Blog 2
Grab & Go
72 Hr Kits
According to FEMA,
"Being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany disasters and sometimes avoid the danger completely."
Many experts will argue on what's better to store first, a ( 72 hour survival kit) or (basics food storage.) My preference is basic food storage, but for the sake of money & time, I will start off with a 72 hr kit, besides most people can wrap their minds around this idea to get started more so then long term storage. Either way as long as you have something! Because something is always better then nothing at all.
The 72 hour kit has it's place in your life, every home should have one for every member of the household. The only reason why I personally suggest long term storage first is because I just know too many people that think the (72 hour kit) is all they need, namely because they are financially stable and feel secure enough with money in he bank, they will just get whatever they need, when they need it. A little too trusting in their local banks and our money system.
The main purpose of the (72 hr kits) is in the case you have to leave your home in an emergency or for some other reason like a natural disaster has struck your residence or town, you will have at your disposal enough food and water to survive on for the next 72 hrs until help arrives.
Depending on where you live, a 72 hr kit is more important than most areas. Living in San Francisco all my life with the scare of a natural disaster like earthquakes always loomed over us, because you just never new when the big one was coming. Other areas in the USA or in the world have their own natural disasters that can strike anytime. It's just always better to be prepared because no of us are safe from everything.
We all know how different Hurricane Katrina would have turned out if everyone had at least a 72 hr kit to survive on, and just because you live in a relatively safe spot in this world, it doesn't mean that you should be without one either. Nowadays you just never know what the heck is around the corner, it could range anywhere from terrorist attacks, natural disasters to a economic depression or a loss of a job. A 72 hour Kit is designed for short term only, meaning (72) hours of living life with sustainable food and supplies that will be needed in case of negative disastrous time.
You must understand that a 72 hour kit will only help you for 72 hours, then some sort of back up system will be needed, which is the whole reason why I recommend long term storage and a preparedness plans. Many people rely on the government in such times and that in itself is not the best way to go at all time in all emergency scenarios. Self reliance is the most sound and smart way to prepare for anything.
First off I must mention I think the best way to make your 72 hr kit is with a large back pack. It doesn't have to be an expensive one because I have gotten them on sale at target for $2.99 and they were beautiful and absolutely perfect to hang on my wall in case I needed them. Grab & Go is the whole idea!
There are so many types of disasters: floods, fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and terrorist attacks just to name a few. Government and Relief Organizations estimate that after a major disaster, Relief Organizations to be up and running and stocked with the adequate supplies to help people (so they claim). Why wait for them? We all seen what happened with Katrina and how long it took them to respond. It is absolutely senseless to rely on any government agency to help us out when we can help ourselves. In such cases, a 72 Hour Kit for each individual in your family could mean the difference between a traumatic life and death experience to one that feels more like a family camp out.
The following checklist can help you and your family plan and prepare more effectively and make sure all family members know where you keep the kits.
72 Hour Kit Checklist:
FOOD & WATER: •Minimum of 3600 calories of food per person.
MRE's , Oatmeal packs, canned tuna, canned ready made soups (that need no additional water), canned Vienna Sausages, Peanut butter, jam, (small plastic jars can be purchased and put in back packs.) DON'T FORGET A CAN OPENER
**I don't recommend the (lunch pack fruits) because they have been known to break their seal in about 2 years, stick to regular canned items with heartier seals, also avoid highly salty foods that will cause thirst.
WATER: •Minimum of 9 water pouches of water per person• Method of water purification (such as potable aqua or a water filter) You should store at least one gallon of water per person per day. A normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking.
Additionally, in determining adequate quantities, take the following into account:
Individual needs vary, depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet, and climate.
Children, nursing mothers, and ill people need more water.
Very hot temperatures can double the amount of water needed.
A medical emergency might require additional water.
•Additional food & water: snacks, cookies, crackers, canned meats etc. If a baby is in the picture make sure enough food is stored to accommodate daily feedings for at least a week just in case.
****DON'T FORGET ABOUT YOUR PETS:*** Keeping food and water for them will save a lot of heartache in an emergency situation you can have Grab & Go pack made up for them.
Why not their are loved ones too.
COMMUNICATION: •AM/FM Radio with batteries or alternate power source, (C Crane offer great items
http://www.ccrane.com/offers ) Make sure to have a spare of batteries •Whistle • Cell Phone battery charger.
LIGHT SOURCES: •Flashlight with batteries •Candles •Light sticks •Lantern and fuel •Road Flares
HYGIENE & SANITATION: •Personal Hygiene Kit (Include soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb,sanitary napkins, diapers, razor, and other toiletry items) •Toilet paper •Tissue •Portable Toilet and accessories, AND DON'T FORGET MOIST WIPES, these are very helpful in clean up and making you feel refreshed in time when water is scares.
TOOLS: •50 Feet of Nylon Rope. dust mask Pocket knife Local map Compass •Pocket Knife •Rolls of Duct Tape •Fold-able Shovel •Hatchet or axe •Sewing Kit (with basics, Quilting thread (white) in the case of sutures), needles, safety pins, alcohol swabs.
WARMTH & SHELTER: •Waterproof matches (can't have enough) •Alternate fire-starting method •Tent/Shelter •Solar Emergency Blanket or Emergency Sleeping Bag •Hand & Body Warmers •Poncho •Lightweight Stove & Fuel •Wool Blanket
FIRST AID: •First Aid Kit and supplies •First Aid Booklet/Manual •Burn gel and dressing •Snake bite kit
MONEY: •At least $20 in your kit -- be sure to include quarters for phone calls Keep family phone numbers in a plastic waterproof bag with money.
*Also ahead of time, you should work out a contact point where everyone in the family calls this one person who perhaps is out of state to check in to make sure everyone is all right in case of separation. Every backpack should have the phone numbers of importance written down.
IMPORTANT PAPERS: (Keep In Waterproof Bags) •Emergency Instructions •Copies of documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses,wills, insurance forms, phone numbers, credit card info, etc..
Photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes. List of allergies to any drug (especially antibiotics) or food. Extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items. Extra keys to your house and vehicle. Permanent marker, paper and tape .
STRESS RELIEVERS: •Games, books, cards games, hard candy, desserts, inspirational reading, small toys, paper & pen, favorite security item for children PERMANENT MARKER PEN.
EXTRA CLOTHING •A complete outfit of appropriate clothing; including extra socks, underwear, hat, sturdy shoes, and gloves, Warm Hat.
(extra underwear and socks are many times underestimated how they make you feel when your cold, damp and dirty.)
***Note: You can make up individual back packs for each and every member of the family, hang them all somewhere where they can be reach in such an emergency by all. (I had my children's hanging in their room)
HOME KIT:
***Note***
Also Keeping a plastic container such as a garbage can with more food & water and all items wrapped in a plastic bag and tied, in your garage or on a porch as an added security, will make life much better in the long run in an emergency situation and if you live in an Earthquake, Tornado or Hurricane zone, this is a smart Idea. I have lived through the Loma Prieta Quake and we were without power for about 3 days having these items on hand make all the difference when the stores nearby run out of everything needed within MINUTES not to mention with bridge out, normal store delivery didn't happen for a week, many are left to fend on their own!
CAR KIT:
*** Note: I always kept a square plastic container with lid in my car at all time with quick meals and water, pouch foods, small boxes of cereal, soy milk and drinks along with first aid supplies, they came in handy one day after dropping my son off at the Oakland Airport and getting stuck in traffic on the bay bridge for 4 hr with a young one child that was hungry!
These are nice projects to do on a weekend or day off with family members included. It really gives them a sense of security knowing their being taking care of in any situation. Most items can be bought at most retailers; Wal-mart, Target, Kmart for little expense and most items you can find at home.
Source of reference
Sunflower Food Storage Consultants
