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The United States government has released an essential checklist of items that citizens should have on hand to prepare for emergencies.
Authorities caution that families need to be self-sufficient for several days in the event of a disaster, as external assistance may not be immediately accessible.
The Department of Homeland Security advises maintaining a stockpile of water, food, and medical essentials adequate to support each family member throughout a prolonged crisis.
Water tops the list, with recommendations of at least one gallon per person per day, accompanied by a supply of non-perishable food items sufficient for several days.
Additionally, Americans are encouraged to keep vital safety tools like flashlights, radios, batteries, and first-aid kits within a portable emergency supply kit for quick access.
Officials said the supplies should be stored in airtight containers and kept in easy-to-carry bins or bags in case families need to evacuate quickly.
The checklist also includes tools to signal for help, sanitation supplies and equipment to shelter safely indoors if conditions outside become dangerous.
While the Trump administration has not urged Americans to stockpile large quantities of supplies, federal officials and preparedness experts recommend keeping essential items on hand in case of an emergency.Â
Sean Gold, pictured in gas mask, started his disaster-prepping website TruePrepper in 2016 after the birth of his first child
Experts say the recommendations are designed to help families remain self-sufficient during disasters, when emergency responders may be overwhelmed or delayed.
‘Work on your general preparedness. Power outages often go hand in hand with supply chain disruptions, so keep food, water, fuel, etc., on hand. Planning for three days of self-sufficiency is a good starting point,’ Sean Gold, Air Force veteran and founder of TruePrepper, previously told DailyMail.
Currently, the conflict with Iran has not impacted the US homeland, but officials say preparedness remains critical regardless of immediate threat levels.
The guidance comes as global health officials warned of potential worst-case scenarios tied to the US war with Iran.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) have both prepared response strategies in the event of a nuclear-related incident.
Speaking to Politico, WHO director Hanan Balkhy said: ‘The worst-case scenario is a nuclear incident, and that’s something that worries us the most.’
However, on Monday, President Donald Trump said Iran wants to ‘settle’ with the US to end the war.
He also doubled down on his claim that Iran has agreed to never have a nuclear weapon.
‘With Iran, we’ve been negotiating for a long time, and this time, they mean business … they mean business. They want to settle, and we’re going to get it done; hopefully, this will be possible,’ Trump said, adding that strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure have been paused for five days.
A doomsday prepper, who has built a bunker, revealed how she spent $75,000 to prepare for a nuclear disaster amid ongoing wars across the world and the soaring cost of living
Officials said non-perishable foods, including canned or dried items, are preferred because they require little to no preparation during emergencies.Â
Keeping a manual can opener on hand is also recommended to ensure food can be accessed if power is unavailable.
Households should store at least one gallon of water per person, per day, for both drinking and sanitation.Â
Having enough water to last several days is considered one of the most critical survival measures.
While modern technology dominates daily life, officials stressed the importance of keeping battery-powered or hand-crank radios, including NOAA weather radios, to receive emergency updates if power or cell networks fail.
‘[The radios] run between $15 and $80, so they can fit most budgets and do some heavy lifting in emergencies,’ Gold explained.
Extra batteries for both radios and flashlights are also considered essential for maintaining visibility and communication during prolonged outages.
A first-aid kit is considered essential, allowing families to treat minor injuries when emergency medical services may be delayed.
Officials also recommend whistles to signal for help in low-visibility conditions or situations where individuals may become trapped.
Air quality can deteriorate quickly during disasters, making air-filtering dust masks an important addition to emergency kits.
Shelter materials such as plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape are recommended for sealing windows and doors if outside air becomes contaminated or hazardous.
Sanitation supplies, including moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties, are also advised to help maintain hygiene during extended emergencies.
Officials stress that households should also learn how to shut off utilities, including natural gas, and keep tools such as a wrench or pliers available if needed.
If gas is detected, residents are urged to open windows, leave immediately and seek safety elsewhere.
Officials warn that GPS systems, internet access and cell networks may fail during major emergencies, making printed local maps a valuable backup resource.
‘Make an emergency communication plan to coordinate with loved ones and have set procedures that do not rely on power [or] cell phones in the event of an outage,’ Gold advised.
Backup battery packs and mobile charging devices are also recommended to keep phones operational when electricity is unavailable.
While the government identifies 14 core items as essential, officials say households should tailor kits to meet individual needs.
Additional recommended supplies include prescription medications, eyeglasses, important documents, extra clothing, sturdy shoes and personal hygiene items.
Experts emphasized that preparation should reflect the specific needs of each household, including children, elderly family members and pets.