Planner · Stocking estimates, not official advice
Your reserve
1. How long
Days to plan for
7
2. Who's at home
- Adults 18 to 64
- Older adults 65 and over
- Teenagers 13 to 17
- Older children 9 to 12
- Children 4 to 8
- Toddlers 1 to 3
- Babies Under 6 months
- Babies 6 to 12 months
3. Pets
- Small dogs Around 8 kgOur estimate
- Medium dogs Around 20 kgOur estimate
- Large dogs Around 35 kgOur estimate
- Cats Around 4 kgOur estimate
4. Other needs
Pregnancy, medical needs, hygiene products
- Pregnant Adds energy and 1 L of water a day
- Breastfeeding Adds energy and 1 L of water a day
- Medical needs Illness or powered equipment. Adds 1 L a day
- People who menstruate Adds products to the list
- People using incontinence pads Adds 5 a day to the list
5. Water
Home reserve
2 people
7 days
- Water
- 70L
- Drinking, cooking and basic washing
- Food
- 30.8kkcal
- About 4,400 kcal a day, or 19 kg of mixed food
Water1 jug = 10 L
Food1 tin = 1 adult day, or 2,200 kcal
Build it up over time
Our suggested order. No government sets this one.Step 1
3days
30 L, 13,200 kcal
Water first, then medicines, baby and pet needs, no-cook food, radio and torch.
Step 2
7days
70 L, 30,800 kcal
Fill out the list, then set a check every 6 months and eat what you store.
Start from what you already own, and add a little to normal shops. The UK, Germany, Sweden and others all say the same: you don't need it all at once. Please don't buy during an active emergency, and don't hoard.
Your list · 0 of 26 done
.
Water
Food · 30,800 kcal in total
Medicines and care
Toilet and hygiene
Light, power, warmth, information
Field notes
The mistakes that hurt peopleNever run a generator or burn charcoal indoors
That includes the garage, even with doors open. Keep generators, camp stoves and grills outdoors and at least 20 ft (6 m) from windows. Fit a carbon monoxide alarm on every level. CDC ↗
Boiling and bleach don't remove chemicals or fuel
If water may be contaminated by fuel or chemicals, don't drink it. Find another source. EPA ↗
Portable filters don't remove viruses
Pair a filter with chemical disinfection, or boil. CDC ↗
Fridge 4 hours, freezer 48
An unopened fridge stays cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer lasts about 48 hours, and a half-full one about 24, with the door closed. FDA ↗
Formula: never dilute it
Measure exactly as the label says. Babies under 2 months, premature or immunocompromised need ready-to-feed. Use bottled water for powder if you can. CDC ↗
No honey under 1 year
It can cause infant botulism. This includes honey as an emergency food. NHS ↗
Oxygen, dialysis, or medicines you can't miss?
Talk to your clinician now. Plan for backup power and a second provider, and don't ration or stop medicine on your own. FEMA ↗
Figures: Stocking estimates, not official advice.