The Prep NestPrintable Emergency Kit Checklist
Set your household size and the number of days, and the quantities work themselves out. Free to print, copy and hand out. No email, no sign-up.
72-hour emergency kit for 4 people, 3 days. theprepnest.com
Water
- Drinking and sanitation waterReady.gov and CDC minimum, per person per day12 gallons
- Filter or purification tablets1 per household
Food
- Calories of no-cook foodPlanning figure; no agency publishes a target24,000 calories
- Manual can openerThe most commonly forgotten item in the kit1, stored with the food
Light and power
- Headlamp or flashlight4
- Spare batteries, correct sizesa full set
- NOAA weather radio with tone alert1
- Charged power bank1 or more
First aid and medication
- First aid kit1
- Prescription medicationAsk your prescriber in advanceemergency supply
- Prescription glasses or contact solutionas needed
Sanitation and hygiene
- Moist towelettes and hand sanitiser1 pack
- Garbage bags and plastic ties1 roll
- Soap, toilet paper, feminine suppliesas needed
Documents, cash and keys
- Copies of ID, insurance, bank recordswaterproof pouch
- Cash in small billsas able
- Spare house and car keys1 set
- Written contact card1 per person
Clothing and shelter
- Change of weather-appropriate clothes4
- Sturdy shoes4
- Blanket or emergency bivvy4
Tools
- Multitool or wrench and pliersTo shut off utilities1
- Whistle4
- Dust mask4
- Local paper map1
If it applies to your household
- Infant formula, bottles, nappies, wipesas needed
- Pet food and extra wateras needed
- Plastic sheeting and duct tapeif sealing a room is a local risk
- Books, games or activities for childrenas needed
Where these come from. The contents follow Ready.gov’s basic disaster supplies kit. The water figure is the Ready.gov and CDC minimum of one gallon per person per day. The calorie figure is a common planning convention, not an agency standard: neither Ready.gov nor the Red Cross publishes a target. Checked 3 October 2026.
Free to use and reproduce for personal, school, workplace, community or emergency-management purposes. A link back to theprepnest.com is appreciated but not required.
For the reasoning behind the quantities, read the full 72-hour kit guide, and work out your water with the storage calculator.