Core household reserves: the standard checklist

Build an all-hazards baseline

The same core reserves support a household through storms, short utility failures, evacuation, illness, and some technology-related disruptions. The cause changes official instructions, but it does not justify exotic equipment or untested supplies. Begin with local hazards and a several-day baseline, then extend it as space, money, health, climate, and household needs allow.

Water: three days minimum, two weeks when possible

CDC recommends storing at least one gallon per person per day for three days and trying for a two-week supply when possible. That gallon covers drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene; store more for heat, pregnancy, illness, pets, or other needs. Two weeks is a goal, not the federal minimum.

Unopened commercially bottled water is the most reliable emergency source. For self-filled storage, use food-grade containers that close tightly and were never used for toxic chemicals. Label the fill date, store away from sunlight and chemicals, and replace self-filled water every six months. Use a clean scoop or pour from the container to avoid introducing contamination.

Water treatment depends on the contaminant. Boiling or proper disinfection can address many germs, but most portable filters do not remove all viruses, and treatment cannot reliably make water contaminated with fuel, toxic chemicals, or radioactive material safe. Follow the exact utility or health-department advisory. Do not improvise bleach concentration from memory: product strengths vary, and CDC provides current, strength-specific instructions on making water safe in an emergency.

Store water in more than one manageable container so one leak does not destroy the reserve. People with limited strength or mobility may need smaller containers, pumps, or caregiver help. Include water for service animals and pets.

Food: familiar, usable, and safe

Select shelf-stable foods the household already eats, including infant feeding, allergies, diabetes or other medically directed diets, sensory needs, cultural preferences, and pet food. Include items that can be eaten without cooking and a manual can opener. Rotate them through normal meals rather than treating every date as a permanent expiration guarantee.

USDA recommends shelf-stable foods, water, canned goods, ready-to-use infant formula, pet food, and appliance thermometers for outage planning. A closed refrigerator generally protects food only for a limited time. Use thermometer readings and USDA’s food-specific chart; do not rely on smell or appearance. Food exposed to floodwater should be discarded as directed.

Home canning is a learned food-safety process, not an improvised outage skill. Use only current USDA or extension-tested recipes, correct jars and equipment, and altitude-adjusted processing. Low-acid foods require pressure canning because boiling-water methods do not control botulism spores. Never taste food from a leaking, bulging, damaged, spurting, or suspicious container. USDA explains botulism prevention and safe disposal.

Power and light: size to essential functions

List what actually requires electricity: refrigerated medicine, a medical device, a well pump, phone charging, safe lighting, heating controls, refrigeration, or mobility equipment. Record watts, startup load, safe runtime, and the maximum period each function can be unavailable. Often, batteries, power banks, coolers, efficient lights, and a relocation plan are safer than trying to power the whole house.

If using a portable fuel-burning generator, carbon monoxide is the first hazard. CPSC says to operate it outdoors at least 20 feet from the home, with exhaust facing away. Never use it in a home, garage, basement, crawlspace, carport, or near doors, windows, or vents—even with openings or fans. Install working battery-backed carbon-monoxide alarms on every level and outside sleeping areas. If an alarm sounds or poisoning is suspected, move outside and call 911; do not search for the source.

Never power house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet. That can backfeed utility lines and electrocute workers or residents. A qualified electrician must install appropriate transfer equipment consistent with code; otherwise, connect individual appliances with manufacturer-approved, correctly rated outdoor cords. Keep equipment dry, cool it before refueling, store fuel legally away from living areas and ignition sources, and follow the manual.

Use battery lighting rather than candles when possible. Never use a grill, charcoal, camp stove, or gas oven to heat a home.

Medical and accessibility reserves

Maintain a current list of prescriptions, doses, allergies, conditions, clinicians, pharmacies, equipment, and insurance. Ask a prescriber and pharmacist what emergency supply is safe, legal, and covered. Refill rules, controlled-substance law, clinical monitoring, and refrigeration needs vary; do not stockpile, share, substitute, or ration medicine without professional direction.

FDA recommends discussing early refills and emergency supply with clinicians and pharmacists. Store medicine in labeled, watertight containers as directed. Plan for refrigerated products with the manufacturer and clinician; a cooler and cold packs help only when used within the medicine’s storage limits. Replace medicines exposed to floodwater or unsafe temperatures according to professional guidance.

Include spare equipment consumables, batteries, chargers, communication boards, glasses, hearing-aid supplies, mobility-device tools, and a backup caregiver. Enrollment in a utility medical program does not guarantee power. Identify accessible transport and a safe destination that can support required equipment.

A first-aid kit should match training. Take a recognized first-aid/CPR course and do not perform procedures beyond training or legal scope. Check kit expiration dates and latex or medication concerns.

Communications and information

Keep charged power banks, appropriate cables, a battery radio, printed contacts, local alert information, offline maps, and the family communication plan. Use only legal radio services and equipment; ownership does not authorize transmission on every channel. See Redundant and Offline Communications.

Print concise information: contacts, meeting places, allergies, critical medication and device needs, and insurance numbers. Do not put complete identity records, passwords, or the family verification phrase on a wallet card.

Money and documents

Keep some small-denomination cash if safe and affordable because local electronic payment can fail. Ready.gov lists cash as a kit item but does not establish a universal “two weeks of cash” rule. The amount depends on household risk and secure storage; cash can be stolen, lost, or destroyed.

Preserve IDs, insurance, property records, medical information, benefits, account contacts, and legal documents in protected physical and encrypted digital forms. Keep copies in separate safe locations. The CFPB recommends a separate protected copy and FEMA’s Emergency Financial First Aid Kit. Do not store passwords in an unencrypted document with account numbers.

Sanitation, clothing, and household needs

Include soap, hand sanitizer, toilet supplies, menstrual products, diapers, incontinence supplies, trash bags, cleaning products, and a plan for water or sewer failure. Never mix household chemicals. Store cleaners away from food, water, children, and pets.

Add weather-appropriate clothing, sturdy shoes, blankets, work gloves, eye protection for cleanup, and NIOSH-approved respiratory protection appropriate to locally credible hazards. A particulate respirator does not protect against every chemical or oxygen-deficient environment. For respirator selection, fit, and use specifically against respiratory outbreaks, see Personal Biosecurity Basics.

For children, include comfort items, feeding supplies, custody and pickup information, and age-appropriate identification. For animals, include carriers, leashes, food, water, medicine, waste supplies, photos, and vaccination records. Verify shelters and destinations in advance because pet arrangements vary; service-animal rights are distinct from pet policies.

Rotate and test twice a year

Inventory dates, leaks, pests, corrosion, battery condition, medicine lists, clothing sizes, pet needs, and changed contacts. Test power banks and alarms. Prepare one meal without normal utilities. Have each household member lift and use their water container. Confirm that instructions are readable and accessible.

Replace used items after an event. A reserve is ready only when the household can safely reach, understand, and use it—and can leave it behind immediately when official evacuation or imminent danger requires departure.