🧴 Non-Food Emergency Storage

Level I Medical Essentials

Level I covers the basic medical supplies every household needs to maintain hygiene and handle minor injuries. These should be part of every home — not just an emergency kit.

• Isopropyl Alcohol (70%)
  Annual quantity: 32 oz per person per year for standard household use (wound cleaning, surface disinfection). Increase to 128 oz (1 gallon) per person if a contagious illness situation is expected — at this level alcohol is essential for disinfecting surfaces, doorknobs, toilets, and shared items continuously.
  Uses: Wound disinfection · Surface cleaning · Equipment sterilization · Thermometer cleaning · Diluted as a hand sanitizer base
• Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)
  Annual quantity: 32 oz per person per year.
  Uses: Wound cleaning (use once on initial cleaning; repeated use can slow healing) · Ear irrigation · Mouthwash (diluted 1:1 with water) · Stain removal from clothing · Disinfecting cutting boards
  Note: Hydrogen peroxide loses potency after opening. Date the bottle when opened; replace after 6 months once opened.
• Basic First Aid Kit
  See the First Aid Kits guide for a complete breakdown of what to stock at Level 1 and above. At minimum, your household kit should include bandages, gauze, tape, gloves, antiseptic, tweezers, scissors, thermometer, and several common over-the-counter medications.

Level II Hygiene & Light

• Light Sources
  Build a layered system of light — no single source is reliable in all scenarios.

  • Candles — stock 12–24 standard taper or pillar candles per household. Keep matches or a butane lighter sealed in a waterproof container. Never leave a burning candle unattended during a disaster.
  • Oil lamp or kerosene lantern — longer-burning and more adjustable than candles. Stock at least 1 quart of lamp oil (or kerosene) per two weeks of expected use.
  • Flashlight — at least one per bedroom, with a 6-month supply of batteries. Prefer lithium batteries for cold-weather storage or long shelf life.
  • Hand-crank or solar lantern — requires no batteries but provides reliable low-light output. One per household for area lighting.

  Critical: Never use kerosene lamps, propane burners, or camp stoves indoors without proper ventilation. Carbon monoxide poisoning kills dozens of people each year after power outages when families use combustion appliances in enclosed spaces.
• Feminine Hygiene
  Annual quantity for each applicable household member: approximately 200–220 pads or tampons per year (based on ~5–7 per day, 5 days, 12 cycles per year). Adjust for individual use. Store in sealed bags away from moisture and extreme heat.
  
  Alternatives for extended storage: Menstrual cups (silicone) or reusable cloth pads dramatically reduce the storage footprint and waste. A single quality menstrual cup may replace thousands of disposable products.
• Sewing Repair Kit
  Clothing and textile repair is a critical but overlooked preparedness skill. A basic sewing kit costs very little and prevents the need to discard otherwise functional clothing or gear. Stock one per household.

  • Sewing needles — assorted sizes (heavy-duty canvas needle, standard, and fine)
  • Thread — multiple colors including black, white, tan, and a bold color for visibility
  • Assorted buttons (a mix of sizes and materials)
  • Safety pins (assorted sizes, at least 20)
  • Small fabric scissors
  • Iron-on fabric patches (for quick, sewless repairs)
  • 2–3 yards of durable cotton fabric (for patches)
  • Thimble
  • Seam ripper

  Skill tip: Learn three basic hand stitches — the running stitch (for seams), the whip stitch (for edges), and the backstitch (for strength). A 30-minute practice session is all it takes to be useful.

Level III Sanitation Supply

• Toilet Paper
  Toilet paper consumption varies significantly by household, but reasonable estimates are essential for long-term storage planning.

  Household	Per 2 Weeks (double rolls)	Per 2 Weeks (mega rolls)	Per Year (double rolls)
  1 person	~5 rolls	~3 rolls	~130 rolls
  2 people	~9 rolls	~5 rolls	~234 rolls
  4 people	~17 rolls	~9 rolls	~440 rolls
  6 people	~25 rolls	~14 rolls	~650 rolls

  Storage tip: Toilet paper is bulky. Buy in bulk from warehouse stores and store in a cool, dry location in sealed plastic bins or garbage bags. It has an indefinite shelf life if kept dry and away from pests.

  Alternative: Baby wipes and bidet attachments significantly reduce toilet paper consumption. A bidet toilet seat attachment costs $30–$50 and can be installed without a plumber. Baby wipes are an excellent backup — stock at least 3–4 large containers per person per year.

• Sanitation Kit (for disrupted plumbing)
  If water or sewage systems are disrupted, basic sanitation becomes a significant health challenge. Stock:

  • Heavy-duty plastic bags (for portable toilet or waste disposal)
  • Kitty litter or lime (neutralizes odor in improvised toilets)
  • Liquid dish soap
  • Waterless hand sanitizer (large bottles × 4–6 per household)
  • Personal hygiene wipes (body wipes or baby wipes)
  • Paper plates, cups, and utensils (reduces water used for washing)