Your 72-hour supplies list
A calm, sensible starting point. These are the core items most households actually need for the first three days, with a specific pick for each so you do not have to compare a hundred options. You probably have several already. Start with what you are missing.
Water
Water storage container
Our pick: the Reliance Aqua-Tainer, 7 gallons. Stackable, easy to pour. One gallon per person per day.
Water filter
Our pick: the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter. A simple backup if your stored water runs low.
Food
Manual can opener
Our pick: the OXO Good Grips can opener. Easy to forget, essential when the power is out.
Long-shelf food bars
Our pick: Datrex emergency food bars. Compact, no-cook calories for the go-bag, five-year shelf life.
Medical
First aid kit
Our pick: the American Red Cross Deluxe Family First Aid Kit. A solid pre-built kit beats assembling one piece by piece.
N95 masks
Our pick: 3M Aura N95 (9205+). For wildfire smoke and poor air quality.
Power and light
LED flashlights
Our pick: the GearLight LED flashlight (2-pack). One per person, safer than candles.
Batteries
Our pick: Amazon Basics AA and AAA. Match the sizes your devices actually use.
Phone power bank
Our pick: the Anker PowerCore 10K. Compact and reliable, charges a phone several times.
Hand-crank NOAA radio
Our pick: the Midland ER310. Weather alerts and news when the grid and cell towers are down, with hand crank and solar.
Warmth and shelter
Emergency mylar blankets
Our pick: Swiss Safe emergency mylar blankets. Tiny, cheap, and surprisingly effective at holding body heat.
Hand warmers
Our pick: HotHands hand warmers. For cold-weather evacuations and outages.
Sanitation
Hand sanitizer
Our pick: Purell Advanced. For when running water is not available.
Heavy-duty trash bags
Our pick: Husky contractor bags. Sanitation, waterproofing, and a hundred other uses.
Documents and signaling
Fireproof document bag
Our pick: the ENGPOW fireproof document bag. Keep IDs, insurance, and records grab-ready.
USB drive for digital copies
Our pick: the SanDisk Ultra USB drive. Back up key documents and photos.
Emergency whistle
Our pick: the Fox 40 Classic. Carries far if you need help, and it works wet.
Evacuation
Go-bag backpack
A sturdy, water-resistant backpack you already own works. If you are buying one, pick a comfortable daypack, not a tactical-looking bag.