72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Kit
This kit is meant to provide for the basic needs of an individual or family for up to 72 hours in the event of an emergency or disaster. This household kit should include the following: WATER, FOOD, FIRST AID SUPPLIES, CLOTHING AND BEDDING, TOOLS AND SUPPLIES, AND SPECIAL ITEMS.
Your home 72-hour kit should contain at least the following items:
•One gallon of water per person per day. This means at least three gallons of water per person.
One gallon of water per person per day. This means at least three gallons of water per person. •Sufficient non-perishable food for three days. Ideally, these foods will be lightweight and high in energy. If you pack canned foods, remember a can opener!
Sufficient non-perishable food for three days. Ideally, these foods will be lightweight and high in energy. If you pack canned foods, remember a can opener! •Prescription and non-prescription medications. Include a spare set of glasses, if you need them.
Prescription and non-prescription medications. Include a spare set of glasses, if you need them. •Battery powered portable radio. This may be your only source of information during a disaster.
Battery powered portable radio. This may be your only source of information during a disaster. •First aid kit. The small camping kits work well. Remember to get enough supplies for the number of people who may be using them.
First aid kit. The small camping kits work well. Remember to get enough supplies for the number of people who may be using them. •Personal hygiene items.
Personal hygiene items. •Clothing and bedding. A spare pair of socks and a space saver blanket would be a minimum.
Clothing and bedding. A spare pair of socks and a space saver blanket would be a minimum. •Special items such as baby needs or contact lens supplies, etc.
Special items such as baby needs or contact lens supplies, etc. •Personal comfort items. Books, games, personal electronics, etc.
Personal comfort items. Books, games, personal electronics, etc. WATER- Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Keep at least a three day supply of water (one gallon of water per person--two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation and sanitation) for each household member.
FOOD- Store at least a three day supply of non-perishable food which may include the following:
•Ready-to-eat canned meat, and fruits
Ready-to-eat canned meat, and fruits •Canned juices, milk, soups, and vegetables
Canned juices, milk, soups, and vegetables •High energy foods such as peanut butter, trail mix, granola bars, and crackers
High energy foods such as peanut butter, trail mix, granola bars, and crackers •Foods for infants, elderly or other people on special diets
Foods for infants, elderly or other people on special diets •Stress food such as cookies, hard candy, and sweetened cereals
Stress food such as cookies, hard candy, and sweetened cereals •Vitamins and staples (sugar, pepper,salt).
Vitamins and staples (sugar, pepper,salt). PKU Formula and Food (72 Hour Kit- PKU Food Suggestions).
FIRST AID SUPPLIES- assemble (or purchase) a kit for your home and automobile. A first aid kit should include the following:
•Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes •Two and four inch sterile gauze pads (4-6 each)
Two and four inch sterile gauze pads (4-6 each) •Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
Hypoallergenic adhesive tape •Scissors, tweezers, needles, safety pins and a thermometer
Scissors, tweezers, needles, safety pins and a thermometer •Antiseptic, cleaning agent or soap
Antiseptic, cleaning agent or soap •latex gloves (2 pair)
latex gloves (2 pair) •Sunscreen, and a tube of petroleum jelly
Sunscreen, and a tube of petroleum jelly •Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center) •Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever • Antacid, laxative, anti-diarrhea medication.
Antacid, laxative, anti-diarrhea medication. TOOLS AND SUPPLIES- Items might include the following:
•Paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils
Paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils •Battery operated radio and extra batteries
Battery operated radio and extra batteries •Flashlight and extra batteries
Flashlight and extra batteries •Non-electric can opener and utility knive
Non-electric can opener and utility knive •Fire extinguisher (ABC type)
Fire extinguisher (ABC type) •Matches in waterproof container
Matches in waterproof container •Toilet paper and household chlorine bleach
Toilet paper and household chlorine bleach •Feminine supplies
Feminine supplies •A shut-off wrench to turn off household water and gas
A shut-off wrench to turn off household water and gas •Plastic garbage bags and ties (for sanitary uses).
Plastic garbage bags and ties (for sanitary uses). CLOTHING AND BEDDING- Assemble a kit that might include:
•Rain gear and sturdy shoes
Rain gear and sturdy shoes •Sleeping bags or blankets
Sleeping bags or blankets •Hats and Gloves
Hats and Gloves •Thermal underwear
Thermal underwearSPECIAL ITEMS- This might include baby supplies, medication, important family records, and entertainment material (books and games),
STORING EMERGENCY SUPPLIES-
•Choose a location, such as a closet or "safety corner" in the garage, where it is cool and dark If you live in an apartment or have limited space, be innovative Other possible storage locations include under the bed, under stairways, or even in a large box or plastic tub that can be covered with a tablecloth and used as an end table.
Choose a location, such as a closet or "safety corner" in the garage, where it is cool and dark If you live in an apartment or have limited space, be innovative Other possible storage locations include under the bed, under stairways, or even in a large box or plastic tub that can be covered with a tablecloth and used as an end table. •Layer supplies as shown, and keep them together in a container such as a plastic garbage can with wheels. Check every 6 months for food expiration dates, children's clothing sizes, etc.
Layer supplies as shown, and keep them together in a container such as a plastic garbage can with wheels. Check every 6 months for food expiration dates, children's clothing sizes, etc. •Start with what you already have. If you're a camper or backpacker, you've got a head start. Your tent, cook stove, and other gear can double as emergency supplies.
Start with what you already have. If you're a camper or backpacker, you've got a head start. Your tent, cook stove, and other gear can double as emergency supplies.When a disaster strikes, your community emergency services and government agencies may not be able to respond to your needs immediately. Their buildings, equipment, personnel, communications, and mobility may be severely hampered by the event. They will be overwhelmed.
Maintain and exercise your plan and 72-hour kit. Your plan is like a plant. If you ignore it will die. To keep your plan healthy, you should go over it with each family member at least once every six months. One way to do this is to make a night of it. Pick one night to go over the plan, practice escape routes and contact procedures, call your out of area contact (they'd probably like to hear from you), change the batteries in your smoke detector, and cycle the food and water in your 72 hour kit. This is a fun way to ensure that your family is prepared to react in the event of a disaster.
