Some general (Home) 72-hour kit ideas:
Ø Pack as light as possible- you can’t predict whether you’ll be able to drive, or whether you’ll be walking across fields or what.
Ø Some people like to use the backpacks that have wheels so that they can either carry their pack, wear it on their back, or pull it behind them.
Ø Remember water! Water purification materials are good, too. You may want a drink right after you reach your destination. A Water bottle is handy. It can be refilled with whatever liquid refreshment you can later find so it becomes a drink, or a way to cleanse a wound, plus a useful container.
Ø Pack food for 72 hours. Granola is nice, but some folk like MREs because they keep so long. I have picky kids, so I’ve packed the kids' Spaghettios in the grown-up packs--some cans have easy open lids now! It makes for a heavy pack, though. However, in my kid’s packs, I’ve gone with protein bars which are teeny/light-weight and help slow hunger and metabolize for several hours...plus, there are lots of different types of protein bars out there with nifty flavors like: Chocolate Chunk Brownie, Banana Nut, Chocolate Cookie Dough, Apple Crisp, etc. Other ideas are: hard candy, fruit snacks, mini-cans of fruit and Vienna sausages.
Ø First Aid stuff is a must!
Ø Light (candles, flashlight w/ batteries)
Ø Heat (see sporting good stores for ideas) Matches are an easy thing to pack, by the way.
Ø Blanket
Ø Clothing (Just think: What if you're out in the hot tub when an earthquake hits? How will you dig through the rubble of your house for a pair of shoes?)
Ø Pack “Something to do” (ie: cards, a book, little toys for little kids, etc. Loralee and Deanne will likely pack their crocheting--which could probably be considered both "something to do" and clothing!))
Ø Notebook with pencil or pen; and some duct tape rolled onto a popsicle stick makes a useful roll of tape. (You may want to take notes in some emergency situation, or you may want to tape up a sign for someone at some point...Remember the "message boards" we saw in the news after the tsunami?)
Ø Radio and batteries
Ø Miscellaneous Camping-type supplies
Ø If you've got a little left over space in your pack: I packed an inflatable swimming pool mattress in my kids’ packs because I want them to be comfortable wherever we wind up. Floors or ground can be hard for 72 hours.
Ø Something for shelter. (Tent or Tarp & rope, etc.)
Ø 72 hour supplies for any pets you’ll take with you (ie: leash, carrier, water dish, food) Don't forget Fido!!!
Ø Any medicine that you might need. (ie: prescription meds, allergy meds, aspirin, etc.)
Just a few final tips:
1. I always update my 72-hour-kits in September because it seems as though we always have many reminders around that time; and because it's also handy to change over clothing for kids packs when the back-to-school sales are going.
2. There are excellent government websites out there that can provide you with more complete information on preparing an emergency kit. Go do a little research and be even better prepared!
3. On average, we Americans spend hours and hours preparing to go on fun overnight camping trips with our family. This is only 72 hours of time we're talking about...so, can't we spend a couple of hours to prepare for this very important "trip"?
On that same theme:
You should have an EMERGENCY KIT IN YOUR DESK AT WORK.
In your work emergency kit, food and water for only 2 - 4 hours is necessary - not 72 hours. Keep food and water in a sealed plastic container where you can grab it quickly during a Shelter In Place situation. If you have medicine that you must have, please remember that, too.
In this same kit, you should have a little card with the following information:
*Nearest relative and their phone number
*Local contacts/phone numbers (friends, neighbors, etc)
*Out of State contact/phone number (ie: family)
*Day Care and School phone numbers
