72 Hour Kit Rules:
- One personalized, self-contained kit per person
- Individually Portable
- Store for easy, quick access – Closet near front door is ideal
- Update every 6 months
- Summer clothes to winter clothes, winter clothes to summer clothes
- Check medications
- Check food
- Check water
- Check batteries
- Check cooking fuel
- Check inventory
- Update documents
- All 10 survival needs, but only the basics: Food, Water, Hygiene & Sanitation, Shelter & Heat, Cooking, Light, Communication, First Aid, Personal Items & Clothing, Important Papers & Money
- Know how to use items in kits
- This list is more than can probably fit in your 72 Hour Kit. Take the items from each of the 10 areas that are most important to your personal needs. Bold items are recommended.
- Practice Evacuation with your family
*Baby Needs
**Store outside of pack, but in same location
***Don’t forget
Container
Backpack, Duffle Bag, 5 Gallon Bucket with lid or other Portable Container
Small enough to fit in your lap. Approx. carry-on luggage size.
Food
Ready to Eat & Simple Preparation
- Instant Soup Packets
- Ramen Soup
- MRE Bread
- Granola Bars
- Instant Oatmeal Packets
- Instant Apple Cider Packets
- Instant Hot Chocolate Packets
- Instant Broth Packets
- Water Bottle Flavor Packets
- Fruit Cup
- Raisins
- Beef Jerky
- Trail Mix
- Fruit Roll-up
- Crackers & Peanut Butter
- Peanut Butter/Jelly Packets
- Hard Candy
- Emergency Ration/Energy Bars
- Multi Vitamins
- *Liquid Vitamins
- *Powdered Baby Formula
- *Baby Cereal
- Paper Copy of Planned 3 Day Menu
SAMPLE MENU:
DAY 1
Breakfast – Granola, Hot Chocolate
Lunch – Chicken Noodle Soup, Jerky, Fruit Roll up, Candy
Dinner – 1/2 Ramen Noodle Soup, Fruit Bar
DAY 2
Breakfast – Oatmeal, Apple Cider
Lunch – Chicken Noodle Soup, Jerky, Raisins, Candy
Dinner – Peanut Butter/Jelly, MRE Bread
DAY 3
Breakfast – Granola, Apple Cider
Lunch – 1/2 Ramen Noodle Soup, Trail Mix, Candy
Dinner – Cheese & Crackers, Fruit Cup
Water
- At least 1 gallon in refillable container
- Water Purification Drops/Tablets
- Small Water Filter
Hygiene & Sanitation
Travel Size
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Dental Floss
- Denture Needs
- Hand Sanitizer
- Shampoo
- Lotion
- Mouth Wash
- Anti-Bacterial Soap
- Razor
- Shave Cream
- Comb
- Deodorant
- Emery Board
- Bar Soap
- Facial Tissue Packet
- Sewing Kit
- Garbage Bag
- Baggies
- Twist Ties
- Lip Balm
- Disposable Towels
- Wet Wipes
- Wash Cloth
- Small Towel
- Bug Repellant
- Sunscreen
- Muscle Cream
- Camp Mirror
- Rolled Tissue (T.P.)
- Feminine Items
- Dust Mask
- **24 Disposable Diapers
- *Baby Wipes
- *Baby Powder
Shelter & Heat
- Emergency Poncho
- Emergency Blanket
- Fleece Blanket
- Hand Warmers
- Waterproof Matches/Lighter
- Magnesium Fire Starter
- *Cloth Backed Rubber Pad to keep sleeping area dry
Cooking
- Gel Fuel (Sterno)
- Camp Cup
- Camp Utensils
- Paper Napkins
- Can Opener (may be on knife)
- Small Folding Stove
- *2 Baby Bottles with Caps & Nipples
- *Baby Bottle Brush
- *Baby Spoon & Dish
Light
- Flashlight – LEDs are small & bright
- Extra Batteries – Stored in Original Case
- Glow Sticks – safe in possible gas area
Communication
First Aid
- Adhesive Bandages in all sizes
- Rolled Gauze
- Gauze Pads in various sizes
- Larger Abdominal Pads
- Knuckle Bandages
- Fingertip Bandages
- Butterfly Bandages
- First Aid Tape
- Vinyl Disposable Gloves
- Triple Antibiotic Cream
- Aspirin & Non-Aspirin
- Burn Cream
- Hydrocortisone Cream
- Nail Clippers
- Safety Pins
- Alcohol Pads
- Antiseptic Towelettes
- First Aid Scissors
- Tweezers
- Petroleum Jelly
- Antacid Tablets
- Cotton Balls or Swabs
- Allergy Medicine
- Elastic Bandages
- Triangular Bandage
- First Aid Instruction Booklet
- Mouth to Mouth Guard
- *Diaper Rash Cream
- *Liquid Pain Reliever
Personal Items & Clothing
- Multifunction Pocket Knife
- Compass
- Personal Prescription Medications
- Diabetic Supplies
- Epinephrine Pen
- Complete Change of Clothing Incl. Socks & Underwear
- Thermal Underwear
- *2 or 3 Complete Changes of Clothing
- **Sturdy Shoes or Boots
- Extra Shoe Laces
- Bandana
- Paper Clips
- Rubber Bands
- Ear Plugs
- **Coat/Hat/ Gloves-Mittens
- Small Games/Cards/Books
- *Toy/Coloring Book/Crayons
- Extra Glasses/Contacts
- Polarized Sunglasses
- Mace/Pepper Spray
- *Baby Bib
- Religious Items (ie. scriptures, consecrated oil, cross)
- 100 Foot Nylon Clothesline
- Small Roll Duct Tape
- Small Wind-up Clock or Watch w/ Alarm
- Extra House & Car Keys
- ***Mobile Phone & Chargers
- ***Pets
- ***Pet 72 Hour Kit
Important Papers & Money
- 72 Hour Kit Inventory List
- Emergency Contact List w/ Names, Addresses, Phone #s & E-mails of all Family Members for Home, Work, School & Day Care
- Address, Phone# & E-mail of 1st & 2nd Family Emergency Meeting Places
- Local Emergency Phone #s – Police, Fire, Ambulance, Poison Control, Family Doctor, Dentist, Religious Leaders
- Local Map with Home, Work, Schools, Em. Mtg. Places & Evacuation Routes Marked
- Minimum $200 Cash in Small Bills
- $10 in Change
- Prepaid Phone Card
- **Written Evacuation Plan
- Current Individual Photos of Family Members for ID Purposes (“Has anyone seen this person?”)
- Current Group Family Photos to ID as Family Group
- Copies of– Printed Copy and/or Flash Drive
- Marriage Certificate
- Birth Certificate
- Social Security Card/Records
- Vehicle Registration/Title
- Will
- Guardianship
- Power of Attorney
- Personal Property Inventory List
- Insurance Agent & Policy #
- Life
- Auto
- Home
- Medical
- Diplomas
- Military
- School Certificates
- Immunization Records
- Prescriptions
- Budget
- Bills
- Outstanding Debts
- Checking/Savings/Credit Card Accounts
- Web Site Accounts
- Passwords
- Safe-Deposit Box Location & Number
- Assets
- Stocks
- Bonds
- Tax Returns
- Children’s Fingerprints
- Religious Documents (ie. Blessings, Prayers)
- ***Wallet/Purse
- ***Passport
- ***Checkbook
Take only if time & space are available
These items are NOT a part of your 72 Hour Kit
- Case of M.R.E.s
- Case of Tuna
- Case of Chili
- Case of Stew
- Water Filter
- 5 Gallon Water Jugs
- Collapsible Bucket
- Minimal Make-up
- Portable Toilet & Supplies
- Collapsible Garbage Can & Liners
- Tent
- Sleeping Bag
- Pillow
- Sleeping Pad/Air Mattress
- Tarp
- Emergency Candle
- Camp Stove & Fuel
- Family Cooking Kit
- Dish Soap
- Scrub Brush
- Seasonings
- Non-battery Flashlight
- Lamp – Battery or Propane
- 2 Way Radios
- Sweater
- Leather Work Gloves
- Hymnbook
- Camera
- Heavy Duty Rain Gear & Boots
- Goggles
- Hammer, Screwdrivers, Pliers, Crowbar
- Camp Table & Chairs
- Folding Shovel
- Hatchet
- Small Broom & Dust Pan
- Frisbee/Football
- Family Heirlooms/Records/Photo Albums
- Laptop/External Hard Drive
- Wagon or Cart if unable to use Car
- Stroller for Baby or Young Children
- Etc.