Provo City

72 Hour Kits


Experience has shown that after a major disaster occurs it may take around three days, or 72 hours, for outside assistance to arrive. The purpose of a 72 hour preparedness kit is to provide for the needs of your family during this period immediately following a disaster. The following list is broken up by categories. Consider each category and how your family can best address the needs listed.

Water: Provo Water Department recommends a minimum of three gallons per person per day for three days. Provo City water does not require the addition of bleach for storage, but any stored water should be replaced annually. It is a good idea to have bleach available to use for purifying water sources other than stored water. Water may be disinfected, or purified, by boiling for a minimum of 10 minutes and chlorinated with 8 drops of bleach for each gallon.

Food: Minimal-preferably no cook, lightweight and palatable; manual can opener, cooking and eating utensils, pots, plates, cups, utility knife; sugar, salt, pepper; aluminum foil; plastic resealable bags.

First Aid: Personal medications for three (3) days, First Aid Kit

Clothing: One change, extra shoes, rain and winter gear, leather gloves

Bedding: Sleeping bags and/or blankets for each family member, tarp

Personal: Toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, lip balm, comb, brush, deodorant

Sanitation: Airtight bucket or portable toilet, toilet paper, newspaper, soap, hand sanitizer, towel and towelettes; disinfectant, bleach, liquid detergent; feminine supplies; heavy-duty plastic garbage bags and ties.

Shelter: Tent or tarp, rope 1/4" X 36'

Fuel: For cooking, light, and heat

Tools: Pocket knife, small manual tools, axe, pointed shovel, needles and thread; pliers, utilities shutoff wrench, tape; medicine dropper; plastic sheeting; small canister, ABC type fire extinguisher; compass.

Light: Flashlights, batteries, candles, waterproof matches, optional kerosene lantern

Communication: Radio, batteries, one whistle per person

Papers and Keys: Wills, testaments, securities, stocks, titles, certificates, insurance, current family pictures, personal I.D. cards and tags, house appraisal and photos, inventory of household items, pencil and paper, maps of area, phone list of places you could go, address book, emergency manual, books, extra house and car keys, consent forms to treat minor children (available at police dept.)

Money: Cash, quarters for phone, charge cards

Special needs, for example: diapers or formula, prescription medicines and copies of prescriptions, hearing aid batteries, spare wheelchair battery, spare eyeglasses, or other physical needs. Entertainment, such as games and books.

Store the items you will most likely need during an evacuation in an easy to carry container. Possible containers include a large trash container, bucket, camping backpack, or duffle bag. Keep your 72 hour kit in a cool, dark and dry location. Make sure everyone in the house knows where it is kept. Children over the age of 8 may enjoy participating by preparing their own personal backpack of emergency supplies. Children could store this under their beds, or with the family supplies.