Emergency plan for medication and medical equipment
24 things to have ready for a household where someone relies on medication or medical equipment, with how much water and food to store for 2 adults.
For 2 adults, store 18 L of drinking water and about 13,500 calories of food for 3 days1, plus backup plan for powered equipment, essential medication, plan for medication that needs a fridge.
If someone relies on medication, medicine that needs a fridge or equipment that needs power, a little planning ahead makes a disruption much less stressful.
Who this plan is for
Two adults. SupKit's planning assumptions for this household:
| Who | Energy a day | Drinking water a day |
|---|---|---|
| Adult × 2 | 4,500 calories | 6 L |
Water and food for 2 adults
| 3 days | 7 days | |
|---|---|---|
| Drinking water | 18 L | 42 L |
| Food energy | 13,500 calories | 31,500 calories |
What a household where someone relies on medication or medical equipment should add
- Backup plan for powered equipment Essential
A backup power source or plan for equipment that needs electricity. - Essential medication Essential
A supply of any medication your household relies on. - Plan for medication that needs a fridge Essential
Know how you'd keep it cool during a power cut.
Also on Ireland's official kit list
- Irish kit items include a battery, wind-up or solar radio, power banks, and a paper road map in case GPS fails.2
- Ireland advises keeping important documents in a resealable waterproof bag.2
- Irish households should know how to turn off gas and electricity and note their MPRN and GPRN from their bills.2
Everything else every home needs
- Food: food for everyone, manual tin opener
- Water: drinking water
- Hygiene: hand sanitiser, wet wipes, toilet roll and bathroom products, personal hygiene supplies
- Power & warmth: torch, spare batteries, charged power bank, battery or wind-up radio, blankets or sleeping bags, camping stove, warm clothing
- Health & safety: first aid kit
- Plans & essentials: emergency contacts, meeting point, utility shut-offs, some cash, important documents, insurance details
See the full household checklist for what each one involves.
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.
| Item | How many |
|---|---|
| Tinned chilli | 7 |
| Tinned soup | 8 |
| Baked beans | 7 |
| Microwave rice pouch 250g | 4 |
| Tinned tuna | 6 |
| Crackers | 1 |
| Peanut butter | 1 |
| Dried fruit and nuts | 2 |
| Cereal bars | 1 |
| Tinned fruit | 4 |
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.
| Food | Typical allergens | Typically suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Tinned chilli | varies by recipe | check the label |
| Tinned soup | varies by recipe | vegetarian |
| Baked beans | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan |
| Microwave rice pouch 250g | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan |
| Tinned tuna | fish | check the label |
| Crackers | cereals containing gluten | vegan |
| Peanut butter | peanuts | vegan, gluten free |
| Dried fruit and nuts | tree nuts | vegan, gluten free |
| Cereal bars | varies by recipe | vegetarian |
| Tinned fruit | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan, gluten free |
Typical allergens and diets are SupKit's guide to the main ingredient, not a product's label.
- Irish (EU) law names 14 allergens: gluten cereals, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, milk, tree nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulphites, lupin and molluscs.3
- On packaged food, allergens must stand out in the ingredient list, for example through font, style or background colour.4
- For unpackaged food, allergen information must be in writing and easy to find before you buy.3
- 'May contain' warnings are optional, used only where cross-contamination can't be ruled out, and can't replace good manufacturing practice.4
Young children
Questions
How much water should a household where someone relies on medication or medical equipment store?
18 L for 3 days or 42 L for a week, for 2 adults, at 3 litres per person per day.
What extra does a household where someone relies on medication or medical equipment need?
Backup plan for powered equipment: A backup power source or plan for equipment that needs electricity. Essential medication: A supply of any medication your household relies on. Plan for medication that needs a fridge: Know how you'd keep it cool during a power cut.
Sources
- SupKit planning rules (SupScore 2026.5), SupKit. SupKit's own planning data.
- Be Emergency Ready booklet (accessible version), Department of Defence, Office of Emergency Planning (Government of Ireland). Checked 28 October 2026.
- Food Allergens - Advice for Consumers, Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Labelling - Allergens, Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Checked 28 October 2026.
- SupKit household preparedness checklist (2026.3), SupKit. SupKit's own planning data.
We summarise official guidance in our own words. Always follow advice from your local authorities.
