What a U.S. Household Needs for 3 Days on Its Own: A Practical Checklist

Start with water, because it is the item people most often underestimate. Ready.gov and the CDC recommend at least one gallon per person per day, which means a family of four needs 12 gallons to cover three days. That is more than most kitchens hold, and it is the first thing to plan for.

The rest of a 3-day home supply is simpler than many people expect, and much of it may already be in your cupboards. This checklist follows guidance from Ready.gov and FEMA, the CDC and the American Red Cross. Use it to see what you have, what is missing and what to add first.

Water: the number to plan around

US agencies use one gallon per person per day for drinking and basic sanitation. Multiply that by the number of people in your home and by three days. The CDC suggests storing more for people in hot climates, pregnant women, people who are sick and pets.

Commercially bottled water, unopened and kept in a cool, dark place, is the simplest option. The CDC calls it the safest and most reliable source of water in an emergency. Watch the expiration date printed on store-bought water.

If you fill your own containers, Ready.gov recommends food-grade water storage containers or cleaned two-liter soda bottles, not milk or juice jugs, which are hard to clean fully. Clean and sanitize containers first, label them with the date, and replace self-stored water every six months.

Food that needs no fridge or stove

Ready.gov recommends at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food. Choose items your household already eats and that need little or no cooking: canned soups, beans, vegetables, fruit, tuna and chicken, along with peanut butter, crackers, cereal, granola bars, dried fruit and nuts.

Avoid very salty foods that increase thirst, and think about special diets, allergies and food for babies. Pack a manual can opener. Ready.gov and the Red Cross both list one, and it is the item people most often forget.

Store food in a cool, dry place. Ready.gov advises keeping boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers and replacing items as they expire. Rotating supplies into your regular meals keeps them fresh.

Light, power and information

Every home kit should include flashlights and extra batteries. Ready.gov recommends a battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, so you can hear official updates if phones and internet go down.

Keep phone chargers and a charged backup battery. Charge it every few months, since batteries slowly lose power. A car charger can help if you can safely run a vehicle outdoors, never in a garage.

Candles are a fire risk. Flashlights and battery lanterns are safer. If you have a generator, follow the manufacturer's directions and keep it outdoors and well away from windows, since generators produce carbon monoxide.

Medicines and first aid

Keep a first aid kit and a supply of prescription medicines. The Red Cross suggests a 7-day supply of medications along with other medical items. Ready.gov notes that an emergency can make it hard to refill prescriptions or find an open pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist or insurer how early refills work for your plan.

Include over-the-counter basics your household uses, along with eyeglasses, contact lens solution, hearing aid batteries and any medical equipment needs. If someone uses powered medical equipment, plan a backup power option with the equipment supplier or your doctor.

Write a list of medicines, doses and allergies for each person and keep it with your kit. It helps responders and family members if you need care away from home.

Cash, documents and contacts

Ready.gov and the Red Cross both recommend some cash. Card readers and ATMs may not work during a power or network outage. Small bills are easier to use. Keep the amount modest and store it safely.

Keep copies of important documents in a waterproof container or saved securely in digital form: identification, insurance policies, bank account records and, as the Red Cross suggests, a deed or lease and medical information. These help with claims and assistance after a disaster.

Write down emergency contacts on paper. Many people no longer know family phone numbers by heart. Include an out-of-area contact everyone can call to check in.

Sanitation and comfort

Ready.gov recommends moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation, along with soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. If water service stops, toilets may not flush normally, so garbage bags and plenty of wipes matter more than people expect.

Add toilet paper, feminine supplies and personal hygiene items. A whistle, dust masks, plastic sheeting, duct tape and a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities are also on Ready.gov's list.

For comfort, include a warm blanket or sleeping bag for each person and a change of clothing suited to your climate with sturdy shoes. For children, books, games and puzzles help pass the time.

Pets and family members with special needs

Ready.gov recommends pet food and extra water for pets. The Red Cross adds a collar, leash, ID, carrier and bowl. Keep copies of vaccination records and a recent photo of each pet in case you are separated.

For babies, include formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream. For older adults or people with disabilities, think about mobility aids, extra batteries for devices and any special food.

Ready.gov also suggests considering supplies for work and the car, since you may not be home when an emergency happens. A small car kit with water, snacks, a flashlight and a blanket is a good start.

A sample count for a family of four

Here is how the main numbers work for two adults and two children over three days. Water comes to 12 gallons at one gallon per person per day, plus extra if you have a dog or cat. Food means roughly nine meals per person, or 36 simple meals in total, plus snacks.

For light and information, plan on at least one flashlight per person, a radio and enough spare batteries for both. Add a first aid kit, a week of each person's prescription medicines, a written list of contacts and a small amount of cash.

Write your own version of this count on a sheet of paper and tape it inside the lid of your storage bin. When you check the kit later, you can compare what is there against what should be there in a couple of minutes.

A written list also helps if someone else in the household needs to use the supplies while you are away. Everyone should know where the kit is kept and what is in it.

What about cost?

Costs vary widely depending on household size and what you already have. Many items on this list are things you may already own, such as canned food, flashlights and a first aid kit. The biggest new purchases for most households are water, a radio and a backup battery.

Build up supplies gradually. Adding a few items during each grocery trip spreads the cost over several weeks. Choose foods your family normally eats so nothing goes to waste.

Check your kit every six months to replace expired food and water, test batteries and update documents. Ready.gov suggests rethinking your needs each year as your household changes. A little upkeep keeps your supply ready without extra spending.