72-hour emergency kit checklist for Europe

Why 72 hours is the benchmark

Most EU civil protection authorities recommend households plan to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours after a disruption such as a power cut, flood or storm. That is roughly how long it can take emergency services to reach everyone and restore basic services when many areas are affected at once.

A kit built around this timeframe is not about predicting a specific disaster. It is about having the same core supplies ready whatever happens, so you can stay calm and functional while help arrives or services come back.

What to include

Build the kit around five categories and adjust quantities to the number of people, pets and any medical needs in your household.

• Water: at least 2 litres per person per day for drinking, more if you can store it.
• Food: shelf-stable items you can eat without cooking, plus a manual can opener.
• Light and power: torches, spare batteries, a power bank and a battery or hand-crank radio.
• Health: personal medication, a basic first aid kit and any prescription details.
• Documents and cash: copies of ID, insurance papers and some cash in small notes, since card payments can fail during outages.

Where to keep it

Store the kit in a single container that is easy to carry, ideally near an exit and known to every adult in the household. If you live in a flat, keep it away from the only route you would use to evacuate in a fire, not blocking it.

Keep it current

Set a reminder every six months to rotate food and water close to their expiry date, replace medication as advised by your pharmacist, and test torches, radios and power banks. Update the kit whenever your household size or needs change.