72 Hour Emergency Kit Checklist – What You Really Need (And What You Think You Need But Don’t)

Disasters don’t send a calendar invite.

Whether it’s a blackout, blizzard, flood, or full-blown apocalypse (zombie or otherwise), having a 72-hour emergency kit can make the difference between chaos and calm.

And no, packing six jars of peanut butter and your collection of scented candles doesn’t count as being prepared.

Let’s get serious… but also, let’s keep it fun.

Emergency prepping can be practical and mildly entertaining.

Think of it like camping, except you didn’t get to pick the campsite… or the weather… or the reason.

Why 72 Hours?

The “72 hours” timeframe is based on the average response time for emergency services to reach people in widespread disasters.

Three days can feel like an eternity if you’re without power, clean water, or Netflix.

So, the goal is to stay alive, stay safe, and stay somewhat sane for 72 hours until help arrives or civilization resets itself (whichever comes first).

What should I put in a 72 hour emergency kit?

The Quick List (for the Impatient Reader)

Here’s your no-frills, straight-to-the-point, just-tell-me-what-to-pack list:

🔢 Quick Grab & Go Essentials

• Water (3 liters per person per day)
• Food (non-perishable, 3-day supply)
• Flashlight (plus extra batteries)
• First aid kit (with personal meds)
• Radio (hand-crank or battery-powered)
• Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife
• Extra clothes (warm + dry options)
• Emergency blanket or sleeping bag
• Hygiene items (wipes, toothbrush, sanitizer)
• Phone charger (solar or power bank)
• Whistle (for attracting attention, or annoying your siblings)
• Important documents & cash (small bills)
• Local map (paper – yes, that still exists)

The Full Breakdown (With All the Juicy Details)

💧 Water: The MVP of Survival

• Minimum of 1 gallon (3.8 liters) per person per day
• Use for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene
• Pro tip: Get water purification tablets or a portable filter too. (Don’t trust that muddy puddle.)

🍽️ Food: Fuel to Function

• Non-perishables like:
  • Energy/protein bars
  • Canned beans, tuna, or soup
  • Dried fruits and nuts
  • Instant noodles (a true apocalyptic delicacy)
• Don’t forget a manual can opener! Electric ones are useless when the power’s out.

⚡ Light and Power

• Flashlight (LED preferred)
• Headlamp (bonus: hands-free zombie spotting)
• Extra batteries or solar-powered lights

🌊 Communication

• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (for emergency alerts)
• Bonus: NOAA weather radio with tone alert
• Fully charged power bank or solar phone charger

⛨️ Shelter and Warmth

• Emergency blankets (aka shiny burrito wraps)
• Sleeping bags
• Tent or tarp (with rope or duct tape)
• Hand warmers if you’re in a cold climate

🚑 First Aid & Health Supplies

• Bandages, antiseptics, tweezers
• Painkillers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
• Allergy meds
• Prescription meds (3-day supply minimum)
• Thermometer (bonus if it’s digital and not from 1982)

💋 Personal Hygiene & Sanitation

• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Wet wipes (a true luxury when there’s no shower)
• Hand sanitizer
• Soap
• Sanitary products
• Trash bags (double up as makeshift ponchos, if you’re desperate)
• Trowel (for digging a latrine… or burying your regrets)

🛅 Clothing and Footwear

• Weather-appropriate clothes (layers are your friend)
• Waterproof jacket
• Extra underwear and socks (trust us on this one)
• Sturdy shoes or boots

🌐 Documents & Backup Plans

• Photocopies of:
  • ID and passports
  • Insurance policies
  • Emergency contacts
  • Medical info
• Store in a waterproof pouch or zip-lock bag

💵 Cash

• Small bills ($1s, $5s, $10s)
• ATMs might be down, and credit cards might be just plastic rectangles.

🤍 Miscellaneous Must-Haves

• Whistle (three blasts = distress signal)
• Local map (don’t rely on GPS)
• Notebook and pen (old school texting)
• Books, playing cards, or travel games (for sanity)
• Duct tape (fixes everything except a broken heart)

PIN IT

What NOT to Pack (Seriously)

• A full-size pillow (you’re not glamping)
• 5-pound bag of rice (unless you want to build muscle)
• Anything that needs a microwave
• Every family photo album (you’ll survive, but your back won’t)

Family & Pet Prep Tips

• Kids: Pack games, snacks, and comfort items (like a teddy or a blanket)
• Pets:
  • Food and water
  • Leash and waste bags
  • Vaccination records

If your dog eats your emergency rations, at least make sure he enjoyed it.

Keeping Your Kit Ready

• Review every 6 months (or after every apocalypse-themed movie)
• Check expiration dates on food, meds, and batteries
• Store in a cool, dry place
• Make it portable: Use a backpack you can actually carry, not a wheeled suitcase with one janky wheel

Here’s the Conclusion

Having a 72-hour emergency kit isn’t about living in fear—it’s about being ready when life throws curveballs (or hurricanes, power outages, or surprise volcanoes).

So build your kit, store it somewhere easy to grab, and give yourself a gold star for being one step ahead.

And remember:

Just maybe leave the gourmet cheese platter at home, alright?

Stay safe, stay hydrated, and may your batteries always be fresh.