06/03/2026
THE 72-HOUR MYTH: Why 3 Days of Supplies May Not Be Enough
For years we’ve heard the recommendation that families should keep at least 72 hours of emergency supplies on hand.
That’s a good start—but is it enough?
In recent disasters across the United States, many communities have experienced:
Power outages lasting a week or longer
Road closures preventing deliveries
Fuel shortages
Water system interruptions
Grocery store shelves emptied within hours
The reality is that help may not arrive as quickly as we hope.
Consider these questions:
✅ Do you have enough drinking water for every member of your household for 7–14 days?
✅ Do you have extra medications?
✅ What about food for pets?
✅ How will you cook if the power is out?
✅ How will you receive emergency information if internet and cellular service are unavailable?
Preparedness isn’t about fear.
It’s about reducing stress and increasing your family’s ability to remain safe and comfortable during an emergency.
Many preparedness organizations now encourage families to work toward:
72 hours as a minimum
2 weeks as a reasonable goal
Longer-term supplies if space and budget allow
You don’t need to buy everything at once.
Start small.
Build gradually.
Stay organized.
Question for thought-
How many days could your household comfortably operate using only the supplies you currently have on hand?
