72 Hour Emergency Kit

I was inspired to post blogs about emergency preparedness because when my grandparents came to visit they bought my family some food storage. Now my ward is handing out a lot of emergency preparedness handout. Which is just another example of how important having a food storage, 72 hour kit and other emergency preparedness items are.

This weeks ward handout was about 72 hour kits. It said:

"72 Hour Emergency Kit

By Rachel Woods, About LDS Guide, http://lds.about.com

Notes:

• Update your kit every six months (put a note in your calendar/planner) to make sure that: all food, water, and medication are fresh (not expired), clothing fits, personal documents and credit cards are up to date.
• Small toys/games are important too as they will provide some comfort and entertainment during a stressful time.
• Older children can be responsible for their own pack of items/clothes too.
• You can include any other items you feel are necessary for your family's survival.
• Some items and/or flavors might leak, melt, "flavor" other items, or break open. Dividing groups of items into individual Ziploc bags might help prevent this.

Food and water

(3 day supply of food & water per person when no refrigeration/cooking is available)

• Protein/granola bars
• Trail mix/dried fruit
• Crackers/cereal (for munching)
• Canned tuna, beans, meat, Vienna sausages, etc ("pop-top" cans might leak/explode & Jerky can "flavor" other items)
• Canned juice
• Candy/gum (Jolly Ranchers can melt & mint gum might "flavor" other items)
• Water (1 gallon/4 liters per person)

Bedding

• Change of clothing (short and long sleeve shirts, pants, socks, jackets, etc.)
• Undergarments
• Rain coat/Poncho
• Blanket and Emergency Heat Blankets
• Cloth sheet
• Plastic sheet

Fuel & Light

• Battery lighting (flashlights, lamps)
• Extra batteries
• Flares
• Candles
• Lighter
• Water-proof matches

Equipment

• Can opener
• Dishes/utensils
• Shovel
• Radio (with batteries)
• Pen and paper
• Axe
• Pocket knife
• Rope
• Duct tape

Personal Supplies & Medication

• First aid supplies
• Toiletries (roll of toilet paper-remove center tube to easily flatten into a zip-lock bag feminine hygiene, folding brush, etc)
• Cleaning supplies (mini hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc. Warning: Scented soap might "flavor" food items.)
• Immunizations Up-to date
• Mediation (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Children's medication, etc.
• Prescription Medication (for 3 days)

Personal Documents and Money

(Place these items in a water-proof container!)

• Scriptures (miniature ones are lighter)
• Genealogy Records
• Patriarchal Blessing
• Legal Documents (Birth/Marriage Certificates, Wills, Passports, Contracts)
• Vaccination papers
• Insurances Policies
• Cash
• Credit Card
• Pre-paid phone cards

Miscellaneous

• Bag or bags to put 72 hour kit items in (such as duffel bags or hiking back packs which work great)
• Infant needs (if applicable)"