A 72-hour emergency food checklist

Write down who you are feeding

The British Red Cross includes three days of bottled water and long-life, ready-to-eat food in its emergency-kit guidance. Use this checklist as a starting point, then account for your household’s needs and local advice.

Check the cupboard first

List three breakfasts, three lunches and three evening meals for each person. Include snacks where appropriate. Choose combinations people normally eat rather than relying on one unfamiliar product.

• Food that can be eaten without cooking, where the label permits.
• Drinking water, plus water needed to prepare food.
• A manual opener, spoons, cups and waste bags.
• Suitable food for allergies and other dietary requirements.
• Separate supplies for babies and pets, following their usual needs.

Test one day of the plan

Lay out one day’s food and check the portions. Can you open every item? Does a meal require boiling water? Would an opened container need refrigeration? Smaller packs can be easier to finish when there is no working fridge.

Keep it ready to use

Store the reserve where it is accessible and within the conditions printed on the labels. Record expiry dates and replace what you use. Review it when the household changes, not only when a warning appears.