Shopping list per person

7 days preparedness

A per-person shopping list for getting through one week at home with no heating, power, running water, internet or phone signal. Figures come from official sources; counts marked "our suggestion" are ours where sources give no number.

Long-term food and backup power

Quantities are for one person for 7 days: multiply by the number of people in your home. Every item links to its official source; items marked "our suggestion" are a count we suggest because the sources give no number.

Water

Drinking and sanitation water (US figure): About 26.5 litres per person (1 gallon, about 3.785 L, x 7 days) Ready.gov and the American Red Cross give the same 1 gallon per person per day.^CDC
Water for drinking, cooking and basic hygiene (Swedish figure): 21 to 35 litres per adult (3 to 5 L x 7 days) MCF gives a range per adult, not per child.^{MCF Sweden}
Drinking water plus washing water (Canadian Red Cross figure): 7 litres for drinking (1 L x 7) plus 14 litres for cleaning and hygiene (2 L x 7), about 21 litres per person Official figures differ between countries; each figure links to its source.^{Canadian Red Cross}
Small water bottles that are easy to carry^CanadaAmazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Food-grade water containers with caps, or buckets with lids^{MCF Sweden}Amazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Water purifying tablets Tablets and filters do not remove chemical pollution.^Canada^{MCF Sweden}Amazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk
Unscented household liquid bleach for treating water CDC dose: 8 drops of unscented 5 to 9% bleach per gallon (about 3.8 L) of clear water, 16 drops if cloudy; stir and wait at least 30 minutes.^CDC

Food

Food that needs no fridge and can be eaten as it is or cooked without water: Enough for 7 days MCF advises being able to manage at least one week. The American Red Cross suggests two weeks of home supplies.^{MCF Sweden}
Canned fish, meat, beans, vegetables, fruit and ready meals^{MCF Sweden}
Quick energy foods: nut butter, nuts, dried fruit, protein bars, chocolate, honey^{MCF Sweden}
Crispbread, dry cereal, long-life (UHT or powdered) milk^{MCF Sweden}
Infant formula and baby food, if needed^{MCF Sweden}
Manual can opener: 1 per household (our suggestion) our suggestion^CanadaAmazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Small fuel-operated camping stove and fuel: 1 per household (our suggestion) our suggestion Use it outdoors only, never inside the home or garage (carbon monoxide).^Canada^CDCAmazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Plates, cups and eating utensils: 1 set per person (our suggestion) our suggestion^CanadaAmazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Warmth

Sleeping bag or warm blanket: 1 per person Government of Canada lists one for each household member.^CanadaAmazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Extra blankets^{MCF Sweden}
Sleeping mat: 1 per person (our suggestion) our suggestion^{MCF Sweden}Amazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Wool clothing to wear closest to the body, plus warm outer layers^{MCF Sweden}
Hat, gloves, scarf and thick socks: 1 set per person (our suggestion) our suggestion^{MCF Sweden}Amazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk
Change of clothing and footwear: 1 per person Government of Canada lists one for each household member.^Canada
Heat packs^CanadaAmazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Fire extinguisher: 1 per household (our suggestion) our suggestion^{MCF Sweden}Amazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm^CDCAmazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Light and power

Wind-up or battery torch: 1 per person (our suggestion) our suggestion^CanadaAmazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Headlamp: 1 per person (our suggestion) our suggestion^{MCF Sweden}Amazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Spare batteries for every torch, headlamp and radio^{MCF Sweden}Amazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Charged power bank No official page gives a capacity figure.^{MCF Sweden}Amazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Car phone charger^{MCF Sweden}Amazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Waterproof matches or a lighter^CanadaAmazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk

Information and communication

Battery, solar or wind-up radio: 1 per household (our suggestion) our suggestion^{MCF Sweden}Amazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Paper list of phone numbers: family, neighbours, hospital, emergency services, energy provider^{MCF Sweden}
Mobile phone with charger^{Red Cross}
Printed map of your area^{Red Cross}Amazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Written family meeting point^{MCF Sweden}
Whistle to signal for help^CanadaAmazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Pen and paper^CanadaAmazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Health and first aid

Prescription medicines: At least a 7-day supply Sources differ: American Red Cross 7 days, Government of Canada a couple of weeks, MCF one month for long-term treatment.^{Red Cross}
One month of long-term prescription medicines: 1 month Swedish recommendation for people on long-term treatment. Use the oldest first.^{MCF Sweden}
First aid kit with bandages, tape, gauze, antiseptic and disposable gloves^CanadaAmazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk
Pain relievers^Canada
Written list of medicines with doses and purpose^Canada
Spare glasses and contact lens solution^Canada
Hearing aids with extra batteries, and other medical supplies^{Red Cross}
N95 or surgical masks^CanadaAmazon.sa Amazon.ae Amazon.co.uk

Money and documents

Cash in small notes and coins: Enough for a week of basic needs MCF says to work out what you would need for a week; it gives no amount.^{MCF Sweden}
Copies of ID: passports, birth and marriage certificates Keep paper and digital copies.^Canada
Health insurance details and health card^Canada
Copies of home, vehicle and other insurance policies^{Red Cross}
Proof of address, deed or lease^{Red Cross}
Banking information and records^Canada
Copy of your emergency plan with contacts and next of kin^Canada
Spare house and car keys^Canada

For your household

Children, nursing mothers and sick people may need more water, and in very hot weather water needs can double.^FEMA
Store extra water for pregnant women, sick people, pets, and homes in hot climates.^CDC
Aim for at least one week of supplies. A 72-hour store is better than nothing.^{MCF Sweden}
For staying at home, the American Red Cross suggests two weeks of water and food.^{Red Cross}
Add baby supplies, pet food and water, and games for children based on who lives with you.^{Red Cross}
Never use grills, generators or other propane or charcoal devices inside the home, and never heat the home with a gas oven.^CDC
Use stoves outdoors only. If you light candles, keep them away from anything that can burn and never leave them burning while you sleep.^Canada^{MCF Sweden}
Get to know your neighbours and share costlier items.^{MCF Sweden}
Replace food, water, batteries and medicines that may expire at least once a year.^Canada

Official sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): How to Create an Emergency Water Supply
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Guidelines for Personal Hygiene During an Emergency
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning after a disaster
Ready.gov (FEMA): Water
FEMA: How to Build a Kit for Emergencies (press release, 12 June 2020)
American Red Cross: What Do You Need In a Survival Kit
Canadian Red Cross: Emergency Kit List
Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency (MCF): Basics of home preparedness
Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency (MCF): Access to water during a crisis
Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency (MCF): Access to food during a crisis
Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency (MCF): Access to heat during a crisis
Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency (MCF): Access to communication during a crisis
Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency (MCF): One month's supply of medicines at home
Government of Canada: Emergency kits
Government of Canada: Emergency kit checklist
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning after a disaster
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Make water safe during an emergency (PDF)

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