September is National Preparedness Month, and there's no better time to ask a simple question: if the power went out and stores closed for three days, would your household be okay?
Emergency officials recommend being ready to survive on your own for at least 72 hours. That's the window before help typically reaches everyone. A 72-hour emergency kit — sometimes called a disaster supplies kit — is a collection of basic items your household may need in that window. Most of it is inexpensive and easy to find, and any one of the items could matter.
Here's the baseline list, adapted from FEMA and Ready.gov guidance:
The essentials
- Water — one gallon per person per day, for drinking and sanitation. For a family of four, that's 12 gallons for three days.
- Food — at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food per person. Think canned goods, energy bars, peanut butter, dried fruit.
- Manual can opener — canned food is useless without one.
- Flashlight and extra batteries — one per person if you can.
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio — a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert is ideal for storm updates when cell networks fail.
- First aid kit — stocked and unexpired.
- Whistle — to signal for help if you're trapped or can't shout.
- Dust mask — to help filter contaminated air.
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape — for sheltering in place.
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties — for personal sanitation.
- Wrench or pliers — to turn off utilities if instructed.
- Local maps — printed, in case GPS is down.
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery.
Customize it for your household
- Prescription medications (a few days' extra supply) and non-prescription basics like pain relievers.
- Infant supplies: formula, bottles, diapers, wipes.
- Pet food and extra water for your pet.
- Cash in small bills — ATMs and card readers fail in outages.
- Copies of important documents (insurance, ID, bank records) in a waterproof container.
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket per person, a change of clothing, and sturdy shoes.
- Fire extinguisher, matches in a waterproof container, and personal hygiene items.
Keep it ready
A kit you can't find — or that's full of expired food — isn't a kit. Store everything in airtight bags inside one or two easy-to-carry containers, like plastic bins or a duffel bag. Keep canned food in a cool, dry place, replace expired items as needed, and re-think your family's needs once a year.
Building the whole thing from scratch takes one focused afternoon. Or start with a ready-made kit and add the personal items — browse our survival kits — then check it twice a year. Future you will be glad you did.
This is general preparedness guidance based on FEMA/Ready.gov recommendations, not professional emergency advice.
