The 72-hour home emergency kit is different from a go-bag. The go-bag is designed to be grabbed and carried during an evacuation. The home kit is a larger, more comprehensive supply designed to sustain the household in place for three days when the normal supply chain fails — when the shops are shut, the power is out, and you cannot leave.
Most emergency preparedness agencies (FEMA, American Red Cross, UK Cabinet Office) recommend a minimum of 72 hours of supplies in the home. This covers the most common emergency scenarios — winter storms, power outages, flooding, and the acute phase of most crisis events.
The Scope Difference: Go-Bag vs. Home Kit
| Feature | Go-Bag | Home 72-Hour Kit |
|---|
| Purpose | Carry during evacuation | Sustain at home |
| Size | Portable (10–15kg) | Fixed; can be 30–60kg+ |
| Food | 3 days calorie-dense, compact | 3 days full household supply |
| Water | 1–2L (supplement with purification) | Full 3-day supply (3.8L/person/day) |
| Shelter | Emergency blanket | Already have home |
| Organisation | Single bag | Dedicated storage area |
The home kit allows more comprehensive supplies because weight and portability are not constraints.
Water — The First Priority
For a family of 4, a 72-hour water supply is:
- 4 people × 3.8L/day × 3 days = 45.6 litres
Storage options:
- 12 × 4-litre sealed containers (48L)
- 1 × 50L HDPE drum
- Individual 2L bottles (24 × 2L)
Store in a cool, dark location. Replace every 6–12 months. See the water storage article for full guidance.
Food — Three Days, All Household Members
| Category | 3-Day Supply (Family of 4) | Storage Form |
|---|
| Carbohydrate | 3kg rice or pasta | Sealed; cool |
| Protein | 8–12 canned fish/chicken/beans | Normal shelf |
| Fat | 500ml oil | Cool; dark |
| Snacks | 2kg nuts/dried fruit | Sealed |
| Ready meals | 4–8 camping pouches or MREs | Normal shelf |
| Infant/child specific | Formula, baby food, cereal as needed | As required |
Eating sequence in an emergency:
- Use fresh food from the fridge first (before it spoils in a power outage)
- Move to frozen food (safe for 24–48 hours in a powered-off freezer)
- Use shelf-stable supplies
Cooking and Heating
| Item | Why | Specification |
|---|
| Portable gas stove | Cooking without mains gas/electric | Butane camp stove; 3+ fuel canisters |
| Lighter (3) | Reliable ignition | Stored with stove |
| Matches (waterproof) | Backup ignition | Sealed container |
| Cooking pot and pan | Basic cookware | Stainless or cast iron |
| Can opener | Canned food access | Manual; two recommended |
| Portable heater (bottled gas) | Warmth if heating fails | With adequate ventilation only |
Light and Power
| Item | Why | Specification |
|---|
| LED torch (2) | Navigation; reading | With spare batteries |
| Head torch (1 per adult) | Hands-free | With spare batteries |
| Candles and holders | Extended light backup | 20+ candles |
| Matches and lighter | Candle ignition | Already listed |
| Power bank (20,000mAh+) | Phone charging | Full charge; recharged quarterly |
| Battery radio | Emergency communications | AM/FM; battery-powered |
| Spare batteries | Device power | AA, AAA, C, D as applicable to devices |
| Solar charger | Passive phone charging | Small panel; useful if outage extends |
Communications
| Item | Why |
|---|
| Battery radio (AM/FM/DAB) | Emergency broadcasts when internet fails |
| Printed emergency contact list | When phone is damaged or dead |
| Paper maps (local area) | Navigation when GPS fails |
| Pen and notepad | Written communication; note-passing |
First Aid and Medical
| Item | Why | Specification |
|---|
| Comprehensive first aid kit | Injury management | Includes bandages, dressings, slings, gloves |
| Personal medications (7-day minimum) | Essential care continuation | All regular medications; keep rotated |
| Pain relief | Symptom management | Paracetamol, ibuprofen |
| Oral rehydration sachets | Dehydration management | 8–12 sachets |
| Thermometer | Illness monitoring | Digital preferred |
| Face masks | Respiratory protection | 10+ FFP2/KN95 |
| Disposable gloves | Infection control | 2 boxes |
| Antiseptic solution | Wound care | Betadine or similar |
| Item | Why |
|---|
| Multi-tool | General utility |
| Duct tape and strong tape | Repair; improvised solutions |
| Paracord (20m) | General utility |
| Work gloves | Safety during post-disaster work |
| Dust masks (N95/FFP2) | Post-collapse dust and debris |
| Fire extinguisher (see separate article) | Fire suppression |
| CO detector (battery backup) | CO safety |
| Smoke detector (battery backup) | Fire safety |
| Whistle (1 per person) | Emergency signalling |
Sanitation
| Item | Why | Specification |
|---|
| Wet wipes (3 packs) | Hygiene without water | Large packs |
| Hand sanitiser (500ml) | Infection prevention | Alcohol-based |
| Toilet bags (chemical camping type) | If sewage system fails | 10–20 bags |
| Large bin bags | Waste management | 20+ heavy duty |
| Soap | Basic hygiene | Bar soap; minimal water needed |
| Toilet paper | Basic sanitation | 4+ rolls |
Storage and Organisation
| Practice | Why |
|---|
| Dedicated storage area | Easy access; not scattered |
| Labelled by category | Quick location under stress |
| FIFO rotation | Oldest front; newest back |
| Quarterly check | Confirm battery charge, food rotation, water rotation |
| Annual full review | Update for household changes |
Quick Reference — 72-Hour Kit Checklist
| Category | Target |
|---|
| Water | 45L for family of 4 (3 days at 3.8L/person/day) |
| Food | 72h supply; no-cook options essential |
| Cooking | Portable stove + 3 canisters + can opener |
| Light | 2 torches + head torches + candles + batteries |
| Power | Large power bank + battery radio |
| First aid | Comprehensive kit + 7-day medications |
| Sanitation | Wet wipes + sanitiser + waste bags |
| Communications | Battery radio + printed contacts + paper maps |
| Tools | Multi-tool + duct tape + cord |
| Safety | Fire extinguisher + CO detector |