Family-of-four emergency checklist
Two adults plus two kids, up to 14 days. Quantities scaled, kid-specific items called out, and the family communication plan worksheet included. Finish the 72-hour checklist first, then work through this one over a few months.
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Water (2 weeks)
- 56 gallons stored (1 gal × 4 people × 14 days)
- One 55-gallon barrel (homeowners) or 8 × Aqua-Tainer 7-gallon jugs (apartments)
- Pump or spigot (required for barrels)
- Gravity filter (Berkey-style) for when storage runs low
- Personal water filter per person (go-bag)
Food (2 weeks)
- Week 1: shelf-stable "groceries" (canned soup, chili, tuna, peanut butter, crackers, oats)
- Week 2: freeze-dried or mountain-house-style meals to fill the gap
- 4 boxes shelf-stable milk
- Kid-friendly: peanut butter, cereal, fruit cups, granola bars, hot chocolate
- Comfort food: coffee, tea, cookies, candy — morale matters with kids
- Dietary needs: gluten-free, lactose-free, or allergy-safe swaps if required
- Single-burner butane stove + 4 canisters
Power & light
- Headlamp per person (4 total) + 2 backup
- Puck LED lights (10+) — one per room, kid-height
- Tier 2 or Tier 3 portable power station (see picks)
- 200 W foldable solar panel
- AA and AAA batteries (family size)
First aid & meds (per person)
- Family first-aid kit (200+ pieces)
- Children's acetaminophen + ibuprofen (liquid)
- Adult acetaminophen + ibuprofen
- Benadryl (adult + children's)
- Loperamide + oral rehydration salts
- Thermometer (digital, non-mercury)
- Prescription meds: 14 days extra for every family member
- Printed dosage-by-weight chart for children's meds
- Printed list: each family member's meds, allergies, doctors, insurance info
Kid-specific
- Diapers & wipes (if applicable — at least 2 weeks)
- Baby formula or food pouches if applicable
- Comfort toy or stuffed animal per child
- Printed activity books + crayons (no battery needed)
- Glow sticks — calm light for kids who are scared of dark
- Spare contacts/glasses if applicable
Pets
- 2 weeks of pet food in airtight container
- Extra water (dogs: ~1 oz per lb body weight per day)
- Leash, carrier, pet ID tags, recent photo
- Copies of vaccination records for boarding/evacuation
Communication
- Hand-crank NOAA weather radio
- Pair of FRS walkie-talkies (parents / older kids)
- Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled on all phones
- Family check-in plan filled out (below)
Family communication plan
Fill this in, print it, tape a copy inside each kid's backpack.
- If home isn't safe, meet at: ____________________________________
- If the neighborhood isn't safe, meet at: ____________________________________
- Out-of-state contact (name & phone): ____________________________________
- Text first, call second. Texts often go through when calls don't.
- Closest hospital: ____________________________________
Twice-a-year check
Sync with daylight saving time. 15 minutes twice a year keeps everything current:
- Rotate stored water
- Check expiration dates on meds and food
- Top up batteries, recharge power station
- Test smoke/CO alarms
- Update printed contact info and dosages if anything changed