This checklist is calibrated for a family of 4 — two adults, two school-age children. Everything is organized by tier (72-hour go bag, 7-day home supply, 30-day deep pantry) and by category, with specific quantities and approximate costs. Total investment: roughly $800–$1,200 to reach solid 7-day readiness from scratch. Many families already have 30–40% of this list and don’t know it.
How to Use This Checklist
Three tiers of readiness, each building on the previous:
- Tier 1 — 72-Hour Go Bags: Everything your family needs to evacuate and survive 3 days away from home. One bag per person. Grabbed in under 5 minutes.
- Tier 2 — 7-Day Home Supply: Enough to shelter in place for a week during a power outage, storm, or neighborhood emergency. Stored at home.
- Tier 3 — 30-Day Deep Pantry: Extended preparedness for long-term disruptions. Builds naturally from regular grocery shopping and rotation.
Check your current status against each item. Items marked with ★ are highest priority — cover these first before expanding elsewhere.
Category 1: Water
Water is the highest-priority survival need. A person can survive 3 weeks without food but only 3 days without water. For a family of 4 in a non-exertion scenario, minimum needs are 1 gallon/person/day for drinking and basic hygiene.
Tier 1 — Go Bag (72 Hours)
| ✓ | Item | Qty (family of 4) | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ ☐ | Water bottles (32 oz) — 1 per person in each go bag | 4 bottles | $10–$20 |
| ★ ☐ | Water filter (Sawyer Squeeze or LifeStraw) — 1 per adult bag | 2 filters | $30–$70 |
| ☐ | Water purification tablets (Aquatabs) — 1 pack per adult bag | 2 packs (50 tabs each) | $8–$12 |
Tier 2 — Home Supply (7 Days)
| ✓ | Item | Qty (family of 4) | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ ☐ | Stored water — 1 gal/person/day minimum (28 gallons for 7 days) | 28+ gallons | $30–$50 |
| ☐ | 5-gallon water jugs (BPA-free, stackable) | 6 jugs | $60–$90 |
| ☐ | Water barrel (55-gallon) or WaterBOB (100-gallon bathtub liner) | 1 unit | $30–$120 |
Category 2: Food
Target: 2,000 calories/adult/day, 1,500 calories/child/day. For a family of 4: approximately 7,000 cal/day total. Go-bag food must be lightweight, no-cook, and calorie-dense. Home supply can include cooking if you have a camp stove.
Tier 1 — Go Bag (72 Hours, per bag)
| ✓ | Item | Notes | Cost/bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ ☐ | Energy/protein bars (6–9 bars per adult bag) | ~200 cal each, Clif/RXBAR/Kind | $15–$20 |
| ★ ☐ | Peanut butter packets (individual squeeze packs) | ~190 cal each, no refrigeration | $8–$12 |
| ☐ | Trail mix / nuts (sealed 4 oz bags) | ~600 cal per 4 oz, calorie-dense | $8–$12 |
| ☐ | Crackers / rice cakes (sealed packages) | Pairing with peanut butter | $5–$8 |
| ☐ | Fruit/veggie pouches (kids’ bags) | Applesauce, etc. — familiar food reduces stress for children | $6–$10 |
Tier 2 — Home Supply (7 Days, family of 4)
| ✓ | Item | Qty (7 days × 4 people) | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ ☐ | Canned beans (black, kidney, chickpeas) | 14–20 cans | $15–$25 |
| ★ ☐ | Canned vegetables (corn, green beans, tomatoes) | 14–20 cans | $15–$25 |
| ★ ☐ | Canned protein (tuna, chicken, salmon, sardines) | 14–20 cans | $20–$35 |
| ☐ | White rice (5 lb bags, sealed) | 10–15 lbs | $8–$15 |
| ☐ | Pasta (dry, 1 lb bags) | 5–8 lbs | $5–$10 |
| ☐ | Peanut butter (18 oz jars) | 3–4 jars | $12–$20 |
| ☐ | Oatmeal (large containers, instant) | 2 large containers | $8–$12 |
| ☐ | Manual can opener (2 — one for home, one in go bag) | 2 units | $8–$15 |
| ☐ | Camp stove + fuel canisters (Coleman or Jetboil) | 1 stove + 4 fuel canisters | $40–$80 |
| ☐ | Multi-fuel stove alternative (EcoZoom Versa) | 1 stove | $100 |
Tier 3 — 30-Day Deep Pantry (additions beyond 7-day supply)
Build this by buying extra when things go on sale. Add 2–3 cans per shopping trip. No special freeze-dried products required — regular grocery staples work fine when properly stored.
- White rice — 50+ lbs in sealed Mylar bags with O2 absorbers (25-year shelf life)
- Dried beans — 30+ lbs (pinto, black, lentils)
- Honey — 5+ lbs (indefinite shelf life if sealed)
- Salt, sugar, baking soda, baking powder — bulk quantities
- Cooking oil — 6+ liters (rotate every 1–2 years)
- Freeze-dried meals — 30-day kits (Mountain House, Augason Farms) for convenience: $200–$400 for family of 4
- Coffee and comfort foods — morale is a real survival factor
Category 3: First Aid and Medical
Tier 1 — Go Bag First Aid (per adult bag)
| ✓ | Item | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ ☐ | QuikClot hemostatic gauze (trauma bleeding) | Z-fold, 3″ × 4 yd | $15–$25 |
| ★ ☐ | Israeli bandage (pressure bandage for wounds) | 4″ or 6″ size | $8–$12 |
| ★ ☐ | Nitrile gloves (2 pairs) | Infection barrier for treatment | $2–$5 |
| ☐ | Assorted adhesive bandages (20 count) | Multiple sizes | $5–$8 |
| ☐ | Medical tape (1 roll) | 3M or similar | $3–$5 |
| ☐ | Antiseptic wipes + antibiotic ointment (Neosporin) | Wound cleaning | $5–$8 |
| ☐ | Ibuprofen + acetaminophen (small bottles) | Pain, fever | $5–$8 |
| ☐ | Antihistamine (Benadryl/cetirizine) | Allergic reactions | $5–$8 |
| ☐ | SAM splint (moldable, lightweight) | Fracture/sprain immobilization | $8–$12 |
| ☐ | Prescription medications (30-day supply) | All family members’ regular meds | Varies |
| ☐ | EpiPen (if anyone has severe allergies) | Check expiration every 6 months | Varies by insurance |
Tier 2 — Home First Aid Kit (additions)
- Full trauma IFAK kit (North American Rescue CAT tourniquet + SOFTT-W) — $30–$60
- Splinting materials (SAM splints, triangular bandages)
- Blister treatment kit (moleskin, blister bandages)
- Oral rehydration salts (Pedialyte powder packets) — critical for diarrhea/dehydration in children
- Thermometer (digital, 2)
- Blood pressure cuff (if any family member has hypertension)
- First aid manual (The Wilderness First Aid Handbook or American Red Cross guide — printed)
Category 4: Power and Light
| ✓ | Item | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ ☐ | Headlamp — 1 per person (Petzl Tactikka or Black Diamond Spot) | Hands-free lighting, AAA batteries | $25–$45 each |
| ★ ☐ | Spare AAA batteries (2 sets per headlamp) | Check every 6 months | $8–$12 |
| ★ ☐ | Power bank, 10,000–20,000 mAh (Anker PowerCore) | 2–3 phone charges per bank, 1 per adult bag | $25–$45 |
| ☐ | LED lantern (Black Diamond Moji or similar) | Area lighting for camp/shelter; 1 per household | $25–$50 |
| ☐ | Emergency candles (long-burn, 100+ hour) | Last-resort lighting, never leave unattended | $10–$20 |
| ☐ | Solar charger panel (Anker 21W foldable) | Recharges power banks from sunlight | $50–$70 |
| ☐ | Portable power station (Jackery 300 or EcoFlow River 2) | Run small appliances 1–2 days | $250–$500 |
| ☐ | Generator (dual-fuel, 3,500–5,500W) — WEN or Champion | For extended outages; store properly, never run inside | $400–$800 |
| ☐ | 5 gallons of stored fuel (treated with Sta-Bil) | Generator fuel; rotate every 6–12 months | $20–$25 |
Category 5: Communication
| ✓ | Item | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ ☐ | NOAA weather radio, hand-crank + battery (RunningSnail MD-090P) | Emergency broadcasts without cell/internet | $25–$35 |
| ★ ☐ | Emergency contact list — printed, laminated (one per bag) | Works when phones are dead | $2–$5 |
| ☐ | Walkie-talkies FRS/GMRS (Midland T71VP3, pair) | 2-mile range, works when cell fails | $55–$80/pair |
| ☐ | Whistle (Fox 40 Classic) — 1 per person | Signaling, audible 100+ meters | $5–$8 each |
| ☐ | Local area paper maps (county + state) | Navigation when GPS is unavailable | $5–$10 |
Category 6: Shelter and Warmth
| ✓ | Item | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ ☐ | Emergency mylar blanket — 1 per person (SOL or Grabber) | Reflects 90% body heat, 2 oz, compact | $3–$8 each |
| ★ ☐ | Emergency bivy (SOL Emergency Bivvy) — 1 per adult bag | Full body coverage, reusable, 3.8 oz | $20–$30 |
| ☐ | Lightweight tarp (8×10 ft silnylon) — for bug-out bag | Shelter from rain | $30–$50 |
| ☐ | Paracord 550 (50 ft) — in each adult bag | Shelter rigging, repairs, lashing | $7–$10 |
| ☐ | Wool blankets — 1 per person (home supply) | Wool retains warmth when wet | $30–$80 each |
| ☐ | Change of clothing per person in go bag | Season-appropriate, moisture-wicking base layer | $20–$40 |
| ☐ | Work gloves (per adult) | Debris clearing, fire building | $8–$15 |
Category 7: Fire Starting and Tools
| ✓ | Item | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ ☐ | BIC lighter — 2 per adult bag | Primary fire source, 0.7 oz each | $3–$5 |
| ☐ | Ferro rod (Bayite 4″) — 1 per adult bag | Backup fire starter in wet conditions | $8–$15 |
| ☐ | UCO Stormproof matches (box) | Third fire source | $5–$8 |
| ★ ☐ | Multi-tool (Leatherman Wave+ or Wingman) | 18 tools in one; see multi-tool guide | $40–$100 |
| ★ ☐ | Fixed blade knife (Mora Companion or ESEE-3) | Cutting, food prep, camp tasks | $15–$100 |
| ☐ | Duct tape (mini roll) — 1 per bag | Repair, shelter, medical improvisation | $3–$5 |
| ☐ | Gas shutoff wrench (taped to gas meter) | Utility shutoff in emergency | $10–$15 |
Category 8: Documents and Financial
| ✓ | Item | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ ☐ | Emergency binder (waterproof) — IDs, insurance, medical, contacts | See comprehensive guide for full contents list | $15–$25 (binder + sleeves) |
| ★ ☐ | Cash — $300–$500 at home in small bills ($1, $5, $20) | ATMs and card readers fail during outages | — |
| ★ ☐ | Cash — $100–$200 per adult go bag | Fuel, hotels, supplies during evacuation | — |
| ☐ | Laminated emergency contact card — 1 per bag and backpack | Meeting spots, out-of-state contact, ICE numbers | $1–$3 to laminate |
| ☐ | Digital backup — all documents uploaded to encrypted cloud folder | Google Drive with 2FA | Free |
Category 9: Sanitation and Hygiene
| ✓ | Item | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ ☐ | Hand sanitizer (80% alcohol) — 1 bottle per bag | Disease control when no water available | $3–$5 |
| ☐ | Wet wipes (travel pack) — per bag | Personal hygiene without running water | $3–$5 |
| ☐ | N95 masks — 5 per person (home supply) | Wildfire smoke, airborne hazards | $10–$15 (10-pack) |
| ☐ | Toilet paper — 30+ rolls stored (vacuum-packed saves space) | Disappears from stores in 24 hours during emergencies | $20–$35 |
| ☐ | Portable toilet (bucket + seat + waste bags) | For when municipal sewage fails | $25–$60 |
| ☐ | Biodegradable soap (small bottle) | Multi-use: hand washing, dishes, body | $5–$8 |
| ☐ | Bleach (unscented, 8.25% sodium hypochlorite) — home supply | Water disinfection (8 drops/gallon) + surface disinfection | $5–$8 |
Category 10: Family-Specific Additions
Infants and Toddlers
- Formula (3-day supply in go bag, 7-day at home) — rotate stock regularly
- Diapers (5–7 per day × 3–7 days) — takes significant space, plan for it
- Baby wipes (multiple packs)
- Diaper cream and basic infant medical supplies
- Familiar comfort item (small stuffed animal) — reduces distress significantly
School-Age Children
- Their own go bag (5–8 lbs), personally packed — see teaching kids prep guide
- Activity kit for extended waiting (small deck of cards, travel game, coloring book)
- Emergency contact card in every backpack they carry
- Prescription medications if applicable
Elderly Family Members
- Complete medication list with refill contacts
- Mobility assistance items (extra cane, walker that fits in vehicle)
- Medical equipment backup power (CPAP: verify battery backup option; hearing aids: spare batteries)
- Larger-print emergency contact card
- County emergency registry enrollment (for evacuation assistance)
Pets
- 3-day food supply per animal in a separate bag
- Collapsible food/water bowls
- Carrier or leash near the door (not in a storage area)
- Vaccination records copy in emergency binder
- List of pet-friendly hotels on your primary evacuation route
- Any medications + refill contacts
1. Sawyer Squeeze water filter ($35) — covers water for every scenario
2. Petzl Tactikka headlamp × 4 ($25 each) — one per person, no sharing
3. NOAA hand-crank weather radio ($28) — gets you official information when everything else fails
These three items, under $150 total, cover the three most critical gaps in most unprepared households.
Total Cost Summary by Tier
| Tier | What it covers | Estimated total cost (family of 4, from scratch) |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 — 72-hour go bags | Water, food, first aid, light, documents, shelter essentials | $300–$500 |
| Tier 2 — 7-day home supply | Extended water storage, full food supply, communication, power | $400–$700 additional |
| Tier 3 — 30-day deep pantry | Extended food storage, generator option, full medical kit | $300–$800 additional |
| Complete setup (all tiers) | Full 30-day household readiness | $1,000–$2,000 total |
Most families spread this across 6–12 months. The highest-value first investment is always Tier 1 go bags — this covers the most dangerous scenarios (fire, forced evacuation) at the lowest cost.
Common Mistakes When Building Your Emergency Supplies
- Stocking food you don’t normally eat. Stress and disruption are not the time to introduce unfamiliar foods, especially to children. Build your emergency food supply from foods your family already eats and enjoys. Comfort matters for morale.
- Ignoring expiration dates. Bottled water expires (container degradation), canned food expires, batteries lose charge, medications lose potency. A supply that’s never rotated becomes a supply that fails when you need it. Calendar reminders for biannual rotation are the solution.
- Storing everything in one location. If your emergency supplies are in the basement and a fire starts in the basement, your supplies are inaccessible. Keep go bags near the main exit, split supplies between multiple locations in the home, and maintain a car kit separately.
- Prioritizing exotic gear over basics. Many preppers spend $200 on a tactical water purification system before they have 3 days of stored food. Cover the basics completely before adding specialty items. The Maslow hierarchy of emergency prep: water → food → shelter/warmth → medical → communication → tools.
- Never testing your gear. The camp stove you’ve never lit, the water filter you’ve never used, the generator you haven’t started in 2 years — these are unknowns. Test every piece of gear before you need it. A generator that won’t start after 18 months is not emergency equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water should a family of 4 store for 7 days?
28 gallons minimum (1 gallon/person/day × 4 people × 7 days). This covers drinking and basic hygiene but not showers or laundry. In hot weather, exertion, or illness, increase to 2 gallons/person/day — meaning 56 gallons for 7 days. Store in dedicated food-grade containers and replace every 6 months. A water filter alongside your stored water extends your effective supply indefinitely from any freshwater source.
What’s the most important item missing from most home emergency kits?
A hand-crank NOAA weather radio — it’s under $30 and provides official emergency information when cell towers, internet, and power are all down. Most families have flashlights and bottled water but no way to receive official guidance about whether to stay or go, when an event is over, or where to access resources. The NOAA radio fills that gap immediately and cheaply.
How do I store emergency food without a dedicated pantry?
Under-bed storage bins (Iris 6-quart stackable) fit beneath most platform beds and hold significant shelf-stable food. A hall closet shelf holds 7 days of canned food for a family of 4 in about 6 cubic feet. Rotate food in and out by keeping it accessible alongside your regular pantry and using oldest items first. The goal is integration with your existing household, not a separate bunker.
Do I need a generator?
Not to start, and maybe never. A generator significantly improves comfort during extended outages (running the fridge, a few lights, phone charging) but adds complexity: fuel storage, maintenance, carbon monoxide risk, and $400–$800 cost. Start with a portable power station ($250–$500) plus solar panel for critical charging needs. Add a generator if you have medical equipment that requires 120V power, or if you’ve experienced outages longer than 5 days in your area.
How do I get my family on board with building emergency supplies?
Frame it around specific scenarios they already find concerning — not abstract preparedness. “What would we do if there were a fire tonight?” or “Last year when we lost power for 4 days, what would have made that easier?” are more motivating than “we need an emergency kit.” Start with one concrete action per person (one person buys water, one buys flashlights, one checks the first aid kit) — divided, it’s a 20-minute errand, not a project.
Bottom Line
A fully equipped family of 4 at the 7-day home supply level costs $700–$1,200 built from scratch, spread across 6–8 months. Most families already have 25–40% of this list and don’t realize it. Start by auditing what you have against the ★ priority items in each category — the gaps are almost always the same: water storage, a dedicated water filter, a hand-crank radio, go bags that are actually packed and accessible, and an emergency binder with documents. Close those five gaps first. Everything else in this checklist builds on that foundation. For the emergency plan that organizes how your family uses all of this equipment, see our complete family emergency plan guide. For go-bag specifics by item and weight, see our survival kit packing guide.
