Before you begin. This procedure is general reference information, not professional advice. Equipment varies by manufacturer, model, and year. Always follow the documentation supplied with your equipment — where it differs from this page, follow the manufacturer. Verify that you have the tools, the working conditions, and the ability to do this task safely. If anything is unclear, if the equipment is damaged, or if the task exceeds your experience, stop and use a qualified professional. You are responsible for your own safety and for the outcome. This site accepts no liability for any loss, damage, or injury arising from the use of this information.
Specifications marked unverified could not be traced to a manufacturer source. Do not rely on them — obtain the value from your equipment documentation.
Summary
A go bag, a 72-hour kit, a hurricane box, a bug-out bag — whatever you call it, the hard part is not the list, it is the quantities and the fact that a kit assembled once quietly rots. Batteries go flat, bottled water passes its date, and the medication in it is a year out of step with your prescription. This page gives the item list, the numbers the federal agencies actually publish, and a six-month check that takes twenty minutes and is the reason the kit still works when you need it.
Every quantity here is traced. One gallon of water per person per day, three days as the floor and two weeks as the target, six months between water changes, two weeks of prescription medication, two weeks of food and water for each pet: all of those are CDC figures and each is attributed on the page. Where there is no federal number — how much formula your infant needs, which of your own medicines can be stored and for how long — this page says so and sends you to a pharmacist, a pediatrician or a veterinarian rather than inventing a figure. It is a packing list with its sources shown, not a survival philosophy.
Safety
KEEP THE KIT AWAY FROM CHILDREN AND ANIMALS.
The kit contains medicine. Medicine can poison a child.
Necessary equipment
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Container for the kit | Use a container that one person can carry. |
| Waterproof bag | Use the bag for your documents. |
| Permanent marker | Write the date on each container of water. |
| Inventory list | Write each item and its date on the list. |
| Water containers approved for food material | CDC says to use a container that the FDA approved for food. |
| Drinking water material | CDC gives 1 gallon for each person for each day. |
| Food that lasts a long time material | Select the food that you can eat without a cooker. |
| Flashlight and spare batteries material | CDC gives a flashlight and spare batteries as kit items. |
| Radio that operates on batteries material | CDC gives a radio that operates on batteries as a kit item. |
| First aid kit material | CDC gives a first aid kit as a kit item. |
| Prescription medicine material | CDC gives at least 2 weeks as the supply. |
| Blankets or sleeping bags material | CDC gives blankets or sleeping bags as kit items. |
Decide the size of the kit
Estimated 10 min
No tier-1 source was found for this value. Take it from the documentation supplied with your equipment.
- Count the persons in your household.1mReport a problem with step 1, Decide the size of the kit
- Include each person who stays with you frequently.
- Count the animals in your household.1mReport a problem with step 2, Decide the size of the kit
- Write the quantity of water that your household needs for 3 days.3mReport a problem with step 3, Decide the size of the kit
- CDC gives at least 1 gallon for each person for each day.
- A household of three persons needs 9 gallons for 3 days.
- Include the animals in the calculation.
- Select a container for the kit that one person can carry.5mReport a problem with step 4, Decide the size of the kit
Put water in the kit
Estimated 49 min to 1 hr 44 min
Source: How to Create an Emergency Water Supply · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29
Source: How to Create an Emergency Water Supply · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29
Source: How to Create an Emergency Water Supply · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29
Source: How to Create an Emergency Water Supply · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29
Source: How to Create an Emergency Water Supply · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29
- Put at least 1 gallon of water for each person for each day in the kit.20mReport a problem with step 1, Put water in the kit
- CDC gives 3 days as the minimum.
- CDC says to try for a supply of 2 weeks.
USE ONLY A CONTAINER THAT THE FDA APPROVED FOR FOOD.
A container that held a chemical can contaminate the water.
- Use a container for the water that the FDA approved for food.5mReport a problem with step 2, Put water in the kit
- The container must have a top that closes tightly.
- The container must be of a strong material that does not break.
- Do not use a glass container.
- Keep the containers at a temperature between 50 °F and 70 °F.5mReport a problem with step 3, Put water in the kit
- CDC gives this range.
- Keep the containers away from direct sunlight.1mReport a problem with step 4, Put water in the kit
- Write the date on each container that you filled.3mReport a problem with step 5, Put water in the kit
- Use a permanent marker.
- Replace the water in the containers every 6 months.15mReport a problem with step 6, Put water in the kit
- CDC gives this interval for water that you put in a container yourself.
- Store more water for a pregnant person, for a sick person or for a pet.
- Store more water if you live in a hot climate.
Put the food in the kit
Estimated 32 min to 1 hr 2 min
No tier-1 source was found for this value. Take it from the documentation supplied with your equipment.
- Put the food for at least 3 days in the kit.20mReport a problem with step 1, Put the food in the kit
- CDC says the food must last a long time.
- Dried fruit, canned food and protein bars are examples.
- Put a can opener that operates by hand in the kit.2mReport a problem with step 2, Put the food in the kit
- CDC gives a can opener that operates by hand as a kit item.
- An electric can opener does not operate without the electricity supply.
READ THE DATE ON EACH FOOD ITEM.
Food after that date can have a bad taste and less nutrition.
- Read the date on each food item in the kit.5mReport a problem with step 3, Put the food in the kit
- Write each item and its date on the inventory list.
- Replace each food item before the date on the package.5mReport a problem with step 4, Put the food in the kit
- Eat the food that you remove from the kit.
Put light and information in the kit
Estimated 14 min to 24 min
PUT A FLASHLIGHT IN THE KIT AND NOT A CANDLE.
A candle can start a fire in the home.
- Put a flashlight in the kit.2mReport a problem with step 1, Put light and information in the kit
- Do a test of the flashlight before you put it in the kit.
- Put spare batteries for the flashlight in the kit.2mReport a problem with step 2, Put light and information in the kit
- Keep the spare batteries in their package until you need them.
- Put a radio that operates on batteries in the kit.5mReport a problem with step 3, Put light and information in the kit
- A NOAA weather radio will give you the forecast.
- The National Weather Service will broadcast a watch or a warning on it.
- Put blankets or sleeping bags in the kit.5mReport a problem with step 4, Put light and information in the kit
Put the medicine and the first aid supplies in the kit
Estimated 47 min to 1 hr 42 min
Source: Emergency Kit Checklist: Pregnant Women, Infants, and Children · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29
No tier-1 source was found for this value. Take it from the documentation supplied with your equipment.
No tier-1 source was found for this value. Take it from the documentation supplied with your equipment.
- Put a first aid kit in the emergency kit.5mReport a problem with step 1, Put the medicine and the first aid supplies in the kit
- CDC gives a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher.
- Ointment for antibiotics, bandages, masks and gloves are on the CDC list.
- Put a supply of each prescription medicine for at least 2 weeks in the kit.15mReport a problem with step 2, Put the medicine and the first aid supplies in the kit
- CDC gives at least 2 weeks as the supply.
- If a medicine must stay cold, put a cooler and ice packs with the kit.
- Speak to your pharmacist before you store a medicine.
- Put spare eyeglasses in the kit.2mReport a problem with step 3, Put the medicine and the first aid supplies in the kit
- Spare prescription eyewear is on the CDC list.
- If an infant lives in the household, put the items for an infant in the kit.15mReport a problem with step 4, Put the medicine and the first aid supplies in the kit
- Diapers, wipes and cream for diaper rash are on the CDC list.
- Bottles, nipples and formula are on the CDC list.
- A breast pump that operates by hand or on batteries is on the CDC list.
- Electrolytes are on the CDC list.
- A copy of the vaccination record is on the CDC list.
- If a young child lives in the household, put the items for a child in the kit.10mReport a problem with step 5, Put the medicine and the first aid supplies in the kit
- Snacks with good nutrition are on the CDC list.
- A water bottle for the age of the child is on the CDC list.
- Activities that you can carry are on the CDC list.
- Supplies for potty training are on the CDC list.
- A strong identification tag with a contact is on the CDC list.
Put documents in the kit
Estimated 16 min to 30 min
- Put copies of your documents in a waterproof bag.15mReport a problem with step 1, Put documents in the kit
- CDC gives copies of personal documents as a kit item.
- Include the medical items and the records that you need.
- Put the waterproof bag in the kit.<1mReport a problem with step 2, Put documents in the kit
Put supplies for your animals in the kit
Estimated 25 min to 1 hr
Source: Build a Pet Disaster Preparedness Kit · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29
Source: Build a Pet Disaster Preparedness Kit · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29
Source: Build a Pet Disaster Preparedness Kit · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29
Source: Build a Pet Disaster Preparedness Kit · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29
No tier-1 source was found for this value. Take it from the documentation supplied with your equipment.
- If an animal lives in the household, put supplies for the animal in the kit.15mReport a problem with step 1, Put supplies for your animals in the kit
- CDC gives food for 2 weeks for each animal.
- CDC gives water for 2 weeks for each animal.
- CDC gives medication for 2 weeks for each animal.
- CDC gives a preventative for fleas, ticks and heartworm for 1 month.
- CDC says to keep the food in a container that water cannot enter.
- Put a recent photograph of each animal in the waterproof bag.10mReport a problem with step 2, Put supplies for your animals in the kit
- CDC gives the breed, the sex, the color and the weight of each animal.
- CDC gives the record of the rabies vaccination.
- CDC gives the number of the microchip.
Store the kit and do a check of it
Estimated 26 min to 46 min
- Store the kit in a place that each person can reach.5mReport a problem with step 1, Store the kit and do a check of it
- Tell each person in the household where the kit is.
DO A CHECK OF THE KIT EVERY 6 MONTHS.
A kit with old batteries and old water does not help you.
- Do a check of the kit every 6 months.20mReport a problem with step 2, Store the kit and do a check of it
- Replace the water in the containers.
- Read the date on each food item.
- Read the date on each medicine.
- Do a test of the flashlight and of the radio.
- Write the date of the check on the inventory list.1mReport a problem with step 3, Store the kit and do a check of it
Terminology
This page uses one term for each item and holds it throughout, as ASD-STE100 requires. Equipment sellers and other guides use the names below for the same parts.
- emergency kit
- Also called: go bag, go-bag, 72 hour kit, 72-hour kit, bug out bag, disaster supplies kit, emergency supply kit, hurricane kit, earthquake kit, survival kit
- food that lasts a long time
- Also called: non-perishable food, nonperishable food, shelf-stable food, canned goods, long life food
- container approved for food
- Also called: food-grade container, food grade water container, FDA approved water container, water jug, water storage container
- radio that operates on batteries
- Also called: battery radio, NOAA weather radio, emergency radio, crank radio, hand crank radio
- six-month check
- Also called: rotating the kit, kit rotation, how often to replace emergency water, does emergency water expire, restock the kit
When to use a professional
Speak to your pharmacist about each prescription medicine that you want to store. Ask which medicines you can keep in a kit. Ask how long you can keep each one. Ask which medicines must stay cold. This page does not give medical advice and it does not give a dose.
Speak to your doctor before you change how you take a medicine. Do not remove a medicine from your daily supply to fill the kit.
Speak to your pediatrician about the formula and the medical items for an infant. CDC gives the item list. It does not give a quantity for your infant.
Speak to your veterinarian about the kit for your animals. CDC says to ask a veterinarian for help with that kit.
Common questions
How much water do I actually need per person?
CDC says at least one gallon per person per day, and to store at least three days' worth. A household of three people is therefore looking at nine gallons as a floor. CDC also says to try for a two-week supply if you can, and to store more than the baseline for anyone pregnant, anyone who is ill, your pets, or if you live somewhere hot. Do not forget the animals when you do the arithmetic — they drink too.
Does emergency water expire, and how often do I swap it?
Water you bottled yourself gets replaced every six months, which is CDC's figure. Store it in FDA-approved food-grade containers with a tightly closing top, made of something durable that will not shatter — not glass. Keep the containers somewhere cool, between 50°F and 70°F, and out of direct sunlight. Commercially bottled water carries its own date from the bottler; use that one rather than this one.
Is a 72-hour kit enough?
Three days is the federal floor, not the recommendation. CDC's own water guidance says to store at least a three-day supply and then adds, in the same breath, to try for two weeks if it is possible. The three-day figure exists because it is achievable for almost everyone, not because help reliably arrives on day three. If you have the cupboard space, build to two weeks.
How much medication should be in the kit?
CDC's emergency kit checklist says at least a two-week supply of prescription medications, plus prescription eyewear and any medical items you rely on. What this page will not do is tell you which of your own medicines can sit in a cupboard for six months, because that depends on the drug and the storage conditions, and getting it wrong is a real harm. Ask your pharmacist. If something has to be kept cold, plan for a cooler and ice packs rather than assuming it will keep.
What goes in the kit for the dog or the cat?
CDC's pet kit is a two-week supply of food, water and any medications for each animal, stored in waterproof containers, plus a one-month supply of flea, tick and heartworm preventative. Add photocopied veterinary records including the rabies certificate, recent photographs of each pet, a written description covering breed, sex, colour and weight, and the microchip number. CDC's own advice is to ask your veterinarian to help you put it together, which is the right answer for anything specific to your animal.
Where should I keep the kit?
Somewhere everyone in the household can get to it without help, and somewhere that meets the storage conditions for the water — cool, between 50°F and 70°F, out of direct sunlight. That usually rules out a car boot, an uninsulated attic and a sunny windowsill. Tell everyone where it is, because a kit only one person can find is a kit that fails on the night that person is out.
Related procedures
- How to get the house ready for a storm and a power outage
- How do I store emergency drinking water for my household?
- How old is my carbon monoxide detector and when do I replace it
- How to change the battery in a smoke detector and test it
Sources
Every specification on this page is traced to one of these sources. Tier 1 is a manufacturer document, a published standard, or a government safety authority. See Standards for the full tiering rule.
- Tier 1How to Create an Emergency Water Supply
- Tier 1Emergency Kit Checklist: Pregnant Women, Infants, and Children
- Tier 1Build a Pet Disaster Preparedness Kit
- Tier 1Build an Emergency Kit
- Tier 1What to Do to Protect Yourself During a Power Outage
- Tier 1Prepare! Don't Let Severe Weather Take You by Surprise
Revision history
Current version 1 · updated 2026-07-29 · next review due 2027-07-29
- v1 · 2026-07-29First draft. Water, food, medicine and pet quantities taken from four CDC pages read on 2026-07-29. ready.gov and fema.gov both returned HTTP 403 to every automated request and are recorded under rejected rather than cited. Quantities specific to one household, one infant or one animal publish as an instruction to consult a pharmacist, a pediatrician or a veterinarian.
Corrections to this page are listed in the public corrections log. Reports that are credible and not yet verified are listed in the public errata register, and an open one renders above the step it concerns.
Comments and corrections
Found an error? A correction with a manufacturer source is applied and logged publicly. You can also write to corrections@fixchecklist.com.
Every step above carries its own report control, which tags the report with that step so a correction reaches the right place. For anything about the procedure as a whole — the order of the sections, a step that is missing, something that did not match your equipment — use this: report something about this whole procedure.