Quick answer
Start with the Ready.gov basic kit. It covers water, food, a radio, light, first aid, signaling, shelter-in-place supplies, sanitation, tools, maps and phone power. Plan 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days. Add medicines, copies of documents and cash. Pack it all in airtight bags inside one or two containers you can carry.
The list below follows the basic disaster supplies kit from Ready.gov, run by FEMA. We grouped it into 10 items so it is easy to shop for and check. Amounts come from Ready.gov, the CDC and the Red Cross.
How much to plan for
Ready.gov and the CDC both say to store at least 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water per person per day, for several days. The Red Cross gives two targets:
- Go-bag for evacuation: 3 days of food and water.
- Home supply: 2 weeks of food and water.
| Household | Water for 3 days | Water for 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 3 gallons | 14 gallons |
| 2 people | 6 gallons | 28 gallons |
| 4 people | 12 gallons | 56 gallons |
A gallon of water weighs a little over 8 pounds. Keep the go-bag water to what you can carry, and store the rest at home.
The 10 must-have items
1. Water
Plan 1 gallon per person per day. This covers drinking and basic hygiene. The CDC suggests storing extra for pets, people who are sick or pregnant, and hot climates.
- Store-bought bottled water is the easiest. Watch the expiration date.
- If you fill your own containers, use food-grade containers with tight caps. Never use a container that held bleach, pesticides or other chemicals.
- Replace water you bottled yourself every 6 months.
- Store it somewhere cool, around 50°F to 70°F (10°C to 21°C), out of sunlight and away from gasoline or chemicals.
- Label each container “drinking water” with the date.
If your stored water runs out, read our guide on how to purify water in an emergency.
2. Food
Pack at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food. Choose foods that need no cooking, little water and no refrigeration.
- Canned meat, fish, beans, soup, fruit and vegetables
- Peanut butter, nuts and trail mix
- Crackers, granola bars and dry cereal
- Food your family already eats and likes
The USDA says canned low-acid foods, like meat, soup and vegetables, keep about 2 to 5 years. High-acid foods, like fruit, juice and tomatoes, keep about 12 to 18 months.
Keep cans in a cool, dry place. Ready.gov says to store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers.
3. Radio
Pack a battery-powered or hand-crank radio. Ready.gov also lists a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert.
NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts warnings 24 hours a day from National Weather Service offices. A special tone switches the radio on when a warning is sent for your area.
Models with “SAME” let you choose alerts for your county only. Many run on batteries when the power is out.
4. Flashlight and extra batteries
Pack at least one flashlight per person. A headlamp leaves your hands free. The Red Cross says to use flashlights, not candles, after a disaster because of the fire risk.
Pack extra batteries that fit every device in your kit. Check that the sizes match before you seal the kit.
5. First aid kit
A ready-made kit is a fine start. Add what your family needs, like extra bandages, pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medicine and antacids.
A kit only helps if someone knows how to use it. Our guides to building a first aid kit and basic first aid skills cover both parts.
6. Whistle and dust masks
A whistle lets you signal for help. Ready.gov and the Red Cross both list one. Give one to each person.
Dust masks help filter dust and debris in the air after a disaster. The Red Cross suggests N95 or surgical masks.
7. Plastic sheeting, duct tape and scissors
Ready.gov lists these for sheltering in place. You can use them to seal a room, cover a broken window or patch a roof leak.
8. Sanitation supplies
- Moist towelettes
- Heavy-duty garbage bags
- Plastic ties
- Soap and hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and feminine products
Ready.gov lists the first three for personal sanitation. They matter most if water or sewer service stops.
9. Wrench or pliers and a manual can opener
Ready.gov lists a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities. Learn where your water and gas shutoffs are now, not during an emergency.
Pack a manual can opener. An electric one is useless in a power outage.
10. Local maps and a phone charger
Phone maps may not work if cell service is down. Pack a paper map of your area and mark two evacuation routes.
Pack a phone charger and a backup battery. A charged power bank can keep a phone running through a short outage.
Also pack: medicines, documents and cash
These are not on the 10-item list, but most families need them.
- Medicines. The Red Cross suggests a 7-day supply of prescription medicine. Add glasses, contact lens solution and hearing aid batteries.
- Documents. Pack copies of IDs, insurance policies, a medication list, proof of address and bank records. Keep them in a waterproof bag, or save them electronically.
- Cash. Card readers and ATMs may not work during an outage. Pack small bills.
- Contacts. Write down phone numbers on paper, in case your phone dies.
Add items for babies, older adults and pets: formula, diapers, pet food, a leash and extra water. Our DIY survival kit guide explains how to tailor a kit to your household.
How to pack your kit
Ready.gov gives three simple rules:
- Put items in airtight plastic bags.
- Pack everything into one or two easy-to-carry containers.
- Keep the kit in a set spot that everyone in the home knows.
A plastic bin with a lid works well at home. A backpack or duffel works better for a go-bag. Put the heaviest items at the bottom and the things you need first, like the flashlight and first aid kit, on top.
Ready.gov also suggests smaller kits for work and the car. At work, plan to shelter for at least 24 hours, with food, water, medicine and comfortable walking shoes.
Keep it up to date
Basic survival kit checklist
Related guides
Sources
- Build a Kit — Ready.gov (FEMA)
- Creating and Storing an Emergency Water Supply — CDC
- Be Red Cross Ready — American Red Cross
- Earthquake Preparedness Checklist — American Red Cross
- Shelf-stable and canned food storage (“Stop! Don’t throw that food away!”) — USDA
- NOAA Weather Radio FAQ — NOAA National Weather Service