Emergency preparedness: what each government advises

How many days to plan for, how much water to keep and which items to hold. Each figure is in the source's own words, with a link to the source and the date we read it.

In short

As read on 12 November 2026.

We read 28 official documents and pages: the national advice of Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, the advice of each of the 8 Australian states and territories, the European Union's baseline, and the advice of Belgium, Czechia, Germany and the Netherlands.
11 of these 19 give a number of days. 9 of them use 3 days or 72 hours as their figure. The longest that a government gives as its main figure is 10 days (Germany).
Western Australia ("some days") and the United States ("several days") give words and no number.
The Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Ireland give no number of days in the documents we read.
10 give an amount of water for each person each day, and Germany gives an amount for each week. They do not all measure the same thing: read "What the water covers" before you compare two amounts.
For drinking only, the highest amount is 3 litres for each person each day (the United Kingdom, Tasmania and the top of Ireland's range of 2 to 3).
For more than drinking (washing, hygiene or sanitation too), the highest amount is 10 litres for each person each day (the top of Belgium's range of 3 to 10).
The Northern Territory and Queensland give a total for each person, not a daily amount.
The Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia and the European Union give no amount of water.

Make it a plan

The planner works these figures out for the people and pets in your home, and you tick off what you have.

Open the planner

Days and water

One row for each official document or page. Where a government has more than one row, its pages differ or give different parts of the advice, and a tag on each row says which one the planner uses.

Days and water in each government's household advice
Source	Days	Water	What the water covers	In the source's words
Australia: Australian Capital Territory
The planner uses thisHow to make a home emergency kit (Easy English) (opens in a new tab)ACT Emergency Services AgencyRead 12 November 2026	No number of days	No amount	No amount given	Keep water in bottles that do not let in air.
In the planner The ACT booklet gives no number of days and no water amount. This plan starts from our starting values. You can change both.
Australia: New South Wales
The planner uses thisEmergency Kit Checklist (opens in a new tab)NSW State Emergency ServiceRead 12 November 2026	No number of days	No amount	No amount given	Non-perishable food & water (incl. can opener)
In the planner New South Wales gives no number of days and no water amount for its kit. This plan starts from our starting values. You can change both.
Australia: Northern Territory
The planner uses thisEmergency Kit: Household Emergency Kit (opens in a new tab)Northern Territory Emergency ServiceRead 12 November 2026	3 days or more	10 litres for each person, as a totalA total, not a daily amount.	Not stated	The most important thing to remember is to ensure that your kit is able to sustain your household for up to 72 hours or more. 10 litres of bottled water per person
Australia: Queensland
The planner uses thisEmergency Kit Checklist (2026) (opens in a new tab)Queensland Government, Get Ready QueenslandRead 12 November 2026	At least 5 days	At least 10 litres for each person, as a totalA total, not a daily amount.	Drinking only	Water for at least five (5) days – 10 litres of drinking water per person at a minimum.
Shown beside the planEmergency kit (web page) (opens in a new tab)Queensland Government, Get Ready QueenslandRead 12 November 2026	3 days	At least 10 litres for each person, as a totalA total, not a daily amount.	Drinking only	These are the basics, but think about what items everyone in your house might need if you had to stay at home for three days. Pack 10 litres of drinking water per person at a minimum.
In the planner Queensland's 2026 checklist says "at least five (5) days". The Get Ready Queensland web page says three days, with the same 10 litres. This plan uses the checklist, which is the list itself and the longer period. The three day figure is from the Get Ready Queensland web page. It sets no amount in this plan. That web page has a list of its own for leaving home: "Grab and go evacuation bag".
Australia: South Australia
The planner uses thisGet Ready emergency kit checklist (opens in a new tab)South Australian State Emergency ServiceRead 12 November 2026	No number of days	No amount	No amount given	Non-perishable food and drinking water
In the planner South Australia's SES checklist gives no number of days and no water amount. Its food and water line is in the part to add when you are ready to leave. This plan starts from our starting values. You can change both.
Australia: Tasmania
The planner uses thisGet ready for emergencies (Version 2, May 2026) (opens in a new tab)Tasmania State Emergency ServiceRead 12 November 2026	Up to 3 days	No amount	No amount given	Water and food for up to 3 days
The planner uses thisFact sheet: Emergency kits (opens in a new tab)Tasmania Fire ServiceRead 12 November 2026	At least 2 days (for a bushfire kit)	3 litres for each person each day	Drinking only	Drinking water (three litres per person per day) and food for at least 48 hours
In the planner Two Tasmanian bodies give advice. The SES says "Water and food for up to 3 days" and gives no water amount. The Tasmania Fire Service's bushfire kit sheet says: "Drinking water (three litres per person per day) and food for at least 48 hours". This plan takes the days from the SES and the water amount from the Fire Service.
Australia: Victoria
The planner uses thisFlood and storm emergencies: get ready, have a plan, know what to do (opens in a new tab)Victoria State Emergency ServiceRead 12 November 2026	No number of days	No amount	No amount given	Create an 'emergency kit' with the essentials (torches, battery operated radio and phone charger, batteries, water) and store it in a safe place.
In the planner Victoria's SES booklet gives no number of days, no water amount and no food line. This plan starts from our starting values. You can change both.
Australia: Western Australia
The planner uses thisPrepare for a storm (opens in a new tab)Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)Read 12 November 2026	No number. The source says "some days".	No amount	No amount given	You may be without power, water and other essential services for some days after a severe storm.
Shown beside the planPrepare for a cyclone (opens in a new tab)Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)Read 12 November 2026	5 to 7 days (for cyclones)	No amount	No amount given	Your emergency kit should include canned food and water to last five to seven days, a first aid kit, medication, cash and a battery-operated radio and spare batteries to listen to warnings. Bottled drinking water and non-perishable food items, can opener and cutlery
In the planner Western Australia's DFES says "some days" for storms and gives no water amount. For cyclones it says "five to seven days". This plan starts from our starting values. You can change both.
Belgium
Not in the planner's country listEen noodpakket bij je thuis (opens in a new tab)Belgian National Crisis CentreRead 12 November 2026	At least 3 days	3 to 10 litres for each person each dayA range. The source gives both ends.	More than drinking	minstens 3 dagen (72 uur) zelfstandig verder kan Our translation: can manage on your own for at least 3 days (72 hours) Voorzie tussen de 3 - 10 liter per persoon per dag. Our translation: Provide between 3 and 10 litres for each person each day. Een volwassene drinkt elke dag 1,5 tot 2 liter water. Our translation: An adult drinks 1.5 to 2 litres of water each day. De rest van het water kan je gebruiken om te wassen, naar het toilet te gaan en te koken. Our translation: You can use the rest of the water to wash, to use the toilet and to cook.
In the planner Belgium is not in the planner's country list. Its range covers washing, the toilet and cooking as well as drinking. The planner shows the range beside its "Strictest official advice" and does not add it.
Canada
The planner uses thisEmergency kit checklist (opens in a new tab)Government of Canada, Get PreparedRead 12 November 2026	At least 3 days	2 litres for each person each day	More than drinking	stay safe and comfortable for at least 3 days (72 hours) Stored or bottled water: two litres per person per day for drinking, cooking and hygiene
Shown beside the planEmergency kits (parent page, video transcript) (opens in a new tab)Government of Canada, Get PreparedRead 12 November 2026	We did not read a number of days on this page	About 4 litres for each person each day	More than drinking	You will need about four litres per person, per day.
In the planner Canada's checklist says two litres for each person each day, for drinking, cooking and hygiene. A video on another Canadian government page says: "You will need about four litres per person, per day." This plan uses the checklist, which is the list itself. The four litre figure is from a video transcript on another Canadian government page. It sets no amount in this plan.
Czechia
Not in the planner's country listWater (opens in a new tab)Government of Czechia, 72h.gov.czRead 12 November 2026	We did not read a number of days on this page	2 litres for each person each day	Drinking only	In an emergency, an adult can manage with 2 litres of water per day.
In the planner Czechia is not in the planner's country list. We read only the water page of its 72h site. That page says: "The 72-hour rule does not apply to situations involving serious danger." We did not read the page that sets the rule out, so this row has no number of days. The same page says that daily use with hygiene and cooking "can reach 10 to 15 litres". That sentence describes normal use, not a stock to keep, so it is not an amount in this table.
European Union
The planner uses thisCommission staff working document SWD(2026) 826: population self-sufficiency of at least 72 hours (opens in a new tab)European CommissionRead 12 November 2026	At least 3 days	No amount	No amount given	Promote at least 72 hours (three days) of self-sufficiency for households as a baseline, supported by practical examples of what that entails. Stored water for essential use (drinking, basic cooking, hygiene).
In the planner The EU gives a period, "at least 72 hours (three days)", and kinds of items. It gives no litres, no calories and no cash amount. This is guidance to national authorities, not a leaflet for households. The water amount in this plan is our starting value.
Germany
Not in the planner's country listStockpiling (opens in a new tab)German Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK)Read 12 November 2026	10 days	About 14 litres for each person each weekThat is about 2 litres a day by our arithmetic.	Not stated	With a supply of food and drink to last you 10 days, you are ready for this. Keep approx. 14 litres of liquid per person in stock for each week.
In the planner Germany's amount is for "liquid", for each week. Germany is not in the planner's country list. Its 10 days set the days of the planner's "Strictest official advice".
India
The planner uses thisEmergency Preparedness Checklist (opens in a new tab)Government of India, National Centre for Disease Control (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)Read 12 November 2026	At least 3 days	At least 5 litres for each person and each pet each day	Not stated	Store at least 3-day supply of water and food. Utilities and water supply might be disrupted in case of severe weather. Store at least 5 litres of water per day for each person and each pet.
In the planner The national checklist we read is from the NCDC, part of India's health ministry. We could not reach the site of the National Disaster Management Authority, so this plan uses no NDMA figure. The NCDC ties its stock to the time "If disaster warnings are issued".
Ireland
The planner uses thisBe Emergency Ready: information and advice in case of emergencies (opens in a new tab)Government of Ireland, Office of Emergency Planning (Department of Defence)Read 12 November 2026	No number of days	2 to 3 litres for each person each dayA range. The source gives both ends.	Drinking only	Each person needs 2–3 litres of drinking water each day.
In the planner Ireland's booklet gives no number of days. This plan starts at 3 days, the EU's baseline of "at least 72 hours (three days)". You can change it.
Netherlands
Not in the planner's country listNoodpakket (opens in a new tab)Government of the Netherlands, Denk VooruitRead 12 November 2026	3 days	3 litres for each person each day	Not stated	Met een noodpakket ben je de eerste 72 uur na een ramp of noodsituatie goed voorbereid. Our translation: With an emergency kit you are well prepared for the first 72 hours after a disaster or an emergency. Denk aan 3 liter per persoon per dag. Our translation: Think of 3 litres for each person each day.
In the planner The Netherlands is not in the planner's country list. Its page does not say what the 3 litres are for.
New Zealand
The planner uses thisGet Ready booklet (September 2024) (opens in a new tab)New Zealand National Emergency Management Agency, Get ReadyRead 12 November 2026	3 days or more	At least 3 litres for each person each day	More than drinking	In an emergency, you may be stuck at home for three days or more. You need three litres of water for each person for each day that you are without water. Water for three days or more — make sure you have at least nine litres of water for every person. This will be enough for drinking and basic hygiene.
Shown beside the planStoring water (large print, October 2023) (opens in a new tab)New Zealand National Emergency Management Agency, Get ReadyRead 12 November 2026	3 days or more	At least 3 litres for each person each day	More than drinking	Have a supply of stored water for three days or more. You'll need at least three litres of drinking water per person per day (at least nine litres per person for the three days). This will be enough for drinking and basic hygiene. You will need more water if you want to wash, cook or clean with water, or if the emergency is long. Some parts of New Zealand could be without water for longer than three days during an emergency.
In the planner New Zealand's national advice is three days or more, and regions can differ. Its water sheet says: "Some parts of New Zealand could be without water for longer than three days during an emergency. Your Civil Defence Emergency Management Group can recommend how much you should store." We have read no regional figure at its source, so this plan uses none. New Zealand says its 3 litres is "enough for drinking and basic hygiene", and that you need more "if you want to wash, cook or clean with water". It covers more than drinking, so we do not compare it with amounts for drinking only.
United Kingdom
The planner uses thisBe Ready checklist (opens in a new tab)UK government, Be Ready campaignRead 12 November 2026	3 days	3 litres for each person each day	Drinking only	Being ready for 3 days helps you manage while support reaches those most in need. Bottled water for 3 days. 3 litres per person per day for drinking. More would be needed for other tasks such as cooking and washing.
Shown beside the planBe Ready household emergency plan (opens in a new tab)UK government, Be Ready campaignRead 12 November 2026	At least 3 days	3 litres for each person each day	Not stated	Bottled water (3 litres per person per day for at least 3 days)
In the planner The UK government's household plan template says "at least 3 days" and adds a tin opener. Its Be Ready checklist says "3 days". This plan uses the checklist, which is the list itself.
United States
The planner uses thisBuild A Kit (opens in a new tab)US government, FEMA Ready campaignRead 12 November 2026	No number. The source says "several days".	1 US gallon for each person each day1 US gallon is 3.785412 litres.	More than drinking	Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days. Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
Shown beside the planEmergency Supply List (printable) (opens in a new tab)US government, FEMA Ready campaignRead 12 November 2026	No number. The source says "several days".	No amount	No amount given	Water and non-perishable food for several days
Shown beside the planWater (opens in a new tab)US government, FEMA Ready campaignRead 12 November 2026	No number. The source says "several days".	At least 1 US gallon for each person each day1 US gallon is 3.785412 litres.	More than drinking	Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation.
Shown beside the planHow to Create an Emergency Water Supply (opens in a new tab)US government, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Read 12 November 2026	At least 3 days (for water)If possible: 14 days (for water)	At least 1 US gallon for each person each day1 US gallon is 3.785412 litres.	Not stated	Store at least 1 gallon of water per person, per day for 3 days. Try to store a 2-week supply if possible.
In the planner FEMA says to keep supplies for "several days" and gives no number. This plan starts at 3 days, our starting value. Another US government body, the CDC, says "for 3 days" for water and adds: "Try to store a 2-week supply if possible."

Items on each list

Each row is one kind of item, with the lists that name it. The planner uses 15 lists: Australia: Australian Capital Territory, Australia: New South Wales, Australia: Northern Territory, Australia: Queensland, Australia: South Australia, Australia: Tasmania, Australia: Victoria, Australia: Western Australia, Canada, European Union, India, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States. The groups and the short item names are ours. Where a list names more than one thing in a single line, for example a torch with spare batteries, that line can count for only one of them. So a count in this table can be lower than the number of lists that mention the item. Choose a government above to see its own words for each item.

We have not read the item lists of Belgium, Czechia, Germany and the Netherlands at their source, so they are not in this table.

Which governments' lists name each item
Item	Kit group	Listed by	Whose lists
Torch	Light and warmth	15 of 15 lists	Australia: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia; Canada; European Union; India (in its grab bag list); Ireland; New Zealand (in its grab bag list); United Kingdom; United States
Spare batteries	Light and warmth	8 of 15 lists	Australia: Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria; Canada; India (in its grab bag list); Ireland; United Kingdom; United States
Blankets or sleeping bags	Light and warmth	10 of 15 lists	Australia: New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia (in another of its documents); Canada (in its grab bag list); India (in its grab bag list); Ireland; United Kingdom; United States (as an extra)
Warm clothes and strong shoes	Light and warmth	12 of 15 lists	Australia: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia (in its grab bag list), Tasmania (in its grab bag list), Western Australia; Canada (in its grab bag list); India (in its grab bag list); Ireland (in its grab bag list); New Zealand (in its grab bag list); United States (as an extra)
Matches or a lighter, kept safely	Light and warmth	7 of 15 lists	Australia: New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia; Canada (as an extra); India (in its grab bag list); Ireland; United States (as an extra)
Battery or wind-up radio	News and contact	15 of 15 lists	Australia: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia; Canada; European Union; India (in its grab bag list); Ireland; New Zealand (in its grab bag list); United Kingdom; United States
Charged power bank	News and contact	7 of 15 lists	Australia: New South Wales (in its grab bag list), Queensland; Canada; European Union; India (in its grab bag list); Ireland; United Kingdom
Mobile phone and charger	News and contact	12 of 15 lists	Australia: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales (in its grab bag list), Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia (in its grab bag list), Tasmania (in its grab bag list), Victoria, Western Australia (in its grab bag list); Canada; India (also in its grab bag list); Ireland (in its grab bag list); United States
Phone numbers on paper	News and contact	6 of 15 lists	Australia: New South Wales, Tasmania (in another of its documents), Victoria; Canada; India (also in its grab bag list); United Kingdom
A copy of your household plan	News and contact	9 of 15 lists	Australia: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia; Canada; European Union; India (in its grab bag list)
Local map	News and contact	5 of 15 lists	Australia: New South Wales; Canada (in its grab bag list); India (in its grab bag list); Ireland; United States
Whistle	News and contact	5 of 15 lists	Australia: New South Wales, Queensland; Canada (as an extra); India (in its grab bag list); United States
Pen and paper	News and contact	4 of 15 lists	Australia: Western Australia (in another of its documents); Canada (as an extra); India (in its grab bag list); United States (as an extra)
First aid kit	Health and hygiene	14 of 15 lists	Australia: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia; Canada; European Union; India (in its grab bag list); Ireland; New Zealand (in its grab bag list); United Kingdom; United States
Essential medicines	Health and hygiene	12 of 15 lists	Australia: New South Wales (in its grab bag list), Queensland, South Australia (in its grab bag list), Tasmania (in its grab bag list), Victoria (in its grab bag list); Canada; European Union; India (also in its grab bag list); Ireland (also in its grab bag list); New Zealand (in its grab bag list); United Kingdom; United States (as an extra)
A list of your medicines and doses	Health and hygiene	4 of 15 lists	Australia: Australian Capital Territory, Victoria; Canada; Ireland
Medicines you buy without a prescription	Health and hygiene	1 of 15 lists	United States (as an extra)
Spare glasses	Health and hygiene	4 of 15 lists	Australia: Queensland; Canada; India (in its grab bag list); United States (as an extra)
Hand sanitiser	Health and hygiene	6 of 15 lists	Australia: Northern Territory; Canada (as an extra); India (in its grab bag list); New Zealand (in its grab bag list); United Kingdom; United States (as an extra)
Toiletries and hygiene products	Health and hygiene	13 of 15 lists	Australia: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia (in its grab bag list), Tasmania (in its grab bag list), Western Australia; Canada; European Union; India (in its grab bag list); Ireland; United Kingdom; United States (as an extra)
Toilet paper	Health and hygiene	3 of 15 lists	Australia: Northern Territory; Canada; New Zealand
Buckets for an emergency toilet	Health and hygiene	1 of 15 lists	New Zealand
Face masks	Health and hygiene	6 of 15 lists	Australia: Northern Territory, Queensland; Canada (as an extra); India (in its grab bag list); New Zealand (in its grab bag list); United States
Rubbish bags	Health and hygiene	3 of 15 lists	Australia: Queensland; Canada (as an extra); United States
Sunscreen and insect repellent	Health and hygiene	2 of 15 lists	Australia: Northern Territory; Canada
Anything a person in your home needs every day	Health and hygiene	6 of 15 lists	Australia: New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia (in its grab bag list), Tasmania (also in its grab bag list), Western Australia; India
Cash	Papers and money	13 of 15 lists	Australia: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania (in another of its documents), Western Australia (in its grab bag list); Canada; European Union (also in its grab bag list); India (in its grab bag list); Ireland (in its grab bag list); New Zealand (in its grab bag list); United Kingdom; United States (as an extra)
Copies of IDs and documents	Papers and money	15 of 15 lists	Australia: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania (in its grab bag list), Victoria, Western Australia; Canada; European Union (in its grab bag list); India (also in its grab bag list); Ireland (also in its grab bag list); New Zealand (in its grab bag list); United Kingdom; United States (as an extra)
Waterproof bag for documents	Papers and money	3 of 15 lists	Australia: Northern Territory, South Australia; Ireland
Spare keys	Papers and money	7 of 15 lists	Australia: New South Wales, Northern Territory, Tasmania (in its grab bag list), Western Australia; Canada; India (in its grab bag list); Ireland
Photos and things you cannot replace	Papers and money	5 of 15 lists	Australia: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales (in its grab bag list), Tasmania (in its grab bag list), Victoria, Western Australia (in another of its documents)
Tin opener	Tools and cooking	8 of 15 lists	Australia: New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania (in another of its documents), Western Australia (in another of its documents); Canada; United Kingdom (in another of its documents); United States
Camping stove and fuel (never use indoors)	Tools and cooking	3 of 15 lists	Australia: Northern Territory, Queensland; Canada (as an extra)
Cups, plates and cutlery	Tools and cooking	4 of 15 lists	Australia: Northern Territory, Queensland; Canada (in its grab bag list); United States (as an extra)
Basic tools or a multi-tool	Tools and cooking	3 of 15 lists	Australia: Queensland; Canada (as an extra, also in its grab bag list); India (in its grab bag list)
Spanner or pliers to turn off utilities	Tools and cooking	2 of 15 lists	Australia: Queensland; United States
Duct tape, scissors and plastic sheeting	Tools and cooking	3 of 15 lists	Canada (as an extra); India (in its grab bag list); United States
Work gloves and eye protection	Tools and cooking	4 of 15 lists	Australia: New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia (in another of its documents); New Zealand (in its grab bag list)
Tarpaulin and rope	Tools and cooking	2 of 15 lists	Australia: Queensland; India (in its grab bag list)
Fire extinguisher	Tools and cooking	1 of 15 lists	United States (as an extra)
Water purifying tablets	Tools and cooking	2 of 15 lists	Canada (as an extra); India (in its grab bag list)
Books, cards or games	Tools and cooking	6 of 15 lists	Australia: New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia (in another of its documents); Canada (in its grab bag list); United States (as an extra)
Baby formula	Baby	6 of 15 lists	Australia: New South Wales (in its grab bag list), Queensland; Canada; Ireland; United Kingdom; United States (as an extra)
Baby food	Baby	1 of 15 lists	Canada
Nappies and wipes	Baby	4 of 15 lists	Australia: Queensland; Canada; United Kingdom; United States (as an extra)
Pet food	Pets	7 of 15 lists	Australia: New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania (in its grab bag list); Canada; Ireland; United Kingdom; United States (as an extra)
Water for your pets	Pets	4 of 15 lists	Australia: Queensland; Canada; United Kingdom; United States (as an extra)
Lead, carrier and other pet supplies	Pets	6 of 15 lists	Australia: New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia (in its grab bag list), Western Australia; Canada; European Union
Pet ownership and ID details	Pets	1 of 15 lists	Australia: New South Wales
Water and snack food	Grab bag	4 of 15 lists	Australia: South Australia (in its grab bag list), Tasmania (in its grab bag list); India (in its grab bag list); New Zealand (in its grab bag list)

How we read these

The planner and this page follow the same five rules.

Like with like. A water amount is compared only with amounts for the same use: drinking only, drinking and cooking, more than drinking, or not stated. An amount that also covers washing is not "stricter" than an amount for drinking only. It measures something else.
A range stays a range. Where a source says "2 to 3 litres", the table shows both ends. The planner's strictest plan uses the top of a range and shows the whole range beside it. A total for each person stays a total: a daily amount worked from it is our arithmetic, and the page says so.
Only advice to keep a stock sets a figure. A sentence about normal daily use, or about what some experts say, sets no figure. A figure that a source gives as "if possible" is shown beside the advice and does not replace it.
Two pages of one government can differ. Then the table shows both, and a tag on each row says which page the planner uses. Where we state a reason, it is in the note under the rows.
Read at the source, word for word. Each figure here was read on the official page or document, and each row shows its words, its link and the date we read it. A figure that we have not read at its source is not on this page.

What this page does not show

Regional advice that differs from the national advice, for example in parts of New Zealand.
Advice for one hazard only, unless a row says so (a cyclone, a bushfire).
Governments that we have not yet read at the source.

Spotted an error?

Advice changes, and we can misread. Email hello@emergencykitplan.com with the row and the source, and we will read it again.

Last reviewed: 12 November 2026.