The 72-hour kit
A1 · At homeThree days of what your household needs if you have to leave in a hurry or the services stop. Tick each item as it goes in the bag. Keep the bag by the door or in the car, somewhere everyone can reach.
People in my house:
Water: people × 3 = gallons
Pets:
Water and food
- Water, 1 gallon a person a day (3 days = 3 gallons each)
- Food for 3 days that needs no fridge and little cooking
- Manual can opener
- Plates, cups and utensils
Light, power and news
- Battery or hand-crank radio, and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight for each person
- Extra batteries
- Phone charger and a backup battery
Safety and shelter
- First aid kit
- Whistle, to signal for help
- Dust masks
- Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape
- Wrench or pliers, to turn off the utilities
- Matches in a waterproof container
Health and hygiene
- Medicines, a 7-day supply for everyone who takes them
- Glasses and contact lens solution
- Wet wipes, garbage bags and plastic ties
- Soap, hand sanitizer and hygiene items
Paper and money
- Cash in 5s and 10s
- Copies of IDs, insurance and your medicines list, in a waterproof bag
- Family phone numbers written down
- Paper maps of your area
- Paper and pencil
Warmth and comfort
- A blanket or sleeping bag for each person
- A change of clothes and sturdy shoes
- Baby supplies: formula, bottles, diapers, wipes
- Pet food, water, leash and carrier
- A book, cards or a game for the kids
Keep this page dry. Fold it into a zip-top plastic bag and keep it in the go-bag, the glove box or a kitchen drawer.
Built from Ready.gov, "Build A Kit" (FEMA, updated July 1, 2026), and the American Red Cross, "Survival Kit Supplies" (3 days of water and food for evacuation, 2 weeks at home, a 7-day supply of medicines). Cash in small bills is our own advice. everywayout.com