The 72-hour family kit, item by item.

1. 1

   Water

   
   • One gallon per person per day, three days
   • Half for drinking, half for everything else
   • Store-bought bottles are the easiest start
2. 2

   Food that needs no cooking

   
   • Three days of what your family actually eats
   • Bars, nut butter, crackers, canned fruit and beans
   • A manual can opener and a spoon per person
3. 3

   Light

   
   • A flashlight per person plus a lantern
   • Spare batteries in a sealed bag
   • Headlamps for working with both hands
4. 4

   First aid

   
   • A real kit, plus pain reliever and antihistamine
   • Any prescriptions, seven days
   • A list of each person's medications and allergies
5. 5

   News and contact

   
   • Battery or crank radio
   • Power banks for phones
   • Paper list of phone numbers
6. 6

   Hygiene

   
   • Wipes, hand sanitizer, soap, toothbrushes
   • Toilet paper and trash bags
   • Feminine products, diapers if needed
7. 7

   Documents and cash

   
   • Copies of IDs, insurance, deed or lease
   • Cash in small bills
   • Sealed in a zip bag, or photos on the phone
8. 8

   Tools

   
   • Wrench for the gas shutoff, pliers, multi-tool
   • Duct tape, work gloves, a tarp
   • Whistle to signal for help
9. 9

   Warmth and shelter

   
   • A blanket or sleeping bag per person
   • Space blankets as backup
   • A change of clothes and sturdy shoes each
10. 10

    Pets

    
    • Three days of food and water for each animal
    • Carrier, leash, vaccination records
    • A photo of each pet with you in it
11. 11

    Masks and protection

    
    • N95 masks for smoke and dust
    • Glasses if you wear contacts
    • Sunscreen and bug spray
12. 12

    Comfort and kids

    
    • A book, cards, a small game
    • Something familiar for each child
    • A note of what to grab if you must leave fast

Build it in one weekend. Check it twice a year, when the clocks change.