π Emergency Kit Checklist
Your household's custom preparedness list.
What Goes in Every Kit
FEMA and Ready.gov agree on the core list: one gallon of water per person per day, a three-day supply of non-perishable food, battery or hand-crank radio, flashlight with extra batteries, first aid kit, whistle, dust masks, moist towelettes and garbage bags for sanitation, wrench or pliers to shut off utilities, manual can opener, local maps, and phone chargers with a backup battery. The generator scales quantities to your household size and days of coverage, then layers risk-specific gear on top.
Each risk adds its own essentials. Hurricanes: plywood or storm shutters, extra cash, waterproof document bag. Earthquakes: sturdy shoes under beds, heavy furniture straps, gas shutoff wrench. Winter storms: extra blankets, sand or kitty litter for traction, alternative heat safety. Wildfires: N95 masks, go-bags packed for 5-minute evacuation. Tornadoes: helmets, safe-room supplies. Floods: waterproof containers, elevation plan for valuables.
Water and Food Math
Water is the heaviest item and the most critical: a family of four covering 3 days needs 12 gallons, about 100 pounds. Store it in a cool dark place and rotate every 6 months. Food should need no cooking or refrigeration: peanut butter, canned meats and beans, dried fruit, nuts, and crackers. Do not forget the can opener, infant formula if needed, and pet food: animals need the same one-gallon-per-day water rule scaled to size.
Maintain It
A kit you never check rots. Review every 6 months: check expiration dates, swap batteries, update medications, refresh water, and resize kids clothing in go-bags. Tie the review to daylight saving time changes so you never forget. Store kits where you can grab them in the dark, and keep a smaller version in each car.
Storing and Rotating
A kit you cannot find in the dark is decoration. Store it in one obvious, accessible spot, cool and dry: a hall closet beats a buried garage corner. Water needs rotation every 6 months even in sealed bottles; write the date on the container with a marker. Check the whole kit twice a year, ideally when clocks change: swap expired food and medications, test flashlights, update kids clothing sizes, and refresh the documents pouch with current insurance and ID copies. Keep a smaller go-bag by the door for evacuations and the full kit for sheltering in place. If anyone in the household has medical needs, a printed medication list in the pouch matters as much as the supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water should I store for emergencies?
One gallon per person per day, for at least 3 days. A family of four needs 12 gallons. Rotate every 6 months and store in a cool, dark place.
What food goes in an emergency kit?
Non-perishable, no-cook items: peanut butter, canned meats and beans, dried fruit, nuts, crackers, and granola bars. Plan 3 servings per person per day plus a manual can opener.
How often should I check my emergency kit?
Every 6 months. Check expirations, swap batteries, refresh water, update medications, and resize children's clothing. Tie it to daylight saving time changes.
What is different about a wildfire go-bag?
It must be grab-and-go in 5 minutes: documents, medications, N95 masks, phone charger, change of clothes, and pet carriers by the door. Full kits stay; go-bags leave.
Should I keep emergency supplies in my car?
Yes, a smaller version: water, snacks, blanket, flashlight, first aid, phone charger, and seasonal gear (ice scraper or sunshade). Cars are where most people get stranded.