How to Start a 72 Hour Kit

1. A place to put it. Back packs work great; you can keep some items in the trunk of your car.

2. 3 Day Supply of Food. MREs, high calorie snacks (nuts, granola bars, dried fruit), dehydrated soups, etc.

3. Water! 1 gallon is recommended per adult for a 72-hour period (per the government emergency preparedness website for the state of Virginia). We keep our water in a large gatorade container in the trunk of our car. Water filtration systems (sold in water-bottle form) are available from websites (like emergencyessentials.com) for reasonable prices.

4. Personal Hygiene Supplies Hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, tooth paste, wipes, tissues, feminine needs, etc.

5. First Aid Kit and Medications A standard first aid kit (available from many sources for about $10-15) and over the counter and prescription medications are a must. Acetaminophen (tylenol), ibuprofen, and a tube of neosporin (only in packets in 1st aid kits) are good basics to include.

6. Clothing/Bedding It is difficult to keep a kit up-dated with growing children; it would be good to at least keep sweat shirts for everyone in the family and a few fleece blankets in the trunk of the car (handy for any chilly occasion). Ponchos are also important to have for each family member.

7. Equipment Pocket knife, lighter, radio (hand-cranked, solar powered), tarp, rope, disposable utensils & dishes, hand cranked cell phone charger (for communication with the outside world--also available on-line), hatchet, folding shovel (trunk items)

8. Cash Have a few small bills. (ATMs won’t work if the power is out.)

Extra Credit:

9. Documents In a zip-lock bag, include copies of important documents (deeds, birth/marriage certificates)

10. Miscellaneous Sun block, insect repellant, card games or activity books, paper and pens, zip-locks, trash bags, scriptures….just think of what you would need if you were evacuated somewhere (like a school or a church).