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 4.8 gallons (18 L) of drinking water and about 12,750 calories 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 | 2,250 calories | 0.8 gallons (3 L) |
| Older adult | 2,000 calories | 0.8 gallons (3 L) |
Water and food for 1 adult and 1 older adult
| 3 days | 7 days | |
|---|---|---|
| Drinking water | 4.8 gallons (18 L) | 11.1 gallons (42 L) |
| Food energy | 12,750 calories | 29,750 calories |
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 the US's official kit list
- The US basic kit includes a battery or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.2
- US kits include a whistle to signal for help and a dust mask to filter contaminated air.2
- US kits include plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape for sheltering in place.2
- US kits include a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, plus a manual can opener.2
Everything else every home needs
- Food: food for everyone, manual can opener
- Water: drinking water
- Hygiene: hand sanitiser, wet wipes, toilet paper and bathroom products, personal hygiene supplies
- Power & warmth: flashlight, 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 12,750 calories with long-life food. SupKit estimate Swap in what your household likes.
| Item | How many |
|---|---|
| Canned chili | 7 |
| Canned soup | 8 |
| Baked beans | 7 |
| Microwave rice pouch 250g | 4 |
| Canned tuna | 6 |
| Crackers | 1 |
| Peanut butter | 1 |
| Dried fruit and nuts | 2 |
| Granola bars | 1 |
| Canned 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Canned chili | varies by recipe | check the label |
| Canned 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 |
| Canned 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 |
| Granola bars | varies by recipe | vegetarian |
| Canned 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.
- US law names nine major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame (sesame added from 2023).3
- Labels must name each major allergen's source, either in brackets in the ingredient list or in a 'Contains' statement next to it.3
- 'May contain' warnings are voluntary in the US, so not every maker uses them and their absence is not a guarantee.4
Young children
Questions
How much water should a household where someone has mobility needs store?
4.8 gallons (18 L) for 3 days or 11.1 gallons (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.
- Build a Kit, Ready.gov (US Department of Homeland Security / FEMA). Checked 28 October 2026.
- Food Allergies: What You Need to Know, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Have Food Allergies? Read the Label, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 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.
