Emergency Home Kit Checklist

18 items · Home · Easy difficulty · 1 hour

Build a 72-hour emergency home kit with essentials to stay safe during disasters.

• Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for 72 hours

  1 gal/person/day; store sealed and labeled.

• Rotate and replace stored water every 6 months

  Mark the fill date on containers and refresh regularly.

• Stock 72 hours of nonperishable, ready-to-eat food

  Canned goods, energy bars, and special-diet items.

• Rotate and check food expiration dates quarterly

  Use oldest items first and replace expired goods.

• Assemble a basic first aid kit

  Bandages, antiseptic, tape, scissors, gloves, and instructions.

• Pack essential prescription meds and copies of prescriptions

  Include a 7-day supply, dosing info, and storage notes.

• Charge and store a battery-powered flashlight with spare batteries

  Keep batteries sealed separately in a zip bag.

• Include a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio

  Ensure it can receive local emergency broadcasts.

• Store extra batteries and at least one power bank for phones
• Keep a small supply of cash in small bills

  ATMs and card systems may be down after disasters.

• Gather important documents in a waterproof folder

  IDs, insurance, bank info, medical records, and deeds.

• Create digital backups of documents on encrypted cloud and USB

  Store copies off-site and password-protect files.

• Prepare a labeled grab-and-go bag with essentials for 72 hours

  Use a sturdy backpack and include a contents list.

• Include clothing, sturdy shoes, and basic hygiene items in the bag

  One change of clothes per person and hygiene kit.

• Add a multipurpose tool, duct tape, and local paper maps to the bag

  Include a whistle, flashlight, and extra phone cables.

• Store emergency contact list and family evacuation plan with the kit

  Include meeting points and an out-of-area contact.

• Pack items for pets, infants, and elderly (food, meds, supplies)

  Tailor quantities to specific needs and include ID tags.

• Keep the kit visible and accessible; update and practice annually

  Check contents, replace expired items, and run a drill.

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