Emergency supplies calculator (Canada): what your household needs for 3 days
Public Safety Canada recommends an emergency kit that lets your household cope for at least 72 hours. Plan about 4 litres of water per person per day, non-perishable food, a manual can opener, a flashlight and radio (or manually powered versions), a first aid kit and about two weeks of prescription medication if possible. It also suggests a corded phone and cash for basic needs, without giving an amount.
Your household
List sized for 3 days. Household: Adults: 1.
At a glance
- Water
- 12 L
- Food energy
- 6,600 kcal
- Estimated cost
- $192 – $305
- $102 per person per day
Prices are estimates and may differ in your local shop.
- Calorie figures are an estimate, based on German federal guidance.
Your supply list
Water
- Bottled water, 6 × 1.5 L2 × 9 L$7.50 per pack$15.00
Food
Food basket suggested by us, based on the list from Public Safety Canada.
- Baked beans in tomato sauce, 398 mL2 × 398 ml≈ 36 months$1.75 per pack$3.50
- Canned tuna in water, 170 g3 × 170 g≈ 36 months$2.50 per pack$7.50
- Peanut butter, 500 g1 × 500 g≈ 18 months$5.00 per pack$5.00
- Whole wheat crackers, 250 g1 × 250 g≈ 12 months$4.00 per pack$4.00
- Rolled oats, 1 kg1 × 1,000 g≈ 18 months$5.50 per pack$5.50
- Granola bars, box of 6 × 35 g1 × 6 pcs≈ 12 months$5.50 per pack$5.50
- Raisins, 375 g1 × 375 g≈ 12 months$5.50 per pack$5.50
- Mixed nuts, 300 g1 × 300 g≈ 12 months$8.00 per pack$8.00
- UHT milk 2%, 1 L2 × 1,000 ml≈ 6 months$3.50 per pack$7.00
Medical & hygiene
- First aid kit1 × 1 pcs$22.00 per pack$22.00
- Pain relievers (acetaminophen), 20 tablets1 × 20 pcs$6.00 per pack$6.00
- Heavy-duty garbage bags, 20 pieces1 × 20 pcs$3.75 per pack$3.75
- Wet wipes, 80 pieces1 × 80 pcs$3.00 per pack$3.00
- Toilet paper (1 roll, from a multipack)2 × 1 pcs$0.60 per pack$1.20
Power and light
- LED flashlight (crank or battery)1 × 1 pcs$15.00 per pack$15.00
- Power bank, 10,000 mAh1 × 1 pcs$28.00 per pack$28.00
- Candles, 12 pieces1 × 12 pcs$7.00 per pack$7.00
- Matches / lighter1 × 1 pcs$2.25 per pack$2.25
- Manual can opener1 × 1 pcs$8.00 per pack$8.00
- Camping stove (propane)1 × 1 pcs$52.00 per pack$52.00
- AA batteries, pack of 41 × 4 pcs$6.75 per pack$6.75
- Propane cartridge, 230 g1 × 1 pcs$9.00 per pack$9.00
Communication
- Crank or battery radio1 × 1 pcs$40.00 per pack$40.00
- Corded landline phone (works in power cuts)1 × 1 pcs$25.00 per pack$25.00
Documents and cash
- Waterproof document pouch1 × 1 pcs$10.00 per pack$10.00
- Cash in small notes and coins
Cost by category
Some links are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Where these numbers come from: Public Safety Canada
Sources
Last checked: November 5, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much water should I store?
Your authorities' figure is shown above. Most authorities recommend around 2 to 4 litres per person per day, covering drinking and basic hygiene. Children, pregnant women and people in hot weather may need more.
How long should my supplies last?
The number of days differs from country to country, so we show the figure from your national authority. Even a few days of supplies make you far more resilient than none at all.
Do I need to buy everything at once?
No. Start with water, food and any medication you rely on, then add the rest over time. Check what you already have at home and rotate food before it expires.