Emergency supplies laid out on a table: water bottles, a dust mask, flashlight, batteries, a hand-crank radio, food, and a first aid kit

Resources / Preparedness / 72-Hour Emergency Kit Checklist

72-Hour Emergency Kit Checklist

The basics every household needs for the first three days, based on Ready.gov's emergency supply list. Tap any item for the full guide.

Water 1 gallon per person, per day, for 3 days Food 3 days of non-perishable food + a manual can opener First aid kit Plus a week of prescription meds Flashlight A headlamp per person + extra batteries Radio Battery or hand-crank, with NOAA weather alerts Phone power Chargers and a charged backup battery Sanitation Wet wipes, garbage bags, and plastic ties Whistle, mask & tape Whistle, dust masks, plastic sheeting, duct tape Utility tools Wrench or pliers to shut off utilities Cash & documents Small bills and copies of key documents Clothes & shoes A change of clothes and sturdy shoes Local maps Paper maps of your area and routes out

Source: Ready.gov, Build a Kit.

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Common Questions

What goes in a 72-hour emergency kit?

At minimum: 3 days of water (1 gallon per person, per day), 3 days of non-perishable food and a manual can opener, a first aid kit and prescription meds, a flashlight and batteries, a battery or hand-crank radio, phone chargers, a whistle, dust masks, sanitation supplies, a wrench or pliers for utilities, cash, copies of documents, a change of clothes, and local maps. That list follows Ready.gov, and the checklist on this page links each item to a full guide.

How much water do I need for a 72-hour kit?

Plan on 1 gallon per person, per day, so 3 gallons per person for 72 hours. A family of four needs 12 gallons. The Water Storage guide covers containers, rotation, and how to treat water once the stored supply runs out.

Is a 72-hour kit the same as a get-home bag?

No. A 72-hour kit is the supply you keep at home (or grab on the way out) to cover your household for three days. A get-home bag lives in your car or at work and is built to get one person back home to those supplies. Most households want both.

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