Your family's emergency kit, sorted without the stress

Allow 3 litres per adult or teenager per day for drinking — children need about three quarters of that and toddlers about half — and about 2 litres more per person each day for basic cooking and washing if you have room to store it. Two adults and a child preparing for three days need about 25 litres of drinking water. Babies are best served by ready-made formula rather than extra water. Don't forget pets: about 1.25 litres a day for an average dog, 0.2 litres for a cat, and just a little for small pets.

UK guidance suggests being prepared to cope at home for at least 3 days without power, water or shops. Many families choose 7 days for extra peace of mind, especially in rural areas or places prone to flooding and storms.

Tinned food, dried pasta and rice, UHT milk, energy bars and nut butters all keep for months or years at room temperature. Choose food your family actually eats, and check dates once or twice a year.

Yes. One adult-sized portion on this list works out at roughly 2,200 calories a day — a tinned main meal, a carbohydrate portion, breakfast, a snack and a pudding — which is around a normal daily intake and above the 2,100 calorie benchmark used for emergency rations. Adults and teenagers count as a full portion, children about three quarters and toddlers a half. The carbohydrates (pasta, rice, noodles, oats) are alternatives, so buy the ones your family will eat rather than all four.

They're a great backup because they never run out of batteries. A wind-up radio is particularly useful — local radio carries official emergency updates if mobile networks and the internet go down.

Pets need their own supplies. Dogs need roughly 1.25 litres of water a day (based on a 25 kg dog), cats about 0.2 litres, and small pets such as rabbits, hamsters or birds far less. Add their usual food, bowls and any medication, and keep a carrier or lead handy in case you need to leave home quickly.

Somewhere cool, dry and easy to grab — a hallway cupboard or under the stairs works well. Make sure every adult in the house knows where it is.

A grab bag is a smaller bag you can take if you need to leave home quickly; your main emergency kit is for managing at home. Keep one by an exit with copies of key details, medicines, a first aid kit, water, snacks, a torch, phone power, spare keys, cash and basic toiletries. Add nappies, formula, comfort items and pet supplies for your household, but keep it light enough for one adult to carry.

Pack the food, formula, nappies, wipes and medicines they normally use, plus a change of clothes and one familiar comfort item. Include a written note with allergies, medication instructions and emergency contacts. Check sizes and age-specific supplies regularly as children grow.

Keep an up-to-date list of medicines, doses, allergies and repeat-prescription details in your kit. Do not stop or change treatment to build a spare supply; ask your pharmacist or GP what is appropriate, rotate anything with an expiry date, and keep medicines in their original packaging and out of children's reach.

Store paper copies of emergency contacts, important phone numbers, home and pet insurance details, prescriptions and any care plans in a waterproof pouch. Copies are usually safer than keeping original identity documents in the kit. Protect sensitive details and update the pack whenever something changes.

Check it about every six months and after using anything. Replace expired food, water, batteries and medicines; recharge power banks; update clothes, nappies and contact details; and make sure everyone still knows where the kit and grab bag are kept.