Emergency kit checklist printable (72-hour kit)

Why you need an emergency kit

With everything that is going on right now, the earthquakes, fires, and hurricanes, I wanted to share this emergency kit checklist printable for an emergency kit (a.k.a. 72-hour kits). Then you will be able to put them together easily for your family. These are essential to have in every household regardless of where you live because, in case of emergency, you can each grab your bag and go.

Growing up, my parents were always good to have one for each person in our house and we would update it every few months with fresh clothes, snacks, batteries, etc so it was ready. The bag should be portable (think backpack) so you can grab it in an emergency (like fire) and go if necessary.

If you are unfamiliar with an emergency kit or 72-hour kits, they are bags (backpacks, duffle bags, etc) that you fill with enough supplies to last each person 72 hours. Clothes, money, food, hygiene supplies, water, activities, etc are all important, and I am going to list several things you should keep on hand in case you are stuck inside your house for several days.

Get started NOW on making your emergency kits

I hope you put this to good use and get prepared now so you are not scrambling at the last minute, or end up with nothing. I have been blessed to not have had any house fires or weather/natural emergencies that have affected my family, but I know many friends and family who have.

Remember you may not have power, gas, etc – so the food you pack needs to be food that doesn’t have to be cooked. We also keep canned food on hand and a propane stove to heat it with if needed – if we are staying home.

Be careful of strongly scented items like mint gum, scented soap, etc – because these will absorb into the other items in your bag. Try to get unscented or put them into a Tupperware style container.

Write down all of your important information (car license plates, phone numbers, doctors, directions) so that if something happens you have that on hand. We may not always have Google to help ;).

We have created printable checklists for adults, teens, kids, babies, seniors, and pets. You can print them individually, or all in one (the last link below). I print one for each of my kids and my husband and myself. Then I check them off as I add things to their bags, etc.

PRINT OFF the emergency kit checklist printables below

PRINT THIS EMERGENCY KIT LIST AND CHECK IT OFF AS YOU MAKE EACH BAG

Here is a list of items you should have for each person in your household:

personal documents for everyone in the family (parents) or self (adult) in a waterproof container/bag (copy of ID, copy of Social Security Card, copy of birth certificates, copy of marriage certificate, copy of wills, copy of passports, copy of insurance policies, credit card, cash $500 recommended)
prepaid phone or phone cards or cell phone with charger
3 changes of clothes and underclothes and socks
pajamas
sandals or lightweight shoes (or both)
medications (prescription and non-prescription)
personal hygiene (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, hairbrush/ties, sanitary napkins, hand sanitizer, q-tips)
first aid kit (simple first aid kit for individual bags)
sewing kit
whistle
compass
waterproof matches (or buy a survival whistle 3-1 with a compass, whistle, and match container)
3-day supply of non-perishable food
3 sealed water bottles
empty water bottle with water sanitization tablets or bleach
roll of toilet paper in baggie or wrapper
tissues (travel packs)
raincoat/poncho
emergency blanket
tactical flashlight/batteries (do not store batteries in the flashlight)
phone charger cable
portable battery charger/power bank
activities, games, cards
candles
baggies
plastic gloves
dust mask
baby wipes (for self-cleaning in place of a shower)
garbage bags (2-3)
lighter
eating utensils
small shovel
emergency radio/batteries (do not store batteries in radio)
pocket knife/multi-tool knife
small ax
rope, twine, clothespins
tape, duct tape, packing tape
extra eyeglasses or contacts
can opener (if packing canned foods like Vienna sausages and fish)
books

3 gallons of drinking water and 3 gallons of sanitation water (these will not be stored in your bag, but kept safe in case you are staying at your home or can take them with you to a safe location)

Other things I thought about after making the printables are:

Fishing supplies (swivels, line, hooks, spinners/lures)
scissors
Tweezers
Carabiners
simple tools (screwdriver, pliers, hammer, wrench)
Tent
Sleeping bag (light backpacker ones for ease of carrying)

5-gallon bucket for family use (to be taken with family in an emergency)

candles
lighter
battery powered lantern (batties stored separately)
waterproof matches
eating utensils (1-2 extra sets)
small shovel
radio/batteries (do not store batteries in radio)
pocket knife/multitool
small axe
rope, twine, clothes pins
tape, duct tape, packing tape
baggies
garbage bags 10-15+ of these (they will line the bucket and be used for waste collection)
shower curtain (to hold up for privacy)
tarp
tent stakes
rope and twine
grocery sacks
upgraded first aid kit

Here is a list of items to keep in your household for family use:

cooktop or travel grill and propane
extra gas for car and generator
generator for power
wood for fire
newspaper
2 gallons of water per person per day (1 for drinking, 1 for sanitation) for up to 5 days (more if you have room)

Find the time to put your emergency kit together

Life is busy, and it is easy to say we will do it next week or next month, but by then it might be too late. Take the time now to start putting things together. Having a bag with something in it is better than nothing, Then you can add to it over a short time to get it completed. Take the first steps now by finding the bags and getting a couple of changes of clothes, snacks, etc in them.

If you have any questions, be sure to ask and I will do my best to answer or another reader can chime in!

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