How to Pack a 72-Hour Emergency Kit for a Natural Disaster (printable PDF checklists & Video included)

Be Prepared and Learn How to Make a 72-Hour Emergency Kit.

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Library: Printable PDFs & Resources

• Red Cross Checklist: Emergency Kit Checklist.

• US Army: 72-Hour Kit Supply List.

• Food Storage: Preparing an Emergency Food Supply, Long Term Food Storage, by Judy Harrison, PhD.) And, please visit my video library at the end of this blog for additional tips and resources!

• First Aid Kit: How to Make Your Own First Aid Kit.

• FEMA Power Outage Checklist: Be Prepared for a Power Outage.

• Red Cross Power Outage Checklist: Be Red Cross Ready - Power Outage Checklist.

  
  

Are You Prepared?

Rescue workers are helping a woman and her child from a flood.

As hurricanes, wildfires, mudslides, floods, and tornadoes are occurring more often, you and your family must prepare for the event of a worldwide emergency or natural disaster.

Many times, people are forced to leave their homes, often without any warning or notice.

Suppose you must evacuate your home. Are you prepared? If not, plan to have enough emergency items for at least 72 hours, or longer,  per person.

If possible, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also recommends keeping an extra kit in your car and/or workplace, because you never know where you will be when an emergency or a disaster hits.

These items should include:

Important Clothing & Items

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• Short and long-sleeved shirts, pants, warm jackets, socks, etc.

• Raincoat or poncho

• Undergarments

• Blankets

• Cloth sheets

• Plastic sheets: Preferably 4 -6 mil thick. (Please see the section below.)

• Towels & washcloths

• Tent

• Sleeping bags

• Phone charger(s)

I recommend making a 72-Hour emergency kit for each family member and storing it in a backpack or duffel bag that can be easily carried or lifted.

Another option is to pack items in a liftable, sturdy case, tub, or trunk.

Keep your kit(s) in a cool, dry place where all family members can reach it. Check expiration dates periodically and rotate items as needed.

On the Go!

With a 72-hour supply kit, you can strategically rotate, replace, and use items as needed on the go, even if you are unable to return home. Think of it as the "bridge" to get you over to your next three-day supply or, in some cases, possibly a new location altogether.

Why Plastic & Cloth Sheets are Vital

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Plastic Sheets

Plastic sheets are vital for your 72-hour kit. They can be used for emergency shelter from the elements and provide a quick barrier to "shelter-in-place" against outside airborne contaminants or hazardous smoke.

In addition, plastic sheets are extremely versatile survival tools. You can use them to:

1. Seal a room: When used with duct tape, plastic sheets can cover broken windows or seal vents, cracks, doors, and electrical outlets to keep out dust, smoke, or airborne toxins during chemical or biological events.

2. Build a Shelter: Plastic sheets can be cut and rigged to create a lightweight, waterproof lean-to structure, a teepee-style tent, or a makeshift sleeping bag liner to retain body heat.

   
   

3. Collect water: You can lay a plastic sheet in a shallow depression to collect rainwater or drape it to catch morning condensation.

   
   

4. Ground protection: Use plastic sheets as a dry ground cloth to sit on, or wrap your supplies to keep them protected from rain and mud.

   
   

5. Signal for help: You can use brightly colored plastic sheets, laid out in a large "X" or waved in the air, to attract search-and-rescue teams.

Cloth Sheets

Cloth sheets are vital for emergency preparedness because they, too, are incredibly versatile, multi-use survival tools. They can provide instant insulation, serve as makeshift bandages, block dust or debris, and act as highly visible signaling devices if you are stranded or awaiting rescue.

Their importance in a 72-hour emergency kit boils down to several key survival functions:

1. Versatile First Aid: In a medical emergency, a cloth sheet can be torn into strips to act as gauze, used to wrap wounds, tied to create a sling or tourniquet, or folded to form a cervical collar or padding.

   
   

2. Shelter & Insulation: Cloth sheets provide an extra layer of warmth when sleeping, can be hung to block cold drafts, or can be fashioned into a makeshift sunshade. (Note: While they breathe better than synthetic space blankets, it is best to avoid heavy cotton in freezing conditions, as it loses heat when wet.)

   
   

3. Signaling for Help: A bright-colored bed sheet can be tied to a tree or waved overhead to catch the attention of rescue teams.

   
   

4. Environmental Protection: You can tie a sheet around your head and face to filter out dust, smoke, or wind-blown debris.

   
   

5. Hygiene and Cleanliness: If sheltering away from home (e.g., in a community center or crowded facility), clean sheets provide a sanitary barrier when placed over cots, sleeping mats, or used as personal towels.

   
   

Food that does not require cooking or refrigeration

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• Three-day water supply, one gallon per person.

• Trail mix and dried fruit

• Granola and protein bars

• Crackers and cereals

• Canned goods: beans, tuna, turkey, soup, beef, etc. (Cans with pop-tops are more convenient.)

• Sardines

• Canned/Bottled juice

• Dried meat, jerky

• Peanut butter

  
  

Personal supplies and medication

• First aid kit and supplies: You can either purchase one or make your own.

• Toiletries: Toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, hair brush, toothbrush, etc.

• Cleaning supplies: hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc.

• Medications: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, children’s medication, etc.

• Prescription medications: pack at least three days’ worth, if not more!

• Infant’s needs, if applicable: baby diapers, formula, etc.

• Pet supplies, if applicable.

Personal documents and money (Keep these items in a waterproof container or pouch, especially during an evacuation!)

• Legal documents: birth and marriage certificates, wills, passports, Social Security cards, contracts, etc.

• Medical records

• Insurance policies

• Cash/coins

• Credit card/Checks

• Prepaid phone card

I have all my important documents in order and stored in my safe. All I have to do is grab them and throw them in my bag. With everything going on right now, it is so important that if you are stopped and approached during an emergency, you can verify yourself without being detained. Whether you are an American citizen or not. There will come a time when EVERYONE will be stopped and questioned!

And please keep in mind, you might never get to return to your home. So it is IMPERATIVE to have your important documents with you when you evacuate or relocate.

Fuel and light

• Battery lighting: Flashlights, lamps, etc.

• Extra batteries

• Flares

• Lighter

• Waterproof matches

• Natural heat/fuel source

Miscellaneous items and equipment

• Radio (battery-operated in case of power outage)

• Can opener

• Scissors

• Dishes and utensils

• Shovel

• Pen and paper

• Pocket knife

• Ax

• Rope

• Duct tape

• Books, Entertainment & Comfort items: Holy Bible, family photos, games, coloring & reading books, and activities for children.

Here are some additional tips and things to think about when planning:

Ways to communicate:

• Cell phone/ text messaging

  
  

• Landline telephone (will work even when the internet, cellular networks, and infrastructure are down)

  
  

• Satellite phone: beneficial, especially in remote areas where the internet is scarce.

  
  

• Two-way radio: Also known as walkie-talkies. A pair of handheld devices that can connect provided both are on the same frequency within a certain distance.

  
  

• Citizens Band Radio (CB Radio): Capable of short-distance communication on various frequencies.

  
  

• Amateur Radio (HAM Radio): Similar to CB radio, but requires the user to be a licensed American Amateur Radio operator, thus giving the user more authenticity to the information being transmitted across the airwaves.

  
  

• Police Scanner: You can hear all emergency communications between officials in the police, rescue, fire, emergency response, military, and aircraft industries with this device. You cannot broadcast on it, but it does allow access to important information during an emergency.

  
  

• Word-of-Mouth: When all else fails, and the power is out, devices are ruined or lost, and the internet is scarce, use word-of-mouth. This is when having a prior disaster plan in place is crucial to communicate with your family, friends, and loved ones during a time of crisis. If you do not have a plan in place, try not to become isolated from each other. Stay together in a group to avoid being separated, lost, or misplaced.

We are facing challenging times. It is imperative to be self-sufficient and prepared in every way. If you live in a place that allows you to grow your garden or food, please do that! Become self-reliant.

Please get your house in order and make right with God in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! This is spiritual warfare, but God is with us.

May God bless, protect, and watch over you.

Video Library & Resources: How to Prepare an Emergency Kit: How to Make a 72-Hour Emergency Preparedness Kit; How Do Plastic Sheeting and Duct Tape Create Shelter?

Author’s Bio

Saved by Grace, Isabella Boston is a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, deeply passionate about sharing God’s Holy Word and unpacking biblical truths for daily life.

From exploring prayer and deepening your relationship with God in Christ Jesus to navigating toxic relationships and intrusive thoughts, she writes to provide clear, biblical guidance.

Called to uphold the traditions of faith, Isabella also writes about the significance of the Christian Veil of God’s Holy Order and Chain of Command, and of living a set-apart life that honors God in all things.

Follow her blog for more scriptural insights and spiritual encouragement.

"Writing from the heart."