Assumptions
The amounts on your list come from these assumptions. They are guideline estimates, not medical, financial or veterinary advice.
Last reviewed November 2026.
| Assumption | Current value | Source or confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Water per person per day | 1 gal | Ready.gov and CDC |
| Heat multiplier | ×2 for people in extreme heat (pet water is not doubled) | Ready.gov says hot temperatures can double needs |
| Dog water | 0.5 gal per dog per day | Estimate for a medium to large dog; small dogs need less |
| Cat water | 0.1 gal per cat per day (about 13 oz) | Estimate for an adult cat |
| Water for flushing (well homes) | 0.5 gal per person per day | Estimate; one toilet flush uses about 1.6 gal, so store more if you have room |
| Meals | 3 per person per day (babies excluded) | Estimate |
| Calories per day | 2,000 adults, 1,800 older adults (65+), 1,600 kids (3 to 17), 1,000 toddlers (1 to 2); babies excluded | Estimate; teenagers often need more than 1,600, so add extra food for them |
| Toilet paper | 1 roll per person per 4 days | Estimate |
| Baby diapers | 10 per baby per day | Estimate; newborns use more, older babies fewer |
| Toddler diapers | 6 per toddler per day | Estimate; lower if potty training |
| Formula | 8 single-serve ready-to-feed bottles per baby per day, one per feeding | CDC says to store ready-to-feed formula in single-serving containers; 8 feedings a day is an estimate, and newborns may feed more often |
| Disposable bottles | 4 per baby, whatever the plan length | Estimate; CDC says to reuse bottles and nipples only if you can wash them with safe water and soap |
| Toddler milk | 3 × 8 oz boxes (24 oz) per toddler per day | Top of the AAP 16–24 oz a day guideline for ages 1–2 |
| Toddler snacks | 3 per toddler per day, on top of meals | Top of the usual 2–3 snacks a day for ages 1–2; estimate |
| Per-person gear | Flashlights, whistles, goggles and go-bag backpacks: ages 3 and up. Helmets, rain boots, bedside shoes and go-bag food: ages 1 and up | Estimate; babies and toddlers cannot use or carry these |
| Masks | Ages 3 and up only; 3 N95s each for wildfire, 1 dust mask each otherwise | CDC says children under 2 should not wear masks; the counts are estimates |
| Electrolyte drink mix | 1 packet per person per day in extreme heat (babies excluded) | Estimate |
| Hand warmers | 1 per person per day in cold weather | Estimate |
| Go-bag supplies | 3 days, whatever plan length you pick | Red Cross suggests a 3-day supply for evacuation (older guidance) |
| Car snack bars | 3 per person, at least 6 | Estimate |
| Pet food | Plan length + 2 days | Estimate; the extra days cover pets eating more or food going bad |
| Prescription minimum | 7 days | Red Cross (older guidance); ask your pharmacist whether you can keep a longer supply |
Check your kit every 6 months
Replace water you bottled yourself every 6 months; store-bought bottled water keeps until its expiration date. At the same time, check food, medicine, batteries and baby supplies for expiration dates. Update your list when your household changes.