Guide, United States

A starter cordless tool kit for emergencies

How we wrote this: researched from the public sources listed at the end of the page. General information, not medical or legal advice. Last checked 2 November 2026.

After a storm the jobs are small and urgent: screw a board over a broken window, tighten a loose gate, shut off a utility, get the torch working. A small tool kit, kept charged and in one bag, covers most of them.

The hand tools Ready.gov names

Ready.gov's kit list includes a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, plus duct tape, plastic sheeting and scissors for sheltering in place. Learn where your gas, water and power shut offs are before you need them, and only turn off gas if you smell it or are told to; the gas company has to turn it back on.

A cordless drill driver

A cordless drill driver is the most useful single power tool in a house. It drives screws for boarding up, drills pilot holes and, with the right bits, loosens stuck bolts. Keep the battery charged, and recharge it from a power bank or station if the outage runs long, following the maker's manual.

Light for the job

Most repairs after a storm happen in poor light. A work light that hangs, and a headlamp, keep both hands on the tool.

Keep it together

A tool bag by the kit box means nobody hunts through the garage in the dark.

Where to find more

See the full range in Tools and build and the problem solved boxes in Specialised kits. Pair the tools with light and charging from the Lights out kit, and write the shut off locations into the free 72-Hour Family Plan.

FAQ

What tools should be in a home emergency kit? A wrench or pliers for utilities, duct tape, plastic sheeting and scissors per Ready.gov, plus a cordless drill driver, a screwdriver set and a work light.

Should I turn off the gas after a storm? Only if you smell gas or officials tell you to. Once off, a professional must turn it back on.

How do I keep cordless tools charged in an outage? Keep batteries charged ahead of time, and recharge from a power station or generator used outside, following the maker's instructions.