Canada's 72-hour emergency kit: the official checklist
The Government of Canada asks every household to be ready to cope on its own for at least 72 hours, whether you shelter at home or evacuate. Store 2 litres of water per person per day, plus a manual can opener, a wind-up or battery radio and torch, and some cash in small bills.
What this means for your household
Set your household size to see the days, water and food the Canada advice adds up to.
Be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.
Drinking water for 2 people. Official figure: 2 L per person per day for drinking, cooking and hygiene.
Person-days of food to cover (2 × 3). Pick food that needs no fridge and little or no cooking.
The official basic kit
From Canada.ca's emergency kit checklist.
- Water: 2 litres per person per day
- Food that won't spoil, and a manual can opener
- A wind-up or battery flashlight and radio, with spare batteries
- A power bank for your phone
- A first aid kit
- Spare car and house keys
- Cash in small bills
- Toiletries, plus anything needed for babies, pets and prescription medicines
How Canada warns you
- Alert Ready, the National Public Alerting System, sends warnings to TV, radio and compatible phones.
- Your phone must support LTE, run current software and be connected to an LTE network to receive alerts.
- You can't opt out of Alert Ready, including test alerts.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada uses it for tornado warnings and severe thunderstorms with very strong winds or large hail. Other authorities issue alerts for other hazards.
Canada-specific steps
- Pack a car kit too: Canada.ca suggests blankets, a whistle and jumper cables among other items, which matters in winter.
- Make a household plan that works both for sheltering in place and for evacuation.
- Learn the hazards where you live and what your province or territory advises for them.
- Check your kit at least once a year and replace food and water before they expire.
Go beyond the minimum: what we recommend
Official lists cover the basics. These are the gaps we see most often when an emergency lasts longer than expected.
- Build toward 7 days of water and food, even if the official minimum is 3. Outages often last longer than planned.
- Keep paper and digital copies of IDs, insurance and prescriptions, so you can prove who you are and get medicines.
- Write the expiry date on everything and check the kit every 6 months, so it doesn't quietly go out of date.
- Plan for phone power: a charged power bank, plus a solar panel or car charger for longer outages.
- Save offline maps of your area and agree a meeting point, in case the mobile network is down.
- An offline survival guide on your phone: HAVEN tracks your kit and expiry dates and works with no signal.Download HAVEN free
Numbers to write down
- 911 · Emergency services
- Alert Ready · National alerting system
Keep a paper copy: your phone may be flat when you need it.
Your kit, ready when the network isn't
HAVEN tracks your 72-hour kit and car kit, reminds you before items expire, and keeps guides and maps on your phone for when the network is down.
- Coverage in days for your household
- Expiry reminders
- Offline guides and AI
- Free to start, no account needed
How Canada compares
Canada: 3 days. Across the 25 governments we checked, most ask for 3 days, a growing group asks for a week, and Austria asks for the most, at 10 to 14 days. See every country's advice.
Canada preparedness FAQ
How many days of supplies does Canada recommend?
At least 72 hours (3 days), whether you shelter in place or evacuate.
How much water should I store in Canada?
2 litres per person per day. For a family of four over 3 days that is 24 litres.
What should be in a car emergency kit in Canada?
Canada.ca's car kit includes items such as blankets, a whistle and jumper cables, alongside food, water and a flashlight.
Can I turn off Alert Ready emergency alerts?
No. Canadians can't opt out of Alert Ready alerts, including tests. Your phone needs LTE and current software to receive them.
How often should I check my emergency kit?
At least once a year. Replace food, water and batteries before they expire.
Official sources
- Emergency kit checklist (Canada.ca)
- Emergency car kit (Canada.ca)
- Alert Ready: emergency alerting system (Canada.ca)
- Wireless alerts (Alert Ready)
This page summarises official advice and is not a substitute for it. Always follow the instructions of your local emergency services. Last checked 2 November 2026.