Quick Checklist (72 Hours)

If you want the short version, here’s the 72-hour foundation:

• Water: a realistic plan for 3 days (storage + access + backup).
• Food: 3 days of easy meals (including no-cook options).
• Power & light: safe lighting + phone charging plan.
• First aid & meds: basics you actually use.
• Hygiene & sanitation: simple plan for “if water/power is limited.”
• Communication: check-in rule + printed contacts + meeting points.
• Documents: your most important info easy to grab.

What This Plan Is (and Isn’t)

This plan is:

• Family-friendly: simple enough for real life.
• Global: works in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and most places.
• Minimalist: the goal is continuity, not a bunker.
• Actionable: it tells you what to do in what order.

This plan is not:

• A prediction of specific disasters.
• A list of expensive gear.
• A panic-buying guide.

Core idea: The same basics help in many different situations—outages, weather, delays, short-term disruptions, and “life happens” moments.

The 72-Hour Sequence: The Order That Matters

If you do things in the right order, you avoid wasted money and stress. Here’s the sequence:

1. Safety + communication: your “first 10 minutes” plan.
2. Water plan: storage + access.
3. Food plan: no-cook first, then simple meals.
4. Light + phone charging: keep evenings stable.
5. Medical essentials: first aid + critical meds.
6. Hygiene: comfort and health.
7. Documents: reduce chaos if you need to recover.

You can build this in layers. Start small and improve over time.

Step 1: Water (Your #1 Constraint)

Water is often the first thing that turns a small disruption into a stressful one. Your goal isn’t hoarding—it’s having a realistic water plan you can maintain.

How much water do you need for 72 hours?

A simple baseline many families use is about 2–4 liters per person per day, depending on climate and activity. You can adjust based on your household, but don’t overthink it at the start.

Three water layers (simple)

• Layer 1: Ready-to-drink: enough for short disruption comfort.
• Layer 2: Utility water: for cleaning and basic hygiene (doesn’t have to be drinking-quality).
• Layer 3: Backup access: plan for refills or sourcing if disruption lasts longer.

Water storage tips (calm + practical)

• Choose containers you can lift.
• Label dates and rotate on a schedule.
• Small spaces: store “a little in several places” rather than one huge container.

Internal link idea: See also: Water Readiness Made Simple: Storage, Rotation, and Safety for Families.

Step 2: Food (No-Cook First)

Your 72-hour food plan should be easy enough that you can do it even when you’re tired, stressed, or busy.

Start with a no-cook menu

Make sure you have meals that require:

• No cooking
• Minimal water
• Minimal cleanup

Then add simple cooking options

• Meals you can cook with basic heat, if available
• Foods your family actually eats
• Kid-friendly comfort foods (calm matters)

Quick “3-day meal” method

1. Pick 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners your family likes.
2. Write them down (so you don’t mentally scramble during a disruption).
3. Buy/stock just those items first.

Internal link idea: See also: Pantry Readiness Without Waste: The Rotation System That Works.

Step 3: Power, Light, and Phone Charging

Most households don’t need fancy systems for 72 hours. They need safe light and a phone power plan.

Lighting (safety first)

• Have at least one lighting option per main room.
• Keep it easy to find in the dark (consistent storage location).
• Avoid fire risks—stick to safe lighting choices.

Phone power plan

• Start with “who needs phone power most” (parents/caregivers first).
• Decide your charging priority order.
• Keep essential cables together in one place.

Internal link idea: See also: Phone Power Plan: Charging Strategy for Outages.

Step 4: First Aid and Medications

Preparedness works best when it matches real life. Your goal is a kit your family will actually use.

Two layers

• Layer 1: Everyday first aid (minor cuts, headaches, basic supplies).
• Layer 2: Household-specific needs (allergies, prescriptions, baby needs, etc.).

Medication readiness basics

• Maintain a list of essential medications and dosages.
• Track refill timing so you’re not caught off guard.
• Store critical items consistently (and safely).

Note: For medical decisions, always follow professional guidance for your situation.

Step 5: Hygiene and Sanitation

Hygiene is often overlooked until it becomes a problem. A calm plan keeps everyone more comfortable and reduces stress.

What to plan for

• Limited water
• Limited power
• Limited store access
• Limited waste removal (sometimes)

A simple hygiene baseline

• Soap and basic cleaning supplies
• Toilet and sanitation plan appropriate to your home
• Basic personal hygiene items for each family member

Internal link idea: See also: Hygiene During Disruption: The Simple Sanitation Plan.

Step 6: Communication and Meeting Points

The best communication plan is simple enough that you remember it under stress.

The calm communication framework

• Rule: Everyone checks in with the same person first.
• Meeting points: one near, one farther away.
• Printed contacts: because phones fail, batteries die, and stress makes memory worse.

What to include on a communication card

• Full names + phone numbers
• Address (home + meeting points)
• Out-of-area contact
• Medical notes (brief)

Internal link idea: See also: Family Communication Plan: How to Stay Connected When Systems Fail.

Step 7: Documents and “Grab & Go” Information

Documents are part of readiness because they reduce chaos during recovery: insurance, identity verification, healthcare needs, school continuity, and more.

Your family emergency binder (starter list)

• Emergency contacts
• Medical info cards (one per person)
• Insurance info and policy numbers
• Home inventory notes (even basic photos help)
• School and childcare contacts
• Key account list (kept securely)

Internal link idea: See also: Your Family Emergency Binder: Documents, Contacts, and Recovery.

Family Add-Ons: Kids, Seniors, Pets

Kids

• Make the plan predictable: “We meet at the meeting point.”
• Practice with a calm drill (see below).
• Comfort matters: include familiar snacks and routines.

Seniors & accessibility

• Prioritize medications and mobility needs.
• Build a check-in routine (daily, if appropriate).
• Keep information easy to access.

Pets

• Food and water buffer
• Carrier/leash readiness
• Vet contact info

Apartment & Small-Space Version

If you live in an apartment or rental, you can still do a strong 72-hour plan. Focus on:

• One shelf: designate a readiness shelf (consistent location).
• One bin: store key items in one labeled bin.
• Smaller containers: more manageable water storage.
• Exit familiarity: know your stairwells and meeting point outside.

Readiness is about clarity and sequence—not huge storage.

The 72-Hour Plan on a Budget

You can build a calm 72-hour plan without overspending by using this order:

1. Plan first: checklist + meeting points + communication card.
2. Water next: containers + rotation plan.
3. Food next: 3-day menu backup using what you already eat.
4. Light + phone charging: minimal, safe options.
5. First aid + meds list: upgrade gradually.

Tip: Your “best value” is often the system (plan + routine), not the shopping list.

How to Test Your 72-Hour Plan (One Fun Drill)

Testing turns preparedness into confidence. Try a simple family drill:

“Blackout Night” (family-friendly)

• Turn off lights for 60–90 minutes in the evening.
• Use your planned lighting and charging approach.
• Eat a simple meal based on your plan.
• Have a calm activity ready (cards, board game, stories).
• Afterward, write down what felt annoying and fix one thing.

This drill is calm, safe, and extremely useful. It reveals gaps without fear.

FAQs

Do I need to store exactly three days of everything?

No. The goal is a realistic plan you can maintain. Start with the basics and improve over time.

What if I live in a very small apartment?

Use smaller containers and focus on the communication + document + sequence pieces. Small spaces can still be well-prepared.

Is the 72-hour plan only for disasters?

No. It also covers everyday disruptions: short outages, delivery delays, illness waves, and “life happens” problems.

What’s the most common mistake?

Buying random items without a plan. Start with sequence: water, food, light, medical, hygiene, communication, documents.

Next Steps

Once you have your 72-hour basics, your next steps are simple:

1. Set up your 30-day pantry rotation system.
2. Create a Family Emergency Binder.
3. Build your Lights-On budget (financial resilience).
4. Move toward a 90-day resilience plan.

Recommended next article: The 30-Day Plan: Build a Foundation Without Overwhelm or Financial Shock Readiness: A Practical Plan for Job Loss, Inflation, and Disruptions.

Disclaimer: This content is for general educational purposes and does not replace professional medical, legal, or financial advice. For urgent emergencies, contact local services.