Flashlights, glow sticks, etc. help you to see in dark spaces and provide light to get you around safely. Don’t just rely on battery-operated flashlights because there is a whole world of solar power lighting options available to you now that are much better than they used to be. It’s always to have eyes at night that’s why you will be needing one.
Lightsticks are great for an Emergency situation. For example, glow sticks are excellent items in which you reserve their energy until you need to use them. Invest in good lights, not the cheapest you can find. There are so many options, but here is what we use:
Glow sticks – Handy to access light;
Headlamps – Practical for long walks;
Lantern – An additional light source;
Solar inflatable lantern– Charges when you’re asleep;
Personal flashlight – Small and practical for storing;
Large flashlight – Important for big groups of people.
Let’s face it: the need to go to the bathroom is going to come up. And you need to be able to clean yourself, even if you are only gone for a few days or until help arrives. Being sweaty and dirty will lead to feeling uncomfortable when you’re away from home. While doing something homemade may seem like a great idea here, this is the time for convenience!
Wipes – bleach wipes to help clean surfaces, dishes, gear, and more. We store these in zip-top bags or vacuum seal them to keep them fresh instead of lugging them around a container. Then we rotate them through our regular supplies when we do our quarterly bag checks.
Toothpaste dots were an idea someone came up with a while back to have toothpaste on hand for camping and hiking. They take up little space, are almost weightless, are better than packing a tube of toothpaste that will inevitably burst and put toothpaste over the entire contents of your bag, no matter how many layers of plastic you encased it in.
Soap – you may choose to purchase body wipes for quick wipe downs instead of soap, but a bar of hard soap is useful for washing your clothes, hair, etc.
Powder shampoo – can help a little with morale;
Feminine hygiene products – Important for comfort and personal hygiene;
Trash bags – not only to put your trash in as you generate it if you don’t bury it but for all sorts of reasons.
Tip: Remember, you’ll need to think about water for sanitation as well as drinking when planning your 72-hour kit. Having some convenience products to clean with helps take a load off carrying more water, but don’t discount needing water to wash with altogether.
A prepaid cell phone (with numbers already programmed into it), walkie-talkies, a radio – things to help you be able to stay connected if communications are still available.
Cell phones – Keep a spare if yours runs out of battery;
Handheld Ham radio – Important for keeping updated with the news;
Walkie talkies – A great way to communicate with others;
Signaling devices – For emergencies and catching the attention.
Tip: Most walkie-talkies work on a line of sight idea. If you are trying to use them when you are in canyons, large buildings, etc., their range can be affected, but they are good to have for short-range communications.
ATMs and banks may not be available during a local Emergency. Nor will credit and debit cards be operational if there are interruptions in power or satellite in your area. Be sure to have extra cash stashed in small denominations to be able to purchase things if purchasing is an option. Be ready all the time.
Tip: Tuck coins and money in different pockets and crannies of your bags and boxes. Don’t keep it all in one place.
Have an extra set of clothes good for whatever season you’re in, plus extra socks. Keep a good, sturdy pair of shoes handy in case you have to walk. You’ll want to have dry clothes available if you get wet, be able to layer on more if it is cold and change into something clean if you get hot and sweaty or dirty. If you’re wet, having something dry to change into will be a useful thing.
Extra set of clothes suitable for the current season – Not essential, but necessary ;
Extra socks – For hygiene and comfort;
Hat – To keep warm;
Gloves/coat – Keep yourself warm and protected;
Extra sturdy shoes – Practical enough for walking;
Diapers – Important for children;
Poncho/trash bag/rain gear – Use as a spare for emergencies.
Further Advice
If you’re in cold temperatures, be sure to have cold-weather gear available, with extra gloves in case you get yours wet. Wear items that breathe easily and won’t make you sweat (cotton for the winter can get wet easily and does not dry out quickly).
If you have small children and the elderly with you, you might need 2 or 3 changes for accidents and diaper changes. Be sure also to include any extra diapers and diapering equipment you might need. Small children might revert to pre-potty trained days because they might be scared or you can’t make quick potty stops as often as they need them. It might be time to think about a portable potty, too, because restrooms might not be readily available.
Tip: Tuck a few large Emergency-situation/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>trash bags into your pack. Not only are they useful for carrying and sitting on, but they are also good to cover your gear or your body as a rain protector if you didn’t pack ponchos.
Have a small, well-packed first aid kit to help out with medical emergencies.You can either make your own or buy one ready-made to suit your purposes. Here is a fundamental list to get you started:
Bandages in varying sizes – For emergencies;
Sterile gauze pads (sanitary napkins/pads will also work) – Just in case you need them;
Scissors/tweezers – For a variety of reasons;
Triple antibiotic ointment – To help with cuts and grazes;
Hydrocortisone cream – Important for injuries;
Alcohol wipes – In the event of emergencies;
Pain relievers/aspirin – Just in case;
Instant cold compress – Should you hurt your muscles;
Hand warmers – Great for cold weather;
Sterile gloves – To keep clean during an injury;
Imodium – To help with infections;
Mucinex – Another addition for infections;
Space blanket (use a better version of a sheet) – To keep warm;
Ace bandage/large scarf – Great for cold weather;
Particle mask/face masks – Important in dangerous conditions;
Prescription medication – Important, and packed for the entire family;
Antacids – To relieve heartburn or stomach issues;
Extra glasses/contacts – You never know if you’ll need them.
Tip: Read this 10 First Aid Skills Every Parent Should Know article.If an Emergency arose, would you be able to stand in the gap and help out, or wait silently by hoping that an ambulance gets there in time? Not all of the Preparedness is about collecting stuff, but also learning skills to take care of your family and community when you can! Make these a priority for you to learn!!
Make sure you have copies of the documentation you may need to rebuild your life after or identify yourself during an Emergency. You can keep the copies in a waterproof bag or vacuum-sealed or on a small memory stick.
Driver’s license – To use as identification;
Social security cards – For Emergency identification;
Credit and/or bank accounts – For purchasing at a corner shop, etc;
Birth certificates – For identification;
Voter registration – Not essential, but ideal;
Medical information – Important for emergencies;
Vaccination records – Keep stored in your bag at all times;
Contact information – Important to contact individuals;
Emergency-id-cards-free/" data-mce-href="https://momwithaprep.com/Emergency-id-cards-free/"><span style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Emergency ID cards</span></a>
” data-ldtx_powertrust=”0″ data-ldtx_trust=”0″ data-ldtx_power=”1″ href=”https://momwithaprep.com/Emergency-id-cards-free/”><span style=” font-weight:=””>Emergency ID cards – For the entire family.
Tip: For more information on how to create your own Emergency-binders-free-download/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Family Emergency Binder try our related article.Creating a Family Emergency Binder or a Grab and Go binder will help ensure that your entire family is ready for emergencies. With just a little advanced planning you won’t ever have to worry about being without the important information you and your family might need in an Emergency.
It is essential to have something that you carry at all times for safety. Even having a knife in your pack that is handy for utilitarian reasons but can do double-duty as a self-defense weapon is essential. If you are more comfortable carrying a weapon or mace, do that.
Tip: Read this 10 Basic Safety Tips for Women article of mine and prepare to take care of yourself!
You might want to consider adding items for enjoyment if you end up spending many hours waiting for things to happen, like books, card games, pen/paper, or electronic readers (though know that you might not have electricity to recharge).
Playing cards – Keep the children entertained;
Books – More comforting than you think;
Crayons/paper – Keep people entertained;
A small stuffed comfort toy – Great for the little ones.
Tip: Pack some extra glow sticks for nighttime play with the youngsters.
Want a great checklist that can be made in time? Read about how to make Your Own 72 Hr Kit Plan: A 26 Week Plan to Build Your Family’s Emergency Kits
FINAL ADVICE
Customize this list to what you need for the particulars of your family. There are many other things that you can add to the list that you may find helpful depending on the vehicle you may be able to evacuate in or the modes of transportation you may use, where your planned final stop might be, or whether you have extra bodies to help carry.
Use this as a starting point for what you need to do for the basics and expand it as your family needs and as circumstances dictate.
Just remember, you need to be able to pull or carry what you pack. Don’t plan Emergency needs expecting to always have a working vehicle or a way out in a car. Be prepared to take the most critical items in personal packs that you can carry.
Tip: Don’t plan on carrying more than 25% of your body weight.
Once you know what items to pack in your backpack, you want to ensure that you effectively pack your supplies for Emergency situation procedures. Everything should be organized so your items are easy to grab in a disaster. Here are some tips to stay well organized:
Keep electrical items together – such as your cell phone and batteries. But, make sure your cell phone is properly stored so it isn’t touching the metal on your backpack, for example.
If you choose to take a pocket knife, make sure this is safely stored and not in easy access for children. Also, keep the pocket knife away from canned goods as it could accidentally open the food.
What to Include in a 72-Hour Emergency Kit for Your Whole Family
If you have a family, you’ll need a 72-hour Emergency kit that caters to everyone. You can purchase the cheapest backpack you can find, as the items inside your 72-hour kit are the most important aspect.
First, you’ll need a change of clothing for each family member – including an appropriate top that will keep you warm and clean underwear. In the event that disaster strikes, everyone should have clean and fresh clothing in case.
Pack personal hygiene products in your backpack such as a toothbrush, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, and wipes. The most important thing to remember is prescription medications for each family member, if necessary. You’ll need these in everyday life, so you don’t pack them away for a disaster. Instead, keep all medication stored in a survival kit in your home. This means you can quickly grab the survival kit in an Emergency situation.
And there’s more
Each family member will need a rain poncho so you’re always prepared for poor weather. You’ll also want to store extra batteries – especially if you have young children with you.
This is also great for a cell phone as you might not have access to electricity to charge it. Alternatively, pre-paid phone cards are a great way to make sure you’re able to use your cell phone during a disaster.
What to Pack in the 72-Hour Emergency Kit You Keep at Work
Be prepared at work with a 72-hour kit filled with our recommended Emergencysupplies. Add a rain poncho to your backpack in the event of a weather disaster. If you can’t get home from work because of transportation issues, you might have to walk home for miles. We recommend keeping your Emergency kit on your office desk in case disaster strikes outside. Then you have all of your Emergencysupplies right there at work.
Pack canned foods as they have a long shelf life and will sustain your energy until you return home. Canned items are also ideal because they last for years, so you don’t need to regularly update your stash of Emergencysupplies.
Finally, consider that you may need water purification tablets, in case the water is switched off at your office. You’ll need to have a bottle of water already placed in your backpack so you’re prepared for such an event.
For your Emergency kit Preparedness, your backpack should be easy to access. This is why we recommend having numerous 72-hour kits to store in different locations. Keep one in your home, one in your office, and another in your car.
If each one is filled with appropriate Emergencysupplies, you’ll always be ready if disaster strikes. Also, bear in mind the temperature, because you don’t want to keep food in a hot environment, or extra batteries as they might not work when you come to use them.
Emergency KIT PRINTABLE CHECKLIST</strong></a>
” data-ldtx_powertrust=”0″ data-ldtx_trust=”0″ data-ldtx_power=”0″ href=”https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwNKH503z8GKRzJ6RlR1eGo3QUU/view?usp=sharing” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”><strong>72-HOUR Emergency KIT: PRINTABLE CHECKLIST</strong></a></h3>
<p><a class=” ldtx-link-good=”” ldtx-link-good-internal-follow=”” font-weight:=””>Use this link to help you create a printable .pdf of this post if you want to make your own instead of using my premade one above. It’s easy and free to use, and will let you edit what you actually print!
If you would like to take the next step and use a step-by-step weekly plan, check outYour Own Home Store’s plan – you can read the review here.
It’s safe to say that our ultimate goal is to help you have an Emergency kit, a family plan, and the knowledge to garden, preserve your harvest, and use useful herbs every day – without spending a ton of money to do it. Luckily that’s obtainable for every family and a journey we would love to help you with.
Final Thoughts
This year we have posted about food storage, 72-hour Kits & Bug Out Bags, and every aspect of Preparedness, from water storage to cooking off the grid. You’ll also find many ideas to help you be more self-reliant.
So, be sure to visit our sites and learn as much as you can about being prepared. We’ll be using the hashtag #30DaysOfPrep for these and many other ideas throughout the current month, so join in the conversation and make this year the one you become truly prepared for.
Finally, these are all the links that were helpful in creating this article. I thought that you may want for different reasons to have them listed all in one place. So, here they are!
