PrepEmergency kit checklist: what have you got, and what's missing?
An independent tool based on Ready.gov's basic and additional kit lists. Check off what you already have. You'll see what's missing, how much your household needs, and a shopping list you can print.
Who's at home?
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Check off what you have
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Light, news and phone
Safety and shelter
Add for your household: health
Add for your household: comfort and papers
Add for your household: children and pets
Shopping list
Everything on the list, for 2 adults for 3 days. Tick it off as you go.
- Water6 gallons: 2 people for 3 days
- Nonperishable food2 people for 3 days, about 12,000 kcal on Prep's planning figures
- Manual can opener
- Battery or hand-crank radio, and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries
- Cell phone chargers and a backup battery
- Local maps
- First aid kit
- Whistle, to signal for help
- Dust mask, to help filter the air
- Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties
- Wrench or pliers
- Prescription medications
- Nonprescription medications
- Prescription glasses and contact lens solution
- Soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
- Sleeping bag or warm blanketOne for each person: 2
- Change of clothes for your climate, and sturdy shoesOne for each person: 2
- Cash
- Copies of family documents
- Fire extinguisher
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Mess kits, paper cups and plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
- Paper and pencil
- Formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream
- Books, games, puzzles or other activities
- Pet food and extra waterFor 1 pet for 3 days. No official volume exists: ask your vet what yours needs.
Check again by six months from now.
Based on the Ready.gov kit lists and CDC water guidance, in our own words. Kcal figures are Prep's planning figures. Checked 2 November 2026.
From preppantry.app. Checked 2 November 2026. Independent tool, not official advice.
How it works
We wrote this list ourselves from Ready.gov's basic kit and its list of additional items. The basic kit is what Ready.gov suggests for any household. The additional items depend on who lives with you, so check off anything you don't need.
Ready.gov says a gallon of water per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation, and doesn't name a number of days. The CDC says 3 days, and 2 weeks if possible, so you can choose either here.
Ready.gov gives no calorie figure. The kcal shown beside food is the Prep app's planning figure of 2,000 kcal for an adult and 1,600 for a child, as a rough guide to the amount. It isn't official.
Baby, children's and pet items appear only if they apply. No official source gives a volume of water for pets, so we don't state one here.
Example: two adults and a child need 9 gallons of water for 3 days, or 42 gallons for 2 weeks: 3 people × 1 gallon × 14 days.
Common questions
What should be in a basic emergency kit?
Ready.gov lists water, nonperishable food, a battery or hand-crank radio, a NOAA Weather Radio, a flashlight, a first aid kit, extra batteries, a whistle, a dust mask, plastic sheeting, duct tape, sanitation supplies, a wrench or pliers, a manual can opener, local maps, and phone chargers with a backup battery.
Is this the official Ready.gov checklist?
No. Prep is an independent tool that isn't connected to FEMA or Ready.gov. The official list is linked under Sources.
How many days should an emergency kit cover?
Ready.gov says several days and doesn't give a number. The CDC says at least 3 days of water, and 2 weeks if possible. Many households start with 3 days and build up.
How much water do I need for 3 days?
At least 1 gallon per person per day, so 3 gallons per person. A family of four needs 12 gallons. Ready.gov says needs can double in very hot temperatures, and the CDC says to allow more for pregnant women, sick people and pets.
How often should I update my kit?
Ready.gov says to replace expired items as needed and rethink your needs every year. Replace water you bottled yourself every 6 months.
How should I store it?
Ready.gov suggests keeping items in airtight plastic bags, and the whole kit in one or two containers that are easy to carry.
Sources
Checked on 2 November 2026. This is an independent tool and not official advice. See sources and method.