

Good options include granola bars, peanut butter, crackers, dried fruit, canned soup, canned tuna, and trail mix. For kids, include snacks they like. Familiar food helps children feel calm during a scary situation.

First Aid Kit

After a storm, injuries are common. Broken glass, fallen debris, and sharp objects cause cuts, bruises, and worse. A first aid kit in your safe room lets you treat injuries before help arrives.

Your safe room first aid kit should include:

• Adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
• Sterile gauze pads and medical tape
• Antiseptic wipes and antibiotic ointment
• Tweezers and small scissors
• Pain relievers (ibuprofen and acetaminophen)
• Elastic bandage for sprains
• Instant cold packs
• Latex-free gloves
• A first aid manual

The CDC has a detailed first aid supply list on their emergency preparedness page.

Communication

Staying connected is critical. You need to know what is happening outside and be able to call for help. Keep these items in your safe room:

• Battery-powered weather radio: NOAA weather radios give you real-time storm updates. Some models also have built-in flashlights and phone chargers.
• Phone charger or power bank: Keep a fully charged power bank in the room at all times. Check the charge every month.
• Whistle: If you are trapped under debris, a whistle is much louder than your voice. It uses less energy too.
• Written emergency contacts: Keep a printed list of phone numbers. If your phone dies, you can use someone else's phone.

Lighting

Power outages are common during storms. Your safe room may lose electricity. Plan for that.

• Battery-powered lantern: LED lanterns last a long time and light up the whole room. Keep extra batteries nearby.
• Headlamps: One per family member. Headlamps keep your hands free.
• Glow sticks: Cheap, safe, and fun for kids. They last 8 to 12 hours.
• Avoid candles: Open flames are dangerous in a small enclosed space.

Important Documents

If your home is damaged, you will need key documents right away. Keep copies of these in a waterproof bag or container inside your safe room:

• Driver's licenses and passports
• Insurance policies (home, auto, health)
• Birth certificates
• Social Security cards
• Medical records and prescription lists
• Bank account information
• Emergency contact list
• Photos of your home's contents for insurance claims

You do not need the originals. Good copies work. Put everything in a single waterproof folder or zip-lock bag.

Comfort Items

Emergencies are stressful. A few comfort items can make a big difference, especially for children.

• Blankets: At least one per person. Mylar emergency blankets take up almost no space.
• Pillows or cushions: If you have room.
• Activities for kids: Coloring books, small toys, a deck of cards, or a loaded tablet.
• Books or magazines: For adults waiting out a long storm.
• A favorite stuffed animal: For younger children, this can be a powerful comfort.

Medications

If anyone in your family takes daily medication, keep a small emergency supply in the safe room. This is especially important for:

• Heart medication
• Blood pressure medication
• Insulin and diabetes supplies
• Asthma inhalers
• Allergy medication (including an EpiPen if needed)
• Prescription pain medication

Check medications every 3 months and replace anything that is expired. Ask your doctor for an extra prescription specifically for your emergency kit.

Pet Supplies

Your pets come with you to the safe room. Plan for them too.

• A leash or carrier near the safe room door
• A small bag of dry food (rotate every 3 months)
• A collapsible water bowl
• Any medications your pet takes
• A familiar toy or blanket to reduce their stress
• Waste bags for dogs

Air Supply

A safe room has built-in ventilation. But check these items regularly:

• Make sure vents are not blocked by furniture or supplies.
• Test any fans or filtration systems twice a year.
• Replace air filters on the schedule your builder recommends.
• If your room has a battery-powered fan, check the batteries.

For more on ventilation, check our FAQ page.

Maintenance and Rotation Schedule

Supplies do not last forever. Use this simple schedule to keep everything fresh and ready:

Put these dates on your calendar. Set phone reminders. Make it routine, like changing smoke detector batteries. A few minutes of maintenance keeps your safe room ready at all times.

The Complete Safe Room Checklist

Here is everything in one list. Print this and tape it to the wall inside your safe room.

Learn more about tornado preparation in our tornado safe room guide.