A 72-hour emergency bag for family is part of smart emergency preparation for all families! Whether you’re preparing a bug-out bag (BOB) for a quick evacuation or a shelter-in-place survival kit for home, having the right emergency supplies for kids and family can make all the difference. This guide will walk you through what to pack in a 3 day bag for your family, covering food, water, first aid, and essential items to keep you safe during hard times.
Ultimate Guide to 72-Hour Emergency Bag For Family Binders
Emergencies happen anytime and how to prepare is definitely something you should consider for your family emergency prep.
And, I’m not really talking about the zombie apocalypse.
I’m talking more about what to do in times of natural disasters (like the recent fires, flooding, and hurricanes), power outages for extended periods of times, or an unexpected evacuation from your home (like a chemical spill nearby in your city).
Having a 72-hour emergency kit ready for your family can make a huge difference in keeping everyone safe and comfortable.
What is a 72-Hour Bag?
A 72-hour bag, also known as an emergency kit, bug-out bag (BOB), or go-bag, is a portable collection of essential supplies designed to sustain an individual or family for three days (72 hours) during an emergency.
These kits are crucial in situations where:
- You need to shelter in place due to power outages, natural disasters, or other emergencies.
- You have to evacuate quickly due to fires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, local issues specific to your town or area, or even civil unrest.
The goal of a 72-hour bag is to cover your basic survival needs—food, water, shelter, first aid, and other important items— until help arrives or you can reach safety.
There are two main types of 72-hour bags:
- Shelter-in-place kit – A stockpile of supplies to keep you safe and comfortable if you’re stuck at home for three days.
- Bug-out bag (BOB) – A backpack or easy-to-carry bag filled with survival essentials in case you need to leave home quickly in an emergency.
By having a well-packed 72-hour bag, you ensure that you and your family are prepared to handle emergencies with less stress and greater safety.
If I could choose only one battery backup source, it would be this portable power station that we swear by in our family!
What To Pack For A 72-Hour Emergency Bag For Family To Keep Everyone Safe
I’ll cover two important bags and supplies: what you need if you’re stuck at home for 3 days and what you need to pack for an evacuation bag (think: fire, flood waters rising, etc.).
REMEMBER, I’M JUST GIVING YOU TIPS FOR A SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY AT HOME OR IF YOU HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR HOME. THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE A LIST OF EXTENDED EMERGENCY SUPPLIES IN AN ONGOING CRISIS OR PERMANENT EVACUATION.
Shelter-in-Place Emergency Kit: What You Need If You’re Stuck at Home For 3+ Days
If a storm, power outage, or another emergency keeps you stuck at home for a few days, you’ll want a well-stocked emergency kit that covers all your basic needs.
EMERGENCY PREP TIP: These are just ideas to get you started. Be sure to customize your emergency supplies to your specific needs (medications, pets, etc.)
Food and Water
- Water: At least 1 gallon per person per day (for drinking, cooking, and hygiene). That’s 3 gallons per person in your family for 72 hours.
- Non-perishable food: Canned goods, dried fruits, nuts, peanut butter, granola bars, crackers, jerky, freeze-dried meals. (We keep precooked packages like this and this that we can just open and eat if we don’t have a way to heat things.)
- Manual can opener (because electric ones won’t work if the power’s out).
- Camping stove or grill (with extra fuel) or other ways you can cook. (If you have a fireplace, yay you! Be sure to have cast iron like this that will allow you to easily cook in a fire.)
Lighting and Power
- Flashlights & extra batteries – Avoid candles since they can be a fire hazard.
- LED lanterns – Great for lighting up rooms at night. These have saved us more times than I can count during power outages (even when we were traveling!). I recommend buying several sets and keeping them EVERYWHERE (car, house, backpacks, etc. etc.)
- Portable phone chargers (fully charged and ready to go) – this is my go-to charger for my phone that I keep in my purse at all times. (Just make sure you get the right one for your phone type.)
- Solar or crank-powered radio like this – For weather updates and emergency news.
MORE HELP FOR EMERGENCY PREPPING: Family Emergency Supplies We Swear By For Power Outages And Disasters!
Warmth and Shelter
- Blankets, sleeping bags, or extra warm clothing (especially if it’s winter).
- Hand warmers – These can be lifesavers in cold weather.
- Duct tape and plastic sheeting – To seal windows or doors if needed.
Hygiene and Sanitation
- Wet wipes & hand sanitizer – If water is scarce.
- Toilet paper & paper towels
- Trash bags – To keep your home clean and for waste disposal.
- Basic hygiene products: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, shampoo, feminine hygiene products, razors.
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER: If you’re planning for longer disruptions, how will you go to the bathroom? Think about emergency toilet supplies, too! A bucket with a toilet seat lid and kitty litter can work as a backup or use this portable toilet.
First Aid and Medications
- Basic first aid kit: Bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, adhesive tape, tweezers, scissors.
- Prescription medications – Have at least a 3-day supply.
- Pain relievers and fever reducers – Like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Allergy medication (antihistamines)
- Thermometer
Communication and Important Documents
- Emergency contacts list (on paper, in case phones die).
- Copies of IDs, insurance papers, birth certificates, marriage license, etc. in a waterproof container.
- Notebook and pen (to write important information down).
Entertainment & Comfort
- Books, puzzle books, cards, small board games – For keeping kids (and adults) occupied.
- Comfort items – Stuffed animals for kids, extra pillows, suckers/candy, or small comforts to keep stress levels down.
GET OUR ULTIMATE PARENT’S GUIDE TO EMERGENCY SITUATIONS FOR 45% OFF!
Bug-Out Bag (BOB): What to Pack If You Have to Evacuate for 72 Hours +
If you need to leave home quickly, a bug-out bag ensures you have everything needed to survive for three days.
Every family member (including kids and pets) should have their own emergency bag, and it should be light enough to carry comfortably.
Water and Hydration
- Filled water bottles or hydration packs (like a CamelBak).
- Water purification tablets or a LifeStraw (in case you need to drink from streams or lakes).
Food and Cooking
- Lightweight, high-energy food: Protein bars, trail mix, jerky, dried fruit.
- Mess kit
Clothing and Warmth
- Change of clothes (weather-appropriate) – Include extra sets of underwear and multiple pairs of socks.
- Rain poncho / waterproof jacket and coat
- Lightweight blanket or emergency mylar blanket (keeps in body heat).
- Gloves, hat, scarf (if evacuating in winter)
Shelter and Sleep
- Emergency bivvy sack (lightweight and compact).
- Small tent or tarp with paracord (for setting up shelter) – even in emergency shelters you may need to set up an area for privacy.
EMERGENCY TIP: I always include these emergency blankets in all my emergency supplies. They work to help warm you up, but they can be strung together as a tent or even used to put down on a muddy surface or cold floor before you sit down.
MORE EMERGENCY PREP POSTS FOR FAMILY BINDERS:
How To Prepare for Winter Shortages
A GUIDE TO EMERGENCY SITUATIONS WITH KIDS
Easy Homemade Cleaner Recipes to Disinfect Your House
Helping Kids Cope During Emergencies and Disasters and FREE Coping Skills Worksheet
Social Distancing: 10 Tips Parents Need To Know
Fun Things To Do When Stuck At Home with Kids
48 Weather for Kids Activities
Keep scrolling to see the Emergency Kit Checklist for Kids below!
First Aid and Health
- Basic first aid kit (I like these mini kits for each backpack in case one backpack gets left behind or destroyed somehow)
- Any prescription medications
- Sunscreen & insect repellent
- Personal hygiene items for each bag (toothbrush, small toothpaste, wipes, feminine hygiene, etc.)
Emergency Tools
- Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife
- Duct tape (small roll) – Great for repairs and emergencies.
- Lighter and waterproof matches – Always have multiple ways to start a fire.
- Emergency whistle – To signal for help.
- Flashlight (with extra batteries) or a headlamp.
Navigation and Communication
- Compass & laminated local maps – GPS might not work.
- Crank or battery-powered emergency radio
- Portable phone charger (solar or battery-powered)
Money and Important Documents
- Small amount of cash in small dollar quantities (ATMs might not work during power outages or emergency situations). You may also want to take some coins in case you’re sheltered in an area with vending machines.
- Copies of IDs, important papers, insurance, emergency contacts, etc (in a waterproof pouches like these) – especially if you have no idea how long it will be before you can get back to your home (or if your home is compromised, like in a flood or fire).
Self-Defense and Protection
- Pepper spray – Good for personal safety.
- Small personal alarm or whistle (especially good for kids if you’re in a crowded shelter during an emergency)
CHECK THIS OUT NEXT: 16 Unexpected Items Every Emergency Go Bag for Kids Should Have (#5 Is a Game-Changer!)
I hope this list of 72-hour emergency bag for family ideas help you get started TODAY.
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