"72-Hour Kit"

Throughout many types of disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc, individuals are frequently ordered to evacuate their residence quickly. They may have to live in an emergency shelter site, such as a public school. If you are a person that this may ever happen to, you may only have a short time to grab some of your belongings and go. And of course you would not have time to pick and chose the articles in which you would want or need to bring with you. So you should seriously consider, list the items that you find important in any emergency circumstances, and prepare a “72-hour Kit” for each family member that will include items specific to each persons needs. Put the kit in a place that is easily accessible.

A “72-hour Kit” is intended to include things that a person need in a time of a disaster, to survive for a three day period. It is most likely that a disaster will last longer that three days, but three days is about how long it will take for help to arrive. Each family member should have a “72-hour Kit” tailored to his or her own needs.



You can always spend money and purchase a “72-hour Kit”, which will include a lot of useful items or you can build your own kit from things you have in your household, which you would consider important during a crisis and put them in a backpack or some type of carrying case. You can determine what you may need by asking yourself a few questions.

1. If there was an emergency in my area and my family and I were left without heat, light, or water, what would we need to survive in our home or somewhere else?
2. What will I need to stay warm?
3. What will I need to cook?
4. What personal items will I need if I had to evacuate my residence?

When writing your list and preparing your kit, remember that it must be easy to carry and lightweight, just in case you have to walk a while to a safe destination. The following lists are just to give you an idea of things that can be put in you “72-hour Kit”, but remember that each family member will have their own kit tailored to their specific needs.

Example “72-hour Kit”
• Backpack or suitcase (in which to put kit items)
• Tube-tent shelter or lightweight tent
• 15’ nylon cord
• Battery-powered radio (with extra batteries)
• Sleeping bag or lightweight wool blanket
• Space blanket
• Flashlight with batteries
• Emergency light source or light stick
• Candles
• Waterproof matches and butane lighter
• Whistle
• Pocket knife
• Small first-aid kit
• Personal medication (extra supply)
• Personal sanitary items
• Wet towelettes
• Toilet paper
• 2 garbage bags (30 gallon size)
• Warm socks and clothing
• Lightweight poncho
• Leather gloves and hat
• Hand warmers
• Water (bottles or pouches)
• Water purification tablets
• Ready-to-eat food (nonperishable, lightweight, 3day supply)
• Hard candy
• Can opener (if needed)
• Paper plates and cups and plastic utensils
• Small cook stove with fuel
• Pens and small notebook
• Money in small bills and coins ($200 or more)
• Other________________

Example “72-hour Kit” For Baby
• Disposable diapers
• Wet towelettes
• Baby lotion and diaper rash ointment
• Garbage bags for used diapers
• Blanket and extra clothing
• Baby formula
• Evaporated whole milk
• Powdered milk
• Karo syrup
• Bottles with nipples
• Baby food and juices
• Spoons
• Medications
• Toys
• Other________________

Example “72-hour Kit” Extras for Children
• Books
• Games or puzzles
• Coloring books and crayons
• Small stuffed animals and toys
• Comfort foods