How many days of emergency supplies does Canada recommend?

Short answer. Public Safety Canada asks every household to be ready to look after itself for at least 72 hours (3 days), with a basic kit, copies of important documents and grab-and-go bags ¹². Two official pages give different water figures: the 2026 checklist says 2 litres per person per day ², the older kit page about 4 litres ¹.

How long should a Canadian household be self-sufficient?

The federal benchmark is at least 72 hours. The official checklist asks you to "think about items they would need to stay safe and comfortable for at least 3 days (72 hours)" ². Seventy-two hours is a minimum, not a ceiling.

Some items on the kits page are meant to last longer than three days. It suggests keeping enough cash in smaller bills and coins for basic needs for a few weeks, and a couple of weeks of prescription medications and medical equipment ¹.

How much water per person per day?

The two Canada.ca pages do not agree, so it helps to know both:

The checklist is the more recent page. It also lists additional stored water for cooking and cleaning on top of the drinking water ². For three days, 2 litres a day means 6 litres per person; 4 litres a day means 12 litres per person. Storing toward the higher figure covers both pages. Our guide on water per person compares this with other countries' figures.

What food should you store?

Non-perishable food for 72 hours: canned food, energy bars and dried foods, plus a manual can opener. The checklist asks you to replace food once a year ². For rotation and shelf life by food type, see how long emergency food lasts.

What else belongs in the basic kit?

The checklist's core items are ²:

• a wind-up or battery-powered flashlight and radio, with extra batteries and battery packs;
• a first aid kit;
• extra keys for the car and house;
• a mobile phone charger and power bank;
• tissue paper, toilet paper and paper towels;
• copies (physical and digital) of identification, your emergency plan, a medication list, insurance, banking records and next-of-kin contacts;
• items that depend on your household: toiletries, menstrual supplies, pet supplies, infant formula and baby food, eyeglasses, sunscreen and bug spray.

The checklist then lists additional supplies such as N95 or surgical masks, water purifying tablets, basic tools, a small fuel-operated stove (never used indoors), duct tape and plastic sheeting ². It also recommends a grab-and-go bag, considering one per household member ². The full line-by-line list is on our Canada kit page.

Who needs extra planning?

The official list already names infant formula, baby food, prescription medications, medical equipment and pet supplies ¹². If someone in your home depends on medication or a device, read preparedness for children, seniors and people on medication and preparing your pet.

Frequently asked questions

Is 72 hours enough in Canada?

It is the official minimum, phrased as "at least 3 days (72 hours)" ². The kits page suggests longer reserves for cash (a few weeks) and prescription medications (a couple of weeks) ¹.

Should I follow 2 litres or 4 litres of water a day?

Both figures come from Canada.ca. The checklist (modified 2026-04-30) says 2 litres per person per day plus extra water for cooking and cleaning ²; the kits page (modified 2025-09-12) says about 4 litres ¹. Planning for 4 litres satisfies both.

How often should I refresh the kit?

The checklist says to replace non-perishable food once a year ². Checking batteries, medications and documents at the same time keeps the whole kit current.

Do I need a separate bag to leave home?

Public Safety Canada recommends grab-and-go bags, with a change of clothing and footwear, a sleeping bag or warm blanket, local maps and a multi-tool, and suggests considering one bag per household member ².

Sources

1. Public Safety Canada (Canada.ca) — Emergency kits — https://www.canada.ca/en/services/policing/emergencies/preparedness/get-prepared/emergency-kits.html (accessed 2026-10-20)
2. Public Safety Canada (Canada.ca) — Emergency kit checklist — https://www.canada.ca/en/services/policing/emergencies/preparedness/get-prepared/emergency-kits/get-kit.html (accessed 2026-10-20)