What Should I Include In My 72 Hour Kit? - De Kinsey

After any major disaster or minor disaster you might wish you had on hand a little 72 hour kit.  No one knows when a major disaster happens or a minor will happen.  The best insurance is to be prepared.  Here are some steps in creating your own 72 hour kit and Go-Bag if a disaster happens.

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72 Hour Kit

Your basic emergency kit should include:

1. Water – 3 gallons per person  (1 gallon per person per day)
   
2. Food – ready to eat

• Protein/Granola/Calorie Food Bars
• Crackers/Cereals (for munching)
• MREs/Canned Food (Remember that cans can leak/explode)
• Candy/Gum (These items could melt, so it's best to keep them in a zip lock baggy)

1. Manual can opener and other cooking supplies
2. Plates, utensils and other feeding supplies
3. First Aid kit & instructions
4. A copy of important documents & phone numbers (your 52 Weeks to Prosperous Living Organizer!)
5. Warm clothes and rain gear for each family member.
6. Heavy work gloves
7. Disposable camera
8. Unscented liquid household bleach and an eyedropper for water purification
9. Personal hygiene items including toilet paper, feminine supplies, hand sanitizer and soap
10. Plastic sheeting, duct tape and utility knife for covering broken windows
11. Tools such as a crowbar, hammer & nails, staple gun, adjustable wrench and bungee cords.
12. Blanket or sleeping bag
13. Large heavy duty plastic bags and a plastic bucket for waste and sanitation
14. Any special-needs items for children, seniors or people with disabilities. Don’t forget water and supplies for your pets.

Store your household disaster kit in an easily accessible location.  Put contents in a large, watertight container (e.g. a large plastic garbage can with a lid and wheels) that you can move easily. 

Go-Bag

A component of your disaster kit is your Go-bag. Put the following items together in a backpack or another easy to carry container in case you must evacuate quickly.  Prepare one Go-bag for each family member and make sure each has an I.D. tag. You may not be at home when an emergency strikes so keep some additional supplies in your car and at work, considering what you would need for your immediate safety.

1. Flashlight
2. Radio – battery operated
3. Batteries
4. Whistle
5. Dust mask
6. Pocket knife
7. Emergency cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls
8. Sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, and a warm hat
9. Local map
10. Some water and food
11. Permanent marker, paper and tape
12. Photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes
13. List of emergency point-of -contact phone numbers
14. List of allergies to any drug (especially antibiotics) or food
15. Copy of health insurance and identification cards
16. Extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items
17. Prescription medications and first aid supplies
18. Toothbrush and toothpaste
19. Extra keys to your house and vehicle
20. Any special-needs items for children, seniors or people with disabilities. Don’t forget to make a Go-bag for your pets.

Remember that you do not know when and where a disaster will happen.  The time to prepare is now!