So that led us to create 72 hour kits. In the event we would need to quickly evacuate our home we would have enough to last for 72 hours (maybe even more to be honest) without any help or aid. Now there are many aid organizations and even in the event of a tornado people come in pretty fast. And if there was a house fire, there would be places to go where our 72 hour kits would be mostly useless. But lest you think I am trying to talk you out of creating a kit, I am not. I think it is incredibly important to be able to care for yourself in an emergency. I don't have a bunker but I do have 2 back packs.
The first step to a 72 hour kit is portability. This is key. The idea is that every member of the family should have their own kit and be in charge of carrying their share. Obviously for small children, their stuff doesn't take up that much more room and a parent would shoulder that responsibility.
It's easy to search out an entire 72 hour kit check list in case you're so inclined but let me first tell you about some of the items I think are the most critical.
- A kit should have a change of clothes for every member of the family. Mark your calendar for every six months and rotate for seasons. I opt for pajamas. In most every scenario that I deem "likely" (fire, gas leak, evacuation of some sort, tornado) the most important thing to me would be comfort in where ever I wind up going.
- Also a toiletry kit with the personal care items I prefer. Yes the government would give you certain things, but it's kind of like going to the nurse for a pad in middle school. It's not really that great and while it does the job you'd maybe rather have your own.
- Important documents. I have a binder with copies of our driver's licenses', birth certificates, social security cards, check cards, marriage license, mortgage information, cash, important telephone numbers, emergency contact information, etc. I am even a worry wort enough to have a flash drive with some of the most important pictures and documents from our computers. I also update that every six months.
- Stuff to do. I have books, a deck of cards, Skip Bo and figet items. I suspect I should add some stuff for C to do.
The less important items for me is the "wilderness survival" stuff. It seems unlikely that a scenario where I have to live in a tent with no aid from anyone and no ability to travel to say, any relative's home, will occur. But it's recommended so I have all the stuff anyway. But I bought a kit off of amazon. Then added certain things as I saw fit.
Each kit has enough food and water for a week. None of the food is very interesting-meal replacement bars, some freeze dried meals, canned goods. And Emergency water. I sacrificed taste for longevity. All the food in our kits is good until 2015. I also have Coast Guard approved emergency waters. And again, enough for a week. Just in case.
We keep our kits in the front closet. I am actually really good about this. No matter how dirty the closet gets the 2 backpacks are always on top and ready for a grab and go situation. Or even grab them on the way to the basement in case of tornado.
The difference between prepping your house vs. a 72 hour kit is the shelter. A 72 hour kit assumes evacuation or the inability to use your house as shelter. Soon I will write about how we have slightly prepped at home. (We would NEVER qualify for the show.)
