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Seventy-Two is run independently. It is not published, endorsed or funded by the European Union, the European Commission or any national authority.

The checklist is compiled from the official guides listed under Sources. Product suggestions are our own and are marked Sponsored: they are Amazon affiliate links that pay for the site.

For official advice, go to your national authority's website.

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Seventy-TwoHousehold preparedness guide
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Guidance · Household preparedness

Be ready to manage on your own for 72 hoursThe power is out. Here is what you need for the next 72 hours.

24 European countries tell their citizens what to keep at home for a power cut, a flood or a crisis. This guide puts their lists side by side, sizes them for your household, and shows what you still need.

Based on
24 national guides
Items
Last reviewed

1Why 72 hours

In a large-scale emergency, help reaches the most vulnerable first. Everyone else may have to manage alone for a few days, without electricity, running water, mobile data or card payments.

In March 2025 the EU's Preparedness Union Strategy asked every household to be able to cope for at least 72 hours. It does not publish an item list. National authorities do, and they broadly agree.

2–3 Lof drinking water per person per day
72 hminimum asked of households by 20 of the 24 guides
10 daysof supplies recommended by Germany
2×a year: check dates, batteries and water

How this checklist is built

An item is an essential when at least a quarter of the national guides list it for everyone. Items fewer guides list, or only for some households, appear as also recommended.

Your water
Your torch
Your radio
will see you through

Issued by Seventy-Two
an independent guide

The lights
may fail.
Your planning need not.

Issued by Seventy-Two
an independent guide

Pack it
today.
Not when the siren sounds.

Issued by Seventy-Two
an independent guide

2Your household

Quantities below are calculated for the people you live with. Nothing you enter leaves this device.

Sets the official advice we highlight and the Amazon store we link to.
Aged 16 and over
Under 16
How long should your supplies last? 72 hours is the EU minimum. Sweden and Estonia plan for a week, Germany ten days, Austria two weeks.
Does your household include

3Checklist

Tick what you already have. Your answers are saved in this browser.

Essential Also recommended FR Country that lists it Sponsored Affiliate link

4Your summary

Still to get

ItemQuantityWhere

Seventy-two hours is not long
if you are ready

Issued by Seventy-Two
an independent guide

5Sources

Every item comes from at least one of these official publications.

CodeCountryPublicationPlans forItems

In an emergency, follow your local authorities

This page is general information, not professional advice. Product picks are ours; no government endorses any brand.

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