Organize my 72 Hour Kit for Emergency Preparedness

Here are some really good resources for preparedness.

Emergency Preparedness Fact Sheets
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
http://www.umext.maine.edu/emergency/tblcontent.htm

• Preparing Food During a Power Failure, #9001
• Safety of Frozen Food During a Power Outage, #9002
• Safety of Refrigerated Foods After a Power Outage, #9003
• Food Safety During Disasters, #9004
• Safe Handling of Food and Utensils After a Flood, #9005
• Be Prepared with a Three-Day Emergency Food Supply, #9006
• Quantity Cooking in a Shelter Setting, #9007

Tips for Emergency Water Supply and Storage
http://theepicenter.com/tow02236.html

University of Illinois Extension Disaster Fact Sheets
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/disaster/guide/g_facts.html

• Preventing Waterborne Illnesses
• Disinfect and Test Flooded Wells
• Emergency Water Supplies
• Flood Contaminated Foods
• Safe Food Handling During Power Outages
• Preparing Food During a Power Failure

Emergencies & Disasters
http://www.nsc.org/issues/prepare.htm

• Safety at Home: Every Second Counts
• Checklist to Prepare for Home Evacuation
• Frequently Asked Questions About First Aid

Be Prepared – American Red Cross Preparedness Information
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_500_,00.html

• Food and Water in an Emergency (A5055)(FEMA 477)
• Shelter-in-Place in an Emergency
• Power Outage
• Preparing for Disaster (A4600)(FEMA 475)
• Emergency Preparedness Kit

One thing I’ve been working on all month, and distributed to my family today at my son’s birthday party (where we gave him lots of stuff to start his 72-hour kit) is a Family Emergency Preparedness Manual. I got 1-inch binders (notebooks with clean plastic on the outside so you can slip a paper book cover sheet in the front & on the spine). There is a notebook for every adult to keep in or near their 72-hour kits. This is an ongoing family project; so each notebook has 5 dividers. You could choose any topics; but I chose 72-Hour Kits, Storage, Food & Water, Safety & Security, and Disaster Plans. I have many, many files saved on preparedness; so the hard part was deciding what one or two pages ONLY to put in each section. I’ll give everyone some new information at each future family gathering. Over the years I have come to understand that if you give folks a whole book full of preparedness knowledge at once, they’ll never read it; but a few pages at a time are welcomed. Our focus was 72-Hour Kits. Another time it might be first aid kits or disaster plans. The last page in the book is for them to right important phone numbers and fill in their family disaster plan (meeting place), etc. Each page is in a plastic page protector. We had a few plastic bags with zippers that sheets and curtains came in. These were just the right size for a notebook, and that helps keeps it dry in an emergency; so it’s safer in a 72-hour kit. I put “EPM” in very large letters at the top of the spine and on the cover of each book, and under it “Family Emergency Preparedness Manual” to make it easy to find if it’s on a shelf with other notebooks. This also gives us a handy place to keep those important documents (birth certificates, deeds/leases, wills, etc) that we would need if we had to “bug out” quickly. Hurricane Rita got everyone’s attention; but this is a family preparedness project that’s just a good idea. The need for it could be a tornado, housefire, plumbing break or natual flood, or even a family medical crisis requiring us to travel to a loved one’s side without warning.

This website sells 72-Hour Kits; but also offers some good advice.

American Family Safety
http://www.americanfamilysafety.com/

From the website:
“Expect the unexpected. Your family needs a disaster kit to prepare for life’s unanticipated emergencies. Use our online Are You Ready? questionnaire to build just the right Ready Kit™ for your specific geographic needs, based on recommendations from the Department of Homeland Security.”

Make a Plan
“A disaster kit is an important investment in your family’s survival, but it’s of limited use if you’ve failed to preplan for an emergency. Family members may be at different locations when a disaster strikes. How will you find your loved ones? Will each adult and child know exactly what to do? Make sure you have a disaster plan and communication plan to stay in touch.”

Stay Informed
“Knowledge is power. Your survival depends on knowing how to cope with specific disasters and maintaining an awareness of current risks. Check out our Be Ready Library for answers to common questions and up-to-date information from the country’s most reliable sources: the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Red Cross, among others.”

This website has good information for beginners to get prepared.

Are You Prepared?
http://72hours.org/

From the website:
“In a major disaster, it might be several days before vital services are restored.”

“Imagine that you have no electricity, no gas, no water and no telephone service. Imagine that all the businesses are closed and you are without any kind of emergency services. What will you do until help arrives?”

Make a Plan – Build a Kit – Get Involved

(Great resources)

Here are some excellent brochures and other PDF files on 72 Hour Kits to download.

Building Your Family’s 72 Hour Kits
http://www.ci.slc.ut.us/utilities/PDF Files/Building Your Family 72 Hour Kit.pdf

72 Hour Kit for Your Home
http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/EmergencyInfo/pdf/05-72hourKit.pdf

72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Guide
http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/police/i/72HrBrochure.PDF

72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Kit
http://download.orem.org/pdf/72_hour_kit.pdf

What is a 72 Hour Kit?
http://www.oism.org/ddp/72hour.pdf

72 Hour Personal Emergency Kit
http://www.lwsd.wednet.edu/district/emergency/kit.pdf

72 Hour Kit
http://www.ocem.org/Documents/05-72%20Hour_Kit-OCEM.pdf

72 Hours Are You Prepared?
http://www.city.hamilton.on.ca/news-room/current-news/pdf/72-Hours-EM.pdf

BYU Broadcasting Living Essentials – 72-Hour Kit
http://byubroadcasting.org/livingessentials/shows/13.asp

This webpage regarding the tv show has some useful info on 72 hour kits.

“On this episode of Living Essentials, we discuss how every member of the family, including your pets, can be prepared for an emergency with a basic 72-Hour kit. Expert Maralin Hoff explained how to make kits for the home, car, office and for traveling.”

Checklists and Links for further reading are provided.

Preparing a 72 hour “Go Pack”
http://www.nationalterroralert.com/readyguide/72hourkit.htm

This site tells us, “There are many types of disasters: floods, fires, earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes. It is estimated that after a major disaster, it may take up to three days for relief workers to reach some areas. It would be wise to consider a Go Pack that you could live on for 7-10 days. In such a case, If you live in a disaster prone area a 72-hour kit is the minimum you should have available.”

“Plan your go pack accordingly to your familys’ size.”

There is a good list of suggested items.

• Need To Know *

1) Your go pack kit should be in a portable container located near an exit of your house or better, sheltered in your backyard.

2) Each family member should have their own go pack kit with food, clothing and water. Distribute heavy items between kits.

3) Enclose the extra clothing, matches, personal documents, and other items damageable by smoke or water in plastic to protect them.

4) Keep a light source in the top of your go pack kit, so you can find it quickly in the dark.

5) Personalize your go pack kit. Make sure you fill the needs of each family member.

6) Inspect your kit at least twice a year. Rotate food and water every six months. Don’t forget to check your medications. Check children’s clothing for proper fit. Adjust clothing for winter or summer needs. Check expiration dates on batteries, light sticks, warm packs, food and water.

7) Consider the needs of elderly people as well as those with handicaps or other special needs. For example: for babies, store diapers, washcloth, ointment, bottles and pacifiers, and other special supplies.

Emergency Preparedness Insight Articles from Emergency Essentials
http://beprepared.com/article.asp_Q_ai_E_6

These include:

Emergency Education Quiz
How’s your preparedness savvy? Take this quiz to find out what you do and don’t know about being prepared.

Evacuation Plan
This explains how to make your own home evacuation plan in case of fire or earthquake.

Disaster Preparedness For Your Home in Three Easy Steps
This will help you make an emergency evacuation plan and give you tips on seeing the dangers that exist in your home.

72-Hour Food Planning
If you plan ahead, you can have meals that are not only high in energy, but also nutritious.

72-Hour Check List
A checklist of suggested items for your 72-hour kit.

Special Considerations for Emergency Kits
Babies and small children, the elderly, and those with special medical needs should be considered when preparing your 72-hour kits.

Preserving and Proving Your Identity and Worth in an Emergency
This article stresses the importance of storing documents in your 72-hour supplies.

. . . and LOTS more!

72 Hour Emergency Kit Ideas

Items to consider assembling in your 72-Hour Kit:
Survival Food & Water
Water Filter/Purifier
Money
Stove/Burner/Grill/Fuel
Cooking Gear
Can Opener/Eating Utensils/Canteen
Dishrag/Dishwashing Liquid
Matches/Lighter
Lantern/Flashlight/Candles
First Aid Kit
Sewing & Repair Kit
Towel/Washcloth
Compass/Whistle
Metal Mirror
Rope/Twine/Cord
Camp Shower
Survival Manual
Important Documents
Fishing Gear/Pocket Knife
Shovel/Tools/Gloves
Toilet Tissue/Kleenex
Alarm Clock/Radio
Games/Entertainment
Soap/Shampoo/Toiletries
Sunblock/Insect Repellant/Mosquito Netting
Hand Warmers/Ice Packs
Sleeping Bag/Pillow/Bedding/Blanket
Fire Extinguisher
Clothing/Rain Gear/Umbrella/Hat
Books/Bible/Songbook
Tent/Tarp/Backpack
Trash Bags/Plastic Bags/Twist Ties
Pen/Pencil/Paper
Flares/Reflectors/Glowsticks

If disaster strikes your family or neighborhood, the most critical need for help is during the first 72 hours following disaster. Community and government assistance may not be available during this period. A 72-hour emergency kit can literally be a lifesaver in some circumstances. It can be a real help in packing for an unexpected trip of any kind (not just camping, hunting, or fishing trips). It can also be handy just for finding things quickly that you might need suddenly at home. These are a few reasons you might find it prudent to be prepared with a 72-hour emergency kit: family emergency, fire, power outage, severe drought, flood, water loss or contamination, tornado, hurricane, shelter destroyed, earthquake, grocery closed or inaccessible, riot, etc. Prepare for food, water, shelter, clothing, and medical needs first. Then prepare for other possible emergency needs. Make your 72-hour kit personally yours with those things you feel you may need in a crisis. Include a deck of playing cards, book, or game in case you are stuck in an emergency shelter for awhile. Scriptures may be the most treasured item you pack in an emergency.

Use your 72-hour kit frequently. Keep it well-stocked and rotate consumable supplies. Buy supplies on sale or second-hand to save money as you begin to stock your kit. You don’t have to start with everything in your kit. Begin stuffing a backpack or duffle bag with what you have on hand, and add to it prayerfully as you obtain new items and gear. Check the sporting goods section of variety stores, the crafts section, and the sewing section. Browse Army/Navy surplus stores. Shop at garage sales and flea markets. Clean out your attic. Keep an eye out for food items that store well such as jerky, granola bars, nuts, and dried food packs. Add to your kit, change it, organize it, and renew it frequently.

Your 72-hour kit should be easily portable and in good repair. Each person in your family should have a 72-hour kit in case you are separated when disaster strikes of have a need to separate for a time.

Helpful Links:

Family Disaster Supplies Kit
The 72-Hour Emergency Kit should be individually tailored to meet the basic survival needs of your family for three days to a week. Most families prefer to store their emergency supplies in one location that is relatively safe, yet easily accessible if evacuation is required. Items may be stored in a 32-gallon trash can, suitcase, duffle bag, backpack, footlocker or individual pack.
http://www.dola.state.co.us/oem/PublicInformation/72hrkit.htm

The Prepared Family Newsletter
Monthly food storage and preparedness newsletter in PDF format.
http://www.ldspreparedness.com/id2.htm

Federal Emergency Management Agency
See “Preparedness” and “Are You Ready?”
http://www.fema.gov/

American Red Cross – Make a Plan
Disaster can strike quickly and without warning: Make a plan
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/makeaplan.html

LDS Provident Living
Provident Living info from the LDS Church.
http://www.providentliving.org/

How to prepare for an emergency!
A natural disaster can happen at any time. Some disasters give warning like a storm preceding a flood. Others, like earthquakes give no warning. Once a disaster happens, the time to prepare is gone and all you can do is cope. Take the next few minutes to examine what you can do to prepare. Anything you do today to will be like making a deposit in your survivability savings account for withdrawal in tough times.
http://theepicenter.com/howto.html

make an emergency kit for my home
http://www.43things.com/things/view/153233

Prepare a Family Emergency Kit – 72 Hour Emergency Kits for Each Family Member
http://www.43things.com/entries/view/192838