72-Hour Emergency Kit Checklist for Families
A 72-hour kit is a set of supplies that helps your household manage on its own for about three days. The idea is simple: during or after an emergency, services such as power, water and shops may be interrupted, and help may take time to reach everyone.
The Government of Canada puts it plainly: “Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours” (Canada.ca, Emergency kits). Ready.gov uses the phrase “several days” and the American Red Cross recommends a 3-day supply for evacuation and a 2-week supply for home (Red Cross survival kit supplies).
Below is the 72-hour emergency kit checklist I use as a starting point for a family, organized so you can work through it one category at a time.
Before You Start: Two Quick Decisions
1. Who is the kit for? Count every person and pet. Quantities depend on it.
2. Will it travel? A kit you might carry out the door should be portable. Canada.ca suggests a backpack, duffle bag or suitcase with wheels in an easy-to-reach place, and notes that larger households can split supplies into individual backpacks (Emergency kits). Ready.gov suggests storing items in airtight plastic bags inside one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag (Build A Kit).
If you are unsure whether you need a home kit, a portable bag, or both, I explain the differences in go-bag vs bug-out bag.
Water
Water is the bulkiest item and the one people most often under-pack.
- ☐ Drinking and sanitation water. Ready.gov recommends at least one gallon of water per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation. For three days, that means at least three gallons per person. Canada.ca’s guidance is about four litres per person, per day.
- ☐ Extra for hot climates, children, nursing mothers and anyone unwell. Ready.gov notes these groups may need more, and that in very hot temperatures water needs can double (Water).
- ☐ Small bottles for carrying. Canada.ca recommends including small bottles that can be carried easily.
- ☐ Pet water. Ready.gov suggests a water bowl and several days’ supply of water for each pet (Pets).
Storage note: Ready.gov recommends storing commercially bottled water in its sealed original container in a cool, dark place, and replacing water that has not been commercially bottled every six months (Water).
Food
- ☐ At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food per person
- ☐ Foods that need no refrigeration, cooking or water, such as ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables, protein or fruit bars, dry cereal or granola, peanut butter and dried fruit (Ready.gov, Food)
- ☐ Food for infants and any special diets
- ☐ Comfort foods (Ready.gov includes “comfort/stress foods” on its list)
- ☐ A manual can opener
- ☐ Plates, cups and utensils
- ☐ Pet food in an airtight, waterproof container
Ready.gov’s advice to “choose foods your family will eat” is worth repeating. A kit full of food nobody likes tends to get ignored.
Light, Power and Communication
From Ready.gov’s basic supplies list:
- ☐ Flashlight (one per person is helpful)
- ☐ Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- ☐ Extra batteries
- ☐ Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
- ☐ Whistle to signal for help
First Aid and Health
- ☐ First aid kit
- ☐ Prescription medications. The Red Cross recommends a 7-day supply of medications and medical items, and Canada.ca suggests including enough medication to last a couple of weeks if possible.
- ☐ Non-prescription medicines such as pain relievers and antacids
- ☐ Glasses, contact lenses and solution
- ☐ Hearing aid batteries and medical device chargers
- ☐ Dust masks
Sanitation and Hygiene
- ☐ Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (Ready.gov)
- ☐ Soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes
- ☐ Toilet paper
- ☐ Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
- ☐ Diapers and wipes, if needed
Tools and Shelter
- ☐ Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- ☐ Multi-purpose tool
- ☐ Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape
- ☐ Emergency blanket or sleeping bag for each person
- ☐ A complete change of clothing and sturdy shoes for each person
- ☐ Matches in a waterproof container
- ☐ Local maps
Documents and Money
- ☐ Copies of important documents in a waterproof bag (ID, insurance, medical list)
- ☐ Family and emergency contact information on paper
- ☐ Cash in small bills. Ready.gov notes ATMs and credit cards may not work during a disaster (financial preparedness).
- ☐ Spare house and car keys
If you want a guide to exactly which documents to include, see what documents to keep in an emergency binder.
Family-Specific Extras
For babies and young children
- ☐ Formula, bottles, baby food
- ☐ Diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream
- ☐ Books, games or a small comfort toy (Ready.gov lists activities for children)
For older adults or anyone with medical needs
- ☐ Extra batteries and chargers for devices
- ☐ Copies of prescriptions and insurance cards (Ready.gov, Older Adults)
- ☐ Spare mobility aids if practical
For pets
- ☐ Collar with ID tag, leash or harness, and a backup set
- ☐ Carrier or crate
- ☐ Medications and vet records
- ☐ Litter, bags and sanitation supplies (Ready.gov, Pets)
Keeping the Kit Ready
A kit is only useful if it still works when you need it. Ready.gov’s maintenance tips include keeping canned food in a cool, dry place, replacing expired items, and re-thinking your needs every year (Build A Kit). Canada.ca recommends replacing items that might expire, like food, water, batteries and medications, at least once a year.
I put a reminder in my calendar and use a simple checklist:
- ☐ Check dates on food, water, medicine and batteries
- ☐ Test flashlights and radio
- ☐ Update clothing sizes for children
- ☐ Refresh documents and contact list
- ☐ Recharge power banks
Where to Keep It
Ready.gov recommends a designated place at home that all family members know about, plus a kit at work and in the car (Build A Kit). Near the main exit, in a hall closet, is often the easiest spot.
Want It on Paper?
If you would like this list on paper, I made a printable version as part of the Family Emergency Binder + 72-Hour Kit & Pantry Planner. The 6-page 72-Hour Kit Checklist covers the household kit with Have and Packed columns, a personal go-bag grid with a column for each person, extras for kids, babies, older adults and pets, and a car kit with a simple seasonal check schedule. The last page is a sheet of 4 fold-over wallet cards for contacts, meeting places and key medical notes. The same lists also appear in the Kits section of the 59-page fillable binder. You can see the full kit here.
FAQ
Is 72 hours really enough?
It is a common minimum, not a maximum. The Red Cross recommends a 3-day supply for evacuation and a 2-week supply for home. Start with three days and build from there.
How much water should a family of four store for 72 hours?
Using Ready.gov’s guideline of at least one gallon per person per day, a family of four would need at least 12 gallons for three days, plus extra for pets, hot weather or medical needs.
Can I build a 72-hour kit gradually?
Yes. Ready.gov’s low and no cost tips suggest building your kit over time, starting with items you already have and picking up an extra item when you shop.
Should each family member have their own bag?
For larger households it helps. Canada.ca suggests separating supplies into backpacks so the kit is more portable and each person can personalize their own.
Conclusion
A 72-hour emergency kit checklist is really a list of basics: water, food, light, communication, first aid, hygiene, tools, documents and money, plus the extras your family needs. Build it gradually, store it where everyone can find it, and check it once a year.
Disclaimer: This article provides general preparedness information only. It is not professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always follow the guidance of your local authorities and emergency services.