Emergency kit
The official checklist for a household emergency kit, and how much water and food to store.
Before
- Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for several days. In very hot weather, needs can double. 1 2
- Plan for a week if you can. Sweden's civil defence agency recommends at least one week, and says 72 hours is better than nothing. 3
- Replace water you bottled yourself every six months. 2
- Review your kit every year as your household's needs change. 1
What to have
- Water: 1 gallon per person per day 1
- Several days of non-perishable food and a manual can opener 1
- Battery or hand-crank radio, plus a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert 1
- Flashlight and extra batteries 1
- First aid kit 1
- Whistle 1
- Dust masks 1
- Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape 1
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and ties 1
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities 1
- Local paper maps 1
- Phone chargers and a backup battery 1
- Prescription and over-the-counter medicines, glasses and contact solution 1
- Cash 1
- Copies of insurance, ID and bank records 1
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket per person 1
- Change of clothes and sturdy shoes 1
- Fire extinguisher 1
- Matches in a waterproof container 1
- Hygiene and feminine supplies, soap and hand sanitizer 1
- Infant formula, diapers and wipes, if needed 1
- Pet food and extra water, if needed 1
- Paper, pencil, and books or games for children 1
Start with water and food
FEMA’s baseline is one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation, for several days. 1 Four people for one week is 28 gallons. Store commercially bottled water in its sealed container in a cool, dark place. If you fill your own food-grade containers, clean and sanitize them first and replace the water every six months. 2
Choose food your household already eats that doesn’t need refrigeration. Keep canned food somewhere cool and dry, and store boxed food in sealed plastic or metal containers. 1
How long to plan for
FEMA asks for “several days.” 1 Sweden’s civil defence agency asks households to be ready to manage on their own for at least a week. 3 We suggest building to three days first, then extending to a week.
Keep it current
Replace expired items and rethink the kit every year. 1