A 72-hour kit covers each person for three days without help: 1 gallon of water per person per day, three days of non-perishable food, a battery or hand-crank NOAA weather radio, flashlights and spare batteries, a first aid kit, a whistle, dust masks, a manual can opener, phone chargers and a backup battery, medications, copies of documents and some cash. Add supplies for infants, older adults and pets.
A 72-hour kit is not about doomsday. It is for the first three days of an outage, storm or evacuation, when help and stores may not be available.
The basic kit
| Item | Amount or note |
|---|---|
| Water | 1 gallon per person per day, at least 3 days |
| Food | 3 days of non-perishable food that needs no cooking |
| Weather radio | Battery or hand-crank, NOAA Weather Radio band |
| Flashlights | One per person, plus spare batteries |
| First aid kit | Restocked and checked |
| Whistle | To signal for help |
| Dust masks | N95 or similar |
| Plastic sheeting and duct tape | Shelter in place |
| Moist towelettes, garbage bags, ties | Sanitation |
| Wrench or pliers | To turn off utilities |
| Manual can opener | For canned food |
| Local maps | If phones are down |
| Phone chargers and backup battery | Charged |
This list follows Ready.gov’s basic disaster supplies kit.
Add for your household
| Who | Add |
|---|---|
| Everyone | Prescription medications, glasses, contact lens supplies |
| Infants | Formula, bottles, diapers, wipes |
| Older adults | Mobility aids, hearing aid batteries, medical device power |
| Pets | Food, water, leash, carrier, records |
| Records | Copies of ID, insurance and medical info in a waterproof bag, plus cash |
Packing
Use a backpack or rolling bin you can carry. Keep a home kit, a smaller go-bag and a car kit. Store water separately if the kit gets too heavy; see emergency water storage.
Keep it current
Set a yearly reminder to rotate food and water, refresh medications and test the radio. Choose a weather radio with alerts for your county.
Browse kits and planning.
Common questions
What should be in a 72-hour emergency kit?
Water, food, a weather radio, flashlights, batteries, first aid, a whistle, masks, a can opener, chargers, medications, documents and cash, per Ready.gov's basic kit list.
How much water for a 72-hour kit?
At least 3 gallons per person: 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation.
Should I buy a pre-made kit or build one?
Pre-made kits are a fast start but often skimp on water, light and first aid. Build your own or upgrade a kit's weak items.
How often should I check my emergency kit?
At least once a year. Replace expired food, water, medications and batteries, and update for growing kids.