Family Emergency Kit Checklist (72-Hour)
A 72-hour family emergency kit checklist — water and food, tools and supplies, first aid and medications, important documents, comfort/personal items, and kids/pet needs — with household size and refresh reminders.
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FAMILY EMERGENCY KIT CHECKLIST (72-hour) Household: 2 adults, 2 kids (ages 6 & 9), 1 dog Stored: Hall closet by the front door (grab-and-go duffel) Status: Checked June 2026 — refresh in 6 months Goal: enough to be self-sufficient for at least 3 days (72 hours). WATER & FOOD [ ] Water: 1 gallon per person per day, 3-day supply [ ] Non-perishable food, 3-day supply (no-cook, ready-to-eat) [ ] Manual can opener; mess kit / utensils [ ] Pet food & water (3-day supply) TOOLS & SUPPLIES [ ] Flashlight + extra batteries [ ] Battery or hand-crank radio (NOAA weather) [ ] Phone power bank & charging cable [ ] Multi-tool / wrench (to shut off utilities) [ ] Whistle to signal for help [ ] Dust masks; plastic sheeting & duct tape [ ] Matches/lighter (waterproof); work gloves [ ] Local maps; cash in small bills FIRST AID & MEDICATIONS [ ] First-aid kit [ ] 7-day supply of prescription meds [ ] Pain relievers, antihistamine, anti-diarrheal [ ] Hand sanitizer, soap, disinfecting wipes [ ] Hygiene items, toilet paper, garbage bags IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS (copies in a waterproof bag) [ ] IDs, passports, birth certificates [ ] Insurance policies & medical info [ ] Bank/account info; emergency contact list [ ] Photos of family members (to identify if separated) WARMTH, LIGHT & COMFORT [ ] Emergency blankets / sleeping bags [ ] Change of clothes & sturdy shoes per person [ ] Rain gear; hat & gloves [ ] Glow sticks / lantern OUR MEDICATIONS / MEDICAL NEEDS Rescue inhaler, EpiPen (peanut allergy), 7-day supply of daily prescriptions, spare glasses. KIDS / PETS / SPECIAL NEEDS [ ] Diapers, formula, baby supplies (if needed) [ ] Comfort items / small games for kids [ ] Pet leash, carrier, and ID [ ] Supplies for any special medical needs ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR OUR FAMILY [ ] Baby formula & diapers (size 4) [ ] Comfort toy for youngest [ ] Extra phone charger / power bank REFRESH: check water/food expiry and batteries every 6 months; update meds & sizes as your family changes.
About this template
A family emergency kit is what lets you be **self-sufficient for at least 72 hours** when a disaster knocks out power, water, or the ability to leave — the window in which help may not yet have reached you. The foundation is **water and food**: the standard guidance is **one gallon of water per person per day for three days**, plus a three-day supply of non-perishable, no-cook food and a manual can opener (and don't forget pets). Build out from there with **tools and supplies** — a flashlight and batteries, a **battery or hand-crank NOAA weather radio**, a phone power bank, a wrench or multi-tool to shut off utilities, a whistle to signal for help, dust masks, and some cash in small bills (ATMs and cards may not work). Pack a **first-aid kit and a 7-day supply of any prescription medications**, plus hygiene items. Keep **copies of important documents** — IDs, insurance, medical info, and an emergency contact list — in a **waterproof bag**, since originals can be lost or inaccessible. Add **warmth and comfort** (blankets, a change of clothes and sturdy shoes per person, rain gear) and tailor the kit to **your family**: diapers and formula for babies, comfort items for kids, supplies for pets, and anything needed for special medical needs. Two habits make the difference between a kit and a false sense of security: **store it somewhere grab-and-go** (a duffel by the door), and **refresh it every six months** — rotate water and food before they expire, test batteries, and update medications and kids' clothing sizes as your family changes. Build it once, maintain it twice a year, and it will be ready when you can't plan. For region-specific risks (earthquake, hurricane, wildfire), check Ready.gov and your local emergency-management guidance and adapt the kit accordingly.
When to use it
- Building a home 72-hour emergency / disaster kit.
- Preparing a grab-and-go bag for evacuations.
- Doing a twice-yearly kit refresh (water, food, batteries, meds).
- Tailoring supplies to your household, kids, and pets.
What to include
- Water (1 gal/person/day × 3 days) and 3-day non-perishable food.
- Tools: flashlight, NOAA radio, power bank, whistle, cash.
- First-aid kit and a 7-day supply of medications.
- Waterproof copies of IDs, insurance, and contacts.
- Warmth/comfort items and kids/pet/special-needs supplies.