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What should you put in a 72-hour emergency kit?

A 72-hour kit covers the basics for a few days without outside help: water, ready-to-eat food, light, a radio, a charged phone power source, documents, cash, medicines, first aid, hygiene items and clothing. Official lists from Poland's RCB, Germany's BBK and Ready.gov overlap closely.

The core items official lists agree on

Ready.gov says being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies for at least 72 hours (via FEMA). Its basic list includes water, non-perishable food, cash, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a flashlight with extra batteries, a non-electric can opener, a first aid kit, a whistle, prescription medications and personal hygiene items. It also lists a dust mask, moist wipes, garbage bags and plastic ties. For water, FEMA's guidance gives one gallon (about 3.8 litres) per person per day.

Poland's RCB describes a grab-and-go backpack that should hold a battery radio with spare batteries, a flashlight, essential documents, matches or a lighter, a map of local roads, a can opener, meals for 2 days, a notebook and pencil, cutlery and a jacket. On the RCB page, the short version is documents, medicines, water, several days of food, a flashlight and a power bank.

A grab-and-go bag versus supplies at home

Germany's BBK treats the two separately. Its Notgepäck (emergency bag) is meant to help you cope for the first days away from home. Its basic rule is to take no more for each family member than fits in one backpack. A backpack is easier than a suitcase because both hands stay free.

BBK's backpack list includes personal medicines, first aid supplies, a battery radio with spare batteries, food for 2 days, a water bottle, eating utensils, a can opener and a small pocket tool, a flashlight, a sleeping bag or blanket, clothing for a few days with weather protection, a head covering, work gloves and hygiene items. It also lists an FFP2 mask. For the home stock, BBK recommends that households aim to manage on their own for 10 days, and says that even a 3-day supply already helps a lot.

Tailor it to your household and keep it ready

Ready.gov suggests thinking about your family's unique needs once the basic items are in place, for example supplies for pets or seniors. Its checklist also mentions infant formula and diapers, glasses, copies of important documents in a waterproof container, a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person, and a full change of clothes with sturdy shoes.

Ready.gov advises keeping the kit in a designated place at home, making sure every family member knows where it is, and considering a smaller kit for your car. Check the contents from time to time, especially food, batteries and medicines. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about anything medical, such as how much of a regular medicine to set aside.

Get your household's full 72-hour plan

Ready72h turns official guidance from Sweden (MSB), Germany (BBK) and Poland (RCB) into a calm, practical plan: a complete 72-hour supply checklist, a family communication plan for when phones go down, and a “15 minutes to leave the house” go-bag list. Apartment and house versions, printable PDF plus an offline app that tracks your progress.

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FAQ

How much water should a 72-hour kit include?

It depends on the guidance. Ready.gov and FEMA give one gallon (about 3.8 litres) per person per day. Germany's BBK recommends a water bottle in the backpack and, for the home stock, 2 litres per person per day (BBK checklist). Water is heavy, so a bag you carry usually holds a bottle, and the larger supply stays at home.

Is a 72-hour kit the same as a home emergency stock?

Not quite. A 72-hour kit or backpack is a portable set for leaving home quickly. A home stock is larger and stays in a cupboard. BBK recommends that households aim for 10 days of self-sufficiency at home, and says that at least 3 days is a good start.

Where should I keep the kit?

Ready.gov advises a designated spot at home that every family member knows. It also suggests a smaller kit in the car in case you are stranded. Keep it somewhere you can reach quickly, for example near the front door or in an easily accessible cupboard.

Sources

  1. RCB (gov.pl) – Poradnik na czas kryzysu i wojny
  2. BBK – Notgepäck (Wenn es schnell gehen muss)
  3. Ready.gov – Build A Kit
  4. FEMA – How to build a kit for emergencies

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