Free printable
72-Hour Emergency Kit Checklist
UK-focused. Per person, three days. Tick boxes as you build it. Print this page or save as PDF (Ctrl/Cmd + P → "Save as PDF") and stick it inside your kit bag.
Water — 4.5 litres per person per day
Drinking, cooking and a margin for hygiene.
- 6 L bottled water (drinking, sealed)
- 3 L extra water (cooking + washing)
- Water filter (LifeStraw or Sawyer Mini)
- Water purification tablets (chlorine dioxide)
- Sturdy refillable bottle (1 L+)
Food — at least 1,800 kcal per person per day
Mix of no-cook and hot. Account for water needs of any freeze-dried meals.
- Tinned beans, chickpeas, tuna (8 tins)
- Instant porridge sachets (10)
- Crackers and oatcakes (2 packs)
- Cereal bars and flapjacks (12)
- Dried fruit and nuts (3 bags)
- ReadyWise 28-serving drybag (optional, hot meals)
- Manual tin opener (boring but essential)
Light + power
Power cuts, evacuation routes in the dark, charging your phone.
- Head torch + spare batteries
- Hand-crank or solar radio (DAB+FM)
- Power bank, 10 000 mAh or more
- Phone charging cable + plug
- Glow sticks (4)
Warmth + shelter
Especially critical if heating fails in winter.
- Emergency foil blankets (1 per person)
- Wool blanket or rated sleeping bag
- Spare warm layers (fleece + thermals)
- Waterproof outer layer
- Sturdy footwear ready to grab
First aid + sanitation
Boring kit that gets used first.
- Standard UK first-aid kit (BS 8599-rated)
- Personal medications, three days minimum
- Hand sanitiser + wet wipes
- Heavy-duty bin bags + zip ties
- Toilet roll
Documents + comms
Paper backup. Phones die first.
- Photocopies: passport, ID, key cert
- Cash, £100 in small notes
- Paper list of emergency phone numbers
- Notepad + pencil
- Whistle
Tools
Multi-purpose. Avoid single-use gadgets.
- Multi-tool
- Sharp fixed-blade or folding knife
- Duct tape
- Paracord, 10 metres
- Local OS Explorer map