🇺🇸 United States

What your government recommends

Be ready for Several days^[1][3]

“several days (Ready.gov: "you may need to survive on your own for several days"); FEMA's Are You Ready? guide: "you may wish to keep 3, 7, or even 14 days of water on hand"”

Water: 1 gallon (3.8 L) per person per day^[1][2]

Food: Keep at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food that needs no refrigeration, cooking or special preparation (canned goods, dry mixes, shelf-stable staples), plus a manual can opener. Choose foods your household will eat and account for special diets. Keep canned food in a cool, dry place and boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers.^[1][4]

Recommended items

• ✓Water (one gallon per person per day for several days)^[1]
• ✓Non-perishable food (at least a several-day supply)^[1]
• ✓Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert^[1]
• ✓Flashlight^[1]
• ✓First aid kit^[1]
• ✓Extra batteries^[1]
• ✓Whistle (to signal for help)^[1]
• ✓Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)^[1]
• ✓Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape (to shelter in place)^[1]
• ✓Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)^[1]
• ✓Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)^[1]
• ✓Manual can opener^[1]
• ✓Local maps^[1]
• ✓Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery^[1]
• ✓Prescription and non-prescription medications^[1]
• ✓Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution^[1]
• ✓Soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes^[1]
• ✓Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream^[1]
• ✓Pet food and extra water for your pet^[1]
• ✓Cash or traveler's checks^[1]
• ✓Copies of important family documents (insurance, ID, bank records) in a waterproof, portable container or saved electronically^[1]
• ✓Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person^[1]
• ✓Complete change of clothing and sturdy shoes^[1]
• ✓Fire extinguisher^[1]
• ✓Matches in a waterproof container^[1]
• ✓Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items^[1]
• ✓Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils^[1]
• ✓Paper and pencil^[1]
• ✓Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children^[1]

Special items

• Potassium iodide (KI) — Do not take KI unless you are instructed by public health or emergency response officials or a healthcare provider. KI protects only the thyroid, and only against radioactive iodine; it can cause harmful effects and allergic reactions. Table salt and iodine-rich foods are not substitutes. Use only FDA-approved KI products.^[6]

Official videos

Good to know

• • The current Ready.gov kit, water and food pages no longer state a fixed number of days; they say 'several days'. The 2020 FEMA 'Are You Ready?' guide says 'you may wish to keep 3, 7, or even 14 days of water on hand' depending on where you live. days=3 is the smallest figure an official FEMA source states, not a Ready.gov headline recommendation.
• • Water: 1 US gallon = 3.785 litres; the official figure covers drinking and sanitation.
• • Secondary (non-government): American Red Cross recommends one gallon per person per day, a 3-day supply for evacuation and a 2-week supply for home (source s11, official: false).