I know there are many sites on the internet to help with disaster planning, but I also know that many people don’t take advantage of them. I was raised by parents who believed in being ready for ANY disaster. I practice what they preached and have gone on to do corporate disaster planning and business continuity work as well as helping with my community disaster plan. I hope that my input might help someone start their planning or become more organized with their current plan. You may know most of the info I provide, but there may be one thing you pick up that could help in the future. I am always open to suggestions and new ideas so if you have something you'd like to share let me know! :o)
I hope to focus on at least one area of emergency preparedness each month. Look for upcoming information regarding important document preparation, family disaster planning, creating your food storage, community disaster planning, and automobile preparedness kits. I will also have monthly challenge ideas you can do to help increase your knowledge and preparation.
September Preparation:
Learn how to turn off your water, gas and electricity
Teach your children about 911
72 HOUR KITS:
Preparing a 72 Hour Kit can be a daunting and expensive task. Many people do not have adequate emergency supplies and I’d like to share some of the information I have used to make it a little easier to prepare your kit.
A 72 Hour Kit can be created by adding necessary items every month. You won’t be 100% prepared right away, but you will be on your way! To start with, decide which type of bag or pack you would like to use. Backpacks are simple and easy to grab and go. Or you can use large 5 gallon plastic buckets. These are very sturdy and waterproof but it can be a burden to carry more than one. Perhaps a duffle bag will work for you. Decide which will work best for your situation and family size. Depending upon size and how you pack, a backpack or 5 gallon bucket should hold enough supplies for 2-4 individuals. I personally prefer Ogio backpacks. They are not as large as some of the larger internal frame hiking packs, but Ogio Three 6 and Patrol models have numerous storage pockets, straps systems, tool organizer pockets and they are extremely durable and hydration ready. You can also find great packs at any Army Navy surplus store. If you are packing for more than 2 people, I do recommend more than one pack. Once you have your bags, you are ready to fill them. **Remember to check your packs, expirations dates, change batteries and clothing sizes twice a year. Daylight savings time change in April and October is a great time to do this.**
The following list is broken up into items to add each month to your 72 Hour Kit. If you are able, doubling up some months will have your kit ready sooner! Please remember these are basic supplies. I will include some other optional items at the end of this list. When calculating food and water, plan for a 3 day supply per person when no refrigeration or cooking is available. How much you pack will depend on the number of people you are packing for.
Month One:
Water (1 gallon per person)
Protein and/or granola bars
Trail mix and dried fruit
Canned protein; tuna, beans, chicken, Spam, beef jerky, etc. (pop top cans are best)
(if available, MRE’s are excellent to keep in your 72 Hour Kit in place of recommended food items)
Month Two:
Crackers and/or cereal bars
Canned juice or drink mix
Other food as desired; instant coffee, tea, etc.
Dishes and utensils (paper, plastic or mess kits)
Can Opener
Prescription medicines
Month Three:
Radio with batteries
Multi-function pocket knife (like a Leatherman)
Rope
Flashlights and batteries
Month Four:
Candles, waterproof matches and lighter
Extra batteries
Cleaning supplies; hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, dish soap, wet wipes, feminine hygiene, etc.
Notepad and pens
Month Five:
Toiletries; toilet paper, hair brush, toothbrushes, tooth paste, etc.
Sewing kit
Bug Spray
First Aid supplies;
Water purification tablets
Band-Aids
Elastic bandages (2-3)
Splints (2-3 different ones)
Triangular bandage
Antibiotic ointment
Safety pins
Gauze pads and medical tape
Eye drops
Anti-itch cream
Medical gloves (several pair)
Super Glue
Emergency medical guide
Month Six:
Folding Shovel
Ponchos (one per person)
Emergency blanket
Axe and/or tree saw
Month Seven:
Paper towels
Medications; Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, children’s meds if needed
Duct Tape
Infant needs if applicable (diapers, formula, baby food, powder, etc.)
Flares and/or 12 hour light sticks
MONEY – no less than $100 plus a roll of quarters
One item not covered in the above list is clothing. One change of clothing should be packed per person and include short and long sleeve shirts, a jacket, pants, underwear, socks and sturdy shoes. If you have children old enough to carry a backpack, I would recommend a smaller lightweight pack for each child to include their change of clothes, towel and washcloth, age appropriate activities like books, coloring books, crayons, etc. Be sure to also pack for your pets! In addition to food, water and pet meds, you may need things like a leash, chain, crate, and feeding bowls.
Five gallon plastic buckets are great for carrying optional items. The bucket can also be used for extra seating or to create a latrine, if needed.
Optional Items:
Generator
Tent
Sleeping bags
Camp stove w/ fuel
Camping lantern w/ fuel
Spiritual items; Bible, Koran, etc.
Leather work gloves
Cooking pot and/or dutch oven
Cooler
Trash bags
Camp stool or chair
Emergency whistle
Battery powered fan
Fire starter kit
Tarps 12x12 (2)
Wool blankets
Fuel siphon hose
Aluminum foil
All sizes Ziploc bags
Jumbo permanent marker
Basic tool kit
Plastic sheeting
Measure tape
The whole family! With 7 kids the house is always a disaster area!
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You can write the expiration dates larger on canned food items in permanent marker. Any medications (prescription and over the country) should have the expiration date on them as well. Aside from those two items, everything else in the pack should have a long shelf life.
If you store tap water and don't use well water, a durable container specifically for water storage like the 2-3 gallon jugs from Costco (or any camping supplies store) should store it fine. If you store well water it may contain bacteria that will need treatment. I don't recommend storing water in old milk jugs because they can be flimsy and have milk residue (yuck!). Depending upon your storage method, rotation for water would be anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. 2L pop bottles are also good to use, and withstand freezing and thawing cycles well. Keeping some frozen in a freezer until ready to go is a great idea if you have room.
Clothing needs to be updated with the seasons and as sizes change. I recommend doing all updates and rotation to your disaster plans and packs in October and April when we adjust for daylight savings time.
Gas mask filter systems typically do have expiration dates. See if you can find an expiration on yours. See if they have a removable filter system or if they are one time use. Some masks have replacable filter cartridges. You can find them for sale on the internet.
You have some very good points --many can learn helpful tips from you. Look forward to your next blog additions..
Outstanding info and organization. Only comment I have is to clearly separate what's in the "go" bags if you evacuate and what's for at home use while waiting for utilities to be re-established. The optional list has some bulky items if they're all in your "go" kit - you're gonna be packed tight with all that and the family.
Nicely done,
Yogi
Yogi, it will depend on how much you can fit in your car. I drive a suburban :o). I would only recommend the optional items if you know you will be away longer than 72 hours or you know you will need shelter. Optional items can stay home for use prior to services being restored. In one of the upcoming posts, I will be addressing preparations you can make for your home.
I think you did a FANTASTIC job detailing this out!!!! *bookmarks it*
Great idea for the list and expiration dates! We use 5 gallon blue jugs with removable spigots in addition to the 2l bottles. My parents were drill sergeants when it came to disaster prep. I just hope I can do as well passing it on to my kids!
Thanks!
Absolutely - these are my 72 hour kits, but I will be doing "Go Bags" in the near future. Strictly grab and go when you have 30 minutes or less to get out!
Don't forget to throw the main circuit breaker and turn off water on the way out.
of items that should be in your 72 hour kit & Bug out Bag.The most important thing you need
is water & since you cannot carry much water, you will need a small water filter. I carry
a small pump water filter that will filter out 99.999% of micro-organisms. I also carry a
straw type filters that filter as you suck through the straw. Just in case I also carry a
bottle of purification pills. Second you need nutrients & the best source of nutrients is
life caps, not only are they pure, real food, easy digestable & you can live on life caps &
water alone, they are light & easy to carry. Great for children & adults, they have all the
vitamins & minerals including iodine to sustain life. When a tragedy or emergency hits,
people do not realize the importance of water, vitamins & minerals during stressful situations.
Fatigue & illness occurs because of lack of nutrients & water. Most of the time the hunger
is not there because of the stress. YOU NEED TO REMEMBER TO TAKE GOOD VITAMINS & DRINK WATER
IN AN EMERGENCY TO STAY HEALTHY & HELP YOURSELF & OTHERS. What is the first thing you do in
an emergency situation on a plane, you put the oxygen mask on yourself then take care of others
around you. First thing in an emergency, you should take life caps & drink water before you do
anything else. You cannot do yourself or anyone else any good if you fall due to stress.
Many elders & children die before people realize they need more than double the vitamins & water
during a stressful situation than during a normal day. Elders & children die because of lowered
immune systems during emergencies.
Please find good water filters, purification pills & get some life caps at lifecaps.net. Type in
"Heathcaps" as your coupon code to save 33%. I did a Google search to find the straw type filters.
The straw filters are made by Aquamira, but do not buy off there site, I found them for 1/2 the price on
other sites.
BLEACH
RUBBER GLOVES
CLOTHES PINS
Thanks for all the continued comments!
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