The 72-Hour Kit: A Family Preparedness Guide (+ Family Emergency Plan Template)

One backpack. Three days. Zero panic.

This is the guide I wish every family in Michigan had on the fridge. 27 pages, no fluff:

• Why 72 hours is the number that matters (and the real scenarios to plan for)

• The bag: budget picks from $20 to $100

• Water, food, shelter, first aid, tools, documents, hygiene — covered item by item

• Printable shopping + packing checklists so you can build the kit in one weekend

• Three complete kit builds: $100, $300, and one per kid

• Maintenance calendar so nothing expires on you

• The 10 mistakes beginners make

• BONUS: Fill-in-the-blank Family Emergency Plan — meeting places, evacuation routes, emergency contacts, utility shut-offs, comms plan for when the phones are dead, and a practice drill checklist

Print the checklists, do the plan at the kitchen table, and your family is covered for the first 72 hours of anything.

From South Eastern Preparedness Training Center. Real-world gear advice from someone who trains for this.