Verified and updated: November 12, 2026, 5:24 a.m. UTC.
Canada’s federal emergency kit checklist recommends preparing for at least three days without normal services, whether you need to shelter at home or evacuate. Start with two litres of water per person per day, non-perishable food, a manual can opener, light, a radio, first aid supplies, and a way to charge a phone. Add medications and supplies for children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pets. The current guidance supports this practical checklist; no separate new emergency event is needed to make these preparations useful.
Destaques
Think in practical groups: water and food, light and information, health and hygiene, documents and communication, and clothing and comfort. Canada’s official emergency kit checklist advises households to tailor supplies to their members and pets, keep the kit accessible, and add supplies if possible in case an emergency lasts longer than three days.
Store at least two litres of water per person per day. That is six litres per person for 72 hours, for drinking and basic needs. Health Canada notes that additional water may be needed for cooking and cleaning: consider another two litres per person per day when you have the space. Include smaller bottles that are easier to carry during an evacuation. Add water for pets as well.
Choose ready-to-eat or easy-to-prepare food that does not need refrigeration, such as canned meals, energy bars, and dried foods. Account for allergies, dietary restrictions, infant feeding needs, and foods household members will actually eat. Pack a manual can opener and basic utensils. Health Canada’s food and drinking water guidance also recommends keeping emergency food and water on hand and considering water-purification supplies.
Pack a wind-up or battery-powered flashlight, extra batteries, and a wind-up or battery-powered radio. A radio can help you receive local updates if internet or mobile service is interrupted. Add a charged power bank and the cables your household uses. Keep spare batteries compatible with your devices, and store the kit where family members can find it in the dark.
Include a first aid kit with bandages, gauze, medical tape, antiseptic wound cleanser, and disposable gloves. Add prescription medications and a written list of each medication’s name, dose, and purpose. Include eyeglasses, hearing-aid batteries, mobility or medical-device supplies, and any essential assistive equipment. Pack hand sanitizer, tissues, toilet paper, garbage bags, personal hygiene and menstrual products, and face masks if useful for your household.
Keep copies of identification, insurance information, emergency contacts, and your household emergency plan in a waterproof bag. Include cash in small bills, extra house and vehicle keys, a phone charger, and a local map. Pack a change of clothing and sturdy footwear for each person, plus a warm blanket or sleeping bag. In colder months, add hats, gloves, warm socks, and hand warmers. A whistle, basic tools, and a small supply of duct tape can also be useful.
A basic checklist is a starting point, not a one-size-fits-all loadout. Add infant formula, baby food, diapers, and wipes when needed. For pets, pack food, water, medications, a leash or carrier, and copies of vaccination or identification records. People in remote communities may need extra supplies because resupply or assistance can take longer. Consider local risks such as flooding, wildfire, severe winter weather, or extended power outages, and follow local, provincial, or territorial instructions.
It can be easier to divide supplies between a home kit and smaller grab-and-go bags. Keep bulky water and food where they are accessible, and place essential personal items in bags people can carry. Make sure everyone knows where the supplies are and who is responsible for taking them if you evacuate. If you use a fuel-operated stove, follow its instructions and never operate it inside a home, tent, or other enclosed space because of carbon monoxide and fire hazards.
Review the kit twice a year, such as when clocks change in spring and fall. Replace expired food, water, batteries, and medications; replenish anything used; and update contact lists, documents, and clothing as children grow or household needs change. Canada’s checklist also suggests organizing items in clear bags or containers so they are easier to locate. Keep the kit near an exit or another accessible place, protected from moisture and temperature extremes where possible.
The most useful kit is one you can find, carry, and use. Begin with the essentials you already own, then fill gaps over time. Use the official federal checklist as a reference and check local emergency-management advice for hazards and instructions specific to your area.
Store at least six litres per person for three days, based on two litres daily. Add more for cooking, cleaning, and pets when possible.
No. Use a backpack, duffel, or wheeled bag that suits your household and is easy to access. Separate grab-and-go bags can help make supplies easier to carry.
Check them twice a year. Replace expired items, restock anything used, and update supplies for the season and your household’s changing needs.
Microsoft confirmed Outlook and Exchange Online disruptions on Nov. 12, 2026. Here's how Canadians can check service status and manage email delays.
Microsoft’s status page reports services operational. Check Outlook status, identify an outage, and troubleshoot email access with these practical steps for Canadians.
Canada–U.S. trade talks remain unresolved. Here’s what Jamieson Greer, tariffs and the CUSMA review mean for Canadian workers, businesses and consumers.
A Canada-wide recall includes select Blue Moon beer over possible metal fragments. Check the package size, UPC and lot code, then stop using affected cans.
Why is Land Rover challenging the BYD Ti 7? A Dutch court lifted seized evidence on Nov. 11, but the Defender design dispute remains unresolved.
Ghana and Somalia are in Group C of AFCON 2027 qualifying. Here’s how the six-match group stage, points, tiebreakers, and qualification places work.
How do El Niño and the polar vortex affect UK winter weather? The Met Office explains November’s cold shift, snow risks and what remains uncertain.
The M5 near Taunton has overnight closures and a 50 mph, two-lane restriction. Check official updates and diversion details before setting off.
Understand UK winter weather warning colours, likely travel and home impacts, and practical steps to prepare for snow, ice, and severe cold.
Türkiye hosts Belgium on Nov. 12, 2026, at 8 p.m. in İzmir (noon EST). Check the UEFA Nations League kickoff and U.S. viewing options on FS1 and ViX.
