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Shopping list · Per household

What to buy for 30 days off-grid at home

Quantities are per person unless noted. Buy water and food first. Items marked Costco are good bulk buys.

Water

1 gallon / person / day → 30 gal per person
Representative image: WaterBOB bathtub bladder

WaterBOB bathtub bladder

1

Fill 100 gal the moment the power fails, while pressure lasts.

Representative image: 7-gallon stackable water containers

7-gallon stackable water containers

4–5 per person

Long-term stored drinking water in a small footprint.

Representative image: Gravity water filter (Berkey / Sawyer)

Gravity water filter (Berkey / Sawyer)

1

Purifies tap leftovers, rain or stored water in volume.

Representative image: Unscented bleach + water preserver

Unscented bleach + water preserver

1 jug

Treats water (8 drops per gallon) and disinfects.

Food

~2,000 kcal / person / day, no cooking required for half
Representative image: 30-day freeze-dried food bucket

30-day freeze-dried food bucket

1 per person

25-year shelf life, just add water.

Representative image: Canned meats, beans, vegetables, soups

Canned meats, beans, vegetables, soups

60+ cans / person

Eat without cooking; rotate into normal meals.

Representative image: Rice, oats, pasta (bulk)

Rice, oats, pasta (bulk)

25 lb / person

Cheapest calories; store in sealed buckets.

Representative image: Peanut butter, honey, protein bars

Peanut butter, honey, protein bars

Plenty

Calorie-dense, morale-boosting, no prep.

Representative image: Manual can opener

Manual can opener

2

Your cans are useless without one.

Power & Light

Phones, lights, radio, medical devices
Representative image: Portable power station (1–2 kWh)

Portable power station (1–2 kWh)

1

Silent, safe indoors, runs fans, CPAP, charging.

Representative image: Folding solar panels (200W)

Folding solar panels (200W)

1–2

Recharges the power station indefinitely.

Representative image: LED lanterns & headlamps

LED lanterns & headlamps

1 per person + spares

Never use candles as primary light — fire risk.

Representative image: Hand-crank NOAA weather radio

Hand-crank NOAA weather radio

1

Official info when internet and cell are down.

Representative image: AA/AAA batteries (bulk)

AA/AAA batteries (bulk)

100+

Feeds lights, radios, and small devices.

Cooking & Heat

Safe heat source, ventilated
Representative image: Butane camp stove + canisters

Butane camp stove + canisters

1 + 24 cans

Boil water and cook. Use near an open window.

Representative image: Indoor-safe propane heater (Mr. Heater Buddy)

Indoor-safe propane heater (Mr. Heater Buddy)

1

Low-oxygen shutoff; for cold climates.

Representative image: Battery CO detectors

Battery CO detectors

1 per floor

Non-negotiable with any combustion indoors.

Representative image: Sub-zero sleeping bags & wool blankets

Sub-zero sleeping bags & wool blankets

1 per person

Heat the person, not the house.

Sanitation & Hygiene

Prevent the #1 long-outage killer: disease
Representative image: Toilet bucket kit + bag liners

Toilet bucket kit + bag liners

1 + 100 bags

When toilets stop flushing.

Representative image: Kitty litter / sawdust

Kitty litter / sawdust

40 lb

Covers waste and controls odor.

Representative image: Heavy contractor trash bags

Heavy contractor trash bags

2 boxes

Waste, trash, emergency ponchos.

Representative image: Wet wipes, hand sanitizer, soap

Wet wipes, hand sanitizer, soap

Large supply

Hygiene without running water.

Medical

Treat what you can at home
Representative image: Comprehensive first-aid kit

Comprehensive first-aid kit

1

Wound care when clinics are overwhelmed.

Representative image: Extra prescription medications

Extra prescription medications

30+ days

Ask your doctor about a 90-day supply.

Representative image: OTC meds: pain, fever, diarrhea, allergy

OTC meds: pain, fever, diarrhea, allergy

Bulk

Oral rehydration salts are especially critical.

Representative image: N95 masks & nitrile gloves

N95 masks & nitrile gloves

1 box each

Smoke, dust, sanitation work.

Security & Comms

Stay safe, low-profile, informed
Representative image: Blackout curtains

Blackout curtains

Main rooms

A lit window at night advertises supplies.

Representative image: Door security bar / reinforcement kit

Door security bar / reinforcement kit

Entry doors

Simple, cheap hardening.

Representative image: FRS/GMRS two-way radios

FRS/GMRS two-way radios

1 set

Talk to family & neighbors with no cell service.

Representative image: Fire extinguishers

Fire extinguishers

2+

Fire departments may not come.

Representative image: Small bills cash

Small bills cash

$500+

Card networks will be down.