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72 Hour Kit
A good 72 hour kit has a few basics in it, but also should be
personalized for you and your family, and where you live! For example,
if you live in an area that could flood (e.g. behind a levee), you
will want everything stored in a watertight container and easily
available if floodwaters rise (e.g. on the 2nd floor if you wake up
flooded). Or if you live in a snowy region, you will want extra
blankets and other things to keep everyone warm.
Also, store as many of the below items as you can in a portable
container, such as a backpack; each member of the family should have
their own, if possible. Don't forget your car!
No, it won't ALL fit into one backpack, but you can have the items you
need handy and ready to go. At least print out this list so you have a
handy reference. Remember to pre-prayer as you go through this list,
too!
Spiritual
The most important thing, before, during, and after, is God.
Prayer. The habit of peaceful prayer - and ability to
listen for God's reply.
Inspirational Reading Bring some inspirational reading!
Remind yourself of God's promises. Print out your favorite Bible
quotes and keep them in your wallet/pocket/purse!
Games/cards/fun things Keep people relaxed, hopeful,
engaged, happy.
Treasured family photographs, etc
Information and Communication
Keep your family together, and be able to contact the outside world
Contact information, including emergency numbers. Have
WRITTEN information for all your relatives and friends AND EMERGENCY
personnel, through as many means as you can get (email, phone,
address). Don't just store it on the computer. Have a printout!
Waterproof container for your info... especially in flood zones!
Emergency portable radio. These days, there are many
crank-chargeable radios, so you don't need to worry about batteries.
Short-wave radio is another possibility
Land-line phone with corded handset "they are often the
only phone that will work if electricity is out but you haven't lost
your phone line"
Cellphone AND CHARGER - and did you know there are solar
chargers out there now?
Walkie-talkies can help keep families who are near each
other if cellphones stop working (e.g. from cellphone towers being
incapacitated).
Writing materials, so you can leave notes. Tape would be good,
too. Permanent marker is useful, too!
Tell friends and family your travel plans and emergency plans.
Signal mirror, whistles to attract attention.
Shelter/Warmth/Light
Remember that people can freeze to death, get hypothermia, or get
seriously hurt in the dark, long before thirst even becomes an
issue! YOU MUST STAY DRY. Cold and wet is a killer!!
Escape ladder for your house in case of fire.
Escape plan for your house
Keychain flashlight - seriously, folks, this is easy and
cheap and so incredibly useful... just get one and have it with you
always. In sudden power outages, sometimes I needed a flashlight to
get to my flashlight!! A little light can save you from a lot of
injury and pain!!
Blankets, waterproof blankets, tents, tarps - if you're
caught in the open, you may want an emergency mylar blanket (very
lightweight, reflective, waterproof plastic film, and cheap, too), or
a tiny portable "tent" (available at emergency supply shops). Have
spares in your car!! Tarps help keep things dry as well. Wool is warm
even when wet; other materials may not be. Blankets can be used to
help insulate rooms. Close off room entrances with blankets, tarps, to
trap heat. (Careful if there is any flame, combustion, or generator!
Do not trap deadly gasses inside!)
Heavy duty tape (like duct tape) can help keep the rain
and cold out.
Emergency lights - flashlights. They now have
hand-rechargeable flashlights that don't need many batteries. Also,
get the LED lights (normal flashlight lightbulbs, even the old Maglite
type, burn out VERY quickly).
Emergency heat. There are chemical handwarmers, plus
camping Sterno-like cans (you light them with a match and they burn,
producing light and heat for cooking). Good to have in your car! Kandle
Heeters are another possibility.
Emergency matches. You will need matches or some other lighting
device if you have candles or other fire-based heating/light items.
Batteries! Have lots. And rechargers.
Generator! Run it outdoors.
Wood, propane, and other fuel - if you try to get this during an
emergency, you might be too late.
Candles - slow burning, UNSCENTED - and safe containers -
There are emergency candles and even normal decorative candles with
long burn times, sometimes up to 100 hours. Some candle fumes can give
headaches, so avoid scented candles (all-natural candles may also be
less hazardous), and remember candles ARE A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD (many
homes in the Seattle area caught fire). If you want to use candles,
have safe containers for them and keep them in safe places. Get WHITE
or cream-colored candles; dark candles don't give off much
light. Finally, many candles have toxic lead in the wicks, so if you
can, find those that don't.
Lanterns and oil stoves can be better and safer than candles.
Have plenty of unscented oil for them. Be trained in their safe operation.
Get lamps that are sturdy and won't tip over.
Consider solar ovens if you live in an area that gets
sun. They can work even in winter! They can cook food, sterilize
water. They are bulky, though.
Keep a spare jacket or two in the car - you guys in cold
areas especially.
Layered clothing can help keep people warm if the heat is out.
Health and Sanitation and First Aid Kits
Injury can kill within minutes. Diseases can kill even with water
and food available. Treat injuries and prevent disease!
Pocket knife - ONE OF THE MOST USEFUL THINGS FOR SURVIVAL,
EVER! My Swiss Army Knife includes scissors, bottle opener, can
opener, a mini wrench, tweezers, etc. There are all sorts of small
multi-function tools out there.
Bandages, sterile dressing, tape
Disposable gloves
Common painkillers, anti-diarrheal meds, antacids, laxatives
Medications - make sure you have any prescription medications!
Soap - clean hands feel great!
Antibiotic ointment
Eye wash solution can also be used as a "general decontaminant"
Scissors - VERY useful. You can get a pocket knife with scissors.
Denture, contact lens, TOOTHBRUSH and TOOTHPASTE, other daily life supplies
Antiseptics - alcohol, hydrogen peroxide (do not
use on healing wounds), betadine, hand sanitizers. Alcohol-based hand
sanitizers need to be at least 60% alcohol to be effective, and even
then they do not work on some germs. Know how to use each type
safely.
Bleach - a great all-around sanitizer, but can be dangerous.
Do not use on skin.
TOILET PAPER! You don't want to run out of
this. Really. Any other hygiene goods you might need, too, such as
sanitary supplies, baby hygiene, etc.
Shovel. If you're out camping, you know your shovel is
your toilet. If you lose access to normal plumbing facilities, you'll
want to be able to dig a hole and cover it up afterward! Yes, you can
buy small, portable folding shovels, too.
Extra water for your toilet - you may need to put water in
your toilet to make it flush, if you don't have running water or if
your well's pump has no power.
Breathing masks - can help protect against sickness. Some
may possibly help in cases of smoke. Check the specs of each mask type.
Plastic gloves
Extra garbage bags and bins - you may not have garbage
pickup service!
Iodine tablets if you are worried about nuclear radiation.
Mosquito nets, mosquito spray ...could potentially be useful if disease
breaks out and there are mosquitos in your area.
Salt to help melt ice
Plywood to prevent or cover over broken windows.
Clean water and thoroughly cooked food will help prevent disease.
Be in shape - exercise regularly to be ready for anything... or
at the very least, take the stairs once in a while so you know you can
in an emergency, too!
Food / Water
Remember, you can live weeks without food, but only days without water!
Water - you need a minimum of a gallon (4L) of water
per person per day, plus for pets. Make sure you have a lot of
clean water available. If need be, use water in your water heater tank
(if you have one - turn off the main water valve first). You should
consider getting water purification tablets, and possibly a portable
water filter. Also have water in your car. Be sure to replace
water supplies every 6 months. NOTE: liquids containing some caffeine
are better than no liquids! Don't be afraid to drink bottled soda,
tea, etc.
In case of sickness that involves diarrhea/vomiting, see if you
can make this
rehydration drink recipe (must be followed exactly), or use
Gatorade or other sports drink. For children get Pedialyte (read
warnings on the webpage).
Water purification tablets. Disease from contaminated water
supplies is not fun.
Consider water filters - such as what hikers use. They may
not filter everything, but they can make even muddy water drinkable.
Food - see this
site for a good list. You can also get MREs (meals ready to eat)
and bulk dry goods (but those require lots of water and heat). MREs
are good because they are lightweight and, if you freeze them, they
last almost forever. Dehydrated soups are comforting if you have
enough water and heating equipment. Watch
out for special diet needs of family members! If you need to make your
own emergency food, do so!
Food cooking/heating supplies If you have things in your
fridge, and can cook them safely, eat them before your canned goods.
Spare ice chests can be useful as well. Put perishables in
ice chests if you think the power will be out a long time (every time
you open the fridge or freezer with no power, you will lose a lot of
cold air).
Food cleanup supplies!
In freezing areas, you may allow faucets to drip to help keep
pipes from freezing, and have outside faucets covered to help prevent
freezing as well.
Date and label that food!
Vitamins/vitamin drinks
Comfort Foods - sweet, salty, whatever floats your
family's boat and helps people be calm. If you smoke, then make sure
you have enough supplies to keep you on an even keel during an
emergency.
High Energy & Protein Foods - e.g. peanut butter,
crackers, canned meats.
Pet food and pet supplies. Don't forget your pet! Have a small
travel crate or cage ready, in case you need to go somewhere.
Manual can opener - less needed these days, but might be good to have!
Travel
When you have to go, you have to go. Be able to go. Check the other
lists for supplies for your car, too!!
Water, emergency food ... see above! You MUST have water
in your car. Good foods to have are dry, like nuts, crackers, energy
bars. Also good to carry around a bottle of water and some food. You
never know when you might be delayed somewhere!
Flashlight ... as stated above. You should always have a
miniature flashlight with you anyway.
Have maps! If you don't have local maps, just get some next
time you are in a drugstore.
Gas. Don't keep this in your house, but do try to keep
your car's gas tank filled, at LEAST at half a tank. Gas was "near to
impossible" to get in the Seattle storms.
Siphon for gas!
Spare gas, or dry gas for your car, generator, etc. Don't
store in your house, though.
Auto safety kit - flares, flashlight, etc. Have reflective gear to
wear for your own safety, too!
Make sure you have an emergency kit for your car!
Make sure you have a first aid kit for your car!
Good to have a waterproof mylar blanket in your car, too, or at least a spare jacket.
Societal
Long-term things that can make a huge difference.
Your KEYS - in emergencies, people may forget their keys
(we saw this at the hotel). Try to keep them VERY handy!
Personal information - driver's license, ID, bank accounts,
credit cards, insurance, deeds, titles, retirement accounts! (NOTE: I
don't want to have this in a place easy for a thief to get to, but I
do want it easily available. At the very least, I should store
important documents in a fire-proof container ... and waterproof, too!)
Know your local shelters
Cash in small denominations. If you forgot something and
need to go buy it, odds are you will need this!
Skills and Training - know your first aid!
Insurance - know your terms. Consider covering the
unexpected (e.g. earthquakes in a non-earthquake area), and contact
the insurance company after a disaster.
General Safety
These can save a lot of grief, and can save lives.
Fire Extinguisher. Have a fire extinguisher handy at your home!
Gas Powered Chainsaw These were needed by people who had
trees that fell on their homes and roads.
Axe/saw
Remember that shovel!
Clear your yard of things that could fly around in a storm.
Check that your trees are healthy and won't easily fall onto things.
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