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Hour zero
The FEMA emergency kit list, item by item
FEMA asks households to have food, water and supplies for several days, with 1 gallon of water per person per day. Its Ready.gov kit page lists 14 basic items and 16 extras. Here they are, with what each is for and where the printable checklist says it differently.
Read7 min read
Updated11 Nov 2026
TopicHour zero
Official sources5
What FEMA asks for
Ready.gov, FEMA's preparedness site, sets no fixed number of days: "Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days." After an emergency, it says, you may need to survive on your own for that long.
Read on 11 November 2026 at ready.gov/kit, last updated 1 July 2026, and in the printable Emergency Supply List. The printable list calls itself "only a starting point" for each family's own needs.
This page sticks to what FEMA itself lists. For a three-day kit counted per person, see our 72-hour kit list.
The 14 basic items
FEMA's basic disaster supplies kit, with the reason it gives in brackets.
| Item | What FEMA says it is for |
|---|---|
| Water | 1 gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation |
| Food | At least a several-day supply of non-perishable food |
| Battery-powered or hand crank radio, and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert | |
| Flashlight | |
| First aid kit | |
| Extra batteries | |
| Whistle | To signal for help |
| Dust mask | To help filter contaminated air |
| Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape | To shelter in place |
| Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties | For personal sanitation |
| Wrench or pliers | To turn off utilities |
| Manual can opener | For food |
| Local maps | |
| Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery |
Source: FEMA, Build A Kit.
Water by household, in gallons and litres
FEMA's gallon a day, over the CDC's 3-day minimum and its 2-week supply.
| People | 3 days | 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 gal (about 11 L) | 14 gal (about 53 L) |
| 2 | 6 gal (about 23 L) | 28 gal (about 106 L) |
| 3 | 9 gal (about 34 L) | 42 gal (about 159 L) |
| 4 | 12 gal (about 45 L) | 56 gal (about 212 L) |
| 5 | 15 gal (about 57 L) | 70 gal (about 265 L) |
| 6 | 18 gal (about 68 L) | 84 gal (about 318 L) |
1 gallon is about 3.8 litres. Ready.gov adds that children, nursing mothers and sick people may need more, and that water needs can double in very hot weather. The water calculator does the sum for your home.
The extras FEMA lists
Ready.gov adds these according to your household's needs:
- Soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes.
- Prescription medications. Ready.gov notes that about half of all Americans take one every day.
- Non-prescription medicines: pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids, laxatives.
- Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution.
- Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream.
- Pet food and extra water for your pet.
- Cash or traveler's checks.
- Copies of insurance policies, ID and bank records, saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container.
- A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.
- A complete change of clothing for your climate, and sturdy shoes.
- A fire extinguisher, and matches in a waterproof container.
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items.
- Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels, plastic utensils, paper and pencil, and books, games or puzzles for children.
Web page or printable list?
The printable checklist is older than the page, and a few lines read differently.
| Item | ready.gov/kit | Printable Emergency Supply List |
|---|---|---|
| Wrench | Wrench or pliers | Non-sparking wrench or pliers |
| Phone power | Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery | Extra cell phone battery or charger |
| Money | Cash or traveler's checks | Cash and change |
| Documents | Saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container | In a portable waterproof container |
| Medicines | Prescription and non-prescription | Prescription medications and glasses |
| Clothing | Change of clothing for your climate, sturdy shoes | Long-sleeved shirt, long pants, sturdy shoes, more for a cold climate |
| Reference | Not listed | A first aid book or information from ready.gov |
| How many kits | Home, work and car | At least two: a full kit at home, smaller ones at work, in the car or elsewhere |
The PDF is filed under May 2024 on ready.gov; the page was updated July 2026. Translations of the checklist are on Ready.gov.
Three places to keep supplies
You don't know where you'll be when it happens, so FEMA plans for three.
Work
Enough to shelter there for at least 24 hours: food, water, medicines and comfortable walking shoes in a grab-and-go case.
Car
A kit of emergency supplies in case you are stranded.
Packing and upkeep
FEMA's own instructions.
01Pack it
- Store items in airtight plastic bags.
- Put the whole kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers, such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.
Source: Ready.gov
02Keep it ready
- Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
- Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers.
- Replace expired items as needed.
- Rethink your needs every year and update the kit as your family changes.
Source: Ready.gov
Questions people ask
How many days does FEMA say to prepare for?
"Several days." Ready.gov gives no fixed number. The CDC sets the water minimum at 3 days and asks for a 2-week supply where you can store it.
Is there an official FEMA 72-hour kit?
FEMA's list is for several days. Three days is the common floor, and our 72-hour kit list counts a kit for that long, person by person.
How much water does FEMA say to store?
1 gallon (about 3.8 litres) per person per day, for drinking and sanitation. A family of four needs 12 gallons for three days.
Where is the printable FEMA checklist?
On ready.gov/kit, under Emergency Supply List. Ready.gov also has it in other languages.
What number do I call in an emergency?
9-1-1. Ready.gov tells you to call it, or the fire department, if you have to get out of a burning home.
Next step
From FEMA's list to your shelf
The 72-hour checklist turns a list like FEMA's into boxes you tick at home. The Fallback72 book covers water, heat, light, food that keeps and first aid on paper that works with the power out: join the list to hear the launch date first.
