Snowstorm Emergency Kit Checklist for Canadian Homes and Vehicles
A big snowstorm can close roads, knock out power, and keep you at home for days. In much of Canada, that is just part of winter. Being prepared ahead of time can make a snowstorm easier to manage. A good snowstorm emergency kit covers the basics, like water, food, and light. It also adds winter needs, like warmth, a way to charge phones, and supplies for the car. This checklist follows Government of Canada and Canadian Red Cross guidance.
Home Snowstorm Emergency Kit: The 72-Hour Checklist
A snowstorm usually means sheltering in place, not leaving. The Government of Canada recommends being self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Your home kit should keep everyone safe and fed without power or a store run.
Start with a basic 72-hour household kit, then add winter items on top. The Government of Canada's emergency kits page suggests about four litres of water per person per day. The Canadian Red Cross recommends that households in remote and northern communities consider preparing for 7 to 10 days.
Printable Home Kit Checklist
Item | How Much or What Kind | Done |
Water | About 4 litres per person per day, for at least 3 days | ☐ |
Food | Non-perishable items, plus a manual can opener | ☐ |
Light | Flashlight or headlamp, with spare batteries | ☐ |
Radio | Wind-up or battery-powered | ☐ |
Phone power | Chargers and a charged battery pack | ☐ |
First aid | Bandages, antiseptic wipes, gloves, pain relievers | ☐ |
Medication | Prescriptions, ideally about two weeks' supply | ☐ |
Cash | Enough for basic needs if card machines are down | ☐ |
Documents | Copies of ID, insurance policies and other key papers | ☐ |
Spare keys | For the house and vehicle | ☐ |
Emergency plan | A printed copy with family contact numbers | ☐ |
Warm bedding | Blankets or sleeping bags for each person | ☐ |
Items for Your Household's Needs
Every home is a little different. Add items that match the people and pets who live with you.
Infant formula, baby food, and diapers
Pet food, water, and supplies
Glasses or contact lens solution
Toiletries and menstrual supplies
Snowstorm Tools to Keep Within Reach
The Government of Canada also suggests keeping snow tools somewhere easy to reach. A shovel buried in a snow-covered shed may be difficult to access when you need it.
Snow shovel, salt, and other snow removal supplies
A rope lifeline to outbuildings on rural properties
A plan to shelter pets and farm animals
Food, water, and light cover the basics. A long outage in January raises a bigger question, though. How will you keep phones, lights, and small devices running?
Backup Power for Your Snowstorm Kit at Home
Snowstorms often bring power outages, and outages can last longer than a day. The Government of Canada suggests considering an alternate power source for extended outages. A battery power station is one option that runs indoors with no exhaust.
Getting ready for winter outages means deciding what you actually need to power. For most kits, that is phones, a radio, lights, a router, and maybe a small appliance. A power station lets you run those from one place.
What to Power First
Priority | Device | Why It Matters in a Snowstorm |
1 | Phones | Emergency calls and storm alerts |
2 | Lights and lamps | Safer than candles |
3 | Radio or router | Updates when cell service is weak |
4 | Electric blanket | Keeps one person warm at a modest wattage |
5 | Kettle or small cooking appliance | Hot drinks and simple meals |
Runtime always depends on the load. A few phones and LED lights will last far longer than a kettle or space heater. Check each device's wattage before the storm and plan around your essentials.
Keep Your Power Station Warm and Charged
Cold matters for batteries. The DELTA 3 Max Plus charges between 0°C and 45°C and can discharge down to minus 10°C. Store it indoors, not in a cold garage or shed. Charge it fully when a storm is in the forecast.
For a home kit, it offers a quiet, indoor-safe way to charge phones and run lights during an outage. Its 2,048Wh capacity can be expanded if your household needs longer runtimes.
Your home kit is only half the plan. Many Canadians get caught by a storm on the road, so the car needs its own kit.
Vehicle Winter Emergency Kit for Snowy Roads
The safest choice in a bad snowstorm is to stay off the roads. If you must drive, your car should carry enough to keep you warm and visible. Transport Canada publishes a winter driving emergency kit list that makes a good starting point.
Before leaving, start by checking winter storm warnings before travel and delaying the trip if you can. The Government of Canada also suggests winter tires, a full tank of gas, and plenty of washer fluid. Keep your phone charged and a charging cable in the car.
Printable Vehicle Kit Checklist
Inside the Car | In the Trunk |
☐ Non-perishable food, like granola bars | ☐ Kitty litter or sand for traction |
☐ Water in plastic bottles | ☐ Traction mats and a shovel |
☐ Blanket (a heat-reflective one is lighter) | ☐ Windshield washer fluid and fuel line antifreeze |
☐ Extra clothing and footwear | ☐ Booster cables |
☐ First aid kit | ☐ Road flares and a reflective vest |
☐ Ice scraper and snow brush | ☐ Tow rope |
☐ Flashlight | ☐ Matches and a survival candle |
☐ Charged phone and charging cable | ☐ Can opener and utensils |
Use plastic bottles for water, since glass can crack if it freezes. Avoid using open flames for warmth inside the vehicle. Use appropriate cold-weather clothing and blankets instead.
Keeping Devices Charged on the Road
A dead phone is a real problem when you need help. An alternator charger, paired with a compatible power station, tops up the station while you drive. It charges only while the engine runs, so it works best during the trip, not after you are stuck.
On long winter drives, that keeps more battery in reserve for phones and lights if a storm closes the road.
Once your home and vehicle kits are ready, consider adding winter supplies to help you stay warm, visible, and connected.
Winter Extras for Warmth, Light, and Communication
A basic emergency kit provides a starting point for every season. A snowstorm adds cold, early darkness, and patchy cell service. These extras close those gaps.
Keeping warm when the furnace stops is the top concern in a long outage. Light and communication come next. The table below groups the extras so you can check them off.
Need | Extras to Add | Tip |
Warmth | Sleeping bags, wool blankets, hats, mittens, thermal layers, hand warmers | Pick one room to keep warm and close the doors |
Light | LED lanterns, headlamps, spare batteries | Use battery lights instead of candles when you can |
Communication | Wind-up or battery radio, power bank, car charger | Save phone battery with low-power mode |
Power | Charged power station, charging cables, a solar or car charging option | Charge everything when a storm watch is issued |
Food | No-cook foods and a thermos for hot drinks | Never use outdoor cooking gear indoors |
Backup Heat Done Safely
The Government of Canada's winter storm preparation page mentions fireplaces, wood stoves, and space heaters as backup heat sources. Clean chimneys and flues before winter. Keep space heaters away from bedding and curtains.
Even the best kit only works if it is ready when the storm arrives. That comes down to storage, rotation, and a few key safety rules.
How to Store, Rotate, and Use Your Kit Safely
A kit packed three winters ago may contain depleted batteries and expired food. A few habits keep everything ready. Safety rules matter just as much, especially around heating and fuel-burning equipment.
Storage Tips
Keep supplies in clear bags or bins so you can find items fast.
Store the kit in a heated part of the home, like a closet near the main entrance.
Keep batteries and power stations indoors, because cold reduces performance.
Pack a small grab-and-go bag for each person in case you need to leave.
Rotation Schedule
When | What to Do |
At least once a year | Replace food, water, batteries, and medications that may expire |
Every fall | Clean chimneys and have the furnace checked |
When a storm is forecast | Fully charge phones, power banks, and your power station |
After every use | Restock anything you took from the kit |
Carbon Monoxide and Generator Safety
Snowstorm safety hazards around the home include carbon monoxide. You cannot see or smell it, so you need an alarm to detect it. Install certified CO alarms with battery backup in hallways and outside sleeping areas.
Never run a fuel-burning generator, BBQ, or camp stove inside a home, garage, basement, or shed.
Run portable generators at least 6 metres (20 feet) from any building.
Point generator exhaust away from windows and doors.
Never idle a vehicle in a garage, even with the door open.
Clear snow and ice from outdoor exhaust vents during the storm.
If a CO alarm sounds, get everyone outside and call 9-1-1.
Health Canada's carbon monoxide infographic adds one more rule: do not go back inside after an alarm. If you are stuck in your car, keep the tailpipe clear of snow and ice.
Conclusion
A snowstorm emergency kit is really two kits: one for home and one for the car. Cover the basics first, with 72 hours of water, food, and light. Then add winter extras for warmth, communication, and power. Store everything indoors, rotate supplies on schedule, and follow carbon monoxide rules closely. For a quiet, indoor-safe way to keep devices charged, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus can be a practical addition to your plan.
FAQs
What Should Be in a Snowstorm Emergency Kit?
Pack at least 72 hours of water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a radio, batteries, a first aid kit, and medications. Add winter gear like blankets, warm layers, and a way to charge phones.
How Much Water Do I Need for a Snowstorm?
The Government of Canada suggests about four litres per person per day. For a family of four over three days, that is about 48 litres.
What Emergency Supplies for a Snow Storm Should I Keep in My Car?
Keep a blanket, extra clothing, food, water, a shovel, a scraper, a flashlight, and booster cables. Add kitty litter or traction mats for grip, and road flares for visibility.
Can I Keep a Power Station in My Car or Garage All Winter?
It is better to store it indoors. Many power stations, including the DELTA 3 Max Plus, only charge at 0°C or above. Bring it inside and charge it before the storm.
Is It Safe to Run a Generator During a Snowstorm?
Only outdoors. Keep a fuel-burning generator at least 6 metres from buildings, with the exhaust pointed away from windows and doors. Never run it in a garage or shed.