In case of a natural disaster and other emergency scenarios, thousands of individuals could be ordered to evacuate their Carver County rental homes with very short notice. Have you ever wondered whether you would be able to immediately prepare everything your family will need to survive for several days? If you make a 72-hour kit for your family, you don’t have to worry anymore. You will have everything you and your family needs, ready to go.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Ready.gov), every family needs to be prepared for disasters and sudden evacuations. You can do this by creating a basic disaster kit with appropriate essentials to last at least three days. A 72-hour kit should have the basics like food, water, medicine, and other necessities. There are many prepackaged emergency kits available in the market, most of them are expensive and often do not include products that meet your family’s specific situation. The better and most budget-friendly option is to make a 72-hour kit for you and your family or friends.
So how do you prepare an emergency kit? Ready.gov provides details on how to make a basic emergency preparedness kit. Consider this list as a stepping stone for your family’s 72-hour kit. For example, you’ll need a way to store and carry your items efficiently and to keep the elements out. A couple of suggestions are to use a duffel bag, backpacks, or plastic bins. It would be helpful if you made sure that all of the things in your kit are stored in airtight plastic bags to keep them safe and dry.
Once you have a safe way to store and carry your emergency kit, you can start adding basic items like water and food. Ready.gov has complete detail you can download and print. But a good rule of thumb is to include at least one gallon of water per person per day in your kit, plus a three-day supply of non-perishable food items for each person. If you want to use canned goods in your kit, remember to add a manual can opener. Other necessary survival supplies, such as flashlights, extra batteries, matches, or a lighter, a first aid kit, moist towelettes, and garbage bags, should also be included in your kit, as well as any prescription medications or medical supplies your family might need. If you have extra storage, consider adding one change of clothes and shoes for each person and a blanket or sleeping bag.
After you have the basics, you can start adding items that are particular to your family’s circumstances. For example, if you have infants or pets in your family, don’t forget to add baby supplies and pet food to your kit. It’s also important to add things like feminine hygiene products, contact lens solution, or over-the-counter medications that are used regularly. Finally, you can start adding copies of important family documents, identification records, and cash or traveler’s checks to your emergency kit. Ensure that cash, passports, and various necessary documents stored in a waterproof bag.
An essential part of making a 72-hour kit for your family is maintaining it each year. It is vital to check and replace expired food products as needed and update your kit as your family’s needs change. Lastly, you’ll need to pick a place to keep your kit. It is a great idea to choose a location that is both safe and easy to find, in case something happens and you need to leave immediately. Just make sure that every person in your family knows where the kit is. You may even consider having a smaller emergency kit for your car if anything happens when you’re away from home.
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