🎒 72-Hour Emergency Kit

Be ready to grab and go — or shelter in place — for 72 hours with everything your family needs to survive.

Why 72 Hours?

FEMA and emergency management agencies consistently recommend that households be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours (3 days) after a major disaster. In many real disaster scenarios — hurricanes, earthquakes, severe storms — it takes emergency services 24–72 hours or longer to reach everyone.

A 72-hour kit should be portable and ready at a moment's notice. Store it near the door or in an accessible location where every adult in the household knows to find it.

Tip: Replenish food, water, and medication once a year — make it a habit tied to a date (e.g., daylight saving time changes or a birthday). Check batteries and rotate food every 6 months.

Level I
Basic 72-Hour Kit

Level I is the essential, portable kit that keeps your family alive and functional for three days. Every household should have these items ready to go.

Water

  • 2 × canteens or water bottles per person
  • Personal water filtration straw (e.g., LifeStraw) per person
  • Portable water filtration system (e.g., Sawyer Squeeze or Katadyn)
  • Water purification tablets (iodine or chlorine)

Food

  • 9 dehydrated or freeze-dried meals (3 per person for a family of 3, adjust per family size)
  • High-calorie emergency food bars
  • Manual can opener

Light & Signaling

  • Flashlight + extra batteries (or hand-crank)
  • Headlamp per person
  • Emergency whistle (for signaling rescuers)
  • Waterproof matches or lighter
  • Emergency candles

Safety & Shelter

  • Dust mask or N95 respirator (at least 1 per person)
  • Heavy-duty plastic sheeting + duct tape (for shelter-in-place)
  • Space / emergency blanket (1 per person)
  • Work gloves (heavy-duty)
  • Non-slip shoes (stored by bed for earthquake scenarios)

First Aid & Hygiene

  • First Aid Kit (Level 1 — see First Aid Kits guide)
  • Moist towelettes / baby wipes
  • Garbage bags (for sanitation)
  • Hand sanitizer

Tools & Documents

  • Adjustable wrench or pliers (to shut off utilities)
  • Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife
  • $100+ cash in small bills
  • Copies of important documents in waterproof bag (IDs, insurance cards, prescriptions, medical records)
  • Portable phone charger (fully charged)

Personal & Spiritual

  • 7-day supply of all prescription medications per person
  • Glasses or contact lens supplies
  • Small scriptures or meaningful reading material
  • Small notepad and pens

Level II
Extended Evacuation Kit

Level II builds on the Level I kit for extended displacement scenarios — situations where you may need to leave home and stay away for a week or more. These additions increase comfort, communication capability, and self-sufficiency.

Shelter & Comfort

  • Sleeping bag rated to the lowest expected local temperature (1 per person)
  • Tent (appropriate for family size)
  • Ground pad or sleeping mat (1 per person)
  • Extra change of clothing per person (weather-appropriate)
  • Sturdy waterproof boots per person
  • Rain gear / poncho per person

Communications & Navigation

  • Battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio
  • Local area maps (paper — don't rely on phone GPS)
  • Compass
  • Two-way radios (walkie-talkies) — useful when cell networks are overloaded

Food Preparation

  • Portable camp stove + fuel canisters
  • Mess kits (plate, bowl, cup, utensils per person)
  • Collapsible water containers (for collecting and storing water)
  • Expanded food supply beyond 9 meals — aim for 21+ meals per person

First Aid & Health

  • First Aid Kit (Level 3 — see First Aid Kits guide)
  • Non-prescription medication: pain reliever, antidiarrheal, antacid, antihistamine
  • Soap and personal hygiene supplies (toothbrush, toothpaste, feminine hygiene)
  • Sunscreen and insect repellent

Pet Supplies

  • 3-day supply of pet food
  • Pet water dish and leash
  • Copy of vaccination records and pet medications
  • Carrier or crate if needed for transport

Infants & Children

  • Diapers and wipes (if applicable)
  • Baby formula or food
  • Small toys, books, or familiar items for comfort

Storage & Packaging Tips

  • Use waterproof bags — store everything in large zip-lock or dry bags inside your kit. Flood and rain can ruin an otherwise perfect kit.
  • Label everything — especially medications, which should have dosage instructions readable by a non-medical person.
  • Keep it accessible — not buried in a closet or under the stairs. The kit should be reachable in the dark.
  • Customize per person — if family members have unique medical needs (EpiPen, insulin, asthma inhaler), maintain a dedicated bag for their supplies.
  • Test it — once a year, simulate using your kit for a weekend. You'll quickly discover what's missing.