🇨🇦 Canada

What your government recommends

Be ready for 72 hours^[2][1][3]

“Think about items they would need to stay safe and comfortable for at least 3 days (72 hours) whether you need to evacuate or shelter in place.”

Water: 2 litres per person per day^[2][3]

Food: Non-perishable food that won't spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods, plus a manual can opener. Replace emergency food once a year or as indicated by the date on the label.^[2][3]

Recommended items

• ✓Stored or bottled water (2 litres per person per day)^[2]
• ✓Non-perishable food, e.g. canned food, energy bars, dried foods (replace once a year)^[2]
• ✓Manual can opener^[2]
• ✓Wind-up or battery-powered flashlight^[2]
• ✓Wind-up or battery-powered radio^[2]
• ✓Extra batteries and battery packs^[2]
• ✓First aid kit (adhesive bandages, tape, gauze, antiseptic wound cleanser, disposable gloves)^[2]
• ✓Extra keys for your car and house^[2]
• ✓Cash in smaller bills and coins^[2]
• ✓Mobile phone charger and power bank^[2]
• ✓Tissue paper, toilet paper and paper towels^[2]
• ✓Identification and important documents for each person (birth and marriage certificates, passports, citizenship papers, insurance, banking information)^[2]
• ✓Copy of your emergency plan with contact information, including next of kin^[2]
• ✓List of all medications, their dosage and purpose^[2]
• ✓Prescription medications and medical equipment^[2]
• ✓Toiletries and personal hygiene items, including menstrual supplies^[2]
• ✓Infant formula, baby food and wipes^[2]
• ✓Eyeglasses and contact lens solution^[2]
• ✓Pet supplies, including food, water and medication^[2]
• ✓N95 masks or surgical masks^[2]
• ✓Water purifying tablets or extra stored water for cooking and cleaning^[2]
• ✓Basic tools (hammer, screwdrivers, gloves, pocket knife)^[2]
• ✓Hand sanitizer and garbage bags^[2]
• ✓Whistle^[2]
• ✓Pen and paper^[2]
• ✓Duct tape, scissors and plastic sheeting^[2]
• ✓Grab-and-go bag: local maps, change of clothes and footwear, sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person^[2]

Special items

• Potassium iodide (KI) pills — Unless you live near a nuclear power plant, there is no need to include KI in your emergency kit. Only take KI pills if directly instructed to do so by public health authorities; they are only helpful in specific situations and timeframes and can be harmful if used incorrectly.^[5]
• Plastic sheeting and tape — For radiological emergencies: recommended in addition to a typical kit, to create an airtight seal around windows and doors.^[5]

Official videos

Good to know

• • Canada's guidance is all-hazards (wildfires, floods, storms, power outages, etc.). Your province or territory may recommend extra items; Public Safety Canada suggests checking with your local, provincial or territorial government.
• • If you can, add more supplies in case the emergency lasts longer than 72 hours. If possible, keep enough prescription medication for a couple of weeks.
• • Health Canada suggests 2 additional litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning, on top of the 2 litres in the kit.
• • Keep your kit easy to carry (backpack, duffle bag or wheeled suitcase) and check expiry dates on food, water and medications regularly.