What should be in an evacuation kit — the complete list

The idea is simple: when you have to leave home quickly — because of a fire, flood, earthquake, power outage lasting days, or terrorist attack — grab a backpack and put the most important things in it for the first 72 hours.

Why exactly 72 hours? Because three days is the time it usually takes for the services to respond, for the roads to open, and for things to stabilize. The kit shouldn't feed you for a week — it should get you through the first, most difficult three days comfortably.

Here's what's in it, arranged logically, not alphabetically. Everything is grouped into six groups — if you have something from each, rest assured.

1. Water and purification
Water is the first and most important thing. A person can survive days without food, but only about three days without water. Aim for 3–4 liters per person per day — for drinking and minimal hygiene. Over 72 hours, that’s about 9–12 liters per person, which weighs and takes up space, so the trick is a combination: some bottled water plus a filter or purification tablets that make any water drinkable.
• Bottled water for the first day
• Water filter or purification tablets for the rest
• Collapsible bottle or canister

2. Food
Look for food that lasts for years, weighs little, and doesn’t require cooking. Dehydrated meals are ideal: you pour hot (or cold if necessary) water over them and you have a warm meal in minutes. The math is simple — one main course and one snack per day per person.
• Dehydrated rations and meals
• Energy bars, nuts, dry high-calorie foods
• Disposable utensils and a can opener

3. Light and energy
When the power goes out, your phone and flashlight become the most valuable things. Invest in a light that does not depend on an outlet and a backup power for your phone — it is your connection to the world.
• Flashlight (preferably with manual or solar charging)
• Backup battery for phone and cables
• Emergency radio — information when the network is down
• Backup batteries and/or glow sticks

4. Hygiene and First Aid
A full first aid kit with bandages, disinfectant, tourniquet and your personal medications. This is where you should think about the specific needs of the family — chronic medications, glasses, things for the baby/grandparent.
• First aid kit with bandages, disinfectant, tourniquet
• Sanitary wipes, disinfectants, gloves
• First aid manual

5. Tools, fire and heat
Often a few smart tools do the work of a whole tool bag. And don’t underestimate heat — it is literally a matter of survival in the cold.
• Multi-tool or folding knife
• Magnesium lighter or waterproof matches
• Thermal blanket or emergency sleeping bag
• Whistle, work gloves, tape

The group that most people forget about — and that they need most often. Copies of documents and a little cash can save you a lot of headaches.

• Copies of ID cards, passports, important documents (in a waterproof bag)
• Small change in cash
• A list of important phone numbers on paper — don’t rely on your phone alone

Size the kit according to how many people you have and how many days you want to cover. 72 hours is a good start. Keep the backpack packed and in an accessible place that everyone in the family knows — by the front door, in the hallway, or in the trunk of the car. A kit that needs to be assembled at the moment of disaster is already too late.

And one last rule: the kit is not “set and forget”. Once a year, check the expiration dates of food and water, batteries and medicines — it takes fifteen minutes and keeps the kit really ready.

Don’t want to put it together yourself? That’s exactly why we created Evaqon’s ready-made kits — assembled, checked by hand and arranged in the same logic into six groups. Check out the evacuation kits, or use the “Assemble Your Kit” tool, which in a few questions offers you a ready-made configuration based on how many people you have and how many days you are preparing for.