What 72 hours means

72 hours is a widely used minimum; Ready.gov currently says several days. The first three days can be a practical starting point for gathering basics, but an emergency may last longer. Think about what your household would need if stores, power or water were unavailable. Extend supplies when possible and tailor them to your household and local risks.

Start with drinking water, food that does not need refrigeration, a way to receive alerts, light, a first-aid kit and a way to charge a phone. Consider prescription medicines, infant or pet supplies and other needs specific to the people who depend on you. Keep supplies together in containers that are easy to find and carry. Ready.gov lists these basics on its Build A Kit page.

A kit is only one part of preparation. Know how you will receive local instructions and contact household members if you are apart. There is no need to assemble everything at once: check what you already have and add essentials over time. During an emergency, follow local officials rather than treating any checklist as a complete set of instructions.