Water and food
- At least 2 litres of drinking water per person per day for 3 days, plus extra for cooking and washing
- Food that needs no fridge or cooking: canned goods, nut butter, crackers, granola bars
- Manual can opener
- Pet food and water
- Keep the fridge and freezer closed: about 4 hours for the fridge, about 48 hours for a full freezer
Light, information and communication
- Flashlights or headlamps and spare batteries (no candles near kids, pets or curtains)
- Battery or crank radio for news when internet and cell are down
- Charged power bank or power station for phones
- Printed list of emergency numbers and your utility’s outage line
- Some cash — card machines and ATMs may be down
Heat, health and safety
- Warm clothing, blankets and sleeping bags for winter outages
- Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms — Ontario requires CO alarms in homes with fuel-burning appliances, a fireplace or an attached garage
- At least a week of prescription medications, plus a plan for powered medical devices like a CPAP
- First-aid kit, hand sanitizer and personal hygiene items
- Never use a barbecue, camp stove, propane heater or generator indoors
Backup power (optional)
- Condo or short outages: a power station for phones, Wi-Fi, lights and CPAP — see power station picks
- House with a sump pump, fridge or furnace: a generator used outdoors — see sizing guide
- Fuel stored safely outside the living space, with stabilizer
- Heavy-duty outdoor extension cords, or a transfer switch installed with an ESA permit
Ready-made kits from a Canadian brand Canadian Brand
72HRS is a Canadian company (BMG Industries, Burnaby BC). These kits and the radio are labeled Canadian Brand only — they are not Made in Canada. Prices and ratings checked on Amazon.ca Sep 22, 2026 (ET).
| Photo | Product | Type / size | CAD price | Rating | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
72HRS Essential 4-Person Kit Canadian Brand |
72-hour emergency kit · 4 people | $289.99 CAD | Family 72-hour outage kit | 72HRS Essential 4P — $289.99 CAD · 4.6★ (225) · Ships from Amazon | |
 |
72HRS Essential 1-Person Kit Canadian Brand |
72-hour emergency kit · 1 person | $149.99 CAD | Single person, car or apartment kit | 72HRS Essential 1P — $149.99 CAD · 4.5★ (77) · Ships from Amazon | |
 |
72HRS Deluxe 4-Person Kit Canadian Brand |
72-hour emergency kit · 4 people (deluxe) | $449.99 CAD | Bigger family kit with more supplies | 72HRS Deluxe 4P — $449.99 CAD · 4.6★ (168) · Ships from Amazon | |
 |
72HRS Crusader Mini weather radio Canadian Brand |
Hand-crank / weather radio | $19.99 CAD | News and alerts when the power and internet are down | Crusader Mini radio — $19.99 CAD · 4.0★ (370) · Ships from Amazon |
FAQ
How long should I be ready for a power outage in Ontario?
Plan to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Rural areas and big ice storms can mean longer outages, so extra water, food and fuel are worth having.
How much water should I store for an outage?
At least 2 litres of drinking water per person per day for 3 days, plus extra for cooking and washing. Homes on a well may have no water at all when the power is out.
How long does food last in the fridge without power?
An unopened fridge keeps food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer stays frozen for about 48 hours, or about 24 hours if half full. When in doubt, throw it out.