Emergency kits
Build a kit sized for your household. Every list follows government preparedness advice for the US, UK, Canada and Australia, with the reason each item earns its place.
- UK government emergency kit advice, compared with the US, Canada and Australia
The UK government emergency kit is 3 days of supplies with 3 litres of drinking water per person per day (UK Be Ready, 2026-10-22). Canada says at least 72 hours, the US says several days, Queensland says 3 days. In the US, the Red Cross advises 2 weeks of water and food at home.
- Power outage emergency kit: what to pack for your household
A power outage emergency kit is the water, food, light, radio and phone power that carry a household through at least 3 days. Water is the number that varies: 3 litres per person per day in the UK, about 4 litres in Canada, 1 gallon in the US. Multiply by people and days, then cross off what you already own.