The 72-hour emergency kit: the complete checklist to tick off and print out
Recommended by the Civil Protection Agency for all types of risk — including forest fires — the ‘72-hour kit’ enables you to be self-sufficient for three days and to leave within five minutes if an evacuation is ordered. Tick, fill in, print: your progress is saved on this device.
5-minute read Content verified — July 2026
The idea: 5 minutes to set off, 72 hours of autonomy
In the event of an evacuation, you won’t have the time or the presence of mind to gather your documents and medicines. The kit sorts this out in advance: one rucksack per household (ideally supplemented by a small bag per person), stored in a place known to everyone, near the exit, and checked twice a year. It is intended for all emergencies — forest fires, floods, storms and major power cuts.
1. The absolute essentials
0 / 9
2. Papers and documents (or copies thereof)
0 / 6
3. Comfort and hygiene
0 / 7
4. Depending on your circumstances
0 / 4
The ‘vit’ kit: two appointments a year
In spring (before the fire season) : use-by dates (water, food, batteries, medicines), children’s clothing sizes, fully charged batteries.
In the autumn : same checks — the kit can also be used in the event of storms and floods.
Storage : well-known to the whole family, easily accessible (hall cupboard, not the cellar), and a mini version in the car if you live in a high-risk area (water, torch, blanket, charger).
The kit is only useful if the plan exists: Who’s going to pick up the bag, who’s going to collect the children, where are we meeting, who do we tell? The five decisions in the family plan are set out in Evacuation.
