Emergency Kit: Getting Ready

It was over a week ago now that I was handed a Library Prophecy that rattled me to the core. I’m not gonna lie, I was pretty upset at this elderly woman. Truth be told, the library prophet did me a favor. Although the thought of the world coming down to a crashing blow {or exploding out into a trillion tiny bits} makes my body shutter, the possibility of an emergency occurring is something my family should be prepared for. Horrible natural catastrophes have taken place around the world within the last few years, and although a little kit won’t absolve us from a large scale catastrophe, it can’t hurt to be prepared for misfortune.

Since I started the research on the development our own emergency kit, my mind kept going back to a news story I had heard years ago about a young family whose car got stuck on a snowy road somewhere in Oregon for 9 days. The Mother and her two very young children were found safe at the car. The poor Father’s body was found days later, after he had left the shelter of the car to find help. Do you remember the Kim Family and their horrific story from 2006? Their tragedy was cemented in mind in part because of the fact that the young children {9 months and 4 years old} were in remarkable condition considering such a struggle; their Mother had breast fed them to keep them hydrated days after their food and water ran out. They ran the car’s heater until they ran out of gas, then burned the car’s tires. A helicopter had found them because she was waving an umbrella in which she had stripped reflective tape on to the top. They had been resourceful, but it made me so sad when we learned the Dad didn’t make it through the ordeal.

Years before I became a Mother, or even a Wife for that matter, I worried that my Husband and I would not be prepared in such circumstance. This research and preparation is a good start. I even designated a large container to begin storing the items for our emergency kit.

Here is the list I have compiled for the emergency kit that will be stored in our home based on recommendations from varying resources:

~ Water {one gallon/person for three days}

~ Food {three day supply of nonperishable}

~ Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries.

~ Flashlight and extra batteries

~ First aid kit

~ Manual {first aid and survival}

~ Dust Masks

~ Duct Tape

~ Sanitation and hygiene items (moist towelettes and toilet paper).

~ Matches and waterproof container.

~ Whistle.

~ Extra clothing and shoes {weather proof jackets, etc}

~ Blankets

~ Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils, including a can opener

~ Photocopies of credit and identification cards

~ Cash and coins {amount TBD}

~ Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper

~ Matches in a waterproof container

~ Copy of FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN {to be discussed with Hubby}

Here are some other helpful tip:

~ Keep documentation easily visible as to when items have been stored and will expire.

~ Change water and food supplies every six months.

~ Reevaluate your family’s needs each year.

~ Inquire about emergency plans already established at places of work, schools or daycares.

~ Keep your emergency supply list in your wallet, and pick up a few items at a time when shopping until you have built up a well-stocked supply.

I have some of these items on hand, but will collecting everything throughout this month. Hopefully by the end of April, this bin will be filled with all the items above. Since my Husband drives a lot for work, my hope is that in May I can formulate a kit for him to keep in his car. There is also a bunch of information on specific kinds of threats, and I hope to read up on them within the next few months. I’m not trying to be manic over this stuff, just prepared.

Alls I can say is: thank goodness its Tasty Tuesday tomorrow. This disaster talk to starting to get to me! Ha!

Happy Monday!

Comments

LC says:

April 12, 2011 at 12:19 am

You go girl! When I get mine together I’m going to link to your blog! Better safe than sorry.

De Su Mama says:

April 12, 2011 at 1:24 am

You rock! Thanks, LC!

Emma Kay says:

April 26, 2011 at 8:50 am

And in this day and age of digital cameras etc, it’s not a neccessity, but since it doesn’t take up much space, a disk or usb with a backup copy of your family photos etc. I would also say to put on your bank details etc as a backup, except you have to remember that the disk or usb can be stolen and even if you password protect certain documents, that wouldn’t mean anything to people who know what they’re doing. But to have the photos will be a great comfort if you are ever in such a situation.

Onida Cruz says:

June 16, 2011 at 1:05 pm

Definitely plan on assembling on as soon as possible. Thanks for sharing