Based on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Ready.gov), each family needs to be prepared for disasters and sudden evacuations. You can carry this out by creating a basic disaster kit with appropriate essentials to last at least three days. A 72-hour kit should have the basics like food, water, medicine, and other necessities. While there are many prepackaged emergency kits available for purchase, they are expensive and usually don’t have supplies that suit your family’s unique situation. The preferred and more affordable option is to make a 72-hour kit for you and your family or friends.
So how do you make an emergency kit? There are instructions on how to create a basic emergency preparedness kit on Ready.gov. Think about this list as a beginning point for your family’s 72-hour kit. For example, you’ll need a way to keep and carry your items capably and to keep the elements out. A few ideas are to use a duffel bag, backpacks, or plastic bins. Then, you’ll want to check that all of the items in your kit are sealed in airtight plastic bags to keep them safe and dry.
As soon as you have a safe way to store and carry your emergency kit, you can start adding basic items like water and food. Ready.gov has a full list you can download and print. But a good rule of thumb is to include at least one gallon of water per person per day in your kit, plus a three-day supply of non-perishable food items for each person. If you want to use canned goods in your kit, don’t forget to add a manual can opener, too. Other basic survival supplies, such as flashlights, extra batteries, matches, or a lighter, a first aid kit, moist towelettes, and garbage bags, should also be included in your kit, in addition to any prescription medications or medical supplies your family might need. If you have room, try adding one change of clothes and shoes for each person and a blanket or sleeping bag.
Once you have the basics, you can start adding items that are unique to your family’s circumstances. For example, if you have infants or pets in your family, don’t forget to add baby supplies and pet food to your kit. It may also be important to add things like feminine hygiene products, contact lens solution, or over-the-counter medications that are used regularly. Finally, you might consider adding copies of important family documents, identification records, and cash or traveler’s checks to your emergency kit. Just make sure that cash and passports, together with any other paper documents, are stored in a waterproof container.
A major fragment of making a 72-hour kit for your family is retaining it from year to year. It is fundamental to check and replace expired food items as needed, as well as update your kit as your family’s needs change. Finally, you’ll need to determine where to keep your kit. It is best to choose a location that is both secure and easy to access, just in case you need to leave quickly. Be sure that each member of your family knows where the kit is, just in case. You might also consider making a smaller emergency kit for your car if something happens while you are away from home.