The short answer: a home emergency kit needs water, food that keeps, a radio, a flashlight, a first aid kit, batteries, your medicines and copies of key documents. Store at least 1 gallon of water per person, per day. The CDC says to keep at least 3 days’ worth and to aim for 2 weeks if you can.
The lights go out on a stormy night. You find one flashlight, and its batteries are dead. Your phone is at 12%. You’re not sure how much bottled water is in the house.
That’s a small problem for an evening. It’s a bigger one if it lasts for days. Ready.gov, the US government’s preparedness site, says you may need to get by on your own for several days after an emergency. A kit is how you make those days easier.
Start with water: how much to store
Water comes first. The advice is 1 gallon per person, per day, for drinking and sanitation. Ready.gov says to store it for several days. The CDC is more specific: at least 3 days, and a 2-week supply if possible.
| People at home | 3 days | 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 gallons | 14 gallons |
| 2 | 6 gallons | 28 gallons |
| 4 | 12 gallons | 56 gallons |
| 6 | 18 gallons | 84 gallons |
Store more if needed. Ready.gov says children, nursing mothers and sick people may need more, and in very hot weather, water needs can double. The CDC adds pregnant women, pets and people in hot climates.
How to store it: the CDC says unopened bottled water is the safest and most reliable choice. Watch the expiration date. If you fill your own containers:
- Use food-grade containers with tight lids. Never reuse containers that held toxic chemicals such as bleach or pesticides.
- Wash the container with soap, then sanitize it with 1 teaspoon of unscented chlorine bleach in 1 quart of water.
- Label it “drinking water” with the date.
- Keep it cool (50°F to 70°F), out of direct sunlight, and away from gasoline or pesticides.
- Replace it every six months.
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The basic kit list
This is the Ready.gov basic list. You may already have some of it at home.
- Water: 1 gallon per person, per day
- Non-perishable food: at least a several-day supply
- 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 sanitation
- Wrench or pliers, to turn off utilities
- Manual can opener
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
What food to pack
Power can be out for days, so Ready.gov suggests foods that don’t need refrigeration, cooking, water or special preparation. Good choices include:
- Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
- Protein or fruit bars
- Dry cereal or granola
- Peanut butter and dried fruit
- Canned juices and non-perishable pasteurized milk
- Food for infants, and comfort foods
Pick foods your family will actually eat, and plan for any special diets. Throw out cans that are swollen, dented or corroded, even if the food looks fine. Keep cans somewhere cool and dry, and store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers.
Extras to add for your household
Ready.gov suggests thinking about what your own family needs. Go through this list and tick what applies.
| Category | What to add |
|---|---|
| Health | Prescription medicines, pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medicine, antacids, laxatives, glasses, contact lens solution |
| Hygiene | Soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, feminine supplies, personal hygiene items |
| Babies | Formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream |
| Pets | Pet food and extra water |
| Money and papers | Cash, plus copies of insurance policies, ID and bank records, saved electronically or in a waterproof container |
| Warmth | A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person, a change of clothes and sturdy shoes |
| Home | Fire extinguisher, matches in a waterproof container, paper plates, cups, utensils and paper towels |
| Children | Books, games, puzzles, paper and pencils |
Medicines deserve extra thought. Ready.gov notes that an emergency can make it hard to refill a prescription or find an open pharmacy. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how best to keep a small backup. And if a family member relies on medical equipment that uses power, talk to your care team about a plan.
Where to keep it
Ready.gov says to store items in airtight plastic bags, and to pack the kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers, such as plastic bins or a duffel bag. It suggests supplies in three places:
- Home: one agreed place, ready to grab if you need to leave quickly. Make sure everyone knows where it is.
- Work: food, water, medicines and comfortable walking shoes in a grab-and-go case. Ready.gov says to be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours.
- Car: a smaller kit in case you get stranded.
If you run out of safe water, or lose power
Ready.gov says never to ration drinking water unless authorities tell you to. Drink what you need today, and look for more tomorrow.
If you have to treat water you’re unsure about, let any bits settle or strain them out first. Boiling is the safest method. Bring it to a rolling boil for one full minute (three minutes above 5,000 feet), then let it cool. Ready.gov’s bleach method is 1/8 teaspoon per gallon, stirred and left for 30 minutes, using only regular unscented bleach with 5.25% to 6% sodium hypochlorite. Stronger bleach needs less, so check your label. The EPA says 8 drops per gallon of 6% bleach, or 6 drops of 8.25% bleach. Double that if the water is cloudy, colored or very cold. Stir and wait 30 minutes. The water should smell slightly of chlorine. If it doesn’t, repeat the dose and wait 15 more minutes.
Boiling doesn’t remove radioactive material or most chemicals, which is why it’s worth reading what to do in a nuclear explosion as a separate plan.
For food during a power cut, keep the fridge and freezer doors closed. Ready.gov says an unopened refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours. Throw out perishable food that’s been above 40°F for two hours or more. When in doubt, throw it out. Charcoal grills and camp stoves are for outdoor use only.
How to keep your kit ready
- Every six months: replace any water you bottled yourself.
- Every year: rethink your needs, as Ready.gov suggests, and update the kit as your family changes.
- Whenever you check: replace anything expired.
Put a reminder in your phone now, so the check doesn’t depend on your memory.
Your next step
Today, find one bin and put in what you already own: flashlight, batteries, can opener, first aid kit, cash. Then add water on your next grocery trip. A half-finished kit in a known place beats a perfect one you never got around to.
If you’re stocking up on cans, this is also a good moment to think about everyday food. Our high protein breakfast ideas use canned fish and beans from the same shelf.
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Quick questions
How much water should I keep in an emergency kit?
Store at least 1 gallon per person, per day. The CDC says to keep at least a 3-day supply and to try for a 2-week supply if possible. Ready.gov says to store enough for several days.
How much food should be in an emergency kit?
Ready.gov says to store at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food. Choose foods your family will eat and that don’t need refrigeration, cooking, water or special preparation.
How often should I check my emergency kit?
Ready.gov says to replace expired items as needed and rethink your needs every year. Water you bottled yourself should be replaced every six months.
Where should I keep an emergency kit?
Keep it in one agreed place at home, in one or two easy-to-carry containers, and make sure everyone knows where it is. Ready.gov also suggests keeping supplies at work and in your car.
Can I store tap water for emergencies?
Yes. Use clean food-grade containers, label them with the date, keep them cool and away from sunlight, and replace the water every six months. Unopened commercially bottled water is the CDC’s safest choice.
This article is general information, not professional or medical advice. Always follow instructions from your local emergency officials. For questions about medicines, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Sources
- Ready.gov. Build A Kit.
- Ready.gov. Water.
- Ready.gov. Food.
- CDC. How to Create an Emergency Water Supply. June 2025.
- US Environmental Protection Agency. Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water.
- CDC. Food, drinking water and medicine safety in a radiation emergency.