If you are in the mood to create your own emergency survival kit, here is a complete emergency preparedness list. Feel free to print this list out and use it as a check list when you are preparing your 72 hour kits. Also keep in mind that you might want to add your own items to this list and that is perfectly fine. If some of these don’t apply, don’t worry about them. The point is to help educate you about what you need so you can prepare your emergency kit right!
Food and Water
(You will need a three day supply of food and water, per person in your household, keep in mind that there is no refrigeration or cooking available)
- Protein/Granola Bars
- Trail Mix/Dried Fruit
- Crackers/Cereals
- Canned Tuna, Beans, Turkey, Beef, Vienna Sausages, etc
- Canned Juice
- Candy/Gum
- Water (1 Gallon/4 Liters Per Person)
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.)
- Extra Batteries
- Flares
- Candles
- Lighter
- Water-Proof Matches
Equipment
- Can Opener
- Dishes/Utensils
- Shovel
- Radio (with batteries!)
- Pen and Paper
- Axe
- Pocket Knife
- Rope
- Duct Tape
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. Warning: Scented soap might “flavor” food items.)
- 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!)
- Legal Documents (Birth/Marriage Certificates, Wills, Passports, Contracts, etc)
- Vaccination Papers
- Insurance Policies
- Cash
- Credit Card
- Pre-Paid Phone Cards
Miscellaneous
- Bag(s) to put 72 Hour Kit items in (such as duffel bags or back packs, which work great) Make sure you can lift/carry it!
- Infant Needs (if applicable)
Things to take note of:
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.
5. Some items and/or flavors might leak, melt, “flavor” other items, or break open. Dividing groups of items into individual Ziploc bags might help prevent this.