Emergency tools and equipment: checklist for home and car

Tools and equipment for a crisis: a practical guide

⏱ 2 min read

What to keep at home and in the car. A guide based on official advice. The same text is in the free SurvivalZone.app and works without internet.

Open in the app (works offline)

At home

Torches or LED lamps and spare batteries.
A battery or wind-up radio.
Duct tape, plastic sheeting and a kit to seal windows and doors.
A fire extinguisher and fire blanket. Battery smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
A key for the gas and water valves, screwdriver, pliers and a knife or multitool.
A camping stove with spare cartridges, for use only outdoors or by an open window.

In the car

First aid kit, fire extinguisher, warning triangle and high-visibility vest.
Spare wheel and tools to change it, a repair kit.
Blanket, water, torch and a car phone charger.
A paper map or road atlas. Keep at least half a tank of fuel.

Prepare your home

Mark the gas, electricity and water shut-offs with coloured tape. Practise turning them off with your household.
Clear clutter from hallways and stairwells so it can't block an evacuation.

Watch out

Never use a generator, barbecue or gas stove inside a flat, basement or garage. It can cause fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.

Frequently asked questions

Which tools should I keep at home for emergencies?

Torches and batteries, a battery or wind-up radio, tape and sheeting, a fire extinguisher, fire blanket, smoke and CO alarms and basic tools.

What should I keep in the car for an emergency?

First aid kit, extinguisher, warning triangle, spare wheel and tools, blanket, water, torch, charger and a paper map. Keep half a tank of fuel.

Can I use a generator indoors?

No. Generators produce carbon monoxide and must only be used outdoors, away from windows and doors.

Keep it on your phone

SurvivalZone.app is a free app for every emergency, with no account and no app store. It works without internet and shows the nearest shelters and help points, local radio, a 72-hour plan and a mountain trip planner.

Open SurvivalZone.app

Thank you for reading. If this could help someone, send it to the people you care about. Getting ready takes a moment, and in a crisis every minute counts.

Coming soon: the app’s permanent address will be survivalzone.app.

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Sources

Official sources are checked automatically every day. Last check: 2026-11-08.

General guidance only; it does not replace the emergency services. If a life is in danger, call 112.