A 72-hour kit has been the preparedness standard for many years; however, Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management now advises families to prepare to be on their own for two weeks following a disaster. Still, a 72-hour kit has its place. Its size is manageable for kicking off your preparedness efforts, and it can serve as a “base kit” that you add to in the months ahead. And because it contains all the basic supplies, a 72-hour kit is easy to grab and go in the event of evacuation.
Most of the items on the list are inexpensive and easy to find — and you may already have some of them in your home.
Once you’ve gathered the basic supplies, consider any other specific needs your family has, such as supplies for infants, seniors, and pets. This may include items such as eye glasses, prescription medications, infant formula, diapers, and pet food.
Basic Supplies
- Water: One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food: At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Radio: Battery-powered or hand crank radio with a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight
- First Aid Kit
- Extra Batteries
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Manual can opener for food
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
Store Your Kit
Store your 72-hour kit in a duffle bag or plastic tote. These storage options are recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) because they allow your supplies to be easily accessed and taken with you in case of evacuation.
Maintain Your Kit
Check your kit every 6 months. Rotate supplies as necessary. Canned foods (meats, beans, fruits, vegetables), nuts, peanut butter, granola bars, dried fruit are great options for a kit because they can be rotated into your normal diet, reducing wasted expired foods and ensuring fresh food if a disaster hits.
One Step Ahead
A growing collection of emergency supplies will soon require a space to store them. Consider designating a closet or corner of the garage for this purpose. Or get creative and utilize the unused areas under your bed or behind your couch. Step ahead by locating and preparing storage area(s).