Storms, blackouts, and earthquakes do not schedule appointments. A 72-hour emergency kit — enough supplies to keep each person in your home self-sufficient for three days — turns panic into a plan. Here is what to pack in 2026.
Water and Food First
Water is the priority: one gallon (about 4 liters) per person per day for drinking and basic hygiene, so nine gallons for a family of three. Rotate stored water every six months. For food, pack three days of non-perishable, no-cook items — granola bars, canned beans and tuna, peanut butter, dried fruit — plus a manual can opener. Choose foods your family actually eats, including baby formula or pet food if needed.
First Aid and Medications
A basic first-aid kit should handle cuts, burns, sprains, and fevers: bandages, antiseptic, gauze, tweezers, pain relievers, and any prescription medications your household needs. Keep a 7-day buffer of prescription meds and a written list of doses and allergies — in an emergency you may see unfamiliar doctors. Add sunscreen, insect repellent, and any spare glasses.
Light, Power, and Information
Pack a flashlight and headlamp with extra batteries, a portable phone charger (kept charged), and a hand-crank or battery radio — cell networks can fail while radio still broadcasts. A whistle can signal rescuers, and a multi-tool handles a hundred small jobs. Cash in small bills matters too, since card machines die in power outages.
Documents, Clothing, and Storage
Keep copies of IDs, insurance policies, and medical records in a waterproof bag — photos on your phone are a good backup too. Add a change of warm clothes, a blanket or sleeping bag, and sturdy shoes. Store the whole kit in one grab-and-go bag near an exit, and re-check it every six months: swap expired food and meds, recharge batteries, and update clothes as kids grow.
You do not have to buy everything at once — add a few items each shopping trip. A kit that is 80% ready beats a perfect list you never start. Build it this week, check it every six months, and sleep a little easier.