72 HOUR KITS should really be 120 hour kits!

Learn from others--it took 5 days for help to get to the people in Chile! Their government thought they were well prepared because of the history of earthquakes there.

Look to recent events:

*Katrina    *Midwest Floods *Winter storms in the Northeast   *Haiti * Japan * Chile * Taiwan *California Fires* Tidel Waves.

Can we really think that our turn isn't coming?? 

The reality is that it just isn't possible, in the real world, for large scale response to occur quickly, relative to what many people seem to expect. Too many naively expect the government to come riding to their rescue immediately. This isn't like dialing 9-1-1. It just doesn't work that way. If more people took some responsibility for their own preparedness, the available resources would get to those who truly need it much quicker. People who could do so, but fail to prepare not only hurt themselves, they cheat everyone else as well.

Things I have noticed on the news reports that people are experiencing:
*people have water, but won’t share, it is for themselves

* looting within 24 hours

* curfews

* People in streets with no supplies

* 5 days before water/food/ supplies get to the people.

* gangs forming

*Crime going rampade

If you don't want to be one of those standing in lines for hours waiting for water or food or ice and complaining incessantly on TV,  make the effort to prepare. Many of those who find themselves standing in these lines in many disasters could have prepared but did not. Don't be one of them!!

Emergency preparedness doesn't have to be expensive and you don't have to buy special survival gear and supplies. It's quite easy to assemble a basic 72 hour Emergency/Survival Kit with a trip to the supermarket and hardware store. That doesn't mean it will be the lightest possible kit, nor take up the least volume, as if you used specialty products, but it will suffice to keep you going when things take a turn for the worse.

I don’t recommend Buying Pre-made 72-Hour Kits. There are numerous commercially prepared 72 hour kits for sale, which sell like mad after every major disaster. You can use the list below to figure out if such kits really have what you need, but as always, be mindful of the quality of equipment and supplies included, not just what is there and the quantity. These companies make money by selling pre-made 72-hour kits. Although they have good intentions, these pre-made kits really are not a good idea because a 72-hour kit needs to be tailored to individual needs. It can also be less expensive to buy the essential items separately, which is important if 72 hour kits need to be made for a large family.

The essentials you need to survive for the short term are water and shelter. Everything else is really a luxury. That's not to say there aren't significant advantages to having food and medical supplies and the rest, but in terms of priority, they come second after the most basic essentials.

How do we prepared?

Prepared in Five Steps

1 DISCUSS the disasters most likely to happen in our area and their impact on your family’s safety. Hazards in our area include home fires, severe winter weather and storms, earthquakes, flooding, and hazardous materials threats. Riots, pandemic, ....

2 TRAIN all family members. Learn first aid . Learn to use a fire extinguisher and how to shut off utilities. Do not take the chance that the only person who knows first aid or how to turn off the natural gas will be at home when needed.  Even small children can do somethings, they are smarter than we give them credit for!!

3 ASSEMBLE your disaster supplies into a personal 72(120 hr) hour emergency preparedness kit. This would include food, water, clothing and medications to last you at least 72 (120)hours. You need enough supplies for each family member. (see list below)

4 IDENTIFY in and out of state emergency contact names and numbers and provide copies to each family member. Post a copy near your phone and put copies in your 72 hour disaster supplies kit. When local phone service is out, family members can use their out-of-state contact to relay messages. Put number’s in your cell phone.

5 MAINTAIN your readiness. Review your disaster preparedness plan with your family at least once a year. Identify what new training, equipment or supplies you may need. Replace batteries, update clothes.

Finally, don't rob your emergency kit when you need something for non-emergency use. You'll never remember to replace it and it won't be there when you really, really need it.

*****Don't forget your identification, money and critical important papers. Driver Licenses, Social Security cards, Medications with Name and Dosage (copy of prescription or label is best), Immunization cards for children, insurance documents, name and phone numbers of insurance agent(s) and main offices of insurance carrier, family and friends out of area that you can depend upon in an emergency, names of lawyers, copies of deeds, titles and inventory list of belongings (a video record could be useful), Spare Keys to house, cars, safety deposit box, etc. Money can solve a lot of problems in the days and weeks immediately after a disaster. Small bills so your not giving $100 bill for a bottle of water.

 How to carry all this stuff?

*Trash can on Wheels (hands not free)   *Suit cases on wheels   *duffle bag  *foot locker  *framed backpack    *day pack   * fishing vest     *Milk jugs cut open and tied together  * cooler on wheels * 5-6 gal. bucket with lid  *whatever works for you, be creative.

Suggestions & Reminders

¨ Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. I keep my kit in the trunk of my car. I am where my car is most of the time!

¨ Keep items in air tight plastic bags. So they don't leak onto clothing and other items in your kit.

¨ Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh.

¨ Rotate your stored food every six months.

¨ Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications.

¨ If you store important records on computers, keep backup copies on diskettes and/or keep hard copies on file. Thumb drive is good for this purpose.

 Keep the tanks on your vehicles full of gas for emergency evacuations.

AGAIN.....
If you don't want to be one of those standing in lines for hours waiting for water or food or ice and complaining incessantly on TV,  make the effort to prepare. Many of those who find themselves standing in these lines in many disasters could have prepared and did not.




Suggestions for items in a 72 (120 Hour) kit--put in it what you think YOU will need or want:  (This is about YOU)

72-Hour Kit Checklist  (120 Hours)

You should prepare a portable kit for each member of your family.

• WATER. Store 1 gallon of water per person per day. Keep at least a three day supply of water. Or tables, filter etc.

• FOOD and UTENSILS. At least one to three-day supply of nonperishable food that could include ready-to-eat meats, juices, high-energy foods such as granola or power bars.

• NOAA WEATHER ALERT RADIO, either hand crank or battery powered, extra batteries if needed.

• BLANKETS/PILLOWS/SLEEPING BAG

• FLASHLIGHT and extra batteries or hand crank, or light sticks. Do not use candles/open flame during an emergency.

• WHISTLE for emergency signal. Ready to hang around neck. Teach kids the approprate time to use an emergency whistle.

• DUST or FILTER MASKS, readily available in hardware, N95 mask recommended for preventing halation of airborne particles.

• MOIST TOWELETTES or Baby  Wipes for sanitation

• TOOLS - Wrench or Pliers to turn off utilities, Broom, Shovel, Hammer and Working Gloves.

• CAN OPENER for for food (if kit contains canned items).

• PLASTIC SHEETING and DUCT TAPE to “seal the room” for sheltering in place.

• MEDICATIONS to include prescription and non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, stomach remedies and etc.

• FIRST AID SUPPLIES. An assortment of bandages, ointments, gauze pads, cold/hot packs, tweezers, scissors and sanitizer.

• PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS to include at least one change of clothing/shoes/outerware. Don't forget toothpaste/brush, soap, etc.

• GARBAGE BAGS and plastic ties for personal sanitation.

• PAPER SUPPLIES. Note pads, markers, pens, pencils, plates, napkins, paper towels and etc.

• CAMERA. Disposable camera to record damage.

• CASH. Keep enough cash for immediate needs in small denominations.

• EMERGENCY CONTACT PHONE LIST.

• MAPS. Local road and area maps.

• MEDICAL HISTORY LISTS. For every family member in your home make a list of medical history, all medications (by name) and dosages.

Emergency Container Tip:

Create emergency kit(s) and store in any type of containers with wheels. Such as for the larger kits;garbage cans, foot-lockers, chest, duffle bags, tote bags, ice chest, various size suitcases or various size plastic boxes. A water-tight container is most ideal for keeping a 72-Hour Kit.

Suggested Areas To Store Emergency Kit(s): Store grab-and-go food and water container where easy to access in case you are advised to evacuate. Children and adults keep their emergency kit(s) in their bedrooms. Let the children have responsibility for their own backpack and have the older children buddy-up and take care of younger brothers or sisters. Mom, dad take care of baby.

If a senior citizen resides with the family, also buddy-up and help them for they move slower and a backpack
may be too heavy for them to carry.

Re-think where all of your camping gear is located throughout the household. Keep in one area if possible for easy access so youʼre not looking in the dark with a flashlight for things.

Always keep a pair of hard sole shoes underneath your bed.

Be Ready!! Be Safe!! Be Calm!!