What Should Be in a 72 Hour Emergency Kit? | The Complete List

Every 72 hour emergency kit needs water, food, light, a radio, first aid supplies, sanitation items, and key documents to sustain you for three days.

Government agencies like FEMA and the CDC agree on the core contents of a 72 hour emergency kit. The goal is simple: keep you self-sufficient for at least three days after a disaster. While many people focus on food alone, the official checklists cover much more — from communication tools to sanitation supplies.

Water and Food: The Foundation of Your Kit

Water is the single most important item. FEMA recommends storing one gallon per person per day for at least three days — three gallons per person total, covering drinking and basic sanitation. The CDC’s evacuation guidance uses the same three-day standard.

For food, FEMA advises a three-day supply of non-perishable items requiring no refrigeration and little prep. The CDC echoes this. A few practical picks:

• Canned meats, soups, and vegetables
• Peanut butter, nuts, and granola bars
• Dried fruit and crackers
• Instant coffee, tea, and powdered milk

Don’t forget a manual can opener — an electric one is useless when the power is out. Rotate food every six months to keep it fresh.

Beyond Food: Light, Communication, and Power Tools

FEMA’s checklist includes several often-overlooked items.

Light and signaling: A flashlight with extra batteries is essential, plus a whistle to signal for help if trapped. LED flashlights last longer on batteries than traditional bulbs.

Communication: A battery-powered or hand-crank radio is a must — FEMA and the CDC recommend a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert. Pair it with a charged cell phone and a backup battery or power bank.

Tools and navigation: FEMA’s checklist includes local maps — digital maps depend on cell service, which often fails. A dust mask, plastic sheeting, and duct tape help filter contaminated air and seal off a room for sheltering in place.

First Aid, Sanitation, and Personal Necessities

FEMA recommends a first aid kit as a core item; the CDC’s checklist spells out specifics — bandages, antiseptic ointment, face masks, gloves, and a first-aid reference book.

For sanitation, FEMA lists moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties. You’ll also want a change of clothes, sturdy shoes, and a blanket or sleeping bag per person.

The CDC adds two critical, often-forgotten items:

• A 7-day supply of prescription medications and medical items (glasses, hearing aid batteries)
• Copies of personal documents — ID, insurance policies, medical records — plus family and emergency contact info in print form

Keep cash in small bills; ATMs and card readers may not work after a major disaster.

Storage, Maintenance, and Common Mistakes

FEMA recommends putting supplies in airtight plastic bags and keeping everything in one or two easy-to-carry containers, like a plastic bin or duffel bag. Store it somewhere accessible and tell every household member where it is.

The most common mistake is treating the kit as food-only. Official guidance spans water, alerting, lighting, first aid, sanitation, and documents — skipping any category leaves you exposed. Planning for just one day also falls short of FEMA’s three-day standard, and forgetting prescriptions is the costliest error of all.

Check your kit twice a year: replace expired food, refresh water, test batteries, rotate medications. Set a calendar reminder when daylight saving time changes.

FEMA’s list covers what every individual needs for the first 72 hours; weapons are notably absent. If you’re building or upgrading your kit, browse our tested roundup of the best 72 hour emergency kits for pre-assembled options matching the official checklist. FEMA’s build-a-kit guidance for emergencies provides the full official checklist this article is based on.

Print this table and tuck it inside your kit so anyone using it can verify nothing important is missing.