How to build a 72-hour emergency bag

A 72-hour emergency bag, often called a grab bag or go bag, holds what you would need if you had to leave home quickly and could not come back for a few days. It might be a flood warning, a gas leak, a fire nearby or being told to evacuate.

The aim is not to carry everything. It is to have the essentials ready, so you can leave in minutes without having to think.

Choosing the bag

• A rucksack is best: it leaves your hands free.
• Pick something you can carry comfortably for a long walk. For most adults that means keeping the packed weight well under 10 kg.
• A bright colour or reflective strip helps you find it in the dark.
• One bag per adult is ideal. Older children can carry a small bag of their own.

What to pack

Water and food

• Water: as much as you can comfortably carry, plus a refillable bottle. Water is heavy (1 litre weighs 1 kg), so you may not manage 3 full days. Plan where you could refill.
• Ready-to-eat food that needs no cooking: cereal bars, nuts, dried fruit, crackers, pouches of tuna or beans with ring-pull lids
• A spoon and a small multi-tool or penknife (check it is legal to carry where you are)

Light, power and information

• A torch or head torch with spare batteries
• A charged power bank and charging cables
• A small battery or wind-up radio
• A whistle, to attract attention

Health and hygiene

• A small first aid kit
• A few days’ supply of any essential regular medicines, with a copy of the prescription
• Spare glasses or contact lenses
• Hand sanitiser, wet wipes, tissues and toilet roll
• Toothbrush, toothpaste and sanitary products
• Face coverings

Warmth and shelter

• A change of clothes and underwear, packed in a waterproof bag
• A warm layer, hat and gloves
• A waterproof jacket
• A foil emergency blanket
• Sturdy shoes, if you might not be wearing them when you leave

Documents and money

• Copies of key documents in a waterproof wallet (see essential documents to keep ready)
• Some cash in small denominations
• A paper list of important phone numbers
• A spare house and car key

Adapting it for your household

Babies and young children

Nappies, wipes, formula or baby food, bottles, a change of clothes, a comfort toy and something to keep them occupied. Pack these in a separate bag if you can.

Older relatives or people with health conditions

Medicines, a list of conditions and medicines, equipment such as hearing aid batteries and mobility aids, and the contact details of carers.

Pets

Food for a few days, a bowl, water, any medicines, a lead or carrier, poo bags and a recent photo in case you get separated. Many emergency shelters cannot take pets, so plan where they could go.

Where to keep it

• Near the main door, or somewhere you pass on the way out.
• Somewhere everyone in the household knows about.
• Not in a cellar or ground floor room that could flood. Upstairs may be better if you live in a flood risk area.

Keep it ready

A grab bag is only useful if it is ready when you need it. Every 6 months:

• Replace food and water nearing their dates
• Check medicines and replace any that are out of date
• Charge the power bank and test the torch and radio
• Update clothes for the season and for growing children
• Refresh document copies and phone numbers

A home kit as well

Your grab bag is for leaving. For staying at home through a power cut or water outage, you need a separate home kit with more water, food and supplies. Use the water storage calculator and the preparing for a power cut guide to plan it.

When to grab it

Leave immediately if the emergency services tell you to, or if you are in danger. Take your grab bag only if it is safe to do so: never delay leaving to collect belongings. If you have time, turn off gas, electricity and water if advised, lock up, and take your pets.

Sources and further reading

• Be ready for emergencies (includes the Be Ready checklist) (UK Government)
• Prepare for flooding (GOV.UK)