Home emergency supplies: what to keep for 2 weeks
What to keep at home to get through two weeks of power cuts, snowstorms, lockdowns or water outages without worry. A complete checklist, by category.
In short
- The go bag is for leaving; home supplies are for when you're stuck at home for days.
- Target: 14 days of water (4 liters per person per day), food, medicines, light and warmth.
- Keep everything together, in a cupboard or labeled boxes, not scattered around the house.
- Never store fuel in a flat and never use generators or grills indoors.
Most emergencies don’t force you to leave home; they keep you in it: a long power cut, a snowstorm that blocks the roads, a lengthy water or gas outage, a lockdown. For these, the 72-hour go bag isn’t enough. You need home supplies for one to two weeks.
Several European governments now talk about a week of self-sufficiency, and Sweden and Finland have long recommended it. We suggest 14 days: the extra cost is small and the peace of mind is much bigger.
Water
- 4 liters per person per day × 14 days (56 liters per person)
- Extra water for pets
- A large container or jerrycan for non-drinking water (washing, toilet)
- Purification tablets or a water filter
If you hear in advance that the water will be cut, fill the bathtub and a few large pots: bathtub water is fine for flushing and washing. Details in the water guide.
Food
- Canned meat, fish, vegetables, beans, chickpeas, lentils
- Pasta, rice, oats, grains
- Crackers, crispbread, biscuits
- Peanut butter, honey, jam
- Dried fruit, nuts, seeds
- Long-life (UHT) or powdered milk, instant soups
- Oil, salt, sugar, spices
- Chocolate, coffee, tea: something to lift morale
Work out quantities with the supply calculator and see the non-perishable food list.
Cooking without power
- Camping stove with gas canisters (outdoors or on an open balcony only)
- Spare canisters
- Matches and lighters
- Manual can opener
- Disposable plates, cups and cutlery (saves washing-up water)
Read the safety rules in cooking without power before using anything with a flame.
Light and power
- A flashlight for each person, plus a spare
- LED lanterns for rooms (safer than candles)
- Spare batteries for everything that uses them
- One or two power banks
- Optional: a portable power station and a solar panel
Warmth (for winter)
- Thick blankets and sleeping bags
- Thermal layers, hats, thick socks
- Foil blankets and tape to insulate a room
- Hot water bottles
See how to heat your home safely without power.
Hygiene and health
- Daily medicines for at least 14 days
- Complete first aid kit
- Soap, hand sanitizer, wet wipes
- Toilet paper, sanitary products, diapers
- Heavy garbage bags and a bucket with a lid (emergency toilet if the water stops)
- Unscented bleach or surface disinfectant
Information and communication
- Battery or wind-up radio
- Phone numbers on paper
- The family plan, printed and stuck on the fridge
Tools and other items
- Fire extinguisher (at least 2 kg dry powder) and a fire blanket
- The key or wrench for your main gas and water shut-offs (and know where they are!)
- Basic toolkit, duct tape, plastic sheeting
- Cash for 1 to 2 weeks of essential shopping
How to organize your supplies
Keep everything in one place, in plastic boxes labeled by category: “water”, “food”, “light”, “hygiene”. Tape a list of contents to each box with the nearest expiry date. At your spring and autumn clean, check the dates and eat anything that expires in the next few months.
What not to do
Don’t store gasoline or diesel in your apartment or building storage room. Never use a generator, charcoal grill or camping stove indoors: carbon monoxide has no smell and can kill within minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I keep supplies in a small apartment?
Under the bed in flat plastic boxes, on the top shelf of wardrobes, in a corner of the hallway under a small table with a cloth over it. Water packs can be stacked in a closet. Avoid an uninsulated balcony: it freezes in winter and bakes in summer.
How much does a two-week supply cost?
If you build it gradually from food you eat anyway, the real cost is close to zero: you pay once for the initial stock, then just replace what you use. For a family of four, the initial food and water stock can be built over two or three months of slightly bigger shops.
Should I stock things to barter?
In short crises, money remains the main way to pay. A few extra easy-to-give items (coffee, sugar, batteries, soap, toilet paper) are useful mainly for helping neighbors. Don't treat them as an investment.
Sources and further reading
Preper is for general education and does not replace instructions from your local authorities or advice from a doctor. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.