Build an emergency kit around an ordinary day in your household: prescribed medicines, a child’s food, essential glasses and who can carry a bag. A general checklist provides a starting point. Ask local services about quantities and evacuation arrangements; their recommendations take priority.
Calculate water before choosing containers
CDC recommends at least one U.S. gallon, about 3.8 liters, per person per day for three days, with a two-week supply if possible. For three people over three days, that is roughly 34 liters. Heat, pregnancy, illness, other individual needs and pets can increase what your household requires.
Unopened commercially bottled water is the preferred option. For water you store yourself, use suitable food-grade containers and follow CDC’s preparation instructions. Never reuse containers that held chemicals. Date home-filled containers and replace that water every six months; check the expiry date on purchased water. Arrange access so the whole supply is not hidden behind one obstructed shelf.
Add food and items people depend on
Ready.gov’s basic list includes at least three days of nonperishable food and a manual can opener when the packaging needs one. Choose familiar food that fits allergies and dietary requirements. Check whether it can be eaten without electricity and how routine hygiene will work. Supplies that nobody can use do little to support the household.
Review each person’s needs: prescribed medicines, glasses, hearing aids and their power supply, infant-care items and necessary medical supplies. Discuss medicine reserves and storage with a doctor or pharmacist rather than changing treatment to fit a bag. Include appropriate food, water and familiar supplies for pets, plus first-aid supplies you know how to use.
Include light, information and paper records
Pack a flashlight with compatible spare batteries, a battery-operated or hand-crank radio, a charging cable and a charged power bank. Official radio arrangements vary by country, so find the local channels in advance. Test the cable with the actual device: a similar-looking connector may not be the one you need.
Paper contact numbers, a family meeting place, a local map, copies of important documents and some accessible cash can help if a phone or electronic payment is unavailable. Protect sensitive documents from both water and unnecessary disclosure. A whistle is on Ready.gov’s basic list for signaling, but it does not replace knowing how to request emergency assistance locally.
Separate household stocks from a portable bag
One person may be unable to carry all the water stored at home. Decide which supplies stay in the household and which belong in an accessible portable bag. Ready.gov also suggests smaller kits for work and a vehicle. Match the weight and storage position to your family’s abilities rather than hiding everything on a shelf that requires a ladder.
Try a simple exercise: one adult retrieves the bag without room lighting, while another finds a medicine using a clear label. If the arrangement is confusing in calm conditions, change it now. Gathering equipment should not delay urgent local evacuation instructions. Agree beforehand who assists children and anyone with limited mobility.
Make maintenance a small recurring task
Choose a review date and revisit the kit after changes in household members, season or treatment. Check food dates, packaging, battery charge and working equipment. Buying supplies is not the end of the task: items may be borrowed for everyday use and never returned. Record specific gaps, such as a missing compatible cable.
Earth & Volcano Explorer stores family checklist marks on your device without an account or advertising. Its prompts cover essentials including water, food, medicines, light, phone power, first aid, documents, contacts and a route. It does not automatically track expiry dates or inspect your bag. Add a paper inventory for the individual needs the basic prompts cannot describe.
FAQ
Is a three-day supply enough for every emergency?
It is a baseline, not a guarantee. Disruption length, climate, household needs and local advice may call for a larger reserve. Check the recommendations for your area beforehand.
Can I assemble a kit gradually?
Yes. List your household’s needs and check what you already have. Fill specific gaps within your means and review the whole kit regularly. An expensive ready-made bag does not prove that it suits your family.
Sources
This is educational information. For emergency decisions, follow local authorities and official warnings.
