Guides / Kit builder
// Guide · Power outages
Build a kit sized for your household.
In the January 2023 storms, about 350,000 SMUD customers lost power. This list tells you how much water and what else to have on hand for the people and pets in your home.
About this tool
Kit builder
- What it is
- An emergency-kit checklist based on Ready.gov’s list, with the quantities worked out for your household.
- Why it’s here
- Generic lists say “water for several days” and stop. How many gallons for two adults, a toddler and a 60-lb dog is what you actually need to know at the store.
- What it helps with
- Getting through a multi-day outage or a few days stuck at home: water, food, light, warmth, medicine and papers.
- How to use it
- Enter who lives with you and how many days to cover. Check items off as you gather them; checkmarks stay on this device. Print the list for the store, or copy the link to share it.
Tool
Your household
Emergency kit list from braceforit.com/kit-builder
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How much is enough?
Ready.gov asks for water and food for several days. Three days is the usual minimum. Big winter storms can knock power out longer, so a week is a safer target for home, and two weeks if you can store it.
- Water: 1 gallon per person per day, for drinking and washing.
- Pets: about 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day, plus their food.
- Refresh: once a year. Swap food and water before their dates, and recharge power banks.
Where to keep it
- One main kit in an easy-to-reach closet or the garage, in bins you can carry.
- A smaller go-bag per person by the door in case you have to leave.
- A car kit, if you drive. See the car guide.
In Sacramento
If someone relies on powered medical equipment, enroll in SMUD’s Medical Equipment Discount program for more notice before planned outages, and keep backup power charged.
Sign up for Sacramento Alert through Smart911 for county emergency alerts.