“Members of the Church have been counseled for many years to be prepared for adversity. Preparation, both spiritual and temporal, can dispel fear. With the guidance of Church leaders, individual members and families should prepare to be self-reliant in times of personal or widespread emergency.”
For several weeks Kristen, our Provident Living Specialist, sent out a weekly email with a list of items to collect for our 72 hour kits. It was nice to space things out and buy a little bit each week. At the end of the 6 week period, we gathered together to chat and see some examples of some 72 hour kits put together by sisters in our ward. It was so helpful to get ideas of what has worked for people.
Sister Moore has been building up her 72 hour kits for years. It has become a kind of hobby for her! It was so amazing and motivating to see what she had and hear her advice and experience. She has a kit in each of her cars as well as a big one in her house.
She also shared some handouts with helpful info.
Here is one website she got info from-- a great one to get both parents and kids involved in preparing in case disaster hits. http://www.ready.gov/kids
Kimberly showed us what a young mom with children might have in their 72 hour kits! Different stages of life definitely require different priorities.
We all left feeling more motivated and inspired to get ourselves more prepared!
Below I have posted all of the weekly e-mails Kristen sent out. I know a lot of time and work went into this!
“Members of the Church have been counseled for many years to be prepared for adversity. Preparation, both spiritual and temporal, can dispel fear. With the guidance of Church leaders, individual members and families should prepare to be self-reliant in times of personal or widespread emergency.”
If you are like me, then you are in need of a little encouragement to become prepared in case of an emergency.
Over the next 6 weeks I will be listing items in the ward bulletin and by email to obtain for a 72 hr kit. At the end of September we will be having a provident living mini activity. Everyone is invited to come to my house and put together their 72 hr kits. I will also have some examples.
This will be a list of suggested items to get, don't feel like you have to get everything listed. Please modify to fit your situation and needs. Also look around your house for things you already have to keep cost to a minimum.
If you already currently have a 72 hour kit, this may be a good time to check your items and make sure everything is still usable and add any items listed that you may not have in there.
WEEK 1:
Last week the listed item to get was a container.
*You can use a backpack, duffel bag, suit case, ice chest. For larger kits consider something with wheels, water tight containers are also ideal. If you are interested in using a 5 gallon bucket, you can get one for free at Sam’s Club. If you go to their bakery department you can ask for an icing bucket. They don’t always have any available but if they do they give them away for free, you just have to clean them.
WEEK 2:
This week the items to obtain are water, first aid kit, and medication/prescriptions.
*For water we need 3 gallons of water per person. If you drink soda or juice you can fill those containers, or you can purchase water bottles. It is also a good idea to have a case of water bottles in your car, especially since it has been so hot.
*First aid supplies: an assortment of bandages, ointments, gauze pads, cold/hot packs, tweezers, scissors, and sanitizer.
*Medications to include prescriptions, and non-prescription medication such as pain relievers, stomach remedies, etc.
WEEK 3:
Sisters,
This week for our 72 hr kits we should obtain:
non-perishable food for 3 days, a whistle, a flashlight with extra batteries, and a roll of quarters or other small bills.
Below are some helpful hints that I have found. At the end is a list of websites where I have found everything.
Food
When preparing for a disaster, store at least three days of non-perishable, nutritious food that requires little or no water or cooking to prepare. Don't forget to store a manual can opener with non-perishable food items. When assembling items, remember that you and your family may be without water, gas, or electricity for an unknown period of time. Some options are as follows:
-MRE’s
-Heater Meals
-Dehydrated Meals
-Emergency Bars
-Survival Bread
-Regular food
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
Staples--sugar, salt, pepper
High energy foods--peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
Vitamins
Foods for infants, elderly persons or persons with special dietary needs
Comfort/stress foods--cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops
(avoid strong odor foods like minty gum, because they will make everything smell and taste like mint)
If you have canned food don’t forget the manual can opener
Survival Bread
2 cups oats
2 ½ cups powdered milk
1 cup sugar
3 TBSP honey
1 (3 oz.) pkg. orange or lemon Jello
3 TBSP water
In the mixing bowl combine the oats, powered milk, and the sugar. Mix well and set aside.
In the medium sauce pan mix the water, Jello, and honey. Place on the stove top and bring to a boil. Slowly add this into the oat mixture. Make sure it is all well blended together. If the dough is a little dry, add a small amount of water one teaspoonful at a time. It should be firm but doughy
Once it is ready shape the dough into a loaf, about the size of a small red brick. Place the bread loaf onto the cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. If you increased the recipe for multiple loaves you can place several at a time onto the cookie sheet for baking. Don't place them too close together.
Once the bread is baked remove from the cookie sheet and allow to cool completely. The bread can be wrapped whole in the foil for storage. This bread can be stored indefinitely.
Flashlights
• When purchasing flashlights LED lights are the best. If you use incandescent lights, make sure you have spare bulbs. LED lights have the advantage of not needing the spare bulb.
Batteries
• Never use so-called "heavy duty" batteries. These are old-fashioned carbon-zinc batteries that have a very short shelf life and run down quickly. Alkaline batteries have a decent shelf life about five years. Lithium batteries are even better, they typically have a ten year shelf life, work better than alkaline in the cold and also weight about half less. But, lithium is usually found only in AA and AAA sizes.
• Make sure that you don't store your batteries in your flashlights or radios. Wrap them with tape so that the ends don't touch. This was they will be fresh when you need them.
Cash
Have small bill on hand for cash. People won't have change in an emergency & the ATM's will run out quickly too.
I obtained most of my information from
other helpful websites are:
WEEK 4:
This week for our 72 hr kits we should obtain a change of clothes, work gloves, personal hygiene items, and garbage bags with plastic ties.
Here is a list of helpful hints that I have found. To keep costs down look for items you already have in your house. Remember that these are suggestions, please modify to fit your needs.
Change of Clothes
Pick clothes that will work in most weather conditions, and if you have kids pick bigger sizes than what they currently wear, that way you have to rotate less often. If you are like me and wear flip flops all of the time you may want to consider keeping a pair of tennis shoes in the car. Some families have matching tie-died shirts which could be a fun FHE activity.
Suggested Clothing Items:
2 pairs of underwear
2 pairs of socks
long sleeved shirt
short sleeved shirt
long pants (sport pants dry faster than jeans)
closed toe shoes
hat
working gloves
For colder weather
Mittens/ gloves
Coat
Rain-poncho
Beanie
Personal Hygiene Items
If you stay in hotels keep the toiletries they give you, and the samples you get when you visit your dentist. Choose travel size to keep items small and light weight.
Extra glasses or contacts
Contact lens solution (get a sample from your eye doctor)
Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
Shampoo/conditioner, lotion, body wash
Deodorant
Lip balm
Razor
Comb, brush, mirror
Hand sanitizer
Tissue
Toilet paper (take our inner cardboard, fold in half and put in baggie. No one wants wet toilet paper)
Baby wipes
Feminine items
Bug repellent
Sunscreen
If you have a baby include diapers and wipes. Make sure you update the diaper size as your baby gets bigger
Include garbage bags and plastic ties and grocery bags for personal sanitation.
Helpful websites
WEEK 5:
Week 5 for our 72 hr kits we will be getting a NOAA weather alert radio, shelter, pillows, blankets, sleeping bag, duct tape, and additional money in small bills.
We will be getting together on Thursday September 25th at 6:30pm at the Hansen’s house to put together our 72 hr kits. Everyone is welcome even if you aren’t putting a 72 hr kit together.
Radio
NOAA weather alert radio either hand crank or battery operated plus extra batteries. There are also hand crank radios that can also charge cell phones if you want to get real fancy.
Shelter
Tent
Large tarp
Plastic Sheeting
Rope (50 ft nylon)
Duct Tape
For a shelter there are multiple options. If you have a tent that works great. You can also use a tarp and rope to make a lean-to. You can also use Plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal the room for sheltering in place.
Bedding
Pillows, Blankets, and Sleeping Bags.
Blankets-Wool, fleece, emergency reflective, make sure it can fit around your body and feet.
Emergency Reflective Blanket - These are lightweight, compact and cheap, and fit perfectly inside a kit. They use your own body heat to keep you warm and are waterproof. They can be found at Walmart, hardware stores or emergency supply stores
Sleeping Bags- Consider outside temperatures and look at temperature rating of the bags.
Re-think where all of your camping gear is located throughout the household. Keep in one area if possible for easy access so youʼre not looking in the dark with a flashlight for things.
Money
Keep enough cash for immediate needs in small denominations.
Week 6:
This week for our 72 hr kit we will be getting paper supplies, local road and area maps, medical history lists, personal documents, emergency contact phone list, updated family picture and a disposable camera.
Keep in mind these are just suggestions, by all means please modify to fit your needs. I also realize that there are a lot of things listed. Consider putting essentials in a backpack and the “non”essentials in a different container such as a 5 gallon bucket.
Paper supplies include note pads, markers, pens, pencils, plates, napkins, paper towels, utensils, baby wipes, etc.
Maps- Include a detailed map of the surrounding areas with highlighted evacuation routes. Following a disaster, roads may be closed and travel out of the affected area may not be possible. Become familiar with alternate routes to and from your home.
Medical History Lists - For every family member in your home make a list of medical history, all medications (by name) and dosages.These items are crucial for emergencies. You may not have time to grab an existing prescription bottle during an evacuation, but a copy of the prescription would help you get a refill once you are gone. Include current tetanus shot and immunization record date
Personal Documents - You and your family may be displaced after a disaster. Be prepared, ensuring you have all necessary records with you - ID, passport, birth certificate, and insurance policies.
Contact Info - Keep a list of family phone numbers and addresses as well as a copy of your out-of-area emergency contact card in your preparedness kit. Note that it is often easier to make a long-distance call rather than a local call after a disaster strikes.
Family Photo - Put a current family photo in your kit so you can help identify a family member you may get separated from. The photo may also encourage you while family is separated.
Disposable camera would be used to record damage.
Last week we were to get pillows, blankets, and sleeping bags. I received an email from Sister Moore and she suggested using Army poncho liners. There is an Army surplus store in Killeen and they start at $20. She also suggested using 550 cord for the rope. (See below for more suggestions from Sister Moore)
Source:
(suggestions from Sister Moore)
Howdy. Just an idea. The pillows can be nixed. They aren't essential. You can use your clothes bundle instead. The heavy and bulky blanket/sleeping bag can be replaced by a military poncho liner. They are thin, light weight and extremely warm. They are also water resistant. They also have strings on the edges that double as shade/shelter. They cost $35 which sounds high but they are super high quality and replace the tent and sleeping bag (and fit into your bag.) I do carry a tarp and a poncho liner. I've used the liner at soccer games when we got cold and also when I had to sleep in the car with family members in the hospital. (Can also roll them for a pillow.)
I've got everything but the $$ in my bags. I can't seem to leave it alone! I do have an empty can of peas in my cabinet ready to put some more $$ into. I'll bring my can opener to your meeting. Have people bring a small can of veggies (LeSeur Peas, silver can is the right width for bills and my kids leave it alone) and a Baggie to keep the veggies. My can opener opens the lid but leaves the lip so you can put it back in the can.
Week 7
Tools- Wrench or Pliers to turn off utilities (you especially want this if you have gas utilities), Broom, Shovel, Hammer, a Multi-tool like a leatherman, aluminum foil, axe, compass, and a dust or filter mask(N95 mask) which is readily available at a hardware store.
Entertainment-magazine/book( Ensign or Friend), scriptures, card games, crayons, stuffed animals, bean bags, dice. Find what suits your families’ needs. If you have a reason to use your packs, your kids will have a reason be stressed and most likely scared. Have something for them to occupy their mind.
Ziploc bags- We will need these to organize and keep everything clean and dry. You will want separate bags for clothes, food, light, entertainment, hygiene items, etc.
Pet supplies- Assemble things your pets will need during a disaster, like food, leashes, medicine, etc.
Other helpful tips:
Children and adults keep their emergency kit(s) in their bedrooms. Let the children have responsibility for their own backpack and have the older children buddy-up and take care of younger brothers or sisters. Mom, dad take care of baby.
If a senior citizen resides with the family, also buddy-up and help them for they move slower and a backpack may be too heavy for them to carry.
Sources:
