72 Hour Kit

A 72 hour kit starts with a checklist...and something to store it in. 

Start your 72 hour kit with a backpack, plastic tote, or large plastic bucket with lid -- A backpack is the best choice for quick evacuations because it's easy to grab and go. But a plastic storage tote or plastic bucket may be better for storing heavy or bulky supplies like water, blankets and outdoor gear.

A good compromise is to create both.

Kids do much better with backpacks, and adults should each have one as well, in case time and weight are an issue.  The larger box or bucket is a great addition if there's time and space to take it, but don't use that as your only emergency kit.

Let's start with the kids, because when an emergency happens, we need to make sure the kids have what they need to get through it. Look further down the page for advice for teens and babies.  An adult 72 hour kit is the last on the list.

Creating a 72 kit for kids

When you have to evacuate, make sure your children have the things they need until you get to safety. While the list might be slightly different for your child, this is a good general guide for kids from .

Food and drink

• 6-8 high energy food bars (not candy bars!)
• 4 pop-top ready-to-eat single serving foods like mac and cheese, noodles and sauce
• 4 pop-top cans of fruit
• 10 water pouches (or a mixture of water pouches and juice pouches) 
• 4 aseptic 8 oz cartons milk or soy milk
• 8 packets of kids' fruit chews
• Mints or chewing gum, if age appropriate
• Plastic bowl, cup, and fork/spoon combination
• Napkin

Personal care

• A small bottle hand sanitizer
• 1 small roll of toilet paper (smash it flat to reduce space) or 6 pocket packs of tissues
• Brush or comb
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Liquid soap, wipes, and shampoo (trial sizes work great for this)
• Medications
• Extra glasses, if needed
• Small plastic trash bags for waste
• Small handtowel and washcloth

Shelter and warmth

• 1 space blanket (available at outdoor stores)
• 1 tube tent (also at outdoor stores)
• 1 lightweight tarp (If it's plastic, make sure little ones don't play with this!) 
• 1 small soft blanket (buy a duplicate of a favorite blanket, if possible)
• 1 small inflatable pillow, with small pillow case
• Inflatable raft (a cheap inflatable raft is easy to blow up, and makes a great make-shift bed for a child)
• A pair of shoes
• A change of clothing
• A jacket or coat
• 3 pairs of socks
• A plastic poncho or raincoat
• Gloves and hat, if the weather might be cold

Comfort and play

• Small toys like Matchbox cars, Polly Pockets, etc
• Small packet of crayons, pencil or pen, and small pad of paper
• 1 comfort item...a duplicate of a favorite small stuffed animal is a great choice
• 1-2 small favorite books

Other

• A set of photos of the child and other family members labeled with names
• A printout of names, numbers and addresses of family members and trusted friends
• Cash (put some in each person's bag, in case one or more are lost or left behind)
• Medical information including health issues and list of doctors, if appropriate
• Flashlight and extra batteries

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72 hour kit variation for teens:

Start with the list for kids, and then add or substitute to make it age appropriate.

• 6-10 small snacks (dried fruit, hard candy, sealed packets of nuts -- but nothing that would crumble or melt)
• Electrolyte/sports drink powder 
• 3 MREs, freeze-dried meals or ready-to-eat packets like tuna or chicken
• 1 bottle of water (1 litre or larger)
• Handheld games are great, but be sure to include extra batteries. 
• A cell phone charger is a must -- choose a solar/plug/car version if possible.  They cost a bit more, but they make it much easier to keep the phone working anywhere.  
• An Mp3 player, again with extra batteries or a charger is also a good addition
• For girls, add sanitary supplies, pain relievers and small waste bags 
• Contact lenses and saline solution, if used
• A cheap emergency phone with minutes and battery pack
• Map of area
• Small craft item/supplies, like knitting, carving or whatever the teen loves to work on
• Pen and small notebook
• Multitool or Swiss Army knife
• Pocket versions of games (cards, travel Scrabble, etc.)

For babies, make sure to include: 

• Disposable diapers, even if you usually use cloth 
• 2 soft packets of baby wipes
• Diaper cream
• Baby wash 
• Powder 
• Formula and/or baby food for three days
• Selection of small baby toys
• 3 baby bottles
• Binky or pacifier
• Extra change of clothing 
• Extra small blanket
• Bib
• Infant pain medication

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Adult 72 hour kits

Ideally, adults will be able to carry more weight and size in their emergency kits. But when time and space are critical, having a just-the-basics backpack can be a lifesaver. When the big totes need to stay behind, make sure you do have:

Food and drink

• 8-10 high energy bars (not candy bars)
• 3 freeze-dried meal pouches or MREs or ready-to-eat packets like tuna or chicken
• 10-15 water pouches
• 1 water bottle (1 liter or more)
• 6-8 small snacks (dried fruit, hard candy, sealed packets of nuts -- but nothing that would crumble or melt)
• Electrolyte/sports drink powder 
• Gum or mints
• Plastic bowl, cup, and fork/spoon combination
• Camp stove and fuel (do NOT use indoors, even with windows open)
• Waterproof matches or matches stored in metal box
• Lightweight pot
• Napkin
• Small packet or bottle of dish soap

Personal care

• A small bottle hand sanitizer
• 1 small roll of toilet paper (smash it flat to reduce space) or 8 pocket packs of tissues
• Liquid soap, wipes, and shampoo (trial sizes work great for this)
• Sanitary products
• Pain relievers and over-the-counter medicines
• Lip balm
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Sunscreen
• Brush or comb
• A small hand towel and washcloth
• Medications and copies of prescriptions
• Extra glasses or contacts, if needed (don't forget saline and contact case!)
• Small first aid kit

Shelter and warmth

• 1 space blanket (available at outdoor stores)
• 1 tube tent (also at outdoor stores)
• 1 small inflatable pillow, with small pillow case
• 1 lightweight tarp
• Inflatable raft (a cheap inflatable raft often works for adults, too!)
• A pair of shoes or boots, depending on the season
• Change of clothing, appropriate for the season
• A jacket or coat
• Plastic poncho or raincoat
• 3 pairs of socks
• Gloves and hat, if the weather might be cold

Comfort items

• Comfort item, like prayer beads, a small holy book, prayer book, or personal memento 
• 1-2 small favorite books
• Small set of favorite craft like watercolor set, knitting needles and yarn, or carving knife
• Pen and small notebook
• Pocket versions of games (cards, travel Scrabble, etc.)

Safety and security

• A set of photos the entire family, labeled with names
• A printout of names, numbers and addresses of family members and friends
• Map of the area
• Multitool or Swiss Army knife
• Cheap emergency phone with minutes and battery pack
• Cash (put some in each person's bag, in case one or more are lost or left behind)
• Medical information including health issues and doctors, if appropriate
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Hand-crank and/or solar radio

Other

• Large trash bags for shelter, waste, or keeping items dry
• Small plastic trash bags for waste
• Extra set of car keys
• Duplicate credit card or a pre-loaded cash debit card
• Financial and insurance information 
• Photo-copies of drivers license, birth certificates, passports and insurance cards

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When the Emergency Keeps you at Home

Sometimes an emergency doesn't mean evacuation.  It can also mean staying put at home, but without some of the services you're used to having, like electricity, heat, or running water.

For those situations, you'll want to supplement your backpack 72 hour kits with other things you've prepared and stored.  Here are some basics you may want to store for emergencies when leaving isn't possible. Use plastic totes, duffle bags, or large plastic tubs with lids to store your supplies in a safe, dry area that would be easy to access in an emergency.

Food and drinks

1 gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and cooking only (you will need additional water for washing)
Ready to heat and eat foods such as canned goods, freeze dried foods, or food in pouches
Dried fruit
Nuts
Aseptic single-serving milk, juice, soy milk and other drinks
Bottled electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade (single serving sizes)
Cookies, crackers or candy
Cereal
Packets of cocoa, cider and other hot drinks
Paper plates, cups, napkins and bowls
Plastic flatware
Can opener (the most commonly overlooked item in emergency prep!)
Pet food (and additional water for pets)

Shelter and warmth (or cooling)

Sleeping bags
Self-inflating sleeping pads
Tarps (to cover broken windows, protect from water, wind)
Packing tape or duct tape to hang tarps

For cold:

Warm jackets/coats
Long underwear
Thermal blankets
Extra socks
Hand and foot warmer packets

For heat:

Battery powered fans (and extra batteries)
Spray bottles (for misting with water)
Cold packs (impact-activated)

Communication

Solar or crank charged radio
Battery-pack charger for cell phone (used ordinary batteries when the power is off)
Battery powered TV
Whistle (to communicate with rescuers, if needed)
Camera, with extra battery

Sanitation

1 gallon of water per person per day for bathing and toileting
Large covered plastic pails with lids for makeshift toilets (can reuse the ones you stored supplies in)
Plastic trash bags to line pails
Toilet paper
Baby wipes
Disinfecting wipes
Bleach

Entertainment

Board games
Books
Pens and paper
Toys that don't need power or batteries
Weights, yoga mat, etc.
Art supplies

Personal care

Medicines
Extra eyeglasses and/or contacts
Waterless shampoo
Baby wipes
Lotion
Pain relievers
Large first aid kit
First aid book
Hand sanitizer
Paper towels

Printed material

Important contact names and numbers
Maps
Book or pad to record damages for insurance
Copies of insurance policies