Guide
Household Emergency Kit Checklist for Families
A practical, family-focused checklist for a 72-hour household emergency kit. Cover water, food, first aid, power, documents, and the small things that keep kids comfortable when routines break down.
Start here: Build the Water, Food, and First aid sections first. Add the rest over the next few weekends. A partial kit you actually have beats a perfect kit you keep meaning to build.
1. Water
One gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and basic hygiene.
- ☐Bottled water: 1 gallon per person per day, 3-day minimum
- ☐Extra water for pets
- ☐Water purification tablets or a portable filter
- ☐Collapsible water container for refills
2. Food
Three-day supply of non-perishable food that does not need cooking or refrigeration.
- ☐Canned protein: tuna, beans, chicken
- ☐Peanut butter and shelf-stable nut butters
- ☐Granola bars, trail mix, dried fruit
- ☐Baby food and formula if needed
- ☐Pet food: 3-day supply
- ☐Manual can opener
- ☐Disposable utensils, plates, and cups
3. First aid and medications
A stocked first aid kit plus a 7-day supply of prescription medications.
- ☐Adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
- ☐Gauze pads, medical tape, and elastic wrap
- ☐Antiseptic wipes and hand sanitizer
- ☐Pain relievers, antihistamines, anti-diarrheal
- ☐Tweezers, scissors, and a thermometer
- ☐7-day supply of prescription medications
- ☐Copies of prescriptions and dosing instructions
4. Power, light, and communication
Plan for a power outage that lasts several days.
- ☐Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA weather)
- ☐Flashlight for every household member
- ☐Extra batteries for each device
- ☐Portable phone chargers, fully charged
- ☐Whistle for signaling for help
- ☐Backup paper list of emergency contacts
5. Important documents
Keep copies in a waterproof bag or on an encrypted USB drive.
- ☐IDs, passports, and birth certificates
- ☐Health insurance cards and immunization records
- ☐Home and auto insurance policies
- ☐Recent bank statements and a small amount of cash
- ☐Lease, deed, or mortgage paperwork
- ☐Pet vaccination and ownership records
6. Shelter and warmth
Stay warm and dry if you have to leave home or lose heat.
- ☐Emergency mylar blankets for each person
- ☐Sleeping bags or warm blankets
- ☐Change of clothing and sturdy shoes per person
- ☐Rain ponchos
- ☐Plastic sheeting and duct tape
7. Hygiene and sanitation
Basic sanitation matters most when services are disrupted.
- ☐Toilet paper, wet wipes, and feminine supplies
- ☐Soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste
- ☐Garbage bags and ties
- ☐Disposable gloves
- ☐Diapers and rash cream if needed
8. Kids and family needs
Small comforts go a long way during a stressful event.
- ☐A familiar toy, book, or stuffed animal per child
- ☐Coloring book, crayons, deck of cards
- ☐Snacks kids actually eat
- ☐Pacifiers, bottles, and a baby carrier if relevant
9. Tools and extras
A small set of tools covers most quick repairs and safety needs.
- ☐Multi-tool or basic toolkit
- ☐Work gloves
- ☐Local maps in paper form
- ☐Spare house and car keys
- ☐Fire extinguisher (rated for kitchen and electrical fires)
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