# Home Emergency Kit Checklist (72-Hour Kit) — free download from DollarWise (dollarwise.xyz)

Build your kit gradually — add a few items each grocery trip, starting with
water and food. Check and refresh everything twice a year.

## Water & food

- [ ] Store one gallon of water per person per day — 3 gallons per person for the full 72 hours
- [ ] Keep a 3-day supply of ready-to-eat food per person: canned goods, energy bars, dried fruit, and nuts
- [ ] Add a manual can opener — electric openers are useless in a power outage
- [ ] Rotate stored water every 6 months and check food expiry dates twice a year
- [ ] Include paper plates, cups, and disposable utensils to save your water supply
- [ ] Pack infant formula and baby food in 72-hour quantities if you have a baby

## Shelter & warmth

- [ ] Pack one emergency foil blanket per person — they are cheap, tiny, and genuinely warm
- [ ] Keep warm clothing layers and sturdy closed shoes in a grab bag by the exit
- [ ] Add a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each family member
- [ ] Include a tarp or plastic sheeting plus rope for emergency shelter or leak cover
- [ ] Store waterproof matches and a lighter in a sealed bag

## First aid

- [ ] Stock a first aid kit: adhesive bandages, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, and medical tape
- [ ] Keep at least a 7-day supply of prescription medications, rotated before expiry
- [ ] Add pain relievers, antihistamines, and personal medical items like an inhaler or EpiPen
- [ ] Include a thermometer and a basic first-aid reference card
- [ ] Pack hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, and face masks
- [ ] Add sunscreen and insect repellent — disasters don't pause the sun or the bugs

## Tools & documents

- [ ] Pack a flashlight with extra batteries, or a hand-crank flashlight that never dies
- [ ] Include a battery-powered or hand-crank radio for emergency broadcasts when the internet is down
- [ ] Add a multi-tool, duct tape, and a whistle for signaling
- [ ] Keep copies of IDs, insurance policies, and bank details in a waterproof pouch
- [ ] Store cash in small bills — ATMs and card readers fail in outages
- [ ] Keep a portable phone charger fully charged and check it twice a year

## Pet & baby add-ons

- [ ] Pack a pet carrier, leash, and vaccination records for each pet
- [ ] Store three days of pet food and water plus a collapsible bowl
- [ ] Keep a 72-hour supply of diapers, wipes, and spare clothes for babies and toddlers
- [ ] Add a familiar comfort item for kids — a blanket or toy that reduces stress in strange situations