72-Hour Family Emergency Kit Checklist (Printable, Based on Ready.gov)
Ready.gov recommends having supplies to get your household through at least several days on your own after a disaster (Ready.gov: Build a Kit). A 72-hour kit is the common starting point. This checklist follows that list and adds the family items people most often forget.
Core kit (one per household)
- Water: 1 gallon per person per day for several days (Ready.gov). For a family of 4 over 3 days that is 12 gallons, before pets. See our water storage guide.
- Food: a several-day supply of non-perishable food plus a manual can opener.
- Light: flashlights or headlamps for each person, and spare batteries. Avoid candles where kids are around (fire risk).
- Information: a battery or hand-crank NOAA Weather Radio.
- Power: phone chargers and a backup battery. For longer outages, a battery power station (see generator vs battery safety).
- First aid kit, whistle, dust masks, plastic sheeting and duct tape, moist towelettes, garbage bags, wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, local maps.
Family additions
- Prescription medications and glasses (ask your pharmacist about keeping a small extra supply), copies of prescriptions.
- Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes; comfort items and a small game or book for each child.
- Pet food, water, leash or carrier, and vet records.
- Copies of IDs, insurance, and bank records in a waterproof bag; some cash.
- A written family contact card for each child's backpack (phones die; kids may not know numbers by heart).
Keep it current
Pick two dates a year (many families use the daylight-saving changes) to rotate water and food, check battery dates, test flashlights, and update kids' clothing sizes.
Ready-made kits
Pre-packed kits save time but often skimp on water and food quantity. If you buy one, compare its contents with the list above and fill the gaps. Options we plan to compare once program approvals arrive: Survival Frog emergency kits [LINK-PENDING: Survival Frog (Awin)], ReadyWise emergency food kits [LINK-PENDING: ReadyWise (CJ)].
Every household is different. Adjust for medical needs, climate, and local hazards, and follow instructions from local officials.