Store One Gallon of Water Per Person

Welcome to Day 3 of 30 Easy Preparedness Ideas for National Preparedness Month!

Today's challenge might be one of the most important things we do all month:

Store ONE gallon of water for each person in your household.

That's it.

We're not trying to build our entire emergency water supply today. We're simply getting started.

If there are four people in your home, today's goal is four gallons of water.

Already have emergency water stored? Great! Use today to check it, make sure your containers are in good condition, and think about whether you have enough.

Mimi's Tip: Start Small!

When people hear recommendations for emergency water storage, the numbers can feel overwhelming.

Don't let that stop you from starting.

One gallon stored is better than zero gallons stored.

Put away one gallon per person today. Next time you're at the store, add another gallon or two.

Little by little, you'll build your water supply.

How Much Water Should I Eventually Store?

A good starting guideline is at least one gallon of water per person, per day for drinking and sanitation.

That means a family of four would need approximately:

1 day = 4 gallons
3 days = 12 gallons
7 days = 28 gallons

But remember—today we're only working on Day 1 of that water supply.

Don't get overwhelmed by the bigger number.

Don't Forget Your Pets!

Our furry family members need emergency water too.

When you're figuring out your family's water needs, remember to include extra water for your dogs, cats and other animals.

Mimi's Tip: Keep a little extra rather than trying to calculate your supply down to the last ounce. Hot weather, illness and other circumstances can increase water needs.

What Could Interrupt Your Water?

Emergency water isn't just for a major disaster.

You might need it because of:

• A water main break

• A boil-water advisory

• A power outage that affects your water supply

• A severe storm

• An earthquake or other natural disaster

• Contamination of your local water supply

• An evacuation or unexpected emergency

Having even a small amount of water already stored can make an inconvenient situation much easier.

Store Water Safely

Use containers intended for storing drinking water and keep your emergency water in a cool location away from direct sunlight and chemicals.

If you're purchasing commercially bottled water, keep it sealed in its original container and follow the manufacturer's storage guidance.

And remember to periodically check your emergency water supply for leaks, damaged containers or anything that needs to be rotated.

Mimi's Bonus Tip: Water Isn't Just for Drinking

Think about all the ways you use water during a normal day.

Drinking is the obvious one, but you may also need water for:

Preparing emergency meals
Washing hands
Brushing teeth
Taking medications
Caring for pets
Basic cleaning and sanitation

That gallon can disappear faster than you think!

TODAY'S EASY PREPAREDNESS CHALLENGE

☐ Store 1 gallon of water per person
☐ Add some water for your pets
☐ Check any water you already have stored
☐ Find a cool, safe place to keep it
☐ Put “more emergency water” on your future shopping list

DAY 3 — DONE! ✅

You don't have to prepare for everything today.

Just store your first gallon.

Then another.

Then another.

That's what these 30 days are all about—doing one easy thing at a time to make ourselves and our families a little more prepared.

See you tomorrow for Day 4!

Mimi 

One little step at a time.

PackFreshUSA | 30 Easy Preparedness Ideas