72 Hour Emergency Kit

By Rachel Woods, About LDS Guide, http://lds.about.com

Notes:

Update your kit every six months (put a note in your calendar/planner) to make sure that: all food, water, and medication are fresh (not expired), clothing fits, personal documents and credit cards are up to date, and batteries are charged.

Small toys/games are important too as they will provide some comfort and entertainment during a stressful time.

Older children can be responsible for their own pack of items/clothes too.

You can include any other items you feel are necessary for your family’s survival.

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.

Food and Water

  • (3 day supply of food & water per no refrigeration/cooking is available)
  • Protein/Granola Bars
  • Trail Mix/Dried Fruit
  • Crackers/Cereals (for munching)
  • Canned Tuna, Beans, Meat, Vienna Sausages, etc (“pop-top” cans might leak/
  • explode & Jerky can “flavor” other items)
  • Canned Juice
  • Candy/Gum (Jolly ranchers can melt & mint gum might “flavor” other items)
  • Water (1 Gallon/4 Liters per person)


Bedding and Clothing

  • Change of Clothing (short and long sleeve shirts, pants, socks, jackets, etc.)
  • Undergarments
  • Rain Coat /Poncho
  • Blankets and Emergency Heat Blankets
  • Cloth Sheet
  • Plastic Sheet


Fuel & Light

  • Battery Lighting (Flashlights, Lamps)
  • Extra Batteries
  • Flares
  • Candles
  • Lighter
  • Water-Proof Matches


Miscellaneous

  • Bag or Bags to put 72 hour kit items in (such as duffel bags or hiking back packs, which work great)
  • Infant Needs (if applicable)


Equipment

  • Can Opener
  • Dishes/Utensils
  • Shovel
  • Radio (with batteries!)
  • Pen and Paper
  • Axe
  • Pocket Knife
  • Rope
  • Duct Tape


Personal Supplies & Medication

  • First Aid Supplies
  • Toiletries (roll of toilet paper—remove 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!)
  • Scriptures (miniature ones are lighter)
  • Genealogy Records
  • Patriarchal Blessing
  • Legal Documents (Birth/Marriage
  • Certificates, Wills, Passports, Contracts)
  • Vaccination Papers
  • Insurance Policies
  • Cash
  • Credit Card
  • Pre-Paid Phone Cards
  • 72 Hour Emergency Kit