Where should I keep my emergency kit?

Keep the main kit in a cool, dry place you can reach quickly, such as a hall closet near an exit, plus a smaller kit in each car and one at work.

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Emergency kit list: what to put in a 72-hour kit

Q: What should be in a basic emergency kit?

Ready.gov recommends water (1 gallon per person per day for several days), several days of non-perishable food, a battery or hand-crank radio, a flashlight, a first aid kit, extra batteries, a whistle, dust masks, plastic sheeting and duct tape, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties, a wrench or pliers, a manual can opener, local maps, and a phone charger and backup battery.

Q: How often should I check my emergency kit?

Check it at least once a year, or twice a year when you change clocks: replace expired food, water and medications, test batteries and flashlights, and update clothing sizes and documents.

By the Protocol Survival team · Based on Ready.gov (FEMA) and American Red Cross guidance · Updated October 9, 2026

Key takeaways

A basic emergency kit covers at least 3 days (72 hours) for every person and pet in your home.
Water comes first: 1 gallon per person per day.
Build three kits: home (biggest), car and work.
A kit only works if you check it once or twice a year — expired food and dead batteries are the most common failures.

The basic 72-hour emergency kit

This is the core list recommended by Ready.gov. Pack it in one or two easy-to-carry containers, like a backpack or a plastic bin with a lid.

Water: 1 gallon per person per day for at least 3 days (how much water to store)
Food: at least 3 days of non-perishable food and a manual can opener
Radio: battery-powered or hand-crank, with NOAA Weather Radio
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust masks, plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Local maps on paper
Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Extras most families forget

Category	Add to your kit
Medical	7+ days of prescription medications, a written medication list, glasses or contacts and solution, hearing aid batteries, pain relievers, antidiarrheal medication
Babies & kids	Formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper cream, a change of clothes, a comfort toy, small games or books
Seniors & disabilities	Mobility aids, spare batteries for devices, medical supplies, copies of care instructions
Pets	Food and water for 3+ days, leash or carrier, bowls, vaccination records, a recent photo, waste bags
Documents & money	Copies of IDs, insurance policies and bank records in a waterproof bag; cash in small bills
Comfort & shelter	Sleeping bag or warm blanket per person, a complete change of clothes and sturdy shoes, rain gear
Tools & safety	Fire extinguisher, matches in a waterproof container, a multi-tool, work gloves, N95 masks
Hygiene	Feminine supplies, toothbrushes, soap, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, household bleach (unscented)

Car emergency kit

Jumper cables or a portable jump starter
Flashlight, batteries and reflective triangles or flares
Water and high-calorie snacks
First aid kit and any essential medication
Blanket, warm clothes, hat and gloves (winter)
Ice scraper and a small shovel; sand or cat litter for traction (cold climates)
Phone charger for the car
Paper map of your region

Work kit

Assume you may need to shelter at work for 24 hours or walk home: water, snacks, comfortable walking shoes, a flashlight, a phone charger, medications and a list of contacts.

How to keep your kit ready

Store it in a cool, dry place you can reach fast — ideally near an exit.
Use airtight plastic bags or bins to protect contents from moisture.
Twice a year (when clocks change), replace expired food, water and medicine, test batteries and lights, and update clothes for growing kids.
Make sure everyone in the house knows where the kit is.

A 72-hour kit is the starting point. For longer events like extended outages, build toward a 2-week supply of food and water at home, and use the power outage checklist.

Emergency kit FAQ

What should be in a basic emergency kit?

Water, non-perishable food and a can opener, a radio, a flashlight and batteries, a first aid kit, a whistle, dust masks, plastic sheeting and duct tape, sanitation supplies, a wrench, local maps, and a phone charger with a backup battery.

How often should I check my emergency kit?

At least once a year — twice is better. Replace expired items and test anything that runs on batteries.

Should I buy a pre-made kit or build my own?

Pre-made kits are a convenient start, but they're generic. Check what's included against the list above and add your family's medications, documents, clothing and pet supplies.

Go from a 72-hour kit to a 2-week plan

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Related guides

Sources: Ready.gov, "Build a Kit" (FEMA); American Red Cross, "Survival Kit Supplies"; Ready.gov, "Pets and Animals."