Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Enter household size and days of supply to see general Ready.gov planning quantities for water and food. No medication module is included, and no personal medical preparation advice is given.

Published 6 November 2026 · Last reviewed 7 November 2026 · Next review 7 May 2027

Emergency Preparedness Checklist — flat illustration. — Illustration: Public Health (original)

Work out your water and food quantities

People in the household

Days of supply

Water: 12 gallons (4 people × 3 days × 1 gallon per person per day)

Food: at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food.

Source: Ready.gov basic disaster supplies kit guidance. Formula: people × days × 1 gallon of water per person per day. 1 gallon = 3.785 litres. No medication module is included, and no personal medical preparation advice is given.

What goes in a basic kit

Ready.gov basic disaster supplies kit, verified against ready.gov/kit on 5 November 2026. Item names only — no treatment instructions.

Water — one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation
Food — at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
Flashlight
First aid kit
Extra batteries
Whistle (to signal for help)
Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape (to shelter in place)
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
Manual can opener (for food)
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Additional supplies to consider

Cash or traveler’s checks
Important family documents, such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records, saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate, and sturdy shoes
Fire extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container

Source: Ready.gov — Build a Kit. The Red Cross three steps are: get a kit, make a plan, be informed.

Make a plan, be informed

The American Red Cross three steps are: get a kit, make a plan, be informed. A plan means knowing how the household will contact each other, where to meet, and what local hazards to expect; being informed means following official local guidance during an emergency. Full guidance is on the Red Cross and Ready.gov pages linked below.