72 Hour Emergency Kit Checklist
Build a FEMA-standard 72-hour survival kit. This checklist follows Ready.gov guidelines and includes Amazon links for every item. Check items off as you buy them, print a PDF version, or share with family members so everyone knows what to pack.
What goes in a 72-hour emergency kit?
FEMA's Ready.gov recommends enough supplies to survive 72 hours without outside help. That means one gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, a reliable light source, a weather radio, first aid, and tools to shelter in place or evacuate.
This checklist focuses on the 10 items that FEMA, the Red Cross, and the National Weather Service all agree are non-negotiable. You can build a complete kit for under $200, and most items last 5-10 years with minimal maintenance.
Your 72-Hour Kit Checklist
Tap each item to mark it as ready. Your progress is saved on this device.
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- Rechargeable Headlamp~$20
Hands-free light for sheltering, first aid, repairs, and night evacuation.
Buy on Amazon - Thermal Emergency Blanket~$14
Compact backup warmth for freezing weather, car kits, and evacuation packs.
Buy on Amazon - Compact First Aid Kit~$25
Cuts, burns, sprains, and basic wound care after storms or evacuation.
Buy on Amazon - Freeze-Dried Emergency Food Bucket~$65
3-to-7 day food supply for shelter-in-place or evacuation without cooking fuel.
Buy on Amazon - High-Capacity Power Bank~$40
Keep phones and radios charged during multi-day outages or evacuation.
Buy on Amazon - Duct Tape (Mini Roll)~$6
Seal broken windows, patch tarps, repair gear, and improvised first aid splinting.
Buy on Amazon
The FEMA 72-hour rule explained
After a major disaster, emergency services may not reach you for 72 hours or more. Power grids fail, roads block, and supply chains break. The 72-hour kit exists because that is the realistic window between disaster impact and organized relief arriving.
Ready.gov published this guideline after Hurricane Katrina showed that many Americans were unprepared for even short-term disruptions. The rule has been adopted by FEMA, the Red Cross, and state emergency management agencies nationwide.
Building a kit for a family of four
For a family of four, you need 12 gallons of water, 24,000 calories of food, a large first aid kit, and duplicate communication devices. Store water in food-grade containers and rotate every 6 months. Pack one kit per adult and a shared family kit with medications, documents, and cash.
Children's kits should include comfort items (a small toy, a family photo), baby supplies if needed, and age-appropriate snacks. Elderly family members need extra medications, mobility aids, and a medical information card listing conditions, medications, and emergency contacts.
Where to store your 72-hour kit
Keep your kit in a cool, dry, accessible location. A hall closet near the front door is ideal. Avoid attics (extreme heat degrades batteries and food) and basements (flooding risk). If you live in an apartment, store the kit in a dedicated bin near the exit. Keep a smaller version in your car for roadside emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 72-hour emergency kit?
A 72-hour emergency kit contains enough supplies to sustain you for three days without access to power, running water, or stores. It follows the FEMA Ready.gov guideline of one gallon of water per person per day plus food, first aid, light, communication, and shelter items.
How much water do I need for 72 hours?
FEMA recommends one gallon per person per day. For a family of four, that is 12 gallons minimum. Since water is heavy (8 pounds per gallon), most kits include a water filter rather than carrying all water. Store 3 gallons at home and pack a filter for evacuation.
What food should I put in a 72-hour kit?
Choose non-perishable, ready-to-eat foods that require no cooking: freeze-dried meals, energy bars, trail mix, canned goods with pull-tabs, and peanut butter. Aim for 2,000 calories per person per day. Rotate food every 6-12 months.
How is this different from a bug out bag?
A 72-hour kit is broader and often stays at home or in a car. A bug out bag is packed for rapid evacuation and is lighter. The 72-hour kit is the foundation; the bug out bag is the mobile subset.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes. Use the Print button on this page and select 'Save as PDF' as the printer. The interactive checklist and progress bar are hidden in print mode, leaving a clean printable checklist with Amazon links.