General Family Preparedness

Why Preparedness?

Disasters can affect any part of the United States at any time of the year, swiftly and without warning. Most people don't think of a disaster until it is too late; then they suddenly realize how unprepared they are for the massive changes it makes in their lives. Local officials can be overwhelmed and emergency response personnel may not be able to reach everyone who needs help right away.

Each type of disaster requires clean-up and recovery. The period after a disaster is often very difficult for families, at times as devastating as the disaster itself. Families which are prepared ahead of time can reduce the fear, confusion and losses that come with disaster. They can be ready to evacuate their homes, know what to expect in public shelters and how to provide basic first aid.

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Emergency Survival 72 Hour Kits

I’m sure everyone has heard about the earthquake that hit in Virginia this week.  I always get so nervous when I hear about natural disasters and being prepared in case one hits close to home.  When disaster hits, it can take up to 3 days for relief workers to reach some areas. Having a 72 hour kit will supply you with supplies and food you need to survive for 3 days.

Continue reading at six sisters stuff:  sixsistersstuff.com emergency-survival-72-hour-kits

Vehicle Emergency Kits

What should you put in your vehicle kit?  It depends on how many people ride in your vehicle, when and where you travel.

Everyone needs the basics....

• A good First Aid Kit
• A basic Set of Tools
• A Good Set of Jumper Cables
• A Coat or Jacket
• Flares and Reflective Triangle
• Gloves
• An old Rug or Mat to lay on
• Water
• Food or Nourishment of some type that will survive the hostile environment of your trunk
• A Blanket 
• A Shovel

Add to these contents based on your lifestyle.  If you drive very far to work you may want to add a good set of walking shoes.

72 Hour Kits

When it comes to having a 72 Hour Kit, having one that is hand's free is a big plus. The reality is though, you cannot fit everything into one back pack. The items that I have listed below are for one person (less shelter materials). Each person should have their own and personalize it to their own needs. Younger children's items will have to fit into an adults. Children that are old enough to carry a back pack should have their own. The food items and toiletry items I have put into a 5 gallon bucket.

72 Hour Back Pack
Wash cloth
Hand Towel
Folding Camp stove (Sterno Brand)
2-cans of Sterno canned heat
50 feet of rope
2- rolls of toilet paper
Hat
Gloves
Sweat pants (or something to sleep in)
Work Pants
Pull over Jacket
2- pairs of socks
Short sleeve shirt
Handkerchief/bandanna
11' X 15' tarp
Underwear
Small sleeping bag or blanket
Twine
Flashlight (with extra batteries)
Radios
Money (cash) /credit card
Heat Pad
Compressed fuel
Matches (strike anywhere)
Garbage bags
2- light sticks (glow sticks)
Playing cards or some sort of entertainment

Personal Hygiene Kit
Dish soap
Bar soap
Tooth paste
Comb
Chapstick
Disposable razor
Mirror
Lotion


First Aid Kit
Gauze
Bandages
Sewing Kit
Scissors
Paper and pen or pencil
Pocket Knife
Personal Medications
Aspirin or pain relievers
Cotton Balls
Tweezers
Disposable diaper (works well for dress wounds)

All of the above items will fit into a decent size Back Pack.

5 Gallon Bucket
Mess Kit (If you do not know what this is, ask a Boy Scout)
Matches (strike anywhere)
Plastic utensils
Garbage bags (large and small)
1-Gallon of water (1 gallon of water is needed per person per day)
 water purification tablets
 small container of bleach (use for toilet or to kill bacteria in drinking water)
3-Instant Oatmeal
3-Cans of soup, spagettios, etc.
3-M.R.E. (Meals Ready to Eat)
Toilet Paper
Fruit snacks or crackers

The 5 gallon bucket can be used for a multitude of things such as a toilet with the garbage bags for liners. If the bucket is metal, water could be boiled in it for emergency drinking water. (Boiling water for 2 mins. kills any bacteria in the water) Or the bucket could be simply used as a seat if it has a lid. The idea with using this with a back pack is that it will give a adequate supply of sustaining life for 72 hours......except for the water. Water is difficult to carry and you would need 3 gallons total for the 72 hours. We have 5 gallon water jugs stored with our 72 hour kits that could be carried in a vehicle.