Thursday, October 31, 2013

The Facts On A 72 Hour Emergency Kit

By Kelly Wood


A 72 hour emergency kit is designed to keep people safe in dangerous and disastrous situations. It is highly encouraged that all families or individuals have access to these in case of emergencies. You may never know when you might be forced to evacuate with short notice and must only grab the essentials. You may not have the time to search or shop for necessary supplies. These kits should feature basic items from the household that may be needed during emergencies.

After a major emergency, you may have to survive on your own for a few days. This means that you will need a supply of water, food and other goods in order to last for at least 72 hours. Local relief workers and officials may be on scene following a disaster trying to help everyone. Still, it could take many hours or days before you are brought back into safety.

Furthermore, when these situations take place, the services that we normally have access to may not be in operation. Electricity, gas, telephone and sewage treatment may be unavailable. In fact, these services may be unavailable for a long period of time, depending on the state of emergency. Your supply kit should include goods that help you manage despite the outages.

Things included in these may be based on the people putting the kit together. Everyone may need something different. Nonetheless, there are numerous things that should be standard in most of these packs. The main categorizations of items to include: food and water, money and personal documents, personal supplies and medication, equipment, fuel and light, and bedding and clothing.

It is suggested that emergency kits be updated every six months. All water, medication and food should be fresh and not old. The clothes should fit properly and the personal documents must be up to date. All batteries should be fully charged. Some of the items included may leak, melt, or break open. Divide items like this in bags to prevent problems from arising. Most of the older kids in a family should be able to pack their own goods. Small children might benefit from having small toys or games available to keep them occupied and comfortable during a stressful time.

Families should have a game plan for these situations. Every member should know where and what the kit is. They should also know what actions to take, especially when there are many people in the household. Emergencies are usually unexpected so it is good to be prepared for these cases as best as possible.

There is no one universal kit designed for all. Keep in mind the needs of you and your family. Make sure it is customized to you. Include all that you feel is necessary for the survival of your family. As these packs are designed to sustain life for 72 hours, be sure to ration accordingly if you do not expect to reach safety within that period of time. Be smart.

Individuals and families should consider making a 72 hour emergency kit. These should have the basic necessities for survival. Update them every six months so contents remain up to date.




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