Supplies for Your 72 Hour Kits

Where Do I Get Supplies for Our Emergency Kits? It's a great question, and one that many people ask as they start on the road to self reliance and emergency preparedness. Spend a little time researching, but remember that in today's world of online shopping, we literally have the world at our finger tips. Because we are a young family and on a limited budget, I have found that shopping around and being selective, prioritizing our needs and then making the best purchases possible, are all things that have really helped us stretch our emergency preparedness budget.

You can get most of the supplies at WalMart, K-Mart, Target, Home Depot or other type store. Outdoor and Sporting Goods stores are also a great resource, but watch the prices. A lot of the smaller supplies are even available at the dollar store. If you’re preparing kits for several people and don’t have unlimited amounts of cash, it will save you a lot of money to do a little shopping around.

For specialty emergency items that you can’t find other places, Emergency Essentials has many supplies for this specific purpose. They can be found online at www.beprepared.com or you can call them at 1-800-999-1863. Doing a quick internet search for emergency supplies will also produce many results and allow you to shop and compare prices as well.

I am an admitted cheap skate, and my husband is even worse. The following supplies are examples of the ones we found at our local Dollar Tree store:

Box of 10 Earloop Masks
Box of 100 assorted bandaids
Roll of 2” Gauze
Roll of 3” Gauze
Roll of 4” Gauze
Second Skin
Instant Ice Pack
Tube of antibiotic ointment
Package of 2 emergency ponchos
Set of Phillips & flathead screwdrivers
Roll of (420ft.) cotton twine
Box of 12 particulate masks
Super Glue

We have gotten many more items at the dollar store, but be careful to be selective. There is a delicate balance between which items can be “disposable” or limited-use quality, and which items need to be very durable and high quality. Keep in mind that your 72-hour kit is designed for a three day period where you might have to leave your home, but where you’ll eventually (with any luck) be able to go back. Many items can be temporary. The items that I would not cut corners on would include a good knife/pocket knife/multipurpose tool, batteries, a sturdy pair of shoes, a P-38 can opener or any other item that will be used constantly if you ever have to pull out your packs.

A lot of the small items are for different contingencies and scenarios, and may never actually be needed. The screwdrivers that we found at the dollar store are sturdy enough to be used in a pinch, but they’re not what my husband would want to use all the time. One last word to the wise: I love the dollar store, but some of the items are totally worthless. Before “stocking up” on something, I always make sure to open one up and make sure it will actually work for what I need.

Also, we have stocked our family first aid kit at the dollar store. Gauze, band aids & ice packs are all items that are more than three times the cost at other stores, and they are the same product! There are plenty of first aid items you’ll want in your kit that will be expensive. Save your pennies where you can.

Are You Prepared?

Some Scenarios to Think About and Reasons to DO IT NOW:

1. Your next-door neighbors are adding on to their house. A sudden explosion caused by the new gas lines sets the house on fire. The fire department arrives and within minutes you are told that you have to gather what you need and leave your home, as there is a chance it may catch fire. You have 3-5 minutes.

2. A major earthquake has either leveled or severely damaged most of the homes in your neighborhood & surrounding community. There are many injuries, and what is left of people’s homes is unfit for shelter.

3. A sudden windstorm causes wide-spread power outages. You listen to the radio in your car, and hear that because of the number of people without power, it may take crews up to three days to restore power to your area.

4. Because of heavy rains and flooding over the past week, officials have been keeping a close eye on the dam just up river from your community. There is an announcement on the emergency broadcasting system that the dam has broken and certain areas have to be evacuated immediately. You are in an area requiring immediate evacuation. You have 1-2 minutes to get out.

5. On the way home from a weekend trip, you get a speeding ticket for over $300, more than next month’s grocery and spending money allotment, combined. If you pay your ticket, you won’t have any money for groceries or other supplies.

6. You live in an ocean side community in the south. A tropical storm has just been recently upgraded to a hurricane. You have been out shopping most of the day, and have only just returned home. You suddenly hear a loud speaker outside and go out to see a police car driving down your street announcing that you must leave your home in the next 15 minutes. The evacuation is for an indefinite period of time.

7. A particularly bad snow storm leaves you home-bound and without power, heat or running water for over a week.

8. Because of local civil unrest, extreme riots have broken out in various areas of the city in which you live. You are uneasy about your family staying in your home during this time.

9. An unexpected illness causes you to miss two weeks of work, unpaid.

10. A national trucker’s union goes on strike, causing shortages on basic necessities at most major grocery stores.

72 Hour Kits for Infants

As a parent, it is your first and foremost obligation to take care of your child. Can you imagine being in a situation where you are not able to do that? Can you imagine how you would feel arriving at that moment and knowing that with a bit of foresight and planning you could have helped your child avoid this situation? Take a few minutes to provide your baby with a bit of insurance against that situation. As you put your kit together, keep in mind that this is a general list- You know your child & their needs. Tailor this list to what you know YOUR baby would need during an emergency situation.

Experts suggest checking and updating your packs every six months. I packed our baby pack for up to one year a head of time. Clothes that are too big can be made to work...clothes that are too small are worthless. I packed 12mo. sizes for our brand new baby. The same goes for diapers. In an emergency, duct tape could work miracles with a diaper that is too big. You don't want to deal with diapers that are too small. If you breastfeed, realize that your milk may dry up during stressful situations. Keep formula & bottles on hand for this contingency. Include baby foods - even if your baby isn't eating them yet. Try to include a variety so your baby will have a well-rounded diet in the event of a problem.

Along with our baby's backpack, I purchased a cloth baby carrier at a garage sale...if we needed to leave our home on foot, our plan is that I will carry the baby in the front pack, with his backpack on my back. My kit is in a rolling bag, so I can pull it. Put some time into thinking about how you would transport your baby & their kit if you are on foot. 72 hour kits MUST BE PORTABLE. You don't need to spend a lot of money to do this. Check garage sales, thrift stores and resale shops for deals on bags & baby carriers. Chances are you've got an extra bag or two that would work just fine for now. Begin today. Don't wait!

Water, Drinking & Other
Water, 2-liter bottle
Drinking Water Pouches, 4oz.

Food Pack
Powdered Baby Formula
Liquid Baby Formula
Rice or other Cereal
Dry Cereal, Snack (cheerios)
3-6 packs of fruit/veggie/meat baby food
Baby Bowl w/lid
Baby Spoon
Papertowels
Anti-bac Wipes
3 8 oz. Bottles w/caps (filled with purified water)
8 oz. Bottle Liners (enough for 3 days)
3 Extra Bottle Nipples

Cooking/Sanitation
Small Folding Stove
Stove Fuel, 1 can
Waterproof Matches
Anti-bac Wipes
Hand Sanitizer
Bottle Brush
Dish Soap
zip-lock bags
2-3 small garbage bags

Clothing
1 Small, Heavy, Warm Blanket
2 Dbl Sided Receiving Blankets
Snow Suit
Onesies (T-shirt)
Rompers
Sweatshirt
Sun Hat
Stocking Cap
6 pr. Socks
3-4 Cloth Bibs
Snap-up Pajamas

Toiletries
24 Disposable Diapers
3-4 Cloth Diapers & Rubber Pants
Baby Wipes
Diaper Pins
Baby Shampoo
Baby Lotion
Baby Powder
Hand Soap
Q-tips
Towel
Washcloth

Comfort Items
Comfort Blankie
Small Stuffed Toy
Pacifier
Pacifier Clip
Teething Ring
Small Toys

First Aid
Sunscreen SPF 30
Insect Repellent
Band Aids
Baby Aspirin
Baby Motrin
Teething Gel
Baby Benedryl
Baby Thermometer
Safety Pins
Nose Bulb
 
Emergency Supplies
Emergency Blanket, Mylar
Hand Warmers
Small flashlight
Batteries, AA
Whistle

Important Documents
Copy of Birth Certificate
Copies of Parent's ID (driver's license, etc.) 
Copy of Immunization Record
Copy of Insurance Cards
Insurance Contact & Policy Info

Creating An Evacuation Grab List

Sit down for a minute and imagine a horrible scenario. You have 10 minutes to leave your house, and you aren’t sure if it is going to be there when you come back. You can take your kids, your emergency kits and anything else you can fit in your car. What would you grab? What items do you consider absolutely irreplaceable? The Family Bible, Priceless Photographs, your great-grandmother’s lace tablecloth? It’s something that most of us never want to think about, but a few minutes of preparation will help you to avoid possibly losing irreplaceable items that are portable enough to take with you in the event of an evacuation.

As you think about what you would grab, sit down and list all of those items. While it may be difficult, try to list them according to priority, so that if time is limited, you can grab the most important first. Keep a copy of this list in your 72-Hour kit where you can easily look at it in the event of an evacuation. In a stressful situation, it may be difficult to think clearly about what you want, so the list will help you identify your priceless essentials.

 

Be sure to include the location of each item in your home, (ie., the bookshelf in the guest bedroom,) so that you won't have to trust your memory in an extremely stressful situation, and also so that others would be able to help you if they were around to do so.

 

Once you've created your list, print it out and put a copy in your preparedness binder, and include one in your 72 Hour Kit. You could also hang a copy in the closet or other area where you store your 72 Hour Kits and other emergency supplies so that's it's there at a glance in an emergency situation.

 

Happy Homemaking!

An Emergency Contact & Evacuation Plan

Here is a basic outline of the information that should be included in your family's Emergency Contact and Evacuation Plan. You can copy and paste the outline directly into a Word document, fill in the info and print it out for your preparedness binder and for each of your family member's 72 Hour Kits!

Our Out-of-State Emergency Contact:
Name:
Phone Number:

Our Family’s Pre-Arranged Evacuation Destination:
Name:
Phone Number:
Direct Route Driving Directions to our Evacuation Destination:
Alternate Route Driving Directions to our Evacuation Destination:

Our Family’s Pre-Arranged Alternate Evacuation Destination:
Name:
Phone Number:
Direct Route Driving Directions to our Alternate Evacuation Destination:
Alternate Route Driving Directions to our Alternate Evacuation Destination:

Happy Homemaking!

Evacuation Checklist

Be prepared and proactive when it comes to possible disasters or emergencies in your area. DO NOT EXPECT CITY, COUNTY OR OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICES TO BE AVAILABLE IN THE EVENT OF A MAJOR DISASTER. Have an evacuation route in mind before something happens, and take into account possible congested routes and other back roads that may be more accessible. Keep in mind, however, that you need to listen to all instructions given by local authorities in the event of an impending emergency, such as a hurricane. If you receive the order to evacuate, or are in an area of “voluntary evacuation,” LEAVE. Don’t stick around to be involved in or add to the chaos that could result. Also, before an emergency happens, establish an out-of-state emergency contact and make sure the contact information is in each of your family’s emergency kits. Long-distance phone service is generally back up before local phone service after a disaster, AND CELL SERVICE CANNOT BE RELIED ON, so if your family is separated for any reason, instruct them to call the out-of-state contact to report in. As each family member reports in, your contact can convey that information to you.

 

While it’s not fun to think about having to leave your home for an extended period of time, it is prudent to have a pre-arranged destination in mind before you get on the road,  (a friend or family member that is far enough away to provide a safe place to stay until things calm down.) Again, set this up now. Have a plan. Shelters and emergency services are instantly overwhelmed in the face of major disasters, so don’t rely on the local shelter if it is at all possible. Remember, there are people who have nowhere else to go. With a little planning, you can be much more comfortable and better taken care of, while leaving those community services available to those who truly have nowhere else, and who truly need them. If you are reading this, you have the opportunity to prepare yourself and your family so that you are not adding to the overwhelming problems that automatically result following major disasters.

 

These are generic lists, but should help get you thinking about what you would want to do at your house, and gather to take with you in the event of an evacuation. As always, each list should be tailored to your individual needs and circumstances.

 

BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME:

Shut main gas line off outside

Shut off all water lines to appliances (water heater, washer, toilets)

Shut off all light switches, unplug appliances & lamps

Shut off all power switches in fuse box

If you are able, shut off water main (the city may have to do this)

 

Items to Grab in Evacuation (as time allows):

Your Family’s 72-Hour kit

Individual 72-Hour kits

Your Pet’s 72-Hour Kits

Emergency/Preparedness supplies as applicable

Camping Gear, Tent & Tarp, Sleeping Bags, Sleeping Pads

Blankets/Quilts/Pillows

Laptop Computer, cell phones & chargers, external hard-drive back up

Financial, Medical & Family Historical Records

Photo Albums, small family heirlooms, priceless photographs or other irreplaceable items

Photos in frames from around house

72 Hour Kits for Family Pets

Regardless of what you think about Crazy Cat Ladies, if you own a pet, (even if it's just an outdoor cat that occasionally comes home for a meal,) in order to be a responsible pet owner, you need to make provisions for your pets in the event of an emergency where you may have to leave your home.

Just as your kit should include essential items that would sustain and keep you comfortable for 72 hours, or three days, so too, your pets need this. And they can’t do it for themselves! I prepared emergency kits for both my dogs using guidelines created by the ASPCA after Hurricane Katrina. You may remember after the hurricane hit, many pets were either abandoned or had to be left at animal shelters because most of the time, public shelters will not allow pets. Animal shelters, however, will not take pets that do not have clear record of vaccination and most of us do not have these readily on hand.

The following items and information are recommended by the ASPCA as essential items to include in your pet’s emergency kit. This list is specific for a dog. As always, tailor this list to your individual pet and circumstance.

72 Hour Kit for a Family Pet

• Animal Transport Crate
• 1-Gallon Drinking Water
• 9 cups dry dog food (1 cup/3x a day)
• 1 or 2 cans wet dog food
• Small bag of treats
• Extra Collar
• Extra Leash
• Cloth Muzzle
• Tie-out and cable or long chain
• Dish for food/water
• Favorite toy or chew
• Paper towels or Lysol wipes
• 10-12 extra plastic bags for cleaning up
• Small hand trowel for cleaning up
• Copies of license, shots, vet records

I created the following document which I laminated and included in the dog’s kit. I made one for both my dogs. I also shrank it down and laminated it, and have included zip ties in order to attach it to their crates. Those two copies are in the dog’s kits. I have black & white copies of both in my emergency kit. In the event that we could be separated in an emergency, they are clearly marked as being owned by me, and when I go to pick them up, I have documentation that I own them. Again, this was recommended by the ASPCA.

Happy Homemaking!

72 Hour Kit Family Pack Checklist

This list of items would be for your entire family's use, and should be stored in it's own bag, or perhaps as an addition to Dad or Mom's kit. Again, this is a generic list and should be tailored to your family's individual needs and circumstance.

Living Essentials:

Small, portable tent or tarp suitable for shelter if needed

Tarp for ground cover

Flashlight w/ Batteries

Extra Batteries

Cook Stove (small backpacker’s style)

Lantern (small backpacker’s style)

Lantern Mantles

Propane or fuel for lantern & stove

Water Proof Matches

 

Toiletries:

Pack of Baby Wipes

Roll of Paper Towels

Small Bottle of Dish Soap

Dish Towel

 

Utilitarian Items:

Flathead/Phillips screwdrivers

Hammer

Hatchet

Quality Hunting Knife

Leatherman or All-purpose tool

Heavy work/gardening gloves

50 ft. Nylon Rope

Roll of Duct Tape

 

Family 1^st Aid Kit:

Rolled Gauze

Plain Absorbent Gauze Pads

Adhesive Tape

Small Scissors

Eye Pads

Fingernail clippers

Thermometer

Tongue Depressors

Small Container Vaseline

Small package of Needles

Box of Vinyl/Latex Gloves

Rubbing Alcohol

Hydrogen Peroxide

Extractor Bite/Sting 1^st Aid kit

Surgical Sutures

Neosporin

Sterile Saline Eye Wash

Safety Pins

Boric Acid

Anti-biotic lotion & soap

Eye Wash Glass

Triangular Bandages

Ace Bandages

 

Misc. Items:

Copies of birth certificates, social security cards, driver’s licenses, passports, etc.
Copies of homeowner’s documents (title, deed, homeowner’s insurance)
Copies of other important financial documents or papers
Copies of medical insurance info., current prescriptions, other important info.
List of emergency telephone numbers for quick reference
Out-of-State emergency contact name & number
Small Photo Book with family pictures
Small notebook & pen for journaling or other needs
Extra checkbook
Extra Car & House Keys

Happy Homemaking!

72 Hour Kit Individual Checklist & Guide

Here is a generic list of items that could be useful in a 72 Hour Kit. These items should be adjusted for your area’s climate, and the age & needs of the individual…remember that emergencies can happen anytime, so pack for all seasons.

Clothing Items:

Good Shoes, (tennis shoes, hiking boots)

Flip-flops

Stocking Cap

Baseball Cap

Extra Socks

Heavy Pants or Jeans

1-2 Belts

2 T-shirts

Underwear/Bra

Sweatpants/PJ pants

Shorts

Sweatshirt

Winter coat

Thermal gloves

Poncho

 

Toiletries:

Bar of Soap

Wash Cloth

Hand or Shammy Towel

Deodorant

Toothbrush

Toothpaste & Dental Floss

Feminine Products as needed

Roll of Toilet Paper (in zip-lock bag)

Extra pair of eye glasses

Extra Contacts

Contact solution

Small Hand Mirror

Extra plastic baggies for garbage

 

Other Essentials:

Roll of Quarters ($10)

Flashlight with batteries

Extra Batteries, AA

Foil (3-4 ft. min.)

2 Snap Light Sticks

Knife or razor blades (adults only)

Waterproof Matches

Plastic Whistle

Hand Warmers

Necessary Rx Medications

2 kitchen trash bags

Pocket-Size Scriptures

Emergency Reflective Blanket

Emergency Foil Sleeping Bag

Small Fleece Blanket

Mess kit & utensils

 

First Aid Kit:

Small sewing kit w/ needle & thread

Assorted Band-Aids

Sterile Gauze Squares

Adhesive Tape

Small Scissors

Tweezers

Q-tips

Cotton Balls

Safety pins

Anti-septic wipes

Aspirin/Ibuprofen

Benedryl

Small Container of Bleach
 

Misc. Items:

Copies of birth certificate, social security card, driver’s license, passport, etc.

List of emergency telephone numbers for quick reference

Out-of-State emergency contact name & number, evacuation destination, etc.

Small Photo Book with family pictures

Small notebook & pen for journaling or other needs

 

Individual Family Member Food Checklist

You will want to check on and rotate perishable items in your 72-hour kits every six months for optimum freshness and to avoid infestations or other pest problems.

Do NOT use “pop-top” cans, since heat can make them explode; pack a can opener (a small P-38 emergency can opener is best) in each 72-hour kit and use traditional cans!! They will last much longer and you will avoid food spoilage and messes.

 

Each family member’s kit should include enough nutrient-packed food to sustain an individual for 3 days or 9 meals. This includes minimal water requirements of at least 1 gallon per person. Use your imagination and tailor this list to your family’s needs and tastes. For Babies, include necessary items like baby formula, baby food, diapers and wipes. For individuals with food allergies, include appropriate foods or special diet considerations.

Remember that there are many options for your emergency kit. While freeze-dried “backpacker’s meals” or MRE’s, (meals-ready-to-eat) may be the lightest weight, and easiest to store, they tend to be very expensive. It’s not necessary to spend a great deal of money to put a kit together. Start today using what you have in your pantry and around the house. You can add to or upgrade your kits later as you are able. DON'T WAIT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T AFFORD THE BEST RIGHT NOW. Start today with what you've got. You'll never regret it.

 

Sample 72-Hour Kit Menu:

• 6 Granola Bars (2 a day)
• 6 Cans of Tuna/Turkey/Chicken/Beef Chunks (2 a day)
• 6 Cans of Beans, (Chili, refried, kidney, black, etc.) (2 a day)
• 3 Cans of Mandarin Oranges or other fruit (1 a day)
• 3 Hot Chocolate Pkgs. (1 a day)
• 3 Drink mix Pkgs. (1 a day)
• Trail Mix/Dried Fruit (enough for 1-2 daily snacks)
• Graham Crackers/Cereal/Crackers
• Canned Juice (V-8, Orange juice)
• Canned or Dry Milk
• Candy/Gum (avoid hard candies which can melt in heat)
• 1 Gallon of Water (wash & fill a clear 2-liter soda bottle with treated tap water or for well water, use a couple drops of chlorine bleach to kill bacteria before storage)

Be sure to mark each item with the month & year in permanent marker as it is purchased and placed in your kit. Check kits every six months for optimal storage conditions. Rotate perishable and canned items as necessary so that your kits are always fresh and ready to go if needed. All boxed, packaged or dry foods should be rotated every six months. Canned foods should be rotated every two years, or sooner as directed by commercial expiration dates. Also rotate and update prescription medication, OTC medication and other first aid items that may expire on a regular basis.

Happy Homemaking!

72 Hour Kits: Basic Information

In order to have a well-rounded preparedness plan for your family, you should include preparations in the event that it becomes necessary to leave your home (and all of your other provisions) in an emergency situation. Some people believe that this is possibly the most important aspect of family home storage and preparedness. As you read through this information, the most important thing to take away from it is to DO IT NOW. Start today with items that you have around your house. You don’t need to spend a lot of money, but you do need to START by compiling the items for your 72-Hour kit TODAY. You will never regret having taken the time to prepare these things in the event you ever need to use them!

Before you start, take the time to think through a few “what if” scenarios to determine what will be best for you and your family. Think in terms of A.S.A.P.: Attainability, Storability, Accessibility and Portability. It isn’t wise to spend a lot of money you don’t have in order to compile a fancy emergency kit. It is also NOT wise to put off organizing your kit until you have the money. Decide on what you can afford and work with what you have NOW. Storability, accessibility and portability are things you’ll want to keep in mind as you compile and maintain your family’s kit.

 Where To Start: Begin with a sturdy bag or backpack that has a sturdy strap and zips shut and that is large enough to hold a complete kit, (again, you needn’t spend a lot of money – you can use what you already have around your house, or get one from a thrift store.) Generally speaking, you should have one bag for each member of your family that is old enough and strong enough to carry it. Portability is of the essence, since it may be necessary to walk some distance in the event of an evacuation. Some state agencies recommend putting all items for your family in a large garbage can with wheels. This is much better than nothing, but depending on your circumstances, it may be hard to put a garbage can in your car if you need to evacuate. Consider your family’s needs first.

 Begin today, even if you need to begin by using a pillow case or paper grocery bag for now. Go over the attached lists, tailoring them to your personal circumstances and needs. Gather the items that you already have in one place, and mark down the items that you still need to get. Designate your storage spot, the place in your home where you will keep your emergency kits, and keep your fledgling kit there. Take a list with you to the grocery store the next time you go grocery shopping and pick up a few items each time until your kit is complete. Just start now, and keep working on it!

A Word About Storage: Store kits in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight, preferably in a closet near the front entrance of your home. Remember in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency, this kit should be readily accessible at a moment’s notice. Placing kits in the back of storage sheds, under stairs or in other areas which may become inaccessible in an emergency may render them useless. Careful thought and planning should go into the storage location of your family’s emergency kits.

Happy Homemaking!