A practical plan for the first 72 hours

Start with what you already own

Public Safety Canada recommends being able to take care of yourself and your household for at least 72 hours. Walk through your home before shopping: the useful flashlight in a drawer counts, as does food you already eat. The goal is a working kit, not a pile of duplicate gear.

The essentials

• Water: at least two litres per person per day for drinking and basic food preparation. Consider extra water for cooking, cleaning and pets.
• Food: familiar shelf-stable food that can be eaten without power, plus a manual can opener if needed.
• Light and information: flashlights, spare batteries or charging, and a battery or hand-crank radio.
• Health and documents: first-aid supplies, essential medications, copies of important contacts and identification.

Medications and health needs

Keep a printed medication and allergy list plus pharmacy, prescriber and emergency contacts. Ask a pharmacist or care team what emergency refill options are available and how temperature-sensitive medication such as insulin should be handled during a power outage. For essential medical equipment, confirm power requirements and safe backup options with the manufacturer and care team.

Adapt it to your household

An apartment resident may need a stairwell and building communication plan. A rural household with a well may lose water when power fails. Children, pets and medical devices change the list. A winter outage adds a heat and safe-shelter decision. Include diapers or continence products, feeding supplies, mobility-device supplies, hearing-aid batteries, spare glasses, pet supplies and caregiver information when they apply. Put those constraints in your personal plan.

Personal and household security

Use reliable local information, avoid confrontation and decide in advance when you would shelter in place or leave. Secure doors and windows as you normally would. Firearms must be stored and transported according to applicable law and kept inaccessible to children or unauthorized people; they do not replace an evacuation or communication plan.

Keep it usable

Check food, water, batteries and medications on a schedule that matches their labels. Store supplies where you can reach them in the dark. Put a smaller portable set near an exit if evacuation is a concern.

Source: Public Safety Canada emergency kit checklist ↗.