72-Hour Emergency Checklist

Household plan

This three-day checklist is a starting layer. Build a longer home reserve where practical, and follow local officials during an emergency. Read the full 72-hour guide for planning details and official sources.

People: Pets/service animals: Review date:

Water and food Water: people × 3 days × at least 1 gallon per day Extra water for heat, illness, pregnancy, pets, or special needs Safely portable water containers Backup water-treatment method and its instructions Three days of shelf-stable food for each person Infant formula, special-diet food, and pet/service-animal food Manual can opener and simple eating utensils

Health and personal needs First-aid kit and first-aid reference Prescription medicines; work toward a seven-day supply when possible Prescription copies, allergies, conditions, clinician, and pharmacy contacts Daily medical devices and consumables Glasses, hearing-aid batteries, mobility/communication-device supplies, and chargers Soap/sanitizer, masks, toilet paper, menstrual products, diapers, and personal care

Communication, light, and power Battery-powered or hand-crank emergency radio Flashlights/headlamps and spare compatible batteries Phone cables and a charged, tested power bank Whistle or other accessible signaling method Paper contact list and out-of-area contact Local emergency alerts enabled

Shelter, clothing, sanitation, and tools Weather layers, sturdy footwear, rain gear, and spare socks Blankets or sleeping bags for each person Waste bags, ties, wipes, and sanitation supplies Multi-tool, duct tape, cordage, gloves, and small repair kit Local paper map and waterproof writing tools

Documents, evacuation, children, and animals Protected copies of ID, insurance, prescriptions, and key records Small bills and spare home/vehicle keys Two evacuation routes and two meeting places Vehicle fuel/charge plan or alternate transportation plan Child comfort items and quiet activities Leash/harness, carrier, medications, ID, records, photo, and waste supplies Accessible and pet-friendly destinations identified

Test and maintain Household completed a five-minute departure drill Each portable bag was safely carry-tested Radio, lights, chargers, and manual tools were tested Water, food, medicines, batteries, and equipment dates were checked

Household notes

Baseline quantities: CDC, American Red Cross, and Ready.gov guidance. Full links and review date are in the guide’s source list.