Quick Answer
Build in layers. A 72-hour kit is a portable grab bag for evacuation. A 1-week kit adds depth for sheltering in place. A 2-week kit is the FEMA-recommended home supply. A 1-month kit is a long-term reserve. Each step scales up the same nine categories: water, food, light, power, first aid, communications, sanitation, tools, and documents.
The Checklist Matrix
| Category | 72-Hour | 1-Week | 2-Week | 1-Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 3 gal/person + filter | 7 gal/person | 14 gal/person + storage barrels | 30 gal/person + refill/purify plan |
| Food | 6,000 cal/person, no-cook | 14,000 cal/person | 28,000 cal/person + can opener | 60,000 cal/person, freeze-dried + staples |
| Light | Headlamp + flashlight | + spare batteries, lantern | + solar/crank lantern | + long-term battery/solar resupply |
| Power | Phone power bank | + ~300Wh power station | + 1000Wh station or generator | Generator + fuel or large solar setup |
| First Aid | Basic kit + 3-day meds | + 7-day meds, OTC meds | + 14-day meds, trauma supplies | 30-day meds + expanded trauma kit |
| Comms | Crank/battery NOAA radio | + contact list, whistle | + two-way radios | + backup radios, spare batteries |
| Sanitation | Wipes, hand sanitizer, TP | + garbage bags, soap | + bucket toilet + bags | Bulk hygiene + waste disposal plan |
| Tools | Multi-tool, duct tape, gloves | + work gloves, wrench (gas) | + fire extinguisher, tarp | + repair supplies, spare parts |
| Documents | ID, insurance, cash (copies) | + medical records | + property/legal docs | Full encrypted backup + larger cash |
Each tier includes everything in the smaller tiers and adds the items listed. Water at 1 gal/person/day and food at ~2,000 cal/person/day per FEMA / Red Cross planning figures. FEMA officially recommends a 3-day (evacuation) and 2-week (home) supply; the 1-month tier is for longer-term planners.
How to Use This Chart
Start with the 72-hour column and assemble a true grab-and-go bag; this is the layer most households are missing. Once that bag is complete, deepen your home supply toward the 2-week column, which is the level FEMA recommends for sheltering in place. The 1-month column is for those in remote areas, disaster-prone regions, or anyone who wants extra resilience.
Personalize every tier for infants, seniors, people with disabilities, and pets. A baby needs formula and diapers; a senior may need specific medications; a pet needs its own water and food. Build your exact list with the Emergency Kit Calculator or the First Aid Kit Calculator, and see the full Bug Out Bag breakdown for the portable tier.
Kit-Building Essentials
Important
This checklist is researched from published FEMA and Red Cross guidance for general planning, not professional emergency, medical, or survival advice. Your needs depend on location, hazards, household, and health. Follow instructions from local authorities during an actual emergency, and consult a professional for medical or prescription planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What goes in a 72-hour kit?
3 gallons of water and 6,000 calories per person, a flashlight and headlamp, a NOAA radio, a basic first aid kit, document copies, a power bank, sanitation supplies, and a multi-tool, all portable enough to grab and go.
How is a 2-week kit different?
A 2-week kit is a larger home supply for sheltering in place, with more water and food, a power station or generator, expanded first aid and medications, and more sanitation supplies.
What should a 1-month kit hold?
About 30 gallons of water and 60,000 calories per person, freeze-dried and staple foods, a generator or large power station with fuel, a 30-day medication supply, and bulk sanitation supplies.
Does FEMA recommend 3 days or 2 weeks?
A 3-day supply for evacuation and a 2-week supply for sheltering at home. The 1-month tier is an optional extension for added resilience.