72-Hour Go-Bag Checklist for Families
A calm, practical list of what to pack so your household can leave home quickly and manage for about three days. No special gear and no jargon, just the basics that matter most, in the order that matters.
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Want the whole plan? See the full Family Guard binder ($39).
What Is a 72-Hour Go-Bag?
A 72-hour go-bag is a packed bag that holds what your household needs for about three days away from home. You grab it when you have to leave in a hurry, for example because of a wildfire, a flood warning, a gas leak or a long power cut. You might end up at a relative's house, a hotel or a public shelter.
You may also see it called a grab-and-go bag, an emergency kit or a bug-out bag. The idea is the same: when there is no time to think, you are not searching the house for medicines, chargers and paperwork. Everything important is already in one place.
The good news is that most of it is ordinary stuff you already own. A backpack or duffel you have at home is fine. The checklist below is what we put on the free printable, grouped the same way, so you can pack straight from this page or print it and tick things off.
The 72-Hour Go-Bag Checklist
Pack for about three days away from home. Start with water, medicines and documents, because those are the hardest to replace in a hurry. Tick each item as it goes in the bag.
Water and Food
- Water: 1 gallon per person, or bottles for 1 to 3 days
- Water filter or purification tablets
- 3 days of no-cook food (bars, nuts, pouches)
- Small can opener and a spoon
Documents and Money
- Copies of identification (note where the originals are kept)
- Insurance cards and policy numbers
- Emergency contacts written on paper
- Cash in small bills
- Spare house key and car key
Medical
- 7-day supply of prescription medicines
- Basic first aid kit
- List of medicines and allergies
- Glasses or contacts, plus solution
- Masks that filter smoke and dust (N95 type)
Light, Power and Phone
- Flashlight or headlamp, plus spare batteries
- Power bank and charging cables
- Battery or hand-crank radio
- Phone with ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts
Clothing and Weather
- Change of clothes, socks and underwear
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Sturdy walking shoes (or keep them by the bag)
- Emergency blanket (thin foil "space blanket")
Hygiene
- Toothbrush and small toiletries
- Toilet paper or wet wipes
- Hand sanitizer or soap
- Menstrual products, if needed
Tools and Safety
- Multitool
- Whistle to call for help
- Work gloves
Last 5 Before You Walk Out
- Phone and power bank
- Medicines
- Wallet and identification
- Keys
- This go-bag
The "Last 5" are things you use every day, so they can't live in the bag. Tape this short list inside the front door or on the bag itself so nobody has to remember it under stress.
Print It and Tick It Off
The same checklist on one clean page, ready to print and keep with your bag.
How Much Water and Food to Pack
Water
Both Ready.gov and the American Red Cross use one gallon of water per person per day as the guide, for drinking and basic washing. The Red Cross suggests a three-day supply when you evacuate. For a family of four, that is 12 gallons.
Here is the honest part: a gallon of water weighs a little over 8 pounds, so three days' worth will not fit comfortably on anyone's back. A practical plan is to:
- carry a few bottles in the bag, enough for the first day of walking or driving
- add a small water filter or purification tablets as a backup
- keep the rest of the supply in sealed jugs by the door or in the car, so you can take it if you drive
Food
Choose food that needs no cooking, no fridge and very little water. Plan for three simple meals and a couple of snacks a day for each person. Good choices are granola or protein bars, nuts, nut butter pouches, dried fruit, crackers and ready-to-eat tuna or chicken pouches. Pick things your family already likes. A stressful day is not the time to discover that nobody will eat the emergency rations.
Where to Keep Your Go-Bag
The best spot is somewhere you walk past on your way out: a closet near the front door, a hook by the door to the garage or the bottom of a coat cupboard. Ready.gov advises keeping your kit in a designated place and making sure everyone in the family knows where it is.
Good Places
- Hall or coat closet by the main exit
- Mudroom or garage entry
- Under the bed of the adult who would carry it
Places to Avoid
- Attic, crawl space or behind storage boxes
- A basement that could flood
- A hot car for months (heat is hard on medicines, batteries and water)
If you drive most days, a smaller second kit in the car is worth considering. Ready.gov also suggests having supplies at work.
Check the Bag Every 6 Months
A go-bag is only useful if what's inside still works. Put two reminders in your calendar each year. The spring and fall clock changes are an easy pair to remember. Each time:
- swap out water, food, medicines and batteries before they expire
- charge the power bank and test the flashlight and radio
- check that clothes and shoes still fit, especially the children's
- update the contact list and medicine list if anything has changed
- swap seasonal items, such as a warm hat in winter and sun protection in summer
Ready.gov also recommends replacing expired items and re-thinking your needs every year as your family changes.
Kids, Pets and Older Relatives
A single checklist can only go so far, because every household is different. These are the main things to add.
Children
School-age children can carry a small backpack with their own clothes, snacks, a water bottle and a comfort item such as a small toy or book. Add a card with parents' names and phone numbers. For babies, pack formula, bottles, diapers and wipes.
Pets
Pack food, water and bowls, a leash or carrier, and a copy of vaccination records. A recent photo of your pet helps if you get separated.
Older Relatives
Think about extra medicines, spare glasses, hearing aid batteries, mobility aids and a written sheet of medical conditions and doctors' contacts. If carrying a bag is hard, a small wheeled bag can help.
The Family Guard binder covers all of this in more depth, with go-bag pages for adults, kids and partners, fill-in medical sheets, family and pet contact plans and a pocket card for each person.
Want the Whole Family Plan? Meet Family Guard
The free checklist is one page of Family Guard: Your Practical Action Plan for Emergencies, a printable binder for ordinary households. Print it, write in it, keep it current. $39
What's included:
- Go-bag checklist and essentials
- Medical sheets for medicines, allergies and doctors
- Family and pet contacts and plans
- Shopping lists by budget: $50, $200 and $500
- Pocket cards for each family member
- A stay at home scenario planning kit
Printable file (PDF), delivered through Payhip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between a Go-Bag and a Bug-Out Bag?
They are mostly the same idea: a packed bag you can grab if you need to leave home quickly. "Bug-out bag" is a term used more by survival and outdoor communities, and those lists often add camping gear such as tents and fire-starting kits. A household go-bag focuses on the basics for a few days away from home, often at a relative's house, a hotel or a public shelter: water, food, medicines, documents, light, power and a change of clothes.
How Much Water Should Be in a Go-Bag?
Ready.gov and the American Red Cross both use one gallon of water per person per day as the guide, and the Red Cross suggests a three-day supply for evacuation. That is three gallons per person, which is heavy to carry. A practical approach is to carry what you can in the bag, add a water filter or purification tablets, and keep the rest in sealed jugs near the door or in the car so you can grab them if you drive.
How Much Food Do You Need for 72 Hours?
Pack three days of food for each person that needs no cooking and no refrigeration. Plan for three simple meals and a couple of snacks a day, using foods your family already eats, such as granola or protein bars, nuts, nut butter pouches, dried fruit, crackers and ready-to-eat tuna or chicken pouches. Add a small can opener and a spoon, and swap the food out before it expires.
Where Should I Keep My Go-Bag?
Keep it somewhere you pass on your way out, such as a closet near the main door or by the door to the garage. Make sure everyone in the home knows where it is, which Ready.gov also recommends. Avoid places that are hard to reach in a hurry, such as the attic, and avoid storing medicines and water in a hot car for long periods.
Does Each Family Member Need Their Own Go-Bag?
Not always. Many households keep one or two main bags that adults carry, then give school-age children a small backpack with their own clothes, snacks, a water bottle, a comfort item and a card with parents' phone numbers. Babies, pets and older relatives need their own supplies, but those can go in the adults' bags.
What Documents Should I Have in My Go-Bag?
Pack copies, not originals: identification, insurance cards and policy numbers, a list of medicines and allergies, and emergency contacts written on paper. The Red Cross also lists proof of address, the deed or lease to your home, passports and birth certificates. Keep them together in a sealed zip-top or waterproof bag, and note where the originals are kept.
Start With One Page Today
Download the free checklist, pack the bag this weekend and put a 6-month reminder in your calendar.
Official Guidance Used on This Page
- Build a Kit, Ready.gov (United States Federal Emergency Management Agency)
- Survival Kit Supplies, American Red Cross
This page is general household guidance. Follow instructions from your local emergency officials first.