A plain-language walkthrough of the Government of Canada emergency kit, with practical extras and notes for US readers following Ready.gov.
- The official kit is built for at least 72 hours.
- Water and light are the most common gaps.
- Add items for pets, babies, medications and your climate.
The Government of Canada recommends every household keep an emergency kit so you can take care of yourself for at least 72 hours. Official lists are short, which makes them easy to skim and easy to underestimate. This guide walks through the standard items in plain language and adds practical tips.
Always check the current official list, since details can change. See the link under sources, and use our 72-hour checklist to track what you have.
The core items
The basic kit, as described in official guidance, includes:
- Water: at least 2 litres per person per day for drinking, plus more for hygiene
- Food that will not spoil, such as canned goods, energy bars and dried foods, replaced once a year
- A manual can opener
- A wind-up or battery-powered flashlight with extra batteries
- A wind-up or battery-powered radio
- A first aid kit
- Extra keys for your car and house
- Some cash in small bills
- A list of emergency contacts and a copy of your emergency plan
Water: why more than 2 litres?
The official kit figure for drinking is 2 litres per person per day. Many preparedness guides, including US Ready.gov guidance, use about 4 litres (1 gallon) per person per day to cover drinking and basic hygiene. If you can store more, do. See how much water to store.
Other items to consider
The official list also encourages you to add things that fit your household:
- Prescription medications and glasses
- Infant formula, diapers and baby supplies (see babies and toddlers)
- Pet food and supplies (see pets in a power outage)
- Copies of important documents (see emergency cash and documents)
- Sleeping bags or warm blankets, a change of clothing and footwear, and a whistle
- Garbage bags, toilet paper and other personal supplies
- A dust mask and plastic sheeting with duct tape for sheltering
Practical extras we recommend
Experience with real outages suggests a few additions: a headlamp so your hands stay free (see headlamps and lanterns), a charged power bank (see power banks), a small tool kit, work gloves, matches in a waterproof container, and a printed local map. In winter, add hand warmers and extra layers.
Where US readers see differences
The US Ready.gov kit list covers much the same ground. It tends to put more emphasis on the 4 litres (1 gallon) per person per day water figure, a multi-purpose tool, local maps and cell phone chargers, and it lists a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA Weather Radio. Canadian households can use an all-hazards radio that receives Environment Canada weather alerts. Both countries recommend a three-day minimum and a household plan. Learn more in alerts and outage reporting.
How to store and maintain it
- Pack items in a sturdy bag or container you can carry.
- Keep it in an easy-to-reach, cool, dry place, such as a hall closet, and a small kit in your car.
- Set a calendar reminder to review it twice a year.
- Rotate food, water, batteries and medication before they expire.
Home kit versus go bag
A home kit is for sheltering in place, while a go bag is lighter and built for leaving fast. You usually want both. Read go bag vs 72-hour kit and how to build a 72-hour kit for a family.
Make it fit your household
Adjust the list for your circumstances. Rural households may want extra water and fuel safety plans, apartment dwellers may need compact storage and a plan for stairs, and families with older adults should add mobility aids and spare hearing aid batteries. Think about your region's main risks, whether that is winter storms, wildfire, flooding or heat, and add items for them. Walk through your own routine for a day without power and note what you would miss, then add it to the kit. A kit that matches your life is far more useful than a generic bag.
Quick answers
Is 2 litres of water per day enough?
It covers basic drinking in the official kit. Many guides suggest about 4 litres (1 gallon) per person per day to include hygiene.
Does the US use the same list?
It is very similar, with some differences in emphasis. See the Ready.gov kit page for the American version.