subject: What Should Go Into Your 72-hour Kit? [print this page] As most of us know all too well, 2010 was a year of intense suffering across the globe. Not only was much of the world rocked by a devastating recession, there were also natural disasters of unbelievable proportions, claiming the lives of young and old, rich and poor.
Unfortunately, a lack of preparedness is partially to blame. It can be difficult to anticipate precisely what you will need in the event of a crisis, but one crucial ingredient to any family's preparedness plan is a 72-hour kit, which, as it sounds, is a convenient assemblage of items that your family will be able to grab and go in the event of a disaster that requires evacuation.
So what are the essential items to include in your family's 72-hour kits? Well, you should know that each member of your family should have their own kit. Now, of course, very young children--infants and toddlers, to be specific--will not need as much food or other supplies, so their rations can be included in an adults' assemblage.
For easy transport, kits should be packed into sturdy, waterproof backpacks. Many companies that specialize in emergency preparedness sell pre-packed kits, so this is certainly an option to consider, but sometimes the backpacks they choose aren't high-quality and can easy tear or allow moisture in to contaminate the contents. If the convenience still appeals to you, make sure that you order from a reputable company. Don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have.
If you decide to build your own kit, then make sure you add items to it at regular intervals. For example, my spouse has decided to purchase at least two freeze dried meals every time we go grocery shopping at week's end.
Fill your kit with the essentials first: freeze dried meals and nonperishable snacks are the most important things, as dependable meals during this time will be hard to come by. Select high-fiber, high-calorie foods, as those rations will go furthest. Don't forget the water, either! Your family won't get far without purified drinking water.
Then turn your attention to fuel and warmth. Every kit needs waterproof matches, long-burning candles, emergency fuel, and so on. Flares and flashlights, along with extra batteries, will be useful. Compact emergency blankets and ponchos will also be necessary.
Sanitary measures should be taken. Include several rolls of toilet paper, along with sanitary wet wipes, sanitation bags, and for the ladies, feminine hygiene products. If you have an infant, make sure that you pack away diapers and baby powder.
These are just a few of the products you will need to have in your kit. For more ideas, you should consult with an expert in emergency preparedness. Keep the kits together in a place where they will be easily accessible. Hopefully you will never really need them, but if you do, you will be grateful that you put them together.
