72 Hour Kits - Where to Begin?
/72 Hour Kits – Where to Start?
“If Ye Are Prepared, Ye Shall Not Fear”
Acquiring the items necessary for these kits is a daunting task! As a young mom over 30 years ago, I felt as though I would be required to eat that elephant all in one meal, and was certain the 9.0 earthquake was going to hit tomorrow!!!! I finally stepped back and took a deep breath – it’s much easier to eat the elephant one bite at a time, and I’m still working on my kits 30 plus years later . . . But I’ve learned a few things over the years. And I’m excited to share these with you! If it seems like something that feels right for your family then go with it. If not, make a different choice that works for you. Every family has different needs and your kit should contain the things that are the most important and necessary for each family member.
These are all just suggestions from the “Book of Leslie”, based on many classes I’ve gone to as well as books, manuals, and articles I read or watched online. One of the things I started with in the beginning was just trying to get our kits assembled the cheapest way possible. After acquiring some of these items, it soon became apparent that some of these items would not last very long, and were cheaply made. So once I felt I had a decent kit for each person with very basic necessities, I began adding or changing out items for better quality. Better quality generally means more money, and it’s difficult to justify spending a lot of money on something that may or may not EVER be used! As I looked at what I had, and thought to myself – “What would I want to have in my kit if I were ever faced with ACTUALLY having to use it?” That thought process changed the way I bought things. Yes, it took me longer to put them together, but the kits I have today are things I would be HAPPY and COMFORTABLE using. As much as possible I’ve tried to buy the best quality I could afford at the time, as well as items that we use on a daily basis in our NORMAL lives. A good example is the type of brush and comb I had in each kit initially. They were cheap, and not something I would choose to use on a daily basis under normal circumstances. So I started buying a new brush and comb here and there for each family member - the exact same type of brush and comb they use every day. That means each person might have a different comb and brush. Under scary circumstances, there is something to be said about having “the comforts of home” with you. So it might just be a toothbrush, or a comb, or a brush, or deodorant, or perfume even . . . but if you were to have the same things in your 72 hour toiletry kit that you use every day, the anxiety of being in an emergency state in my mind would not be as bad. Suggestions for toiletry kits will come in a later edition.
I also got creative and started giving my kids “stocking stuffers” or even bigger items for their 72 Hour Kits as birthday and Christmas gifts. One year we each got a really nice sleeping bag from REI for our birthdays, and we actually went camping after we all got them, and had a fun time! We still have those bags today, and they’ve been used for many different outings and occasions!
So over the next year, we will be emailing out a list of suggested things to acquire every three months. Put these things on your Amazon, Costco, Sam’s Club, or grocery list, and start picking SOMETHING up every single month! Don’t break the bank, just do what you can!
Beginning in October, these items would make great Christmas gifts! I would start with a good container, and a way to transport it. Chances are highly likely we would be able to shelter at home or somewhere close in our neighborhood in the event of an emergency. This is why it’s important to have supplies of food and necessities in our home storages. In the event we would need to evacuate, the following supplies would make it much easier.
Rolling Wagon – 1-2 or more based on family size I got one for each of my kids for Christmas a couple years ago from Costco. I think Sam’s has them too at certain times of the year. Below is the link from Amazon – choose the best one you can afford.
Back Pack or Duffle Bag – 1 for each family member I started out with a nice back pack from Costco for each member of our family. After Hurricane Katrina, I decided we needed to pack for more than 72 hours, and a back pack was no longer big enough. I ordered a heavy duty water resistant duffle bag from LL Bean for each of us and made the old back packs into Emergency Kits for our cars – saving the kid’s back packs for when they started driving. I bought mine when LL Bean had them on sale or clearance. I ordered enough so that I had one for each of us, as well as one for each kid’s future spouse. (Because I put a kit together for their future spouse, and added to them each time I added to my kid’s, I was able to give each of them an incredible 72-hour kit when they got married! Something I would not have been able to have afforded on top of the wedding expenses. And now I have the peace of mind of knowing they have a great 72 Hour Kit of their own.) I personally have a very large kit in a very large duffle bag with supplies for an entire family in addition to a personal duffle bag, and 6 gallon bucket with a gamma-seal lid, and folding rolling cart for each person.
Folding – Rolling Hand Cart I originally got mine at Costco, but they are available on Amazon as well. I bought one for each family member. This cart is perfect to place a 6 gallon plastic bucket with gamma seal lid on first, and then place the duffle bag on top of the bucket secured in place with two bungee cords.
https://www.amazon.com/Magna-Personal-Capacity-Aluminum-Folding/dp/B000HVVSDU?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1
6 Gallon Bucket with Gamma Seal Lid These buckets are the same diameter as the 5 gallon ones, they are just taller, making a more comfortable seat to sit on if necessary. I prefer them because they hold a little more in almost the same amount of space. And the gamma seal lids are easy to open, and are pretty much airtight. I put nothing but food and water in these buckets. Everything else goes in the duffle bag.
https://www.amazon.com/Gallon-Pail-Gamma-Seal-10-pack/dp/B00D3LBRLY
24” Flat Bungee Cords I actually bought mine at Lowes or Home Depot. The link below is from Amazon and will only let you purchase a variety of lengths. I like the flat ones because they seem to hold the bucket in place a little better on the rolling cart. You will need two cords per person. I keep mine inside the food bucket for storage, so they are ready at a moment’s notice.
By starting with this list of things, this gives you everything you need to start adding to your kit each month. I keep mine in my coat closet near the front door. Stashing it in the crawl space in your basement, or high up on a shelf in the garage, or under your kid’s beds is not the greatest place. It needs to be easily accessible, but in a place the kids won’t get into them and take the stuff out without you knowing.
These are just suggestions and things that I have tailored to work for our own little family. Please take the time to study and learn what will work best for yours. Ready.gov is a good place to start!