Unfortunately, natural disasters can happen at anytime and most can happen just about anywhere. In the case of an evacuation due to a natural disaster, having a 72-hour kit could save your life. Since most relief organizations can take up to three days before they are able to reach all areas, having enough food and supplies for a three day period (72 hours) is ideal. Also, as you may not be at home when a natural disaster strikes, consider keeping some additional supplies at work and in your car.
Although there are plenty of suppliers willing to sell you "standard" 72-hour kits, they can feasibly be made at home with a little effort (and will be more personalized too). We will go into a few details later in the post, but for now let's just review the basics that go into a 72-hour kit:
Although there are plenty of suppliers willing to sell you "standard" 72-hour kits, they can feasibly be made at home with a little effort (and will be more personalized too). We will go into a few details later in the post, but for now let's just review the basics that go into a 72-hour kit:
- Water
- Food (with special considerations for infants and pets)
- First aid supplies/prescriptions
- Clothing
- Bedding
- Sanitation supplies
- Tools/survival supplies
- Important family documents
- Cash and coins
- Individual needs
Pretty straightforward, right? Now, let's break it down by category. The idea here is not to make you feel overwhelmed, but to help you get ideas as you plan kits for you and your family. If you don't know where to start, take it just one item at a time and go from there.
Water
For a 72-hour kit, it is suggested to have at least one gallon of water per person per day. A fairly active person generally drinks about one-half gallon per day. When planning this out for your family, consider that individual needs vary. For example, children, nursing mothers, and ill people will generally require more water.
Food
For your kit, pack at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Make sure to pack a can opener (if you have cans) and eating utensils. It is ideal to have food in your kit that:
- Is relatively lightweight
- Takes minimal effort to prepare (consider that you might not have time to make or access to a heat source)
- Is something your family would normally eat
- Has a shelf life of at least 6 months to a year
- Is individually packaged
- Doesn't take a lot of room
- Can be eaten "on the go"
A few ideas on ready-to-eat items are:
- Canned meats, fruits and vegetables
- Beef Jerky
- Canned juices or milk (if powdered, store extra water)
- Canned soups, beef stew, pasta (careful you don't make your pack too heavy)
- Protein or fruit bars
- Dry cereal or granola
- Trail mix
- Peanut butter/jelly
- Crackers
- Dried fruit/fruit leather/raisins
- Nuts
- Vitamins
- Food for infants or people with special dietary needs
- Comfort/stress foods
Other meal ideas that take a little more preparation are:
- MREs (Meal Ready-to-Eat)
- Heater meals (expensive, but comes with its own heat source and water)
- Dehydrated meals (takes more water to make)
First aid supplies
- Latex or sterile gloves
- Sterile dressings/gauze pads to stop bleeding
- Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection
- Burn ointment to prevent infection
- Adhesive bandages
- Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or decontaminate
- Thermometer
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Needle
- Moistened towelettes
- Antiseptic
- Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
- Assorted sizes of safety pins
- Cleansing agent/soap
- Sunscreen
- Non-prescription drugs, such as pain reliever, ipecac (to induce vomiting, if advised by the Poison Control Center), antacids (for an upset stomach), laxatives.
- Jacket or coat
- Long pants
- Long sleeve shirt
- Sturdy shoes or work boots
- Hat, gloves, and scarf
- Rain gear
- Thermal underwear
- Sunglasses
Bedding
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Tube tent or tarp
Sanitation Supplies
- Toilet paper
- Soap, liquid detergent
- Feminine supplies
- Personal hygiene items
- Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
- Plastic bucket with tight lid
- Disinfectant
- Household chlorine bleach
Tools/survival supplies
- Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
- Emergency preparedness manual
- Portable, battery-operated radio or television and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Nonelectric can opener
- Utility knife
- Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type
- Pliers
- Tape
- Compass
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic storage containers
- Signal flare
- Paper, pencil
- Needles, thread
- Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
- Whistle
- Map of the area (for locating shelters)
Important Family Documents (Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container - many can be photocopies of the original)
- Scriptures
- Patriarchal blessing
- Family history records
- Legal documents (birth/marriage certificates, wills, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds)
- Photo IDs, passports
- Social security cards
- Immunization records
- Bank account numbers
- Credit card
- Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
Cash and coins
If a disaster were to happen, cash and coins are going to be your surest way of paying for things. Make sure you carry enough change and $1, $5, and $10 bills.
If a disaster were to happen, cash and coins are going to be your surest way of paying for things. Make sure you carry enough change and $1, $5, and $10 bills.
Individual considerations: Any special items specific to your situation (for example: medications, glasses, diapers, etc.). You may also wish to pack some entertainment (such as books or games) to help pass the time.
One final note: it's always a good idea to check your 72-hour kit every 6 months to a year to make sure it is up-to-date and nothing is spoiling. For example, in our family we are starting the tradition of checking all our food storage items every General Conference weekend. I know others that check it before canning season.
One final note: it's always a good idea to check your 72-hour kit every 6 months to a year to make sure it is up-to-date and nothing is spoiling. For example, in our family we are starting the tradition of checking all our food storage items every General Conference weekend. I know others that check it before canning season.
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