Emergency Kit
A 72-hour kit lets your household get through the first three days of an outage, storm or evacuation without shops, running water or power. FEMA and the Red Cross both recommend that every household keep one. Start with water, then add the rest over a few weeks. Nothing here needs to be bought in one go.
Water
- Store 1 gallon (about 3.8 litres) per person per day. That is 3 gallons per person for 72 hours, for drinking, cooking and basic hygiene.
- Count pets, and store extra for hot weather, illness or nursing.
- Keep sealed bottled water somewhere cool and check the date on the label.
Food
- Three days of non-perishable food that needs no cooking and little or no water.
- Good choices: canned fish, meat, beans and ready meals, peanut butter, crackers, dried fruit, nuts, energy bars and shelf-stable milk.
- Pick foods your household already eats, including anything needed for allergies, infants or medical diets.
- A manual can opener, plates and utensils.
Need more detail? Read the emergency food guide for how much to store, what lasts and how to keep fridge and freezer food safe.
Light and power
- A flashlight or headlamp for each person, with spare batteries.
- A battery-powered or hand-crank radio for news.
- Fully charged power banks and phone cables.
- LED lanterns. Use these instead of candles to lower the fire risk.
- For a fridge, router or medical device, a portable power station. The runtime calculator shows what size you need.
First aid and health
- A first aid kit and a basic first aid guide.
- At least a week of prescription medicines, plus a written list of what you take. Spare glasses.
- Hand sanitiser, wipes, toilet paper, rubbish bags and menstrual products.
- Infant needs if relevant: formula, nappies, wipes and bottles.
Documents and cash
- Copies of ID, insurance papers and medical information in a waterproof bag.
- A paper list of important phone numbers.
- Cash in small notes. Card machines and cash points may not work in an outage.
Tools, clothing and comfort
- A multi-tool, duct tape, work gloves and a whistle.
- Warm layers, blankets, rain gear and sturdy shoes.
- Games, books or cards. Three days is long for children.
Safety first
Never run a gas generator, charcoal grill or camp stove inside a home, garage or near open windows. They produce carbon monoxide, which can kill. Battery power stations produce no exhaust and are designed for indoor use.
Build it in four weeks
| Week | Add this |
|---|---|
| 1 | Water for 72 hours, plus a first aid kit. |
| 2 | Three days of no-cook food and a can opener. |
| 3 | Flashlights, radio, batteries and power banks. |
| 4 | Documents, cash, medicines and comfort items. |
A basic kit for a family of four commonly costs roughly $150 to $400, depending on the choices you make. Store it where you can reach it quickly, and check it twice a year. Swap out food and water near their dates and replace old batteries.
Common questions
Why 72 hours?
Three days is the standard planning period for the time it can take emergency services to restore basic infrastructure and reach everyone after a major event. If you can manage longer, do. Two weeks at home is a good longer-term goal.
Do I need a power station?
No. Flashlights, a radio and power banks cover the basics. A power station is worth considering if you need to keep a fridge, router or medical device running. See the best portable power stations guide.
What about medical equipment?
Talk to your clinician and the equipment maker about a backup plan. Do not rely on a general kit for anything life-critical.