FEMA · Ready.gov · Build a Kit
Ready.gov's Build a Kit checklist, item by item
FEMA's Ready.gov asks every household to keep a Basic Disaster Supplies Kit: one gallon of water per person per day for several days, at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food, a battery or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio, a flashlight, a first aid kit, extra batteries, a whistle, a dust mask, a manual can opener and a phone charger with a backup battery. Here it is as a shopping list for Amazon.com, sized for 3 days.
- How long
- Several days. Ready.gov's English pages give no number; its Spanish page says at least three.
- Water
- 1 gallon per person per day, for drinking and sanitation: 3 gallons each for 3 days
- Food
- At least a several-day supply of non-perishable food
- Who says so
- FEMA, Ready.gov/kit
Why the first 72 hours matter
- When the power goes, water often follows: pumps and treatment plants run on electricity.
- Card payments, ATMs and mobile networks can stop within hours. Cash and a radio keep working.
- Emergency services reach the most urgent cases first. For the first three days, most households are on their own.
It has happened before: in February 2021 a winter storm cut power to more than 4 million homes and businesses in Texas, many for days, and millions were told to boil their water.
What's in the kit
Untick anything you already have. Quantities are already worked out for 2 people.
From your own home
These don't come from Amazon. Keep them with the kit.
- Bottled or tap water: 6 gallons (about 23 L)
- Food you already have: cans, legumes, nuts, crackers (rotate every 6 months)
- Your usual medication for 3 days, plus copies of prescriptions
- Copies of ID, passport and insurance (in the waterproof pouch)
- Cash in small notes: card payments may be down
- Warm clothes and sturdy shoes
- Important phone numbers written on paper
- Anything babies, older relatives or pets need
Ready.gov's basic kit, line by line
| Official list | This kit |
|---|---|
| Water, one gallon per person per day | In the kit Collapsible water containers. Fill them from the tap. |
| Non-perishable food, several days | In the kit 3,600-calorie ration bars, plus canned food you already have. |
| Battery or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio | In the kit Hand-crank and solar NOAA weather radio. |
| Flashlight | In the kit LED headlamps. The radio has a flashlight too. |
| First aid kit | In the kit |
| Extra batteries | In the kit AA batteries. |
| Whistle to signal for help | In the kit |
| Dust mask | In the kit KN95 masks. |
| Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape | Partly Duct tape is in the kit. Add plastic sheeting and scissors. |
| Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties | Partly Wet wipes and garbage bags are in the kit. Add zip ties. |
| Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities | In the kit Multi-tool with pliers. |
| Manual can opener | In the kit |
| Local maps | From home A printed or paper map of your area. |
| Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery | In the kit 20,000 mAh power bank. Bring your own cable. |
Not on Ready.gov's basic list, added by us: a backpack (Ready.gov suggests a plastic bin or duffel bag), a water filter straw, emergency foil blankets, rain ponchos and a waterproof document pouch. The kit also includes water purification tablets. Ready.gov's water page describes boiling and plain unscented household bleach as the ways to treat water, so treat the tablets as a backup and follow the instructions on the pack.
Questions
What is in a basic disaster supplies kit?
Ready.gov's list: water (one gallon per person per day), several days of non-perishable food, a battery or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio, a flashlight, a first aid kit, extra batteries, a whistle, a dust mask, plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties, a wrench or pliers, a manual can opener, local maps, and a phone with chargers and a backup battery.
How much water does Ready.gov recommend?
One gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation. For 3 days that is 3 gallons per person, or 12 gallons for a family of four.
Is a 72-hour kit the same as Ready.gov's kit?
Close. Ready.gov's English pages say several days without a number; its Spanish page says at least three days, and most agencies use 72 hours as the minimum. This kit is sized for 3 days, with a 10-day option.
Is this the official FEMA kit?
No. It is an independent shopping list built from Ready.gov's checklist. Each line above shows what comes from the official list and what we added.
Sources: Ready.gov, Build a Kit · Ready.gov supply kit checklist (PDF)
Checked against the official pages on 5 November 2026. Independent page, not affiliated with FEMA or Ready.gov.
Questions
Why are governments asking for this?
The European Commission, the UK's Be Ready campaign, Ready.gov in the US and Mexico City's Civil Protection all ask households to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours after a blackout, storm, flood or earthquake. That's how long help can take to reach everyone. Germany's BBK recommends supplies for 10 days. It's preparation, not a prediction.
How much water do I need?
Count on about 3 litres per person per day for drinking and basic cooking. Ready.gov says one gallon (3.8 L), which includes washing. Fill the containers from the tap and change the water every 6 months.
Is building my own kit better than a ready-made one?
Usually. Ready-made kits save time but tend to fall short on water, light and first aid. The list above follows the official checklists item by item.
How do you make money?
If you buy through our links, Amazon pays us a small commission. Your price is the same. We pick products by rating, number of reviews and stock, never by commission.
Can I share it?
Please do. The link opens in the right language and the right Amazon store for whoever opens it.