A two day plan to get a Canadian household blackout ready: water, food, light, heat and power on Saturday, check and fill gaps on Sunday.
- Saturday: buy and gather the basics. Sunday: test, store and fix gaps.
- The goal is 72 hours, not 90 days.
- Spend most of the budget on water, food and a heat plan.
You do not need months to get ready. Here is a simple weekend plan that gets a household to a solid 72 hours, with a clear path to more later.
Saturday morning: water and food
- Store 4 litres of water per person per day for 3 days. Our water guide has the numbers.
- Buy canned and dry food that needs no cooking. See the 3 day no-cook menu.
- Consider a water filter for longer outages, see best emergency water filters.
Saturday afternoon: light, heat, power
- Flashlights, headlamps, spare batteries, a battery or crank radio.
- Warm blankets and sleeping bags, and a safe heat plan. Never use outdoor heaters or stoves indoors.
- Charged power banks, or a portable power station.
Quick comparison
| Brand | Best for |
|---|---|
| BBLUETTI | Large lineup, expandable home systems |
| JJackery | Wide range, compact to home backup sizes |
| BBerkey | Countertop gravity filter systems |
| LLifeStraw | Portable filters for backup and travel |
| RReadyWise | Ready-made emergency food kits |
Power stations and solar generators with fast charging. Compare capacity and warranty.
Larger capacity power stations that can run a fridge, with expandable batteries.
- Broad capacity range
- Expandable home-backup options
- Compare battery chemistry and stated cycle life
Popular portable power stations and solar kits for short outages.
- Has a Canadian storeHas a US store
- Small, mid and large models
- Compare capacity, output and warranty on the maker page
Sunday: organize, test, fill gaps
- Put everything in one place and label it.
- Test flashlights and the radio. Run a phone off a power bank.
- Write down medications, contacts and your meeting point.
- Use the 72 hour checklist to spot what is still missing.
Then what
Once the basics are in place, stretch to a week with the week-long outage plan.
Gravity water filter for making drinkable water from a stored or local source.
- Gravity-fed, no pump needed
- Check which contaminants each model is rated for
- Plan how you will refill and clean it
Portable filters and purifiers for a grab bag or a backup.
- Straw, bottle and larger formats
- Handy as a backup, not your main supply
- Check exactly what each model removes
Long-life freeze-dried meals for a food store that lasts.
- Kits sized by days and people
- Compare calories per kit, not servings
- Check allergens and shelf life
Solar generators and power stations to keep essentials running and recharge.
Quick answers
Can I really get ready in a weekend?
Yes, for 72 hours. Water, no-cook food, light, heat and phone power can be gathered in two days.
What should I buy first?
Water, food that needs no cooking, light and a heat plan. Power backup comes after the basics.
How do I go beyond 72 hours?
Add water and food in stages up to one to two weeks. See the week-long outage plan.