Emergency Packs
Plan for 3 days without electricity, clean water or help. Keep the kits somewhere were you could grab them in an emergency (not in the basement or back of your closet). A little is better than nothing. Start with what you can put together now—you can always add more.
6 things go in the Pack:
A note on babies and water: If you have any infants, or are expecting any in the next year, pack a 3-day supply of formula (powdered or premade) even if you are breastfeeding. Emergency situations can mean separation of mother and infant. And make sure you use only the cleanest water available to make formula or give an infant. Just because adults are tolerating the water doesn’t mean infants can. In third-world countries babies routinely die of dehydration from diarrhea from BAD WATER.
First Aid: Include supplies for treating injuries, critical illnesses and regular medications. You can get a basic kit anywhere. If it’s your family first aid kit, make sure it’s getting refilled yearly as well. If anyone in your family is fertile, include birth control (condoms, extra set of pills, etc.) Emergencies often drive even less active couples into each other’s arms for comfort. If nothing else, maybe you can trade them with other refugees for something worthwhile. Also, a good manual (Boy Scout manuals are great and easy to find) is priceless.
Hygiene: Basic supplies and a change of clothes. In an emergency, dry clothes, shoes or a coat can mean survival. I recommend putting all of these things in Ziploc or garbage bags to keep them dry.
Utility: This is basically heat and light, but may include other items as well. Again, VERY important these stay dry.
Papers: Hide these in your pack somewhere. Identification papers or copies: birth and marriage certificates, social security numbers, driver licenses and insurance information. If your house burned down, who would you call? Your homeowners insurance? What’s the number? It’s written down somewhere in your house, isn’t it? This is, by the way, an identity thief’s dream, so keep it hidden in the bottom of the pack.
Food: You want to plan for 9 meals per person. Make sure you have plenty of calories and protein, because most likely you will be burning them. Avoid foods that need something other than water to prepare and remember that canned foods are HEAVY. Be careful with dehydrated foods—remember they’re going to take some of your drinking water to rehydrate, either before or after you eat them.
Things to update/change yearly:
First Aid Kit
4 gloves
Medical tape
Bandages—very big to small
Antibiotic cream and/or alcohol
Regular medications for your family
Aspirin
Ipecac syrup/activated charcoal
Antivenin (especially in Utah)
Boy Scout or other first aid manual
Utility Pack
Flashlight and batteries
Matches
Thermal blanket
Poncho or tarp
Pocket knife
Water purification tablets or pump
Trash bags
*Whistle
*Compass
*Radio
Hygiene Kit
Soap
Wipes
Hand towel/washcloth
Shampoo/liquid soap
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
*Chapstick
*Comb
*Mouthwash
*Razor
*Shaving gel
*Sewing kit
*Hair ties
Food
Spoon
*Mess kit
Dish towel
Day 1
Breakfast
Instant oatmeal with dried fruit
Instant cocoa
Lunch
Cup of noodles
Granola bar
Juice box or Tang
Dinner
Macaroni and cheese (it actually works without milk and butter)
Day 2
Breakfast
Granola with dried fruit
Juice box
Lunch
Crackers
Nuts
Dinner
Dry soup mix
Day 3
Breakfast
Instant oatmeal with dried fruit
Instant cocoa
Lunch
Jerky
Trail mix
Juice box or Tang
Dinner
Cup of soup or MRE
Name::Sarah Jean
We do. Two goldfish, guaranteed for 14 days unless they are deliberately fed to another pet or human being by the good people at Petsmart. We'll see how this goes...
