Preparedness · 7 min · Updated 2026-06-29
Emergency Kit List: What to Pack for 72 Hours
A clear packing list for the first three days after a major disruption.
Quick checklist
Use this as the working list.
Short items are easier to finish before conditions change. Save official links and adapt supplies to your household, location, and medical needs.
- One gallon / 3–4 liters of water per person per day where practical.
- Food that does not require cooking or refrigeration.
- Radio, flashlight, backup batteries, and a charged power bank.
- First-aid kit, prescriptions, glasses, and hygiene items.
- Cash, document copies, local map, and spare keys.
Guide step
Pack for disruption, not adventure
A 72-hour kit is not a survival fantasy bag. It is a practical buffer for power outages, closed roads, supply delays, or temporary evacuation.
Guide step
Keep it modular
Use small pouches for water, food, medical, documents, hygiene, lighting, and communication. This makes the kit easier to update before each disaster season.
Guide step
Check expiration dates twice a year
Tie kit review to calendar moments: before hurricane/typhoon season, before winter storm season, or at the start of the school year.
Official and expert sources
Verify decisions with source-of-record pages.
Disaster Calendar organizes public preparedness information, but it is not an official emergency alert service.