Household emergency kit checklist

Every home needs the same core kit: water, food, light, warmth, information and a plan. This is the full list, sized here for two adults, with notes for people living alone and older households.

Who this plan is for

Two adults. SupKit's planning assumptions for this household:

Water and food for 2 adults

Also on Canada's official kit list

• Canada's kit list includes a corded phone, chargers, a flashlight, a radio and spare batteries.²

Food

• Food for everyone Essential
  Non-perishable food that will last your household for your chosen number of days.
• Manual can opener
  A can opener that doesn't need electricity.

Water

• Drinking water Essential
  3 litres per person per day for drinking is the commonly recommended amount.

Hygiene

• Hand sanitiser
  For when running water isn't available.
• Wet wipes
  Useful for cleaning when water is limited.
• Toilet paper and bathroom products
  Toilet paper, bin bags and other bathroom basics.
• Personal hygiene supplies
  Toothpaste, soap, period products and anything else your household uses daily.

Power & warmth

• Flashlight Essential
  A flashlight for each part of the home you'd need to move around in the dark.
• Spare batteries
  The right sizes for your flashlight and radio.
• Charged power bank
  To keep a phone charged during a power outage.
• Battery or wind-up radio
  To hear updates if cell networks are down.
• Blankets or sleeping bags
  To keep everyone warm if the heating is off.
• Camping stove
  A way to heat food and water without mains power, with spare fuel. Only use it outdoors or somewhere well ventilated.
• Warm clothing
  Layers, hats and gloves that are easy to find.

Health & safety

• First aid kit Essential
  A stocked first aid kit that everyone knows where to find.

Plans & essentials

• Emergency contacts Essential
  Important numbers saved where you can reach them without the internet.
• Meeting point
  Somewhere your household agrees to meet if you're separated.
• Utility shut-offs
  Where to turn off water, gas and electricity.
• Some cash
  Card machines and cash points may not work in a power outage.
• Important documents
  Know where your important documents are kept. SupKit never asks you to upload them.
• Insurance details
  Policy numbers and claim lines for home and contents insurance.

A sample shopping list for 3 days

One way to reach 13,500 calories with long-life food. SupKit estimate Swap in what your household likes.

Allergies, dietary needs and children

Plan around everyone at home: allergies, intolerances and diets come first, and familiar food matters most for children. Recipes vary between brands, so always read the label of the product you buy.

Typical allergens and diets are SupKit's guide to the main ingredient, not a product's label.

• Canada names 11 priority allergens: eggs, milk, mustard, peanuts, crustaceans and molluscs, fish, sesame, soy, sulphites, tree nuts, and wheat and triticale.³
• Packaged foods must declare priority allergens and gluten sources by plain source names in the ingredient list, a 'Contains' statement, or both.⁴
• Companies may add a 'May contain' warning for possible cross-contamination; it is not a substitute for good manufacturing practices.⁴

Young children