Family Survival Kits

What should a family emergency kit include?

A good family emergency kit starts with the basics: food, water, first aid, shelter and warmth, lighting, communication, and hygiene.

Different kits cover those needs in different ways. Some provide broader 72-hour coverage, while others emphasize a particular situation such as evacuation, severe weather, or a power outage.

The goal isn't the biggest piece count. It's having useful supplies gathered before you need them and knowing what your particular household still needs to add.

How much water does a family of four need?

Water is the honest exception, and it's worth being plain about.

A commonly recommended starting point is one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation. For a family of four over three days, that's twelve gallons, weighing roughly 100 pounds.

No emergency backpack realistically carries all of that.

Our kits may include starter drinking water, water treatment, filters, or containers depending on the kit. Check the individual product page to see exactly what's included.

Store additional water at home alongside your emergency supplies whenever possible. That part is yours.

What size emergency kit does a family of four need?

Start with household size, but don't count only adults. Think about everyone who depends on the plan and what they'll need if you're home without normal services or have to leave.

For a household of four, a 4-person kit is the natural starting point. If your household sits between sizes, consider the larger kit while keeping in mind the total weight and who will need to carry it if you evacuate.

Then add the personal things no pre-packed kit can provide: medications, documents, glasses, comfort items, and anything else unique to your family.

What about children, seniors, and pets?

Children, older adults, and pets can have needs that aren't covered by a standard family emergency kit.

Our store includes dedicated children's kits, options we've selected with older households in mind, and emergency kits for cats and dogs. These can be paired with a family kit when your household needs additional coverage.

A family with young children may need comfort items and child-sized supplies. An older adult may need medications, mobility considerations, hearing or vision supplies, or backup power for medical equipment. Pets need their own food, water, identification, sanitation, and transportation plan.

The number of people helps you choose the kit. The people themselves determine what you add to it.

What to add yourself

No pre-packed kit covers everything. Ours included.

• Prescription medications and a refill plan.
• Copies of important identification, insurance information, and emergency contacts, protected from water.
• Additional water stored at home.
• Comfort items for children, such as a favorite small toy, book, or blanket.
• Spare glasses, hearing aid supplies, mobility items, or backup power for anyone who relies on them.
• Pet medications, records, identification, and transportation supplies if animals are part of your household.

Our Emergency Preparedness Guidebook walks you through the rest of your family plan.