72 Hour Kits for Family Preparedness

Why do you need a home survival bag? You need it for the unexpected events in life. You might not think that you live in an area that has the potential to put you in a survival situation, but you might be wrong. We live near Dallas, Texas and as I write this, my yard is full of snow. Not just a little, but the most snow ever recorded. Currently there is over nine inches and it is still falling.

If I was to have a power loss, I would quickly find that the house was quickly getting cold. Since my stove is electric and the stack of firewood outside only has a few pieces left, things are going to get cold. Even if you have gas heating, you wouldn\’t have the electric fan to circulate the warm air. This inconvenience is now becoming a real problem.

It\’s cold outside and my house provides the shelter I need. Having the items I need to survive the next few days could make the difference between an inconvenience and a real disaster. Having a survival kit for emergencies like this allows me to concentrate on the basics without having to search for the tools and supplies I need. Some of the basic items I keep in my kit are listed below.

Water – Two liters per person per day is the recommended minimum amount to have available. Assuming that the running water has stopped because of the power outage, your choices could become limited. Having bottled water is a good option if you remember to rotate it occasionally and have enough stored. There are also other types of packaged water that are designed for years of storage with an expiration date printed on them. You might consider melting the snow, but contamination could be a problem.

Food – This is needed to keep our energy up, help us stay warm and remain emotional sound. Canned food is great as long as you don\’t have to rely on an electric can opener. Do you have foods that don\’t require cooking? I have two teen age boys and it seems like we are always out of food. Consider some foods that are packaged with a long shelf life. I keep some MRE and freeze-dried foods in my survival kit. With the optional heater kits, these can be ready to provide a warm meal in just a few minutes.

Shelter – If you are staying in your house like I am, make sure you have enough blankets or sleeping bags available. You need to consider the fact that there might not be any heat and family members might need more than one. Considering placing these items in a easily accessible area or alongside your bag

Tools – You might have a garage full of tools, but do they work if the power is out? I suggest keeping the following in your bag. A multi-tool can be a great asset for opening food and other tasks. Include a couple flashlights that use batteries or a crank for power. Candles or glowsticks are also helpful at night, especially if you have children who are afraid of the dark. A portable radio or walkie-talkies with a built-in weather channel are great for news and weather alerts. Matches, lighters or other firestarters can be used for cooking, lighting and building a fire. Lastly, keep some paper and a pencil available for taking notes or leaving a message.

Remember to assemble these items in a box, bag or other type of container that can be stored in an accessible area and resist the urge to borrow from it. Although this is a very basic list, I hope it helps you think about those items you might need based on your specific needs. You probably have most, if not all the items you need. A little preparedness planning now could really make life easier during an unexpected event.

Discover more about the items you need in case of a disaster now! There are several provisions required for a preparedness kit to be effective. Having a disaster kit can protect you and your family in case of a disaster!

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