PrepScore

The simple 3-day emergency kit

Ten things that get your household through the first 72 hours of most emergencies. One shopping trip, one afternoon, and you're ahead of most of your neighbors.

Reviewed October 2026 against Ready.gov and CDC guidance. Prices are typical ranges.

Water
3 galper person
Food
3 daysno cooking needed
Time
1 afternoonto gather and pack
Cost if buying new
$300+for two people, less if you own some of it

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The 10 essentials

  1. Water

    3 gallons per person

    One gallon per person per day, for drinking, cooking and basic hygiene. Add more for pets and hot weather.

    Easiest option: buy sealed gallon jugs at the grocery store and leave them closed until you need them.

    Our pickSaratoga Farms stackable 5-gallon containers (4-pack)If you want sturdier, refillable storage. Four containers hold 20 gallons.
    $90 to $120Check price
    More on water storage and filters

  2. Food you don't have to cook

    3 days per person

    Power and gas can both be out. Pick food you can eat straight from the package.

    Add a few cans of food you already eat, and keep a manual can opener with them.

    Our pickS.O.S. Rations 3600-calorie emergency food barOne package per person covers 3 days of survival rations and lasts 5 years.
    $15 to $25Check price

    Plus: OXO Good Grips manual can opener ($15 to $20)

    More on emergency food and cooking

  3. A headlamp

    1 per person

    Hands-free light for a dark house or stairwell. Safer than candles, which cause house fires after disasters.

    If yours takes batteries, tape a spare set to it.

    Our pickBlack Diamond Spot 400-R rechargeable headlamp
    $30 to $60Check price
    More on lighting and staying warm

  4. An emergency radio

    1 per household

    Gets official alerts and news when cell networks are jammed or down.

    Choose one with NOAA weather alerts and a hand crank, so it never runs out of power.

    Our pickMidland ER310 crank and solar emergency radioAlso charges a phone in a pinch.
    $50 to $80Check price
    More on radios and communication

  5. A charged power bank

    1 per phone

    Your phone is your map, flashlight and alert system. A 20,000 mAh bank recharges it about four times.

    Recharge it every few months; batteries slowly drain on the shelf.

    Our pickAnker 20,000 mAh power bank
    $30 to $60Check price
    More on power stations and generators

  6. A first-aid kit

    1 per household

    After a disaster, emergency services are stretched thin. You'll handle cuts, burns and sprains yourself.

    Open it once so you know what's inside.

    Our pickAdventure Medical Kits Family first-aid kit
    $30 to $60Check price
    More on first aid and medical

  7. Medications and glasses

    At least 3 days' supply

    Pharmacies may be closed. Running out of a daily medication is one of the most common emergency problems.

    Include prescriptions, any over-the-counter meds you rely on, spare glasses or contacts, and a written list of everyone's medications and doses.

    Nothing to buy. Gather what you already have.

    More on first aid and medical

  8. Documents and cash

    1 bag per household

    Copies of IDs and insurance speed up everything after a disaster, and card readers don't work without power.

    Add $100 to $200 in small bills and a paper list of important phone numbers.

    Our pickFire- and water-resistant document bag
    $15 to $30Check price
    More on go-bags and evacuation

  9. N95 masks

    A few per person

    Protects your lungs from wildfire smoke, dust and debris. Cloth and surgical masks don't filter fine particles.

    Look for the NIOSH approval marking on the mask.

    Our pick3M Aura 9205+ N95 masks (20-pack)
    $15 to $30Check price
    More on go-bags and evacuation

  10. Toilet bags and hygiene basics

    1 kit per household

    If water stops, toilets stop. Sealed waste bags plus wipes and hand sanitizer keep everyone healthy.

    Line a bucket or your toilet bowl with a waste bag. Add wipes, hand sanitizer and a roll of trash bags.

    Our pickReliance Double Doodie toilet waste bags (6-pack)Each bag has a gel that solidifies waste and controls odor.
    $15 to $20Check price
    More on sanitation and hygiene

Short on time? Start with a pre-made kit

A ready-made backpack gets you water pouches, a food bar, a light stick and a small first-aid kit in one click. Then add a real headlamp, radio and power bank from the list above.

Ready America 72-hour emergency kit (1 person)$25 to $50Check price

Your 3-day kit checklist

Tick things off as you gather them. Your progress stays in this browser.

Questions

What should be in a 72-hour emergency kit?

At minimum: 3 gallons of water per person, 3 days of food that needs no cooking, a manual can opener, a headlamp or flashlight per person, an emergency radio, a charged power bank, a first-aid kit, 3 days of medications, copies of important documents with some cash, N95 masks, and toilet bags with hygiene basics.

How much water do I need for 3 days?

Plan on one gallon per person per day, so 3 gallons per person for 3 days. Add more for pets, nursing mothers, sick family members and hot weather.

Is a 3-day kit enough?

It's the classic starting point and covers most power outages and short emergencies. If you live in earthquake country or a hurricane zone, emergency managers suggest building toward two weeks of supplies, especially water.

Should I just buy a pre-made kit?

A pre-made kit is a fine way to start today. Most cover water, food bars and basic first aid, but their flashlights, radios and first-aid kits are usually minimal, so plan to add the items above.

Sources

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