Family Preparedness On this page we focus on ways that families can become self-reliant and have the ability to care for one another through difficult times. Return to HOME Page

THE 72 HOUR HOME EMERGENCY KIT

This emergency kit should meet the basic survival needs of your family for 72 hours. It is a generic tool that can be tailored to fit your particular needs. Most families prefer to store emergency supplies in one location which would be relatively safe from earthquake, yet easily accessible if evacuation is required. Backpacks are most preferable. Must be a large size, of waterproof nylon with padded shoulder straps. Include absolute essentials in backpack and put optional or additional items in other containers. Then, if you're not able to use your car to carry additional equipment, at least you will have the essentials.

BACKPACKS: One for each family member

LABEL PACKS: name, address, phone #, parents name, next of kin, medical info, allergies, insurance info.

WATER: Canteens or 2 liter soda pop bottle (carriers can he purchased), iodine tabs or Halazone water purification tabs, clear plastic. 6 ft x 6 ft, and 4 ft vinyl surgical tubing, used to construct a water (solar) still. See Boy Scout Fieldbook. Plastic can also be used to collect rain water. Allow 1 gallon per person per day. Change water 4 times a year, or add four drops of liquid chlorine bleach pet 2 liter bottle.

FOOD: 72 hour supply for each person. Keep in mind infants, diabetics, elderly, members who have food allergies, etc. Smoked or dried meats (advantage-lightweight), freeze dried vegetables, dried fruits, powdered juices, non-fat dried milk, salt/pepper, bouillon cubes, sugar cubes (individually wrapped in plastic), snack & high energy stress foods (acts as a natural tranquilizer), peanut butter, nuts, and vitamins. M.R.E.s are good (requires no water). These are used by the Armed Forces.

FOOD EQUIPMENT: Mess kit & utensils, can opener, heavy duty foil, metal folding cook stove and fuel (uses sterno fuel or compressed fuel tablets), miniature fishing kit.

SHELTER: Tent, lO' x l5' polyethylene plastic for shelter, 5O feet of 1/4" nylon rope, duct tape for repairs and to aid in shelter construction. BEDDING: Sleeping bags, plastic ground cloth, space blanket or pocket size emergency blanket.

CLOTHING: Hat for sun protection, heavy-duty loath; r work gloves, extra pair of comfortable walking shoes, heavy duty wool socks (2 pair per person), waterproof poncho with hood or hat, bath towel, thermal underwear and winter coat, (depends on time of year), small plastic bags. These can be used for emergency waterproofing over socks in wet boots, as emergency gloves or transparent, waterproof containers for written messages, One complete change of clothing.

FUEL: Waterproof matches, steel wool (used for tinder), pink candles (burn for 4 hours), chemical instant heat packs, fire extinguisher (small ABC type).

LIGHT: Waterproof, industrial-type, heavy-duty flashlight. extra alkaline flashlight batteries and bulbs, Cyalume chemical light sticks, road flares.

COMMUNICATIONS: Transistor radio and extra batteries, stainless steel mirror for distress signaling, brass whistles with string to go around neck, multi-colored balloons for signaling, mace or riot spray, compass, road maps, small personal phone book with dimes and quarters attached for emergency communication purposes. Depend on radio to get information. Don't tie up phone lines.

TOILETRIES: Toilet paper (take out cardboard roll and put in plastic bag to keep waterproof), small bar of soap, toothpaste, brushes, insect repellent, comb, towel, deodorant, feminine needs, Chapstick, moistened towelettes or wipes, shampoo.

SANITATION: Five-gallon plastic container with handle and tight lid, 2 extra lids (cut out center & pad for toilet seat), 4-gallon plastic bags & ties, 6 large grocery bags, small can of 1ysol, folding camp shovel, deodorizer tablets, 32-gallon garbage bag & tie, laundry detergent (small vendor box), cotton dish towel, paper towels in plastic bag. regular sponge, 3M-type scrubbing sponge.

MEDICATIONS: Life threatening medication, aspirin, Tylenol, children's medicine if applicable, Benadryl, Metamucil, Neosporin, Lomotril tablets, cornstarch, betadine prep pads, sunscreen, snake bite kit, eye drops, immunization records.

DOCUMENTS: Photo inventory of home, premises, garage, other real estate holdings and place of business, copies of insurance documents, ID cards, stocks, bonds & certificates, Social Security cards, legal papers, deeds, wills, bank & savings account numbers & location, charge card info, etc. Be sure to place documents in a waterproof container. You may also want to leave copies of important papers in a sealed packet with a friend or relative living in a different town or even state.

CASH: One Dollar bills, placed in a waterproof zip-lock-type bag. Pocket change, postage stamps, pen and paper.

STRESS FACTORS: Children-puzzles, crayons, color books, etc. Adults-books, games, needlework, scriptures, etc.

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FIRST-AID KIT

Assemble a first-aid kit for your home and one for each car. A first-aid kit should include:

• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• Assorted sizes of safety pins
• Cleansing agent/soap
• Latex gloves (2 pair)
• Sunscreen
• 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• Triangular bandages (3)
• Non-prescription drugs
• 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Needle
• Moistened towelettes
• Antiseptic
• Thermometer
• Tongue blades (2)
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant

Non-Prescription Drugs.

• Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for stomach upset)
• Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
• Laxative
• Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

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EMERGENCY CAR KIT

The Kit Should Include:

• Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Blanket
• Booster cables
• Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type)
• First-aid kit and manual
• Bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter.
• Maps
• Shovel
• Tire repair kit and pump
• Flares

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ADDITIONAL HOME EMERGENCY FOOD ITEMS

Wheat
Sugar/honey
powdered milk
salt & pepper
Water/2 week supply for each member
Canned meat (corned beef, tuna,
Vienna sausage, ravioli, etc
Spices if desired
Vegetable broth
Soda crackers
Graham crackers
Jerky
Infant supplies
Canned/powdered juices
Food f or pets
Glucose tablets
Bouillon cubes or soup base
Dried fruit and fruit leather
Fruit mix (dehydrated)
Raisins
Chocolate, candy bars
Hard candy
Granola bars
Ready to eat snacks
Canned fruit
Canned vegetables
Peanut butter
Sweetened cereals
Nuts (almonds, peanuts, etc.)

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Food Storage Stability

Emergency Food Storage & Survival Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Family Safe in a Crisis

Food Storage 101: Where Do I Begin?

Apocalypse Chow!: How to Eat Well When the Power Goes Out

Pocket First Aid

How to Assemble a 72-Hour Emergency Kit

Preparedness Now!: An Emergency Survival Guide for Civilians and Their Families