Most Americans Lack These Basic Household Essentials, According to CDC and Census Data

Across the United States, many homes lack access to items that are considered necessities in other countries. These gaps aren't always due to personal choice; most of the time, they're the result of systemic barriers, economic limitations, or a cultural lack of urgency around preparedness and security. Still, there are many basic items that should be in your home, for your own safety and the safety of your family.

These are tools that could mean the difference between safety and catastrophe in the average American home, but many don't realize it. By identifying what Americans don't have, but probably should, we get a clearer picture of how our households measure up to global standards. So, what are the things that might be missing from your home that are necessities basically everywhere else in the world?

To compile this list of overlooked essentials, 247 Tempo examined recent data from sources like the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, USAFacts, the American Bankers Association, Yale University, and Zebra Insurance. We focused on items considered crucial for modern living but often remain out of reach or uncommon in the majority of American homes.

This article was last updated on August 2, 2025, to reflect additional information.

According to the U.S. Department of the State, 20,121,024 passports were issued in the United States or territories during the 2023 fiscal year. Additionally, USAFacts reports that the total number of U.S. passports in circulation in 2023 was 160.7 million. However, the U.S. and its territories have a population of almost 340 million, meaning that less than half of the citizens of the United States hold a valid passport. The exorbitant cost of applying for a passport and the lack of pressure to travel internationally both contribute to the low incidence of passports among eligible U.S. residents. Still having a passport is considered necessary in many other countries.

The lack of passports in the United States is likely a combination of the difficulty and cost of applying for one and the lack of necessity for persons with lower incomes. Those with lower incomes, who make up a large portion of the United States population, are less likely to have jobs where they need to travel and since they have lower incomes are less likely to travel for pleasure. Even in situations where a person in the U.S. would like to travel for pleasure, it's more economical to travel within the United States and you can still enjoy a change of pace and culture.

While much easier said than done, emergency money would change the lives of Americans everywhere. The American Bankers Association reports that 25% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings. Having little in savings is a normal part of being an American in the modern day. Prices of everything are skyrocketing and wages are staying suspiciously stagnant, leaving most Americans unable to afford the additional cost of saving a significant amount of money. However, having a rainy day fund is something that most people in other countries consider to be necessary for life. After all, what would you do if you suddenly had to replace your water heater or you had another home emergency?

Unfortunately, for most Americans, the lack of the ability to save can have devastating effects on their lives. Bankruptcy is common in American society compared to other nations and the culprit of many bankruptcies is medical debt, something that a rainy day fund is intended to handle. It also means that little emergencies like a broken water heater or burst pipe can devastate a family's ability to afford necessities like food and electricity. For Americans to start saving the money they need to handle financial emergencies, the whole American economy needs to change to prioritize the workers who drive it. So, while this one is certainly crucial to have, it's a far-off dream for most Americans.

America is the only nation with an economy of its scale not to have implemented universal healthcare. It's also the only developed nation where swaths of people will vote against their own interests to vote against it. A study done at Yale University shows that the United States could have saved 355,000 additional lives during the acute stages of the COVID-19 pandemic if we had a universal, single-payer healthcare system.

Most of the arguments against a universal healthcare system in the U.S. fall apart when placed under academic rigor. The United States already spends more money per person on healthcare than every other Western country, which all have universal healthcare systems. Despite this, the U.S. also has significantly worse health outcomes in its population compared to other countries because most of the money spent on healthcare is spent on processing denials so that insurance companies can keep your money without providing you the care you need.

The CDC reports that people in the United States are woefully underprepared for a medical emergency. Their report shows that 48% of American households have no emergency supplies at all and 44% do not have a first aid kit. A first aid kit can significantly improve health outcomes in the event of an emergency, allowing people to treat the injured in a capacity that prevents severe damage to their bodies. Not having one could result in someone being permanently injured or even killed in an emergency.

Despite first aid kits not costing a great amount, many American households do not prioritize keeping one that is both stocked and not full of expired goods. This can be a significant risk to the people in the home, especially if there are any vulnerable people, such as the very young or elderly.

In addition to not having emergency medical supplies, many American households also lack disaster supplies. Despite most of the American country being subject to some severe weather, Americans by and far lack preparation for large-scale disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, and droughts. The 48% of American households that lack emergency medical supplies typically also lack disaster supplies, which can be fine when there isn't any severe weather or other disasters, but once disaster has struck, the time for preparation has passed.

The CDC recommends having emergency medical supplies, a 3-day supply of water (1 gallon per person per day for three days), and at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable foods such as canned foods to eat in the event that food can no longer be stored. These are all things that can help prevent severe malnourishment or death in the event of a severe disaster.

It might be surprising to know that Americans often store their document in unsecured locations. We were unable to find an exact statistic for safe ownership. However, most Americans do not have any home safety services, such as an alarm system, relying on front door locks as their primary security measure. While locking your front door is certainly both compelling and important for safety, it won't protect you against someone who doesn't care if your door is locked.

A safe for your important documents is the first step to having a secure home, but safes have multiple security features that many people ignore. A fireproof safe can protect your documents from both theft and fire, meaning that important files such as home deeds, car titles, and original government documents will be safe from the perils of flame. Protecting your documents is crucial. While many services have moved online and now accept digital copies, not all do (remember how most Americans don't have passports? That's one place where your original government docs are necessary!)

A study conducted by Zebra Insurance showed that almost 30% of U.S. homes do not own or have access to a fire extinguisher. The percentage of people who own fire extinguishers goes up if you look at people who grill, around 90% of people who use grill have a fire extinguisher, but only 59% of them keep the fire extinguisher handy while grilling. U.S. fire departments respond to over 300,000 house fire calls per year. Despite this, many households don't have fire extinguishers and blankets.

Owning a fire extinguisher can save more than just your personal possessions. It could save the lives of you and your loved ones by containing a fire before it gets bad. Not having a fire extinguisher could cause thousands of dollars in damages, property loss, and even death. A fire extinguisher isn't optional and everyone in the home should learn how to use it when it's appropriate.