At a Glance
| Product | Best For | Rating | Our Verdict | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WorkSafe 50-Person Workplace Emergency Kit | Business | 4.5 | The core life-safety kit for the workplace. | Check Price |
| PulseGuard AED with Ready Kit | Business | 4.7 | The single highest-value purchase for employee safety. | Check Price |
| EvacRite Employee Evacuation Backpack (10-Person) | Business | 4.4 | Makes an orderly evacuation possible. | Check Price |
| SafeExit Fire Safety & Escape Kit | Business | 4.3 | Rounds out fire readiness beyond the smoke detector. | Check Price |
| ContinuityBox Document & Backup Safe (Fireproof) | Business | 4.5 | Protects the records that let you reopen. | Check Price |
A disaster that shuts your doors for a week can end a small business. Yet basic continuity planning is inexpensive and, once in place, largely runs itself. This checklist covers the supplies, equipment, and plans that keep your employees safe and your operations recoverable.
1. Protect people first
Stock a workplace emergency kit sized to your headcount, install an AED in a visible location, and keep evacuation packs near exits. Sudden cardiac arrest survival falls roughly 10% for every minute without defibrillation, which is why an on-site AED is one of the highest-value investments you can make.
2. Plan the evacuation
Assign floor wardens, keep grab-and-go evacuation packs with headcount rosters, and rehearse the route. Fire-safety gear — extinguishers, smoke hoods, and an escape ladder for upper floors — belongs in every workplace plan.
3. Protect the business itself
Store insurance documents, contracts, and backup drives in a fireproof, water-resistant safe. Keeping records recoverable is what lets you reopen after a fire or flood.
4. Write it down and rehearse
Supplies without a plan create false confidence. Document who does what, keep contact trees current, and run a short drill at least annually.
The bottom line
Start with life safety (kit, AED, evacuation), add business-recovery protection (documents and backups), then write and rehearse the plan. Most of this is a one-time purchase that pays for itself the first time it is needed.
Our Picks in Detail
1WorkSafe 50-Person Workplace Emergency Kit
An OSHA-minded emergency kit sized for a 50-person office or worksite.
Pros
- Supports up to 50 people
- Wall-mountable cabinet
- Covers 72-hour essentials
Cons
- Sized for larger offices
- Restock after any use
Verdict: The core life-safety kit for the workplace.
Check Price on Amazon2PulseGuard AED with Ready Kit
A semi-automatic AED with pads, battery, and wall cabinet for the workplace.
Pros
- Voice-guided for untrained staff
- Includes pads, battery, cabinet
- Highest life-saving value
Cons
- Higher upfront cost
- Pads and battery expire
Verdict: The single highest-value purchase for employee safety.
Check Price on Amazon3EvacRite Employee Evacuation Backpack (10-Person)
A grab-and-go evacuation pack supporting up to 10 employees.
Pros
- Grab-and-go for 10 people
- Includes headcount roster board
- Lighting and first aid included
Cons
- One pack per 10 staff
- Assign a warden to carry it
Verdict: Makes an orderly evacuation possible.
Check Price on Amazon4SafeExit Fire Safety & Escape Kit
Fire extinguisher, smoke hoods, and escape ladder for workplace fire readiness.
Pros
- Extinguisher, smoke hoods, ladder
- Covers upper-floor escape
- Bundled for small offices
Cons
- Ladder suits two stories
- Inspect extinguisher yearly
Verdict: Rounds out fire readiness beyond the smoke detector.
Check Price on Amazon5ContinuityBox Document & Backup Safe (Fireproof)
A fireproof, water-resistant safe for critical records and backup drives.
Pros
- Fireproof and water-resistant
- Protects records and backups
- Enables faster reopening
Cons
- Limited capacity
- Still keep off-site backups
Verdict: Protects the records that let you reopen.
Check Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
What emergency supplies is a small business required to have?
OSHA requires accessible first aid supplies and a written emergency action plan for most workplaces. Beyond the minimum, most businesses add a headcount-sized emergency kit, an AED, evacuation packs, and fire-safety equipment.
Does my business need an AED?
An AED is strongly recommended for any workplace. Sudden cardiac arrest survival drops roughly 10% for every minute without defibrillation, and modern AEDs guide untrained responders with voice prompts.
How do I write a business continuity plan?
Start with life safety (who evacuates and how), then records recovery (where documents and backups are stored), then operations (how you resume work). Document roles, keep contacts current, and rehearse at least once a year.