72-Hour Kit Checklist for Midwest Families

A 72-hour kit covers your family for three days if the power, water or roads go out, or if you have to leave in a hurry. It's the starting point of every prepared household. Here's a version built for Midwest families and the emergencies we actually face: derechos, tornadoes, blizzards, ice storms and floods.

01Water and food

• [ ] Water: at least 1 gallon per person per day, for 3 days. See water storage.
• [ ] Food: 3 days of food that needs no refrigeration or cooking: canned goods, peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, dried fruit.
• [ ] Manual can opener
• [ ] Pet food and water
• [ ] Baby formula and food if needed

02Light, power and information

• [ ] Flashlights or headlamps and spare batteries
• [ ] NOAA weather radio, battery or hand-crank
• [ ] Charged power bank and charging cables
• [ ] Whistle to signal for help

03Health and safety

• [ ] First-aid kit
• [ ] Prescription medicines (a week's supply where possible) and a list of them
• [ ] Over-the-counter basics: pain relievers, allergy medicine, anti-diarrheal
• [ ] Glasses, contacts, hearing-aid batteries
• [ ] Hand sanitizer, wipes, toilet paper, trash bags
• [ ] Dust masks
• [ ] Fire extinguisher at home; check the gauge

04Warmth (Midwest essential)

• [ ] Blankets or sleeping bags for everyone
• [ ] Hats, gloves, warm layers and sturdy shoes
• [ ] Hand warmers

05Documents and money

• [ ] Copies of IDs, insurance policies, medical info in a waterproof bag
• [ ] Cash in small bills
• [ ] Emergency contact list on paper
• [ ] Spare house and car keys

06Tools

• [ ] Multi-tool or basic tools, and a wrench to shut off the gas only if officials say to
• [ ] Duct tape and plastic sheeting
• [ ] Local paper map

07Where to keep it

In a sturdy bin or backpack near an exit or in the basement storm spot. Keep a smaller version in each car: see our winter car kit.

08Keep it fresh

Twice a year, check dates on food, water, medicines and batteries, swap clothes for the season, and update documents. Put it on the calendar when the clocks change.

Three days is the minimum. Once your kit is ready, build toward a week at home. Here's why that matters: stay home the first 72 hours.

Source (1)

Ready.gov: Build a kit.

Photo: First aid kit for tropical country - unpacked by Mat Honan from San Francisco, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0.

Related: Bookmark Your Utility's Outage Map Before the Storm