Faith Farm

72 hour kit

Good Morning friends!  Yesterday I read a preparedness manual that covered it all and had real life examples and commentary from Katrina survivors.  I must say-it was a very difficult read.  It did however change my point of view about the 72 hour emergency kits.  I have always thought they were a good idea to have.  I just thought that there is very little likelyhood that I would have to leave my place.  I have or am working on having everything I need here, so why would I need a BOB (bug-out-bag)?  Like with everything else around here-its a learning process-you live, you learn, you grow (and pray alot).  For some reason I never considered the events that having a 72 hour kit would make so much easier.  Take for example a short term evacuation ( I live a mile away from a busy train track), Natural weather events-(in my area tornadoes), Grass fire evacuation,  and the list goes on.  I guess I always thought that if I needed to leave, I would see it coming and have plenty of time to gather the emergency essentials.  Thats not a good plan.  I can't help but think of the terrible tragedy that is happening in the South now with the tornadoes. (God help them-we are praying for you) Did they have enough time to gather?  No.  So today I plan on actually pysically putting together an emergency kit for my family.  I am putting a list of suggested items for the kit below.  There is alot of good help on the web to assist you in putting together your own kit.  I personally like the 5-6 gallon bucket kits.  They are easily portable and can be used for a variety of things. One more thing I would like to say....if you have a chance to read some personal accounts of the Hurricane Katrina Survivors....you should.  I was incredibly surprised at some of the treatment that "prepared" homesteaders recieved from officials.  In the town I live near, we hosted several Katrina Victims so I had heard the evacuation horror stories (and they were bad), but I never heard about the difficulties of those who were prepared and lived close to the flooded areas...its well worth reading.

*** 72 Hour Kit Info You Need To Know ***

1) Your 72 hour kit should be in a portable container located near an exit of your house or better, sheltered in your backyard.

2) Each family member should have their own 72 hour kit with food, clothing and water. Distribute heavy items between kits.

3) Enclose the extra clothing, matches, personal documents, and other items damageable by smoke or water in plastic to protect them.

4) Keep a light source in the top of your 72 hour kit, so you can find it quickly in the dark.

5) Personalize your 72 hour kit. Make sure you fill the needs of each family member.

6) Inspect your 72 hour kit at least twice a year. Rotate food and water every six months. Don’t forget to check your medications. Check children’s clothing for proper fit. Adjust clothing for winter or summer needs. Check expiration dates on batteries, light sticks, warm packs, food and water.

7) Consider the needs of elderly people as well as those with handicaps or other special needs when building your 72 hour kit. For example: for babies, store diapers,

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{ 07:31, Thursday, February 7, 2008 } { Posted by Charity }

Thanks for sharing I will consider doing this as well.

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{ 08:27, Thursday, February 7, 2008 } { Posted by gokings13 }

Thank you for taking the time to share this information with us.
It is a great reference.
Thanks again!
Laura

ah ha!

{ 09:40, Wednesday, February 13, 2008 } { Posted by Daryn }

I have been looking for this post. I knew that I read it somewhere on someone's, but lost it. Would you mind copying and pasting it over at my blog? It is great information.