Emergency Preparedness is essential for individuals and families. You and your family need to take the proper measures to be prepared in case of a natural disaster. Floods, earthquakes, hurricanes and fires are all too common in the United States and elsewhere. Mother nature can be very unpredictable. If you are prepared and have the proper supplies on hand then it will help to eliminate some of the stress while you are trying to recuperate from an emergency situation.

Food storage and other aids are important to keep up-to-date and have for survival. Sometimes creating a food storage supply can be overwhelming. An essential kit that can get you started in preparing your family for an emergency situation is a 72-hour kit. Having a 72-hour kit available for each individual in your family can be a life-saving item. It is a good idea to have a big kit with things for your entire family and then also have some individual kits that fit the needs of certain family members.

Here are some basics you should include in your 72-hour kits:

HOME EMERGENCY KIT

Objects to be Immediately Available

• Battery powered radio
• Flashlight and extra batteries

Emergency Need Items

• Instruction manuals on emergency preparedness
• Water storage—you need at least 2 gallons of water per person per day
• Sleeping bags & blankets

Sanitation Kit

• Plastic bucket with tightly fitted lid
• Plastic bags and ties
• Toilet paper
• Disinfectant
• Improvised toilet seat
• Feminine hygiene needs
• Paper towels
• Soap
• Paper cups
• Paper plates
• Plastic utensils
• Can opener
• Utility knife

Stress Factors

Children

• Coloring books and crayons
• Activity box
• Picture books or story books
• Small portable games

Adults

• Books or magazines
• Needlework or crocheting crafts
• Pens and paper A Class ABC fire extinguisher is recommended for each home. It can be purchased at an outdoor supply store, hardware store or an emergency specialty store.

How do you store your kit?

Some families may need a large container (32 gallon garbage can) to hold all the items. Other families may be able to use the plastic bucket from the sanitation kit for this storage. You may choose to use backpacks. They make it easier to take the items with you. A large heavy-duty duffle bag may work for storing a family kit. Your 72-hour kit needs to be readily accessible so place it where you can easily gain access to it when you need it.

What kinds of things should be in your kit?

This 72-hour kit should meet the needs of your family. Pack hobby and entertainment items that appeal to your family. Use foods that your family will eat. Include any special medications that are required by family members.

Basic Food

Meals:

• Tuna, sardines, Spam, Vienna sausages
• Fruit cocktail
• Peanut butter
• Powdered milk
• Infant care: canned milk and bottles
• Canned juices
• Dried fruit (caution: drink plenty of water): raisins, prunes, fruit leather
• Crackers (drink plenty of water)

Stress Foods:

• Sugar cookies
• Sweetened cereals
• Hard candy

Standard First Aid Kit

• First aid manual
• Aromatic spirits of ammonia
• Water purification tablets
• Table salt Baking soda
• Eye drops
• Safety pins
• Matches
• Adhesive or paper tape
• Bandages
• Telfa pads 4”x 4”
• Triangle bandage
• Telfa pads 37”x 37”x 52”
• Roll of gauze
• Coban elastic bandage
• Splints
• Popsicle sticks
• Shingles or thin board
• 40-page newspaper
• Heavy String
• Individuals medication

Emergency Kit for your Car

• Standard First Aid Kit
• Blanket
• Flashlight and Batteries
• Reflectors
• Change of clothes
• Extra shoes
• Food
• Water

*This information is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross

Family Kits and Individual Kits

Everything listed above should be included in a large kit for the entire family. In order to make a kit that is easy to access for each individual you can use medium size backpacks and create smaller personalized kits that will suit each person. Buy sturdy nylon backpacks and pack customized supplies that will satisfy the needs of each family member. For children include food items that they will eat and enjoy. Canned foods like their favorite soup, Spaghetti O’s, beef jerky or Vienna sausages. Buy cans with a flip top or include a can opener in your supplies. Also include packaged food items like granola bars, crackers, fruit snacks and water.

Make sure you have a change of clothes, an extra pair of shoes, a rain poncho, insulated underwear, a warm coat or jacket and a flashlight etc. for each person. If anyone needs a certain medication, medical supplies or vision correction items such as glasses or contacts be sure to include these items in their personalized kit. If you have young children or babies, include blankets, formula, diapers and baby food in your supplies.

Have each family member store their kits in their bedrooms or in a specific room where they are easy to locate in an emergency situation. Talk to your children about their kits and explain to them the importance of having the 72-hour kit and have them participate in making the kit. Show your children where to store their kits and how to get to them when they need to. Keep your kits up-to-date and rotate the supplies and update clothing by checking the appropriate size and condition for each item.

Children grow and change quickly so rotating the clothing and shoes is important especially for young families. If there is an emergency you don’t want to end up with a whole bunch of expired food and clothes that don’t fit. It is a good idea to go through your kits every six months. It is helpful for some people to do it when the time changes (twice a year) so you can easily remember to check your kits. Keeping your family safe is first priority, so be prepared with the right supplies and alleviate one of your obstacles.