Based on official guidance from the EU, the UK, the US, Germany and Mexico
Your emergency kit, ready in one click.
Governments are asking every household to manage on its own for at least 72 hours. Here is the kit they recommend, already picked on Amazon. Choose 3 or 10 days, set how many people, untick what you already own and send the rest to your cart.
Why the first 72 hours matter
- When the power goes, water often follows: pumps and treatment plants run on electricity.
- Card payments, ATMs and mobile networks can stop within hours. Cash and a radio keep working.
- Emergency services reach the most urgent cases first. For the first three days, most households are on their own.
It has happened before: in February 2021 a winter storm cut power to more than 4 million homes and businesses in Texas, many for days, and millions were told to boil their water.
What's in the kit
Untick anything you already have. Quantities are already worked out for 2 people.
From your own home
These don't come from Amazon. Keep them with the kit.
- Bottled or tap water: 6 gallons (about 23 L)
- Food you already have: cans, legumes, nuts, crackers (rotate every 6 months)
- Your usual medication for 3 days, plus copies of prescriptions
- Copies of ID, passport and insurance (in the waterproof pouch)
- Cash in small notes: card payments may be down
- Warm clothes and sturdy shoes
- Important phone numbers written on paper
- Anything babies, older relatives or pets need
Questions
Why are governments asking for this?
The European Commission, the UK's Be Ready campaign, Ready.gov in the US and Mexico City's Civil Protection all ask households to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours after a blackout, storm, flood or earthquake. That's how long help can take to reach everyone. Germany's BBK recommends supplies for 10 days. It's preparation, not a prediction.
How much water do I need?
Count on about 3 litres per person per day for drinking and basic cooking. Ready.gov says one gallon (3.8 L), which includes washing. Fill the containers from the tap and change the water every 6 months.
Is building my own kit better than a ready-made one?
Usually. Ready-made kits save time but tend to fall short on water, light and first aid. The list above follows the official checklists item by item.
How do you make money?
If you buy through our links, Amazon pays us a small commission. Your price is the same. We pick products by rating, number of reviews and stock, never by commission.
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