Almost every emergency-management agency uses the same starting point: be ready to take care of yourself and your household for at least 72 hours. That’s the window it can take for power to come back, roads to reopen, or outside help to arrive. Here’s what a genuinely useful 72-hour kit contains — without the padding.
Water and food
- One gallon of water per person, per day (three days minimum).
- Three days of non-perishable food that needs no cooking — canned goods, energy bars, dried fruit, nut butter. Don’t forget a manual can opener.
- Food and water for pets.
Power and light
- Flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries.
- A power bank for phones, charged and ready.
- A battery or hand-crank radio to get official updates if the network goes down.
Health and safety
- A first-aid kit and any prescription medications (a several-day supply).
- Hygiene items: hand sanitizer, wet wipes, toilet paper, garbage bags.
- Copies of important documents (ID, insurance, medical info) in a waterproof bag.
- Some cash in small bills — card readers and ATMs may be down.
Warmth and shelter
- An emergency blanket or sleeping bag per person.
- A change of weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.
Build it once, check it twice a year
A kit is only useful if it’s current. Twice a year — a good trick is to do it when the clocks change — check expiration dates, swap batteries, and update documents and medications. That fifteen-minute habit is what separates a kit that works from a box of expired snacks.
Get the Free 72-Hour Emergency Checklist
The exact printable list we use — food, water, power, meds, documents. No cost, delivered instantly.
Want it all done for you? The $19 Stockpile Starter Kit turns this into a ready-to-follow plan.