Updating Our Emergency 72 Hour Kits

I just pulled out our emergency 72-hour kits. I can’t remember the last time we put these together and updated them. But based on the expired food and clothes that were way too small, I think it’s been about 6 years! YIKES!  It’s definitely time to revamp and update our very expired emergency 72-hour kits.

I had the kids help me unload all the old food and clothes and restock their backpacks with fresh items. It was fun hearing all their expressions opening up these old kits and remembering favorite shirts they had added in that no longer fit!

What is a 72-hour Kit?

Essentially it’s a kit of the essential items you will need in an emergency. When we lived in HAWAII, we had 3 tsunami evacuations, we each grabbed our 72-hour kit and headed to high grounds. These kits are to be used in an emergency where you may need to evacuate your home for a short period of time. This would not be everything you might want but the bare necessities to survive.

Items to put into your Basic 72 hour kit

Below we have ideas for what we pack in Jase and my 72-hour emergency kits and a list of what we packed in our kids. You can use this as a guideline for what you want to pack in your 72-hour kits.

• clothes (3 days)
  • 1 t-shirt & shorts
  • 1 pant & long-sleeved shirt
  • jacket
  • underwear & socks
• Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food)
  • tuna packs
  • granola bars – good protein
  • applesauce squeeze packets
  • freeze-dried fruit
  • breakfast granola bars
  • beef jerky

Pro tip: You want food that you don’t have to add water to or prepare using a stove in the event that you don’t have access to those things.

• Water
  • water gallon of water per day x3
• emergency items
  • flashlight
  • batteries – make sure you get the right size batteries for your flashlight.
  • first aid kit – I like to keep a more extensive first aid kit handy in my car especially when the kids are playing outside and prone to get hurt. Here’s my list of what you need in an outdoor play first aid kit.
  • whistle
  • moist towelettes
  • can opener – these can openers are very tiny so they don’t take up much weight or space in your pack.
  • glowsticks
  • bandanas
  • water filter or water tablets – we have the life straws

72-hour kit packing list for KIDS

• junky tennis shoes
• water shoes
• beanie/hat
• 2 t-shirts & 1 long-sleeved shirt
• 1 jacket
• sweatpants, jeans & 1 pair of shorts
• undies & socks (3 pairs or more)
• small ziplock bag of toys/fun items ( We always put something fun in even if its really small to keep kids entertained)

Here are a few links with great advice for items you need.

Build a kit

survival emergency kit supplies

It’s a lot to buy all these items at once if you don’t already have them. But having something is better than nothing; so to start out keep it simple. Then add to your 72-hour emergency kits when you can. This way you won’t feel so overwhelmed putting them together and you will at least have something. It’ll make a huge difference in an emergency and as a mom brings me peace of mind knowing my family will have what they need.

Rach