Stocking up on emergency food and medical supplies can drain your budget — unless you unlock the power of your Costco membership.
As with any Costco purchase, Costco’s emergency supplies are available as wholesale bulk goods, ensuring you can keep your family fed and safe as you prepare for an emergency ahead of time.
Here are 15 must-have emergency supplies you can grab on your next Costco run.
Editor's note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.
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Omeals Self-Heating Emergency Meals (32-pack)
Price: $219.99
In a disaster, there’s no telling whether you’ll have easy access to electricity. And while any high-protein food can sustain you when the lights go out, there’s no substitute for a warm meal.
Omeals’ ready-to-go meals are packed with protein and other nutrients. They’re never freeze-dried, which makes them more flavorful.
Most importantly, Omeals uses a self-heating technology that warms your food on the go, no propane tank, gas stove, or campfire is required. It's a great way to be prepared while keeping more money in your bank account.
Readywise Emergency Food Bucket (150 servings)
Price: $99.99
One of the most frustrating parts of emergency food storage is replacing unused food every few years to stay ready for a potential disaster.
Readywise’s emergency food supplies alleviate that problem. As long as you store your emergency bucket in a cool, dry place, all 150 servings of easy-prep foods ranging from oatmeal to pot pie will last 25 years.
Mountain House 3-Day Emergency Meal Kit (18 servings)
Price: $99.99
Mountain House’s meal kit is shelf-stable for three decades and includes 9 pouches that cover the full spectrum of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.
Each meal, from chicken fried rice to biscuits and gravy, is ready in seconds — you just have to add water.
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Nutristore Freeze-Dried Chicken and Ground Beef (240 servings)
Price: $599.99
Are you worried about maintaining access to high-protein meats in an emergency? Nutristore has you covered with 240 freeze-dried, lightweight chicken and ground beef servings.
All 240 servings are packed into twelve cans that take up minimal shelf space, can be easily stowed and carried in an emergency backpack, and last up to 25 years.
Nutristore Freeze-Dried Fruit Variety (128 servings)
Price: $179.99
Freeze-dried fruit is the ideal way to round out a protein-heavy emergency food supply, adding flavor and essential vitamins and minerals to your emergency stash.
Nutristore’s assorted six-can supply includes one can each of peaches, bananas, apples, mangoes, and two cans of strawberries.
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Germ-X Advanced Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer (3-pack)
Price: $75.00
Keeping germs at bay is a critical component of personal hygiene and public safety, but it’s a harder mission to accomplish in the aftermath of a disaster when water might be hard to access.
Stocking up on hand sanitizer is a solid way to ensure you and your family can stay healthy no matter what.
Home & Go First Aid Kit (312 pieces)
Price: $17.99
Along with keeping an unused first aid kit with your emergency supplies, it’s a good idea to have one for general home use, plus one for each car in your garage.
This complete first aid kit includes bandages, alcohol wipes, finger splints, burn cream, sterile gauze pads, and a hundred other must-have medical items.
And since Costco’s Home & Go kit is under $20 and eligible for FSA, there’s no reason not to stock up on first aid supplies.
Firman 3200W Running/4000W Peak Dual Fuel Inverter Generator
Price: $849.99 (on sale for $649.99)
There’s no telling how long you could be without energy in a natural disaster like a hurricane or flood, so investing in a generator that runs on something other than electricity is a must.
While generators are available online, Costco’s site also states that generators are typically available at lower prices at a Costco warehouse. If you’re interested, take a look at the outdoor gear section the next time you visit.
Pro tip: $200 OFF, manufacturer's savings valid from 8/1/24 through 9/1/24 will help you get ahead financially.
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus and Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station
Price: $1,499.99
Are you looking for a more sustainable solution to a downed electrical grid? This portable power generator harnesses sunlight to keep your devices up and running during a power outage.
The solar generator kit can charge four devices simultaneously without breaking a sweat.
Get a protection plan on all your appliances
Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.
Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.
For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.
Coast PX1 LED Flashlight (3-pack)
Price: $39.99
Keep your home well-lit even when the power goes out with a high-quality, stormproof flashlight.
While rechargeable flashlights are useful, it pays to have a regular battery-powered flashlight (or three) on hand in case you can’t access a charger.
Pro tip: You can find many seasonal deals on things you might need in an emergency, so always being on the lookout at the right time of year is one of the many great shopping hacks.
Kirkland Signature Alkaline AAA Batteries (48-count)
Price: $15.99
Battery-powered flashlights are no good if you run out of batteries. It’s wise to have several backup packs of all types of batteries, from AAA to D, on hand.
Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand offers an affordable, high-quality alternative to pricier battery brands like Duracell.
Bridgestone Auto Safety Emergency Kit
Price: $49.99
Disaster can strike anywhere, and a car safety emergency kit ensures you can get your car out of a jam no matter how near or far you are from a gas station.
Costco’s automotive pack includes jumper cables, a tire inflator, a flashlight, and an emergency triangle to alert other vehicles to your presence.
Infinity 7-in-1 Emergency Tool (2-pack)
Price: $14.99
Along with a kit that has everything you need to get your car up and running again, grab a toolkit that helps you extract yourself from sticky automotive situations.
This seven-in-one toolkit includes a seatbelt cutter, window breaker, work light, flashlight, and warning light.
ALPTREK Outdoor Adventure Blanket
Price: $39.99
Whether you live in a warm or cold climate, it’s wise to keep an easy-to-store, waterproof blanket in your car for emergencies.
This outdoor blanket is polyester-insulated, runs 70 inches long by 60 inches wide, and can be stored in a bag for easy transportation.
Nutrient Survival Freeze-Dried Emergency Food Supply (122 servings)
Price: $199.99
Well-rounded meals are a helpful component of an emergency food supply, but supplemental nutrients are essential if survival is your top priority.
These six cases of freeze-dried nutrients include fiber, protein, and minerals that add up to nearly 20,000 total calories. You can even use a credit card that helps you earn cash back to cut down on the cost out of your pocket.
Bottom line
As your one-stop shop for the most essential goods and services, Costco is the perfect place to find almost anything you need or want — emergency items included.
As always, check out your local Costco shelves to see if you can save even more on groceries. Each Costco warehouse has its own localized sales, deals, and items available for shoppers.
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