Shelf Life Guide
Most items in your kit are durable goods with no meaningful shelf life. The items below require periodic rotation or replacement. We will send automated reminder emails to periodically check on your supplies and ensure nothing has expired. All shelf lives listed here are approximate; printed expiration dates on individual products always take priority over the estimates in this guide and should be your primary reference. While we will not ship you products that are abnormally close to their expiration date, it is ultimately your responsibility to check expiration dates as they are delivered and to regularly check on your supplies, ensuring they remain in a ready-to-use state. Storage conditions, including heat, humidity, and light exposure, can shorten the useful life of many of these items.
| Item | Shelf Life | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water & Sanitation | ||
| Stored water (WaterBrick containers) | 1 year | Rotate every 6-12 months. Follow proper filling procedures when rotating. |
| Water purification tablets | 4-5 years | Follow printed expiration date. |
| Liquid bleach | 6–12 months | Potency drops even if unopened, heat and light rapidly acceleration degredation. Replace every year. |
| Hand sanitizer | 2–3 years | Alcohol content decreases over time and accelerates once container has been opened. Follow printed expiration date. |
| Medical | ||
| Adhesive bandages | 5 years | Adhesive may fail after expiration. Inspect before relying on them. |
| Nitrile exam gloves | 3–5 years | Inspect for brittleness or tackiness before use. |
| Medications | ||
| Pain reliever (ibuprofen / acetaminophen) | 3–5 years | Follow printed expiration date. |
| Antacids | 3 years | Follow printed expiration date. |
| Anti-diarrheal | 3 years | Follow printed expiration date. |
| Laxatives | 2–3 years | Follow printed expiration date. |
| Electrolyte packets | 2–3 years | Safe to consume for several months after best by date though taste and nutrition may degrade. |
| Shelter & Warmth | ||
| Hand warmers | 3-4 years | Keep sealed. Discard if packaging has been punctured or feels warm at rest. May still have some effect after printed expiration date, but will be less powerful. |
| Body warmers | 3-4 years | Keep sealed. Discard if packaging has been punctured or feels warm at rest. May still have some effect after printed expiration date, but will be less powerful. |
| PPE | ||
| Fire extinguisher | 10 years | Regularly check pressure gauge, ensure hose is clear of debris and canister body is in good condition. |
| N95 respirators (sealed) | 3-5 years | Store away from UV light and humidity. Inspect straps before use. |
| Electronics & Power | ||
| AAA alkaline batteries | 7–10 years | Check for corrosion annually. Replace at the first sign of leakage. |
| Tools | ||
| Disposable lighter | 1–3 years | Fuel evaporates slowly over time. Replace if sparks but won't ignite. |
| Waterproof matches | Indefinite | Keep dry and sealed. Inspect striker strip every 2 years. |