Be ready for 3 days

Store enough drinking water for everyone at home for 3 days. Keep it somewhere cool and dark.

Read the guide: How much water do you need?

• Bottled water for 3 days

  Allow 1 gallon per person per day for at least 3 days. That covers drinking and basic hygiene.

  For 1 person: 3 gallons

  • Drinking water, 1 gallon jugs (opens Amazon in a new tab)Each jug is one person's daily amount, which makes counting easy.
  • Alternative: Stackable water container, 5 gallon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Fill from the tap and change the water every six months.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Water storage containerRecommended

  A clean, food-grade container lets you store tap water. Label it with the date and refill it every six months.

  • Water container with spigot, 7 gallon (opens Amazon in a new tab)The spigot lets you pour without lifting the whole container.
  • Alternative: Water storage barrel, 55 gallon (opens Amazon in a new tab)For bigger households with space in a garage or basement.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Water purification tablets or a filterExtra

  Useful if the supply is cut or you are told to boil water and can't. Always follow the instructions on the pack.

  • Water purification tablets (opens Amazon in a new tab)Small, light and keep for years.
  • Alternative: Personal water filter straw (opens Amazon in a new tab)Filters as you drink, with no waiting.

  Read the guide Not needed

Choose food your household already eats, that keeps without a fridge and needs little or no cooking.

Read the guide: Food that needs no cooking

• Canned meat or fish

  Tuna, salmon, chicken or ham. Pull-top lids are the easiest to open.

  • Canned tuna, 12 pack (opens Amazon in a new tab)High in protein and fine to eat straight from the can.
  • Alternative: Canned chicken breast (opens Amazon in a new tab)A good choice if you don't eat fish.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Canned vegetables, beans and soup

  Beans, chili, corn and soup can all be eaten cold if you have to.

  • Canned beans, variety pack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Filling, cheap and fine eaten cold.
  • Canned soup, variety pack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Warming if you can heat it, still safe cold.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Ready-to-eat meals that need no cooking

  Pouches and pots that are safe to eat without heating. Check the label says ready to eat.

  • Shelf-stable ready-to-eat meals (opens Amazon in a new tab)No water, heat or washing up needed.
  • Alternative: 72-hour emergency food supply (opens Amazon in a new tab)Keeps for years. Try a meal first to check you like it.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Dried fruit, nuts and cereal bars

  Plenty of energy in a small space. Good for kids and for a go-bag.

  • Granola bars, variety pack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Individually wrapped and easy to share out.
  • Trail mix, individual packs (opens Amazon in a new tab)Lots of energy in a small bag. Check for allergies.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Shelf-stable milkRecommended

  Keeps unopened for months without a fridge. Once opened, use it within a day.

  • Shelf-stable milk cartons (opens Amazon in a new tab)Handy for cereal, coffee and kids.
  • Alternative: Shelf-stable oat milk (opens Amazon in a new tab)For anyone who doesn't have dairy.

  Not needed
• Manual can opener

  Not every can has a pull-top, and an electric opener won't work in an outage.

  • Manual can opener (opens Amazon in a new tab)Simple, sturdy and needs no power.

  Not needed

Only use a camping stove or barbecue outdoors or in a very well ventilated space, never indoors. They give off carbon monoxide, a gas you cannot see or smell that can kill.

Read the guide: Cooking without power

• Portable camp stove with fuel canistersRecommended

  For heating food and water when the power is off. Use it outdoors only, and store the gas somewhere cool and away from the house if you can.

  • Portable butane camp stove (opens Amazon in a new tab)Stable, with a simple push-button ignition.
  • Butane fuel canisters, 4 pack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check they fit your stove before you buy.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Matches or a lighter in a waterproof containerRecommended

  Keep them dry and out of reach of children.

  • Waterproof matches (opens Amazon in a new tab)Light even when damp.
  • Alternative: Waterproof match case (opens Amazon in a new tab)Keeps ordinary matches dry.

  Read the guide Not needed

Keeping clean helps stop illness spreading, especially when water is short.

• Hand sanitizer

  For when you can't wash your hands with soap and water. Choose one with at least 60% alcohol.

  • Hand sanitizer gel, 70% alcohol (opens Amazon in a new tab)A large bottle for home use.

  Not needed
• Wet wipes

  For washing when water is too precious to use.

  • Wet wipes, bulk pack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cheap and useful for almost anything.

  Not needed
• Toilet paper and trash bags

  Strong trash bags can also line the toilet if there is no water to flush.

  • Toilet paper, bulk pack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Keeps well and takes up a closet shelf.
  • Heavy-duty trash bags (opens Amazon in a new tab)Strong enough for waste and to line a toilet.

  Not needed
• Toothbrush, toothpaste and period productsRecommended

  A spare set for everyone, so nobody goes without.

  • Travel toothbrush and toothpaste kit (opens Amazon in a new tab)Compact and sealed.
  • Period products, multipack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Keep a spare pack with your kit.

  Not needed

Power cuts often happen in cold, dark weather. Battery lights are much safer than candles.

• Flashlight and extra batteries

  Ideally one flashlight per person. Much safer than candles, which can start fires.

  • LED flashlight (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bright, and batteries last far longer than with old bulbs.
  • AA batteries, bulk pack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check which size your flashlight and radio take.

  Not needed
• Headlamp or battery lanternRecommended

  A head light keeps your hands free. A lantern lights a whole room.

  • LED headlamp (opens Amazon in a new tab)Hands free for cooking, reading or caring for someone.
  • Alternative: Battery LED lantern (opens Amazon in a new tab)Lights up a whole room safely.

  Not needed
• Blankets or sleeping bags for everyone

  Enough to keep each person warm overnight with no heating.

  • Fleece blanket (opens Amazon in a new tab)Warm, light and quick to dry.
  • Alternative: Three-season sleeping bag (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds heat well on cold nights.

  Not needed
• Warm clothing and hats

  Layers trap heat better than one thick jumper. A hat makes a big difference.

  • Thermal underwear set (opens Amazon in a new tab)A thin, warm layer under everyday clothes.
  • Winter hat and gloves set (opens Amazon in a new tab)Keeps heat in where you lose it fastest.

  Not needed
• Foil emergency blanketsExtra

  Cheap, light and help hold in body heat. Handy for a bag or the car.

  • Mylar emergency blankets, pack of 10 (opens Amazon in a new tab)Fold down to the size of a phone.

  Not needed

If phones and the internet go down, a radio may be the best way to hear news and advice.

• Battery or hand-crank radio

  Ideally a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert, which can wake you for warnings in your area.

  • NOAA Weather Radio with alert (opens Amazon in a new tab)Sounds an alarm for warnings in your area.
  • Alternative: Hand-crank emergency radio (opens Amazon in a new tab)Charges by hand. Many also have a flashlight and phone charger.

  Not needed
• Charged power bank

  Top it up every few months so it is ready to keep a phone going.

  • Power bank, 20,000 mAh (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for several full phone charges.
  • Alternative: Solar power bank (opens Amazon in a new tab)Slow, but can top up with no mains power.

  Not needed
• Write down the radio stations you use for news

  Note the frequencies of your local news stations and your NOAA channel, and keep them with your radio.

  Not needed
• Whistle to signal for help

  A whistle carries further than a voice and takes less effort.

  • Emergency safety whistle (opens Amazon in a new tab)Loud, light and needs no power.

  Not needed

Card readers and ATMs may not work in a power outage, and you may need to prove who you are.

• Keep some cash at home

  A mix of small bills and coins, kept somewhere safe.

  Not needed
• Print copies of important documents

  IDs, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies and instructions for any medical devices.

  Not needed
• Waterproof document walletRecommended

  Keeps paper copies dry and together, ready to grab.

  • Waterproof letter-size document pouch (opens Amazon in a new tab)Fits documents without folding.
  • Alternative: Fireproof document bag (opens Amazon in a new tab)Also protects against heat.

  Not needed
• Write important phone numbers on paper

  Family, doctor, school, work and insurers. Include your utility company's outage line, which is on your bill.

  Not needed
• Notebook and penExtra

  For messages, notes and keeping track of what you have used.

  • Waterproof notebook (opens Amazon in a new tab)Pages survive rain and spills.
  • Pencils, multipack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Pencils still write when wet or cold.

  Not needed

Keep basic first aid supplies and enough of any medicine you rely on. For anything clinical, ask a pharmacist or doctor.

• First aid kit

  Check it has bandages, sterile dressings, antiseptic wipes, eyewash, a thermometer, gloves, tape and tweezers.

  • First aid kit for home (opens Amazon in a new tab)Covers everyday cuts, burns and sprains.
  • Digital thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Often missing from cheaper kits.

  Not needed
• Keep enough of your essential medication

  Ask for refills early so you never run low, and keep a written list of what you take.

  Not needed
• Dust masksRecommended

  Help filter dust and smoke from the air. N95 masks give the best protection.

  • N95 masks (opens Amazon in a new tab)Fit closely to filter fine dust and smoke.

  Not needed

A few checks now make your home safer in an emergency.

• Carbon monoxide detectorRecommended

  Fit one on every level of your home and outside each sleeping area.

  • Battery carbon monoxide detector (opens Amazon in a new tab)Keeps working in an outage.
  • Alternative: Combination smoke and CO detector (opens Amazon in a new tab)Two alarms in one unit.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Test your smoke alarms every monthRecommended

  Press the test button. If it stays quiet, change the battery or the alarm.

  Not needed
• Know how to turn off gas, electricity and waterRecommended

  Find your gas shut-off valve, electrical panel and main water valve. Only turn off the gas if you smell gas or are told to, because the gas company has to turn it back on.

  Not needed
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilitiesRecommended

  A shut-off wrench fits most gas and water valves. Keep it next to the meter.

  • Gas and water shut-off wrench (opens Amazon in a new tab)Made to fit meter valves.
  • Alternative: Adjustable pliers (opens Amazon in a new tab)Useful for lots of other jobs too.

  Not needed
• Plastic sheeting and duct tapeRecommended

  To cover broken windows, or to seal a room if you are told to shelter in place.

  • Heavy-duty plastic sheeting (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cut to size for windows or doors.
  • Duct tape (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds sheeting in place and fixes almost anything.

  Not needed

Only if you have a baby or toddler at home.

No baby at home? Hide this section.

• Ready-to-feed formula

  It needs no water. You may not be able to boil water to make up powdered formula safely, so ready-to-feed is the safer backup.

  • Ready-to-feed infant formula (opens Amazon in a new tab)Use it straight from the bottle.
  • Pre-sterilized disposable bottles (opens Amazon in a new tab)No need to boil water to clean bottles.

  Not needed
• Diapers

  At least 3 days' worth, plus a few spare.

  • Diapers, bulk pack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Buy the next size up so they still fit later.
  • Diaper disposal bags (opens Amazon in a new tab)For bagging used diapers if trash pickup stops.

  Not needed
• Baby wipes

  For changes and quick washes when water is short.

  • Fragrance-free baby wipes (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gentle on skin, and useful for adults too.

  Not needed

Only if you have pets. They need supplies for 3 days too.

No pets? Hide this section.

• Pet food for 3 days

  Their usual food, so they don't get an upset stomach, plus any medicine they take.

  • Wet pet food pouches, variety pack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Easy to store and portion out.

  Not needed
• Bottled water and a collapsible bowl

  Pets need drinking water too, so store extra for them.

  • Collapsible pet bowl (opens Amazon in a new tab)Folds flat for storage or a bag.
  • Alternative: Pet travel water bottle (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bottle and bowl in one.

  Not needed

Only if you drive. A few things to keep in the car in case you get stuck.

No car? Hide this section.

• In-car phone chargerExtra

  Keeps your phone charged if you are stuck in traffic or broken down.

  • USB car charger (opens Amazon in a new tab)Plugs into the 12V socket.

  Not needed
• High-visibility vestExtra

  Helps other drivers see you if you have to get out of the car.

  • High-visibility safety vest (opens Amazon in a new tab)Folds small enough for the glove box.

  Not needed
• Jumper cablesExtra

  To restart a flat battery with help from another car.

  • Jumper cables (opens Amazon in a new tab)Simple and they never need charging.
  • Alternative: Portable jump starter (opens Amazon in a new tab)Starts the car with no second vehicle.

  Not needed
• Folding snow shovelExtra

  For digging the car out after heavy snow.

  • Folding snow shovel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Fits in the trunk.

  Not needed
• Blanket for the carExtra

  To keep warm if you are stuck waiting for help.

  • Car travel blanket (opens Amazon in a new tab)Lives in the trunk, ready when you need it.

  Not needed

If you have to leave home quickly, a packed bag means you can take the basics with you.

Not planning a grab bag? Hide this section.

• A sturdy backpack for a go-bagExtra

  Big enough for water, snacks, a flashlight, medicine, documents and a phone charger. Keep it somewhere easy to reach.

  • Waterproof backpack, 30 L (opens Amazon in a new tab)Room for the basics without being too heavy.

  Not needed