What should actually go in a 72-hour emergency bag?

Pack for the people and conditions you actually face: several days of water and shelf-stable food, prescription medicines, first aid, flashlight and spare power, radio, whistle, hygiene supplies, local maps, copies of key documents, cash, sturdy clothing, and pet or infant needs. Keep the load carryable, store water and food correctly, and review dates and seasonal clothing twice a year. A bag supports a plan; it does not replace evacuation routes, alerts, and a family meeting point.