GetKit72 is a reference guide, not an official source and not an emergency service. We summarize public guidance from agencies like FEMA, Ready.gov, CDC and NOAA; always follow your local officials. In an emergency call 911.

GetKit72™

72 · 72 · 72

Why 72 hours?

72 hours is a widely used minimum; Ready.gov currently says several days.

Three days is a starting point

A 72-hour kit is a set of basic supplies for three days. It is not a deadline for help to arrive. After a large emergency, you may need to manage on your own for several days. Start with what you can store, then add more as your space and budget allow.

What goes in a kit?

Ready.gov lists one gallon of water per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation. A three-day starting supply is three gallons per person. Plan for pets and any extra household needs too.

  • Water and food that keeps without refrigeration
  • A flashlight, radio and extra batteries
  • First aid and prescription medicines
  • A phone charger and backup power
  • Copies of important documents and some cash
  • Supplies for children, pets and individual needs

Put your plan together

Take the short quiz, review your checklist and check what you already have. Product links that are not ready are labeled “Link coming soon.” Print the free First 72 Minutes plan for the emergency types that matter to you. Our timing labels organize this guide; they are not government standards.

Pick my kit →Print First 72 Minutes →

Build up step by step

Any preparation counts. Start with 72 hours, then consider 7 or 10 days as space and budget allow. Germany's civil protection agency (BBK) recommends at least 3 days and ideally 10; Ready.gov says several days. For US households, keep using 1 gallon of water per person per day.

BBK English page · BBK English guide · Ready.gov

LIVE SUPPLY · WEEKLY ADDITIONS

Add one item per shopping trip

Any preparation counts. Start with what you have. Choose one small addition each week, as your space and budget allow.

  1. Week 1One container of drinking water
  2. Week 2One shelf-stable meal your household enjoys
  3. Week 3A manual can opener
  4. Week 4A flashlight
  5. Week 5Spare batteries that fit your flashlight
  6. Week 6A phone power bank
  7. Week 7A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
  8. Week 8First-aid supplies you need to replenish
  9. Week 9Moist towelettes and garbage bags
  10. Week 10A waterproof pouch for document copies
  11. Week 11A small book, game or comfort activity
  12. Week 12A whistle for signaling for help

Use and replace your everyday supplies. Check dates, rotate older food first, and follow storage and replacement instructions for water and batteries. Ready.gov · Build a Kit

A shopping plan to keep or print; no weekly emails are being sent.

Common questions

What is the 72-hour rule?

72 hours is a widely used minimum; Ready.gov currently says several days. Three days is a starting point for planning, not a promise about when help or services will return.

How much water for 72 hours?

Ready.gov lists one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation. For a three-day starting supply, multiply your household size by three gallons, and plan for pets and additional needs.

What should be in a 72-hour kit?

Start with water, shelf-stable food, a flashlight, radio, first aid, phone charging, medicines, documents and cash. Adjust for your household and local risks.

Is 72 hours enough?

Not always. It is a starting minimum, not a ceiling. Hurricanes and other large events can disrupt services for longer. Ready.gov says several days; extend your supplies when possible and follow local officials.

Sources

Pick my 72-hour kit