Short answer. Public Safety Canada's kit covers at least 72 hours: water (2 litres per person per day on the 2026 checklist, about 4 litres on the older kit page), non-perishable food, a manual can opener, a wind-up or battery flashlight and radio, batteries, a first aid kit, cash, medications, copies of documents, and a grab-and-go bag 12.
What is on the basic kit list?
| Item | Quantity | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Stored or bottled water (drinking, cooking, hygiene) | 2 litres per person per day (checklist); about 4 litres per person per day (kits page) | 2 1 |
| Non-perishable food (canned food, energy bars, dried foods) | 72 hours; replace once a year | 2 |
| Manual can opener | 1 | 2 |
| Wind-up or battery-powered flashlight | 1 | 2 |
| Wind-up or battery-powered radio | 1 | 2 |
| Extra batteries and battery packs | not specified | 2 |
| First aid kit (adhesive bandages, tape, gauze, antiseptic wound cleanser, disposable gloves) | 1 | 2 |
| Extra keys for car and house | 1 set | 2 |
| Cash in smaller bills and coins | enough for basic needs for a few weeks | 1 |
| Mobile phone charger and power bank | 1 | 2 |
| Tissue paper, toilet paper and paper towels | not specified | 2 |
| Prescription medications and medical equipment | a couple of weeks | 1 |
| Identification, emergency plan, medication list, insurance, banking records, next-of-kin contacts (physical and digital copies) | 1 set | 2 |
| Toiletries, menstrual supplies, pet supplies, infant formula and baby food, eyeglasses, sunscreen and bug spray | based on household needs | 2 |
The two water figures come from two Canada.ca pages: the checklist (modified 2026-04-30) and a video transcript on the kits page (modified 2025-09-12). The checklist also lists additional stored water for cooking and cleaning 2. Details on our Canada emergency supplies page.
What additional supplies does the checklist suggest?
| Item | Quantity | Source |
|---|---|---|
| N95 or surgical masks | not specified | 2 |
| Water purifying tablets | not specified | 2 |
| Basic tools (hammer, screwdrivers, gloves, pocket knife) | not specified | 2 |
| Small fuel-operated stove and fuel (never indoors) | 1 | 2 |
| Hand sanitizer, garbage bags, whistle, candles with waterproof matches, pen and paper | not specified | 2 |
| Duct tape, scissors and plastic sheeting | not specified | 2 |
| Corded phone | consider 1 | 1 |
What goes in a grab-and-go bag?
A change of clothing and footwear, a sleeping bag or warm blanket, local maps, utensils, a multi-tool and children's activities. Public Safety Canada suggests considering one bag per household member 2.
How do you keep the kit ready?
Replace non-perishable food once a year 2. Check batteries, medications and document copies at the same time. Our guides cover what goes in a 72-hour kit, food shelf life and rotation and water per person.
Turn this list into your plan
The official list above is the reference, and you can assemble everything on it yourself. The Phaenyx plan counts each line for your household, adds the risks around your home and comes with the Phaenyx Safe app. Build your Phaenyx plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does Canada require a specific emergency kit?
Public Safety Canada recommends that every household be ready for at least 72 hours with the items above 12.
Do I need one kit per person?
The basic kit is for the household, sized to the number of people (for water, per person per day). For grab-and-go bags, Public Safety Canada suggests considering one per household member 2.
Why does the list include a corded phone?
The kits page suggests considering a corded phone 1. For the other power-related items, the checklist lists a phone charger, a power bank and extra batteries 2.
Sources
- 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)
- 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)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Canada, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Public Safety Canada (Canada.ca) · Emergency kits checked 2026-10-20
- Public Safety Canada (Canada.ca) · Emergency kit checklist checked 2026-10-20