# 72-hour kit builder and checklist > Build a 72-hour emergency kit sized to your household: the Ready.gov and Red Cross checklist, gallons of water and meals worked out, reminders and weather radio setup. - Canonical URL: https://72hourkit.com/ - Source: [Ready.gov, build a kit](https://www.ready.gov/kit) - Checked: 2026-10-25 This page includes a free interactive tool that runs in the browser and sends no data. The figures and rules it uses are the ones stated on this page, with their sources. ## A 72-hour kit in brief - **Water:** one gallon per person per day, for several days, for drinking and sanitation ([Ready.gov](https://www.ready.gov/kit)). - **How long:** the American Red Cross suggests a 3-day supply if you have to leave home and a 2-week supply if you shelter at home ([Red Cross](https://redcross.org/kit)). - **Food:** a several-day supply of non-perishable food, and a manual can opener. - **Information:** a battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert. - **The rest:** flashlight and batteries, first aid kit, medicine, documents, cash, phone chargers, and supplies for babies and pets. ## What the kit builder does It starts by asking where you want to begin: - **Build our 72-hour kit:** enter the adults, children, infants and pets in your home and get the full checklist with amounts, grouped and ready to tick off and print. - **How much water and food?** Gallons, bottles, cases and meals for 3 days or 2 weeks. - **Keep our kit fresh:** reminders in your own calendar for water, batteries, medicine and the yearly review. - **Set up a weather radio:** the seven NOAA channels and how to program your county code. ## Read next - [The full 72-hour kit checklist](https://72hourkit.com/72-hour-kit-checklist/) and [emergency water storage](https://72hourkit.com/emergency-water-storage/) - [Food for 72 hours](https://72hourkit.com/emergency-food-supply/) and [kits for kids and pets](https://72hourkit.com/kids-and-pets/) - [NOAA Weather Radio](https://72hourkit.com/noaa-weather-radio/), [keeping your kit fresh](https://72hourkit.com/keep-your-kit-fresh/), [FAQ](https://72hourkit.com/faq/) and [sources](https://72hourkit.com/sources/) Independent guide. Not affiliated with FEMA, Ready.gov, the American Red Cross or any retailer. --- 72 Hour Kit ยท Contact: contact@72hourkit.com