The 72-hour mark — three days — is where most local and federal emergency guidance begins. It's the window your community needs to organize a meaningful response to a major event. Your job isn't to survive indefinitely. Your job is to not need outside help for 72 hours so that help can reach the people who need it most. That's the whole goal. And it's more achievable than most people think.
Your Checklist Progress
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1 gallon per person per day × 3 days
For a household of 2, that's 6 gallons. For 4 people, 12 gallons. Count pets too — they need water as much as you do.
$0–$6
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Clean storage containers
Food-grade plastic jugs or clean 2-liter soda bottles work well. Avoid milk jugs — the protein residue is hard to fully clean and they degrade faster.
$0–$5
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Water purification backup
Plain unscented liquid bleach (8 drops per gallon, wait 30 min) or water purification tablets. Both are inexpensive and shelf-stable for years.
$1–$4
💡 Did You Know
Your water heater tank holds 30–80 gallons of clean water. In a disaster, if you close the shutoff valve before pressure drops, that water stays uncontaminated even if the municipal supply is compromised. Know where your shutoff is now, before you need it.
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3-day supply of non-perishable food
Canned beans, soup, tuna, peanut butter, crackers, oats, dried fruit, granola bars. Focus on foods your household actually eats — not specialty survival food.
$10–$20
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Manual can opener
Electric openers are useless without power. A $3 manual opener may be the single highest-value prep item you can buy.
$2–$5
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Account for dietary needs
Allergies, infant formula, diabetic-friendly options, medications that must be taken with food, pet food. Don't default to generic lists if your household has specific needs.
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Utensils and paper plates
When water is scarce, minimizing dishwashing matters. A small stack of disposables takes almost no space and solves a real problem.
$1–$3
The rotating pantry method: Instead of buying a separate "emergency food supply" that expires and gets thrown out, simply keep a deeper stock of what you already eat. Use the oldest items first, replace as you go. No waste. No special shopping trip. You're always prepared without thinking about it.
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Flashlight with extra batteries
More reliable and safer than candles for most situations. Dollar stores carry functional LED flashlights. Grab two — keep one in your kit, one in a drawer.
$1–$8
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Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
When cell towers fail and internet goes down, a NOAA weather radio is how you receive official emergency information and storm updates. This is not optional.
$10–$25
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Portable phone battery bank
Keep a basic power bank charged in your kit at all times. Even a small one buys you multiple phone charges when the grid is down — which keeps you connected to family and information.
$10–$20
💡 Free Right Now
Before you buy anything: charge your phone to 100% tonight, and make sure your car has at least half a tank of gas. These two actions cost nothing and address two of the most common early-emergency problems immediately.
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Copies of critical documents
ID, insurance cards, Social Security card, lease or mortgage info, medication list with dosages, vaccination records. Copies — not originals. Keep originals separate.
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Waterproof storage for documents
A heavy-duty zip-lock bag works. A small waterproof document pouch from a dollar store is even better. Either protects papers from flooding, rain, or a broken pipe.
$0–$3
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Written contact list
Phone numbers written on paper. Most of us can't recall a single number from memory — we've outsourced that entirely to our phones. If the phone dies, can you call anyone?
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Small amount of cash in small bills
Card readers go down when power goes down. $20–$40 in fives and ones gives you real options at moments when digital payment is impossible.
$20–$40
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Basic first aid kit
Bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, medical tape, pain reliever, antacids, antihistamine. Dollar stores and discount pharmacies carry starter kits for $5–$8.
$5–$15
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7-day supply of prescription medications
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting a slightly early refill before a storm or event you anticipate. Most will accommodate one preparedness-based early fill per year.
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Extra glasses, contacts, or hearing aid batteries
Accessibility needs are preparedness needs. These items are often overlooked in generic checklists and are genuinely hard to replace in a disaster.
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💡 Know Before You Need It
Look up your nearest emergency shelter now — not during a storm. Find out if it's pet-friendly. Note the address in your written contact list. This thirty-second task eliminates a major source of confusion at the worst possible moment.
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Hand sanitizer and soap
Disease spreads faster in disrupted conditions. Clean hands are one of the simplest, highest-impact health measures available.
$1–$3
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Garbage bags (heavy-duty)
Multipurpose: emergency sanitation, waterproofing gear, covering broken windows, collecting rainwater. A box of contractor bags earns its space in any kit.
$3–$6
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Feminine hygiene products or diapers if needed
Prepare for the actual people in your household, not a hypothetical household. These items are non-negotiable for many families.
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Further Reading & Official Sources
These links go to free, authoritative resources from government and public health organizations. No affiliate links. No upsells.