+1 443-424-5080 support@militarytrained.com

Secure Checkout Active

Preparedness Field List

72-Hour Emergency Kit Checklist

Build and maintain a practical three-day household kit for common US disruptions, with clear priorities and saved progress.

Free checklist 52 items Emergency Preparedness

Your progress 0% complete (0 of 52)

0% complete

Progress is saved only in this browser on this device.

01 Water

Plan for drinking, basic food preparation and hygiene. Store what you can safely lift and rotate.

Stored drinking water Essential Use sealed, food-grade containers and follow their storage directions. Quantity: At least 1 gallon per person per day

Portable water containers Recommended Smaller containers are easier to carry if you need to move. Quantity: 1 or more

Water filter Recommended Choose a product rated for the water sources you may encounter. Quantity: 1

Water treatment backup Recommended Keep treatment instructions with the product. Quantity: 1 method

Reusable cups or bottles Optional Assign one to each household member. Quantity: 1 per person

02 Food and Preparation

Favor familiar shelf-stable foods that fit dietary needs and require little water or cooking.

Three-day shelf-stable food supply Essential Include complete meals and snacks your household will actually eat. Quantity: 3 days per person

Manual can opener Essential Needed if any stored food uses non-pull-tab cans. Quantity: 1

Reusable or disposable utensils Recommended Include a compact plate or bowl if needed. Quantity: 1 set per person

Diet-specific food Essential Account for allergies, infants, older adults and medical diets. Quantity: 3 days

Pet food and collapsible bowl Essential Pack familiar food plus a little extra for delays. Quantity: 3 days per pet

Outdoor cooking option Optional Use fuel-burning devices outdoors only and follow product directions. Quantity: 1

03 Shelter, Clothing and Warmth

Prepare for loss of heat or cooling and for a short-notice move away from home.

Emergency blanket or sleeping bag Essential Match the insulation to your regional climate. Quantity: 1 per person

Seasonal change of clothing Essential Include a warm layer even in mild seasons. Quantity: 1 set per person

Rain protection Recommended Pack a poncho or waterproof shell. Quantity: 1 per person

Work gloves Recommended Useful for cleanup and handling rough materials. Quantity: 1 pair per adult

Sturdy closed-toe footwear Recommended Keep a pair near the kit if it is not packed inside. Quantity: 1 pair per person

Tarp or plastic sheeting Optional Can support weatherproofing or a clean work area. Quantity: 1

Utility cord Optional Pack a modest length suitable for securing gear, not life safety. Quantity: 25-50 feet

Well-fitting particulate masks Recommended Choose sizes that fit each intended user. Quantity: Several per person

04 Light, Power and Communication

Use multiple ways to receive official information and keep essential devices available.

LED flashlight or headlamp Essential A headlamp keeps both hands free. Quantity: 1 per person

Spare batteries Essential Store the sizes used by your packed devices. Quantity: 2 replacement sets

Battery or hand-crank weather radio Recommended Confirm it receives alerts used in your area. Quantity: 1

Charged USB power bank Recommended Size it for at least one essential phone recharge. Quantity: 1 or more

Device charging cables Essential Pack dedicated cables and adapters. Quantity: 1 per device type

Printed contact list Essential Include household, school, work and out-of-area contacts. Quantity: 1 copy

Signal whistle Recommended Keep it accessible, not buried at the bottom. Quantity: 1 per person

Backup communication device Optional An older charged phone may still place emergency calls where service is available. Quantity: 1 household backup

05 First Aid, Medicine and Health

Customize medical supplies with a clinician or pharmacist when needs are complex.

Household first-aid kit Essential Include basic wound care and instructions suited to your training. Quantity: 1

Essential prescription medicine plan Essential Follow refill rules and storage instructions. Keep a current medicine list. Quantity: At least 3 days where permitted

Common over-the-counter medicine Recommended Only pack products appropriate for household members. Quantity: As appropriate

Medical device supplies Essential Include batteries, chargers, consumables and backup instructions. Quantity: 3 days or more

Spare glasses or vision supplies Recommended Add a copy of current prescription details if useful. Quantity: 1 spare

Concise health information card Recommended List allergies, medicine and emergency contacts without exposing more information than needed. Quantity: 1 per person

06 Hygiene and Sanitation

Small hygiene supplies reduce discomfort when utilities are interrupted.

Moist towelettes or body wipes Recommended Choose unscented products if skin is sensitive. Quantity: 1 pack

Hand sanitizer Recommended Use when soap and safe water are unavailable. Quantity: 1 bottle

Personal toiletries Recommended Pack travel sizes of daily essentials. Quantity: 1 set per person

Heavy-duty garbage bags and ties Essential Useful for waste separation and keeping items dry. Quantity: Several

Toilet paper or tissues Recommended Protect the roll in a resealable bag. Quantity: 1 compact supply

Menstrual and continence supplies Essential Pack familiar products in appropriate quantities. Quantity: 3 days or more

07 Documents, Money and Navigation

Keep protected copies, not irreplaceable originals, unless evacuation instructions require otherwise.

Protected document copies Essential Consider identification, insurance and important household records. Quantity: 1 set

Small-denomination cash Recommended Electronic payments may be unavailable during outages. Quantity: Household amount

Printed local and regional maps Recommended Mark meeting points and two ways out of your area. Quantity: 1 set

Written household emergency plan Essential Include meeting places, communication steps and responsibilities. Quantity: 1 copy

Spare essential keys Recommended Securely label only as much as necessary. Quantity: 1 set

Water-resistant document pouch Recommended Keep papers, cash and small electronics together. Quantity: 1

Notebook and permanent marker Optional Useful for messages, times, needs and inventory. Quantity: 1 set

08 Household-Specific Needs and Maintenance

Finish the kit around the people, animals and routines in your household.

Infant or child supplies Essential Include feeding, comfort, identification and weather-appropriate items. Quantity: As needed

Older-adult support items Essential Include mobility, hearing, vision and care-plan needs. Quantity: As needed

Pet carrier, leash and records Essential Make sure carriers are accessible and identification is current. Quantity: As needed

Basic multi-tool Optional Choose a lawful tool you know how to use safely. Quantity: 1

Dated kit inventory Recommended Record quantities, locations and replacement dates. Quantity: 1 copy

Next review date scheduled Essential Set a calendar reminder and review after any use. Quantity: Every 6 months

How to use this checklist

Start with the essentials your household does not already have, then add recommended and optional items as space and budget allow. Adjust quantities for your household size, climate, health needs, pets and likely local hazards.

Keep the kit usable

Store supplies where household members can reach them. Review the kit twice a year and after anything is used. Replace expired food, water, batteries and medicine according to their labels and your clinician or pharmacist’s guidance.

This planning aid is general information, not medical, legal or emergency-response advice. Follow instructions from local authorities during an incident.

Military Trained briefings

Get practical preparedness updates

Receive new checklists and field-ready planning guidance by email.

Continue planning

Practical reading for your kit

Field guide

72-Hour Emergency Kit Checklist

How to use this checklist

Keep the kit usable

Get practical preparedness updates

Practical reading for your kit

The 22 Best Tactical Backpacks

Top 5 Lightweight Tents for Military and Survival Enthusiasts

Urban Survival Skills for Apartment Dwellers: Practical Preparedness Tips for Those with Limited Space and Resources

Why you should get Dual-Band Two-Way Radio