72-hour emergency kit
FEMA's Ready.gov asks every household to have enough supplies to manage on its own for several days, and the European Commission sets the same bar at 72 hours. This is what goes in it, to get it done in an afternoon. Where each item comes from is on the sources page.
The list
What to have at home. The day is the one in the guide when each item gets sorted.
- Water: 3 gallons per personDay 2 · See model
- Food for 3 days, eaten coldDay 3 · See model
- Manual can openerDay 3 · Check price on Amazon
- One flashlight per personDay 4 · Check price on Amazon
- Spare batteriesDay 4 · Check price on Amazon
- Power bank, chargedDay 4 · Check price on Amazon
- Battery radioDay 5 · Check price on Amazon
- Cash in small bills
What it costs
Three levels for two people, not counting water and food. Each one includes the one before; the kit page has every item with its model.
The essentials
Get through a night or a day without power with the basics. Water and food from the supermarket.
About $50Three calm days
What the authorities ask for: a home that can manage on its own for three days.
About $100Ready to leave home too
With grab bags packed for two, in case you are told to leave in ten minutes.
About $225
Each level, straight into your Amazon cart. If you already have something, check it in the kit and its button leaves it out.
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This does not replace instructions from the authorities or 911: if they say something different, do what they say.