How long has it been sense you checked and refurbished your 72 hour kits? My guess is that most of us get excited about creating a new 72 hour kit and once it is complete we allow the secure feeling we enjoy to last far longer than the expiration dates on the products we packed.
A 72 hour kit is different from general food storage in that many of the items in it have to be rotated or thrown out every 6 months. Children grow and so clothing needs to be changed out every 6 months or so. And any stored over-the-counter drugs will need to be thrown out and replaced every 6 months. Packaging materials will eventually break down and crack and so it is important to replace older containers with fresh ones.
I put together our first 72 hour kit back in the mid 70's. We kept it in our garage where weather and rodents had their way with it. About 15 years later, the once strong, plastic, lid had cracked and disintegrated causing it to cave into the large bucket it had been protecting. Not only did I need a new container but I discovered that the stored food, water and medical supplies were no longer usable.
So I decided to think differently about our 72 hour kits and how to keep them updated and ready for any emergency, whenever and wherever it occurred. Here is what I came up with.
Write down what your immediate needs are. Do your children have kits under their beds, in their cars? Do you have one in your car, under your desk at work? Is there a large one for each person in the entry closet - on wheels? Do your kids know what they are for and when to use them?
If you had to be completely on your own for 3 days before getting back to your traditional food storage what exactly would you need? Most people think of a first aid kit, food, water and a blanket, but what about hygiene supplies including a toothbrush, tissue, tampons, condoms? What about 3 days worth of diapers, medications, both over the counter and prescription drugs? Will you be outside until you get permission to get back into your home? - you might need sunscreen.
All 72 hour kits need to have a whistle attached to it. There are specifically made whistles that you can get from your local fire or police department for free that are very loud. You need a solar or hand crank operated radio. Flash lights, a makeshift toilet, solar or fuel-can cooking equipment. Compact and healthy food choices like MRE meals and individually boxed water. You will need warm clothing and bedding other than the mylar reflective blankets. You may need a few dollars or phone change, especially if your cell phone runs out of battery.
Here is a more comprehensive list of things you need to have in each of the kits in your home, car and at work.
Food and Water
(A three day supply of food and water, per person, when no refrigeration or cooking is available)
* Protein/Granola Bars (or a 3-meal whole food bar from survival stores or online at www.emergencyessentials.com
* Trail Mix/Dried Fruit
* Crackers/Cereals (for munching)
* Canned Tuna, Beans, Turkey, Beef, Vienna Sausages, etc ("pop-top" cans that open without a can-opener might not be a good idea, read this warning from one site visitor.)
* Canned Juice
* Candy/Gum (warning: using mint gum might make everything taste like mint.
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Bedding and Clothing
* Change of Clothing (short and long sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, socks, etc.)
* Undergarments
* Rain Coat/Poncho
* Blankets and Emergency Heat Blanks (that keep in warmth)
* Cloth Sheet
* Plastic Sheet
Fuel and Light
* Battery Lighting (Flashlights, Lamps, etc.) Don't forget batteries!
* Extra Batteries
* Flares
* Candles
* Lighter
* Water-Proof Matches
Equipment
* Can Opener
* Dishes/Utensils
* Shovel
* Radio (with batteries!)
* Pen and Paper
* Axe
* Pocket Knife
* Rope
Personal Supplies and Medication
* First Aid Supplies
* Toiletries (roll of toilet paper- remove the center tube to easily flatten into a zip-lock bag, feminine hygiene, folding brush, etc.)
* Cleaning Supplies (mini hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc.)
* Immunizations Up-to Date
* Medication (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, children's medication etc.)
* Prescription Medication (for 3 days)
Personal Documents and Money
(Place these items in a water-proof container!)
* Scriptures
* Genealogy Records
* Patriarchal Blessing
* Legal Documents (Birth/Marriage Certificates, Wills, Passports, Contracts, etc)
* Vaccination Papers
* Insurance Policies
* Cash
* Credit Card
* Pre-Paid Phone Cards
Miscellaneous
* Travel Bags on wheels to put 72 Hour Kit items in (duffel bags or back packs, work great) Make sure you can lift/carry it! Children should have child sized packs on rollers that they can easily maneuver. They should be kept under their bed.
* Infant Needs can be added to a separate pocket on the baby bag you already use. For your complete kit including cooking supplies and large items you may want to invest in a large, heavy duty, Rubber Made Box on wheels. Each parent should have one of these with enough items to take care of the family for 3 days.
Notes:
1. Update your 72 Hour Kit every six months (put a note in your calendar/planner) to make sure that: all food, water, and medication is fresh and has not expired; clothing fits; personal documents and credit cards are up to date; and batteries are charged.
2. Small toys/games are important too as they will provide some comfort and entertainment during a stressful time.
3. Older children can be responsible for their own pack of items/clothes too.
4. You can include any other items in your 72 Hour Kit that you feel are necessary for your family's survival.
Start by going through your garage, closets and cupboards to find items you already have that can be utilized in your kits. You wold be surprised to find that you will have very little to purchase. Then look online at LDS focused emergency supply stores such as http://www.beprepared.com
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