What a 72-hour kit is for
A good 72-hour kit should cover water, shelf-stable food, first aid, light, small-device power, important documents, personal hygiene, weather protection, and family-specific needs. If you can grab one bin, backpack, or tote and know it has the basics, you are ahead of most people.
Keep it practical. No fantasy loadout. No giant survival kit you will never use. Just the basics that help real families handle common emergencies.
Printable 72-hour emergency kit checklist
Water and hydration
- 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days
- Water bottles for transport
- Water purification tablets or a backup treatment method
- Collapsible water containers
Food
- 3 days of shelf-stable food per person
- Manual can opener
- Protein bars, nut butter, tuna packets, ready-to-eat meals, or similar no-cook foods
- Infant, medical, or dietary-specific food if needed
First aid and health
- Family first aid kit
- 7-day backup of critical medications where possible
- Copies of prescriptions and important medical notes
- Gloves, masks, antiseptic wipes, and blister care
Light, power, and communication
- Flashlight or headlamp for each adult
- Extra batteries or rechargeable battery bank
- Phone charging cables
- NOAA weather radio or local alert backup
Documents, cash, and personal items
- Copies of IDs, insurance cards, emergency contacts, and key documents
- Small amount of cash in useful denominations
- Hygiene items, wipes, hand sanitizer, and trash bags
- Seasonal clothing, sturdy shoes, and rain protection
Family add-ons
- • Baby supplies: formula, diapers, wipes, bottles, pacifier, and comfort item
- • Pet supplies: food, water bowl, leash, carrier, medication, and vaccination copy
- • Kid supplies: snacks, small games, headphones, and a familiar comfort item
- • Senior or accessibility supplies: backup glasses, hearing-aid batteries, mobility aids, and caregiver notes
Before you start
Pick a storage method first: one backpack for each person, one large household tote, one plastic bin per category, or a combo setup with a grab-and-go bag plus a home supply tote.
Store the kit where you can reach it quickly: hall closet, mudroom, garage shelf, bedroom closet shelf, or near the main exit.
Helpful next steps
FAQ
How much water should be in a 72-hour kit?
Start with 1 gallon per person per day for at least 3 days. Add more for pets, hot weather, medical needs, sanitation, or physically demanding cleanup work.
Should every person have a separate bag?
A separate backpack per person is easiest for evacuation, but many families use one grab-and-go bag plus a home tote for bulk water, food, and extra supplies.
What should I avoid overpacking?
Avoid fragile gear, rarely used gadgets, heavy tools without a clear job, and duplicate items that make the kit too hard to carry or maintain.
How often should I check the kit?
Review it every 6 months. Rotate food, water, batteries, medications, clothing sizes, documents, and seasonal items.