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US 72-hour household essentials.

A practical 72-hour household starting kit with water, food, medicines, hygiene and a simple plan—before shopping for extra gear.

REAL-WORLD SAFETY // This is general preparation information, not emergency instructions tailored to your situation. If authorities order evacuation, follow them immediately. In an emergency, contact local responders.

US public agencies encourage households to prepare for disruptions, but each kit must reflect local hazards, health needs, household size and available storage. This is a planning starting point, not a claim that every emergency lasts exactly three days.

Plan for people first

Start with each household member, including infants, older adults, anyone with disabilities or medical dependencies, and pets. Review local risks: hurricane evacuation, winter outages and wildfire smoke can call for different preparations.

  • Write down household-specific medical and mobility needs; consult healthcare professionals for backup plans.
  • Agree on a family contact, meeting location and evacuation routes before an event.
  • Check the kit for age, accessibility, dietary, climate and pet needs.

Water, food and essential supplies

Ready.gov recommends at least one gallon of water per person per day for several days for drinking and sanitation; plan additional water for hotter conditions, medical needs and pets. Add non-perishable food you already know how to use.

  • Check expiration dates and rotate food and water periodically.
  • Include manual can opener where needed, light, spare batteries, hygiene and sanitation basics.
  • Keep copies of key contacts and essential documents securely and accessibly.

Make the kit usable when the lights go out

Know where the flashlight, radio and charging supplies are kept. Some emergencies require evacuation rather than sheltering at home, so a portable essentials bag can help.

  • Use official alerts and evacuation notices to decide where it is safe to remain.
  • Keep necessary medicines and instructions accessible; do not rely on one power source.
  • Practice a brief household drill and revisit the kit after seasonal changes.

Sources and review

Editorial summary reviewed on . For local or changing hazards, consult the original sources and authorities.

Looking for UK-specific information? Start with our UK power cut and storm preparation hub. Other locations should follow their own authorities.
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