How to Prepare a 72-Hour Emergency Kit
May 9, 2025
Use this checklist to stock a basic 72-hour kit and add items depending on your family’s needs. Ideally, your kit should be stored in a waterproof and wheeled container. You may have to stay in your home without electricity or water, or you may have to evacuate your home for a period of time.
Food and Water
- Four litres of water per person per day (for drinking)
- Food that doesn’t require cooking and won’t spoil, such as granola and protein bars, trail mix, dried fruit and canned tuna (remember to replace food and water once a year)
Equipment
- Manual can opener
- Flashlight (wind-up or battery-operated) and batteries (replace batteries every year)
- Wind-up or battery-powered radio (replace batteries every year)
- Candles, lighter, waterproof/strike-anywhere matches
- Pens and paper
- Duct tape
- Pocket knife
- Cooking and eating utensils
- Warm clothes and blankets or sleeping bags
- Garbage bags
- Whistle and flares (to attract attention)
Toiletries
- Cleaning supplies (hand sanitizer, dry shampoo, etc.)
- First aid kit
- Toilet paper
- Dish soap
- Feminine supplies
Speciality Items
- Infant needs (diapers, formula, bottles, etc.)
- Prescription medicines
- Extra pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses
- Pet items (food, leash, muzzle, medication, etc.)
Personal Documents & Supplies
- A list of your emergency contacts (names and contact numbers)
- An extra set of house and car keys
- Some cash in smaller bills
- Copies of important documents like passports, birth certificates and insurance policies
Looking for more emergency kit resources? Visit the Canadian Red Cross or Government of Canada websites for more options!
