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Emergency: 999 or 112

72-hour emergency checklist

What to keep at home to get through 3 days without going out to shop. This list is for 2 adults and 3 days.

Updated 15 November 2026. Independent website: we do not speak for any organisation.

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How to read the list. The box is to tick what you already have. The marks the essentials: if you only have time for part of it, start there. The amounts are for 2 adults and 3 days. Water is 3 litres per person per day: 2 × 3 × 3 = 18 litres.

Water and food

  • Bottled drinking water Essential

    18 litres Guides: Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Finland

  • Water carrier or drum with a lid, for storing water

    1 unit Guides: Sweden, Finland, Germany

  • Food that does not need a fridge (tins, cooked pulses, nuts) Essential

    3 days of food Guides: EU, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland

  • Manual tin opener Essential

    1 unit Guides: Germany, Switzerland, Sweden

  • Camping stove with gas cartridges

    If your cooker is electric. Only use it outdoors, never in a closed room.

    1 unit Guides: Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland

Light, warmth and information

  • LED torch Essential

    1 unit Guides: Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Catalonia

  • Spare batteries Essential

    1 pack Guides: Germany, Finland, Sweden

  • Battery or wind-up radio Essential

    1 unit Guides: EU, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Catalonia

  • Power bank for your phone

    1 unit Guides: EU, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Catalonia

  • Candles and matches or a lighter

    1 pack Guides: Germany

  • Blankets or sleeping bags and warm clothing

    2 units Guides: Germany

  • Paper list of important phone numbers Essential

    Family, doctor, neighbours. If your phone runs out, you still have it.

    Made at home Guides: Sweden

Health and hygiene

  • First aid kit Essential

    1 unit Guides: Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Catalonia

  • Your usual medicines Essential

    Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Sweden recommends a month's supply of the medicines you take all the time.

    For at least 3 days Guides: EU, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Catalonia

  • Wet wipes and hand sanitiser gel

    1 pack Guides: Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland

  • Bucket with a lid, strong rubbish bags and toilet paper

    1 pack Guides: Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland

Documents and money

  • Copies of your ID, NHS details and important papers, in a waterproof pouch Essential

    Make a copy on your phone or on a USB stick too.

    1 pouch Guides: Germany, Catalonia, Sweden, EU

  • Cash in small notes Essential

    Without power, cards and cash machines will not work.

    Kept at home Guides: Sweden, Switzerland, EU, Germany, Finland, Catalonia

  • Grab bag ready to leave home

    With water, food, torch, medicines and papers.

    1 unit Guides: Germany

If your home has…

These things are not for every home. Only tick them if you need them.

  • A baby: nappies and formula milk Essential

    3 days Guides: Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Catalonia

  • Pets: extra food Essential

    Your pets' water is already included in the water amount on the list.

    3 days Guides: Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Catalonia

  • Medicines that need to be kept cold (for example, insulin): cool bag with ice packs Essential

    Ask your pharmacist how long they can stay out of the fridge.

    1 unit General advice: not in the guides we have read

  • If you want to keep your dry things safe when you leave home: dry bag (one that keeps water out)

    1 unit General advice: not in the guides we have read

  • If you want to be able to call for help when you are trapped: whistle

    It can be heard further than your voice.

    1 per person General advice: not in the guides we have read

Official guides behind these recommendations

We have read these guides. Where they are in another language, we translated them ourselves. Each country asks for different amounts: here we use the most cautious of the ones we have read.

  1. EU: European Commission, preparednessHelps every home cope for at least 72 hours.
  2. Germany: BBK, Civil ProtectionChecklists. In German.
  3. Switzerland: BWL, national supply«Kluger Rat - Notvorrat». In German.
  4. Sweden: MCF, Civil DefenceHome preparedness. In Swedish.
  5. Finland: 72tuntia.fiList of what to keep at home. In Finnish.
  6. Catalonia: Civil Protection of CataloniaEmergency equipment. This is a regional source.

In an emergency, call 999 or 112 and always follow what the authorities say.

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