How to Build a 72-Hour Emergency Kit

What Is a 72-Hour Kit?

A 72-hour kit is a collection of supplies designed to sustain you and your family for three days without external help. The concept comes from emergency management agencies worldwide, who recognise that it typically takes about 72 hours for organised relief to reach affected areas after a major incident.

Your 72-hour kit should be portable enough to grab and go if you need to evacuate, but comprehensive enough to sustain your household if you shelter in place. Think of it as your insurance policy against the unexpected.

Water (3 Days)

Plan for 3 litres per person per day — that is 9 litres per person for your full 72 hours. Store water in clean, food-grade containers and rotate it every 6 months. A water filter and water purification tablets extend your supply indefinitely if you have access to any freshwater source.

A collapsible water bottle is useful for carrying water from a source back to your shelter. It packs flat when empty and takes up minimal space in your kit bag.

Food (3 Days)

Choose foods that are calorie-dense, long-lasting, and require minimal preparation. Tinned meals, energy bars, nuts, dried fruit, and peanut butter are all excellent choices. If you include a portable stove, you can add instant noodles, porridge oats, and dehydrated meals to your menu.

Aim for at least 2,000 calories per person per day. Include a manual tin opener if you are packing tinned food. Rotate your food supplies every 6 to 12 months and eat what you replace rather than wasting it.

Shelter & Warmth

If you need to evacuate, shelter items become critical. Pack an emergency blanket per person at minimum, and ideally a bivvy bag for each adult. These provide wind and rain protection and retain body heat effectively.

Include a change of warm, dry clothes per person, a waterproof jacket, warm hat, and sturdy footwear. Even if sheltering at home, having warm layers ready is essential if the heating fails during a winter power cut.

First Aid & Hygiene

A comprehensive first aid kit with personal medications is essential. Include at least a week's supply of any prescription medications, plus over-the-counter basics like painkillers, antihistamines, and oral rehydration sachets.

Hygiene supplies maintain health and morale. Pack toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitiser, toothbrush and toothpaste, and basic sanitary products. A small trowel or waste bags handle sanitation if plumbing is unavailable.

Communication & Power

Pack a fully charged power bank, a wind-up or battery-powered radio, and a reliable torch with spare batteries. A whistle for signalling and a permanent marker for leaving messages round out your communication supplies.

Write down important phone numbers on paper — do not rely on your phone's contact list when the battery might die. Include numbers for family, your doctor, insurance company, and local emergency services.

Documents & Cash

Keep copies of essential documents in a waterproof folder: passports, driving licences, insurance policies, property deeds, medical records, and prescriptions. In an evacuation, having these ready saves immense stress.

Cash is king in a power cut. Card machines and cash points will not work without electricity. Keep at least £50-100 in small denominations in your kit for purchasing essentials if needed.

Packing and Maintaining Your Kit

Use a sturdy rucksack or wheeled bag that you can grab quickly. Pack heavier items at the bottom and the most frequently needed items at the top. Each family member old enough should have their own bag with personal essentials.

Review and rotate your kit every six months. Set a reminder for the clocks changing in spring and autumn — when you change the clocks, check your kit. Replace expired food, test batteries, and update clothing sizes for growing children.