Emergency kit checklist for mobility and access needs
22 things to have ready for a household where someone has mobility needs, with how much water and food to store for 1 adult and 1 older adult.
For 1 adult and 1 older adult, store 18 L of drinking water and about 53,346 kJ (12,750 Cal) of food for 3 days1, plus mobility and accessibility plan.
Being ready includes knowing how everyone would get help, or get out, if they needed to.
Who this plan is for
An adult and an older adult. SupKit's planning assumptions for this household:
| Who | Energy a day | Drinking water a day |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 9,414 kJ (2,250 Cal) | 3 L |
| Older adult | 8,368 kJ (2,000 Cal) | 3 L |
Water and food for 1 adult and 1 older adult
| 3 days | 7 days | |
|---|---|---|
| Drinking water | 18 L | 42 L |
| Food energy | 53,346 kJ (12,750 Cal) | 124,474 kJ (29,750 Cal) |
What a household where someone has mobility needs should add
- Mobility and accessibility plan Essential
How anyone with mobility or access needs would get help or leave home.
Also on New Zealand's official kit list
- NZ recommends keeping emergency items at home, in a grab bag, in your car and at work.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 53,346 kJ (12,750 Cal) 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.
- Under the joint Australia New Zealand code, labels must declare wheat, fish, shellfish, egg, milk, lupin, peanut, soy, sesame, named tree nuts, gluten cereals and added sulphites.3
- Allergens must be in bold in the ingredient list, plus a separate bold summary starting with 'Contains' near the ingredients.3
- 'May contain' statements are voluntary and not regulated by the Food Standards Code.3
Young children
Questions
How much water should a household where someone has mobility needs store?
18 L for 3 days or 42 L for a week, for 1 adult and 1 older adult, at 3 litres per person per day.
What extra does a household where someone has mobility needs need?
Mobility and accessibility plan: How anyone with mobility or access needs would get help or leave home.
Sources
- SupKit planning rules (SupScore 2026.5), SupKit. SupKit's own planning data.
- Home emergency checklist, Govt.nz (citing NEMA). Checked 28 October 2026.
- Allergen labelling for consumers, Food Standards Australia New Zealand. 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.
