72 Hour Kit

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Today I updated our 72 hour kit. What is a 72 hour kit, well it is a bag with things you need to survive for 72 hours after a disaster.  Since I live in Arkansas that means tornado, flooding, earthquake, or any man-made disaster.  It takes the government usually about 72 hours to set up operations and provide help to people after a disaster so until then that means you have to take care of yourself.  We have a 72 hour kit in our house but a lot of people also keep one in their car and where they work so they will always have what they need.  While looking online I found a good checklist of items that should be in a 72 hour kit here. In addition to the list, which can vary on what you put in I would also add iodine tablets (which help with radiation poisoning), and pet food.  I put all my stuff in a backpack so  I only included what I really needed off the list (ex: flashlights so no candles). It is all about knowing what you need.  As far as food remember that in a real emergency you will need food that provides great energy so protein bars and food that does not require a lot of preparation. So I have protein bars, tuna fish lunch on the go packages, oatmeal/granola bars, small canned fruit that have a flip top.  You should not spend tons on money for a kit but should try to find things around the house that would work if possible. It may seem like you will never need this right now, but I don't want to take the chance that someday I won't have it when needed.