Getting started with preparedness can feel like a lot. Online lists run to hundreds of items, and it's easy to buy gadgets before the basics. This checklist keeps it simple. It's built on the official lists from Ready.gov and the American Red Cross and organized in the order that protects your family fastest.
Print it, check off what you already have, and tackle the rest one step at a time.
Phase 1: The First Weekend (72 Hours Covered)
Ready.gov notes that after an emergency, you may need to get by on your own for several days. Start there.
Water - ☐ One gallon per person per day for at least 3 days (Ready.gov) - ☐ Extra water for pets
Food - ☐ A 3-day supply of non-perishable food your family will eat - ☐ Manual can opener and eating utensils
ReadyPantry pick: Ready Pantry 3 Day Food Supply. Single, 2-person, and 4-person kits, stored for up to 25 years. Best-by dates vary, so check your package.
Light and information - ☐ Flashlight for every household member - ☐ Extra batteries - ☐ Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio if possible) - ☐ Cell phone chargers and a backup battery
Safety and first aid - ☐ First aid kit - ☐ Whistle to signal for help - ☐ Dust masks - ☐ Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities - ☐ Fire extinguisher - ☐ Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup
ReadyPantry picks: the compact First Aid Core, the fuller First Aid Pro, or First Aid Plus, which adds a flashlight, multi-tool, matches, duct tape, and more.
Phase 2: The First Month (2 Weeks Covered)
The Red Cross recommends a two-week supply of food and water for home. This phase gets you there.
Water - ☐ Two weeks of water: 14 gallons per person - ☐ A way to treat water: unscented household bleach and the CDC's dosing instructions - ☐ A water filter for your home or a portable filter
ReadyPantry pick: Sentry Portable System or the under-sink Sentry Wellness System. Not sure which? Try the Water Filter Chooser.
Food - ☐ Two weeks of shelf-stable food, a mix of pantry staples and long-shelf-life meals
ReadyPantry pick: Ready Pantry One Week Food Supply. Available in 1, 2, or 3 week options.
Health and documents - ☐ Extra supply of prescription medications. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. - ☐ Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers and antacids - ☐ Glasses and contact lens supplies - ☐ Copies of IDs, insurance policies, and bank records in a waterproof container or saved electronically - ☐ Cash - ☐ Emergency contact list on paper
Sanitation - ☐ Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties - ☐ Soap, hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol), and disinfecting wipes - ☐ Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Comfort - ☐ Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person - ☐ Change of clothes and sturdy shoes - ☐ Books, games, and activities for kids
Phase 3: Going Further (30 to 90 Days)
Once the basics are covered, build toward longer self-reliance. This is where a 90-day plan comes in.
Long-term water - ☐ A sealed long-term water reserve - ☐ Spare filters for every system you own
ReadyPantry pick: Ready Pantry 12 oz Emergency Water. Canned water with a 50-year shelf life, sold by the case, or in 25-case (1/4 pallet), 50-case (1/2 pallet), and 100-case (full pallet) packs. Quarter, half, and full pallets ship by freight for long-term reserves.
Long-term food - ☐ A one-month long-term food supply per person - ☐ Build toward three months
ReadyPantry pick: Ready Pantry One Month Supply. Choose 1, 3, 6, or 12 months.
Backup power - ☐ A small solar generator for lights, phones, and internet - ☐ Solar panels to recharge it - ☐ A plan for your refrigerator
ReadyPantry pick: Jackery Solar Generator 300 v2 to start, or see the full Backup Power lineup.
Sanitation and cooking - ☐ A portable dry toilet with bags and litter - ☐ A handwashing station - ☐ An outdoor-only camp stove and fuel
ReadyPantry picks: BOXIO Toilet Plus, BOXIO Wash XL Camping Sink, and BOXIO Cook Premium Camp Stove. Camp stoves are for outdoor use only.
Grab-and-go - ☐ A packed bag in case you need to leave
ReadyPantry pick: SEVENTY2 Pro Survival System. Over 60 professional-grade tools for two people in a waterproof, roll-top backpack.
What Beginners Can Skip (For Now)
- Specialty gadgets before you have water and food covered.
- Foods your family won't eat. Ready.gov is clear: choose foods your family will eat.
- Buying everything at once. Steady progress beats a single big purchase.
- Storing everything in one place. Ready.gov recommends kits for home, work, and car.
Keep It Ready
Ready.gov's maintenance tips:
- Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
- Store boxed food in tightly closed containers.
- Replace expired items as needed.
- Re-think your needs every year.
Pick a date each year, like a birthday or New Year's Day, to check dates, test flashlights, and update your plan.
Make a Family Plan
Supplies are one half. The other half is knowing what to do:
- Where will you meet if you're separated?
- Who's your out-of-area contact?
- Does everyone know where the supplies are?
- How will you get emergency alerts?
Take the Next Step
Check off Phase 1 this weekend, and you're already ahead. When you're ready to go further, our 90-Day Ready hub shows how food, water, power, and gear come together, and the Water Filter Chooser can help you pick the right filter in a few questions.
Sources: Ready.gov: Build a Kit; Ready.gov: Water; Ready.gov: Power Outages; American Red Cross: Survival Kit Supplies; CDC: How to Make Water Safe in an Emergency.