What To Keep in Your 72-Hour Emergency Kit

Living in Salt Lake means preparing for “The Big One,” or even small ones. Just last Thursday, a 3.9-magnitude earthquake rattled parts of Salt Lake and Utah counties. Do you have a 72-hour kit*? It can make all the difference in an emergency. Here’s what to include in yours.

*Salt Lake City suggests a 96-hour kit, the estimated time it will take before outside resources reach the area after a big natural disaster.

🧭 The Essentials

• Water: One gallon per person per day
• Non-perishable food: Enough for 3-4 days. Energy bars, canned goods, jerky, trail mix, and dried fruit are all great options. Freeze-dried foods are especially nice because they’re light and have a long shelf life.
• Medications: An extra supply if you take any
• Flashlight: Ideally, LED (because the bulb lasts longer) with extra batteries or a hand-crank flashlight
• First aid kit: Adhesive bandages, gauze, alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment
• Hygiene kit: Hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes, menstrual products, glasses or extra contacts
• Copies of important documents: ID, social security card, birth certificate
• Cash in small bills
• Radio: Battery-powered or hand crank, preferably with NOAA weather channels
• Mutli-tool or pocketknife
• A change of clothes

🐶 If You Have Pets

• Pet food, water, and any medications if they take them
• Leash/harness
• Copy of vaccination records
• Waste bags

👶 If You Have Kids

• Diapers, wipes, formula, bottles
• An extra comfort toy or blanket
• Books, games, or cards to keep them entertained

✅ Extra Tips

• Store your kit in a sturdy backpack and somewhere easy to grab like an exit.
• Refresh your kit every six months. Swap out expired food, batteries, medication, clothes for warm weather or cold weather.
• Have a game plan. Talk with members of your household about where to meet if you’re separated.