Most emergencies are not evacuations. A storm knocks out the power, a boil-water notice runs for a week, roads close and the shelves empty. Then what matters is what you already have at home. The American Red Cross recommends a two-week supply of water and food for staying home, and three days for a bag you take with you.
How much water to store
Ready.gov's figure is one gallon (about 3.8 liters) per person per day, for drinking and for sanitation. Store more for children, nursing mothers, anyone who is ill, and for hot weather; and add water for pets.
| Household | 3 days | 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 3 gallons (11 L) | 14 gallons (53 L) |
| 2 people | 6 gallons (23 L) | 28 gallons (106 L) |
| 4 people | 12 gallons (45 L) | 56 gallons (212 L) |
Storing it
- Commercially bottled water is the simplest: keep it sealed in its original container, somewhere cool and dark.
- If you fill containers yourself, use food-grade ones, clean them well, and replace the water every six months, as Ready.gov advises.
- Keep it away from fuel, cleaning products and direct sunlight.
If you run short
There is water already in your home: Ready.gov points to the water heater tank, the pipes and the ice cubes. Water from outside should be made safe first. Ready.gov's method is to bring it to a rolling boil for one full minute; purification tablets or a filter work where you cannot boil.
How much food to store
Plan for two weeks of meals per person, around 2,000 calories a day for an adult. The best emergency food is food you already eat, that keeps without a fridge and needs little or no cooking or water.
- Canned meat, fish, beans, soup, vegetables and fruit
- Peanut butter, nuts and dried fruit
- Crackers, granola and energy bars
- Cereal and oats
- Shelf-stable milk, or powdered milk
- Baby food and formula, if you need them
- Pet food
- Something you enjoy: comfort counts in a long power cut
- A manual can opener
To cook without power, a camp stove or charcoal grill works, but only outdoors: Ready.gov is clear that they are for outdoor use only, because of carbon monoxide.
How long it keeps
| Item | Typical shelf life |
|---|---|
| Commercially bottled water | Until the date on the label |
| Water you bottle yourself | Replace every 6 months |
| Low-acid canned food (meat, fish, most vegetables) | 2 to 5 years |
| High-acid canned food (tomatoes, fruit, juice) | 12 to 18 months |
| Dry and boxed food | The date on the pack; keep it in sealed containers |
The canned food figures are the USDA's, for cans in good condition kept somewhere cool, clean and dry. Throw away any can that is bulging, leaking or badly dented.
Rotate, don't throw away
Put new purchases at the back and use the oldest first. If you store food you already eat, rotation happens in the kitchen on its own: you eat a can, you buy a can. Check the whole supply twice a year, and use anything that will expire within six months.
Beyond water and food
A home kit for two weeks also needs flashlights and batteries, a battery-powered radio, a first aid kit and extra medicine, garbage bags and toilet paper, some cash, warm blankets, and a way to charge your phones. The go bag checklist covers the items both kits share.
In GoBag+, the home reserve tracks your water, food and medicine with a minimum stock level per person. Change the size of your household and the levels follow; with Premium, it alerts you before anything expires or runs low.