72-Hour Kit Previous Page Home Page
This is a general kit that will sustain a family for 72 hours.
Water
- Chlorine bleach (eight drops per gallon of water)
- Commercial water purification system
- One gallon per person per day for at least three days (replace every six months)
- Stove kit and extra heat source (for boiling water)
- Metal coffee mug (for boiling water)
Medicine
- Essential medicines (heard medication, insulin, etc.)
- Vitamins
Bedding
- Blankets (wool and thermal)
- Pillows and pillow cases
- Sheets (if necessary)
- Sleeping bags
- Tarp
Clothing
- Extra clothing
- Gloves (leather)
- Gloves (work)
- Rain and winter gear
- Shoes
Communication
- Batteries
- Radio (battery powered and/or hand-cranked)
- Whistle
First Aid
- First aid kit (containing bandages, pain killers, compresses, ointment, alcohol swabs, etc.
- First aid manual
- Personal essential medications
Food
- Cooking utensils
- Can opener (manual)
- Non-cook/non-perishable foods (for example, canned meats, tuna, juice, fruits, corn, black beans, other vegetables, powdered milk, crackers, energy bars, peanut butter, freeze-dried goods, dehydrated goods)
- Other ready-to-eat goods in unbreakable containers
- Paper plates
- Plastic cups
- Eating utensils
- Aluminum foil
- Paper towels
- Pots
- Snacks and comfort foods
- Allow for special meals for those on restricted diets and infants
Fuel
- Cooking
- Heat
- Waterproof/windproof matches
Keys
- Car keys
- House keys
Light
- Candles
- Extra batteries
- Flashlight
- Kerosene lantern (optional)
- Waterproof matches
- Glow sticks or light sticks (comfort lighting and fun for kids -- pack extras)
Money
- Cash
- Credit cards
- Quarters for phone
Papers
- Address book
- Books
- Certificates
- Consent forms to treat minor children
- Current family pictures
- Emergency manual
- Household inventory
- House appraisal
- House photos
- ID cards
- ID tags
- Insurance
- Maps
- Pencil/pen, paper
- Securities
- Stocks
- Titles
- Wills
Personal
- Brush
- Comb
- Extra eyeglasses and contct lenses
- Hygiene items
- Lip balm
- Lotion
- Shampoo
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
Recreation
- Books
- Games
- Games for children
- Toys for children
- Deck of playing cards
- Book of crossword puzzles, connect-the-dots, Sudoku, coloring books packaged with crayons, notebook
- Pencils and pencil sharpener
- Other travel games
Sanitation
- Airtight bucket or portable toilet
- Baby supplies
- Bleach
- Disinfectant
- Improvised toilet seat
- Newspaper
- Plastic garbage bags and bag ties
- Smaller trash bags
- Soap
- Toilet paper
- Moist towlettes
- Hand sanitizer
- Toiletries
- Towels
Shelter
- Tarp
- Tent
- Rope, 1/4-inch, 36-feet long
Tools
- Axe
- Duct tape
- Plastic sheeting (such as paint drop cloths)
- Pocket knife
- Pointed shovel
- Small tools
- Utility knife
- Multi-tool
- Needles and threads
- Wrench (to shut off gas and water supplies)
Pet Needs
- Food
- Water
- Bowls
Kit Storage
- Store the items you will most likely need during an evacuation in easy-to-carry containers.
- Possible containers include large trash containers, buckets, camping backpacks, duffle bags, bins.
- Keep your 72-hour kit in a cool, dark, and dry location.
- Make sure everyone in the house knows where it is.
- Make sure your kit doesn't become too heavy to carry (split it up if necessary)
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