72 Hour Kits/BOBs

In case of an evacuation you don't want to have to spend your time trying to throw a bag together of things that you find important and things that you need to survive.  If you already have a bag with the basic needs of survival then you only have to grab a few other “can't live without” items and you can be on your way.

The American Red Cross along with several other institutions have recommended each member of every family should have a 72 Hour Kit aka a Bug Out Bag (BOB.)  In these kits there should be enough food and water to last for three days for that person.  Also inside the bag there should be all the basic items that could be needed in case of an emergency. 

I have researched several sites and put together a list of the basic items that each person would need and in addition to those basic needs there are many other options to add to each kit. Extra clothes, comfort items and a radio to just name a few.  It is a good idea to place all items that are going into your kit in a resealable plastic bag to keep everything safe from water or smoke damage.

When figuring out what things to put into your kit go back to the Top Ten and the Rule of Three to make sure you have all the basic survival items.  The Top Ten categories are water, food, security, communication, transportation/evacuation, heat, light, medical/sanitation, shelter and financial.  Using the Rule of Three in the case of a 72 Hour kit means you need to have three backups of each of the Top Ten categories. 

For more tips on what to put in your kit if you plan on making your own go here or you can order one of these!

*Brittney Anger * Peace Of Mind Kits*

Why Being Prepared Matters!!!

No matter where you live a disaster can strike.  Many places have constant threats of a disaster, others have possible threats of a disaster.  Either way being prepared will help everyone!  Only 50% of disasters trigger government help, that means that 50% of the time we are completely on our own.  Not to mention that even if the disaster warrants government help, it could still take several days for them to get to you!  If you are prepared you will not only be able to survive, but do it with a Peace Of Mind. 

The most important thing you can do, even before getting prepared, is to know what you need to prepare for.  What disasters, natural or man made, will affect you in your area?  Could you have an earthquake, tornado, hurricane, blizzard, freezing temperatures, or even war?  When you know what could happen it makes it easier to prepare for the disaster.

One thing that all organizations advise each family to have is a 72 hour kit also known as a Bug Out Bag (BOB) for each member of their family.  Having this type of bag for each member of your family will save your lives if help can't get to you for days.  Even if you are staying in your home during the emergency you will have all your basic emergency supplies, water and food for at least three days in one place. 

Being prepared is having knowledge of what could affect you and what you need to protect yourself and your family during it.  It is also listening to officials and staying or going when they say.  If you are advised to evacuate, evacuate.  People who choose not to prepare and hope that others will save them will suffer greatly when the time comes so BE PREPARED!!! 

In preparing for any disaster there are several categories to prepare in.  I call them the Top 10.  The Top Ten categories to have on hand are water, food, security, communication, transportation/evacuation, heat, light, medical/sanitation, shelter and financial.  These are all things you need to think about when getting prepared.  Along with having an emergency plan in place for any situation.  

Always go by the Rule Of Three when you are preparing for an emergency.  Have your main item, a backup for that item and a backup for the backup, Rule Of Three.  An example is you have electricity for your home, in case the power goes out you have a flashlight, in case the flashlight runs out of batteries you have a candle with matches.  Thus you have your three sources of light.  In all categories of the Top Ten you should have the Rule of Three!

Each week I will discuss a different topic to help all of us be more prepared.  If we all help each other, share ideas and knowledge we will all be able to survive whatever comes our way!

*Brittney Anger * Peace Of Mind Kits*

The GUTS!!!

I have a lot of people ask me what goes in to my kits.  Food and water is easy to explain, even the first aid kit explains itself, but the emergency supplies is what leaves people to wonder.  I decided to share the "guts" of my emergency supplies since my true purpose for doing this is to help people be prepared and not make money.

 

I have researched a lot of kits and a lot of emergency sites recommendations and came up with my kit.  I search the internet and the stores for the cheapest options for the best items and these are what I have come up with.  The picture shows at least a part of every item in the emergency supplies.

 

Most items don't need an explanation as to why it is in the kit.  Toilet paper, comb, kleenex, hand sanitizer, scissors, they all have obvious purposes.  Others do to, but why I added that specific kind may need a little explanation. 

 

A plastic whistle....have you ever seen the Christmas Story when he sticks his tongue to the frozen flag pole?  Enough said,that is why the whistle is PLASTIC!  And why a whistle at all?  A whistles sound carries further than a voice.  Remember on Titanic, Rose had to use the whistle to get the boats attention to save her.

 

A squeeze flashlight so that you don't have to have batteries making you have to keep extra batteries and making sure they are good.  Three separate candles for three separate nights, each candle burning at least six hours.  And in case your flashlight fails and your candles burn out you have a 12 hour lightstick to give you light. 

 

I use darker colored washclothes in case they need to be used for cleaning blood, trust me it helps with the shock of seeing how much blood has been lost.  A mask to keep a disease from spreading from you or to you.  Coffee filters to use in case you need to strain water.

 

When it is all together it looks so simple, but each item is there for a basic need.  I love to answer questions so if you have any just ask.  Soon to come....my first aid kit's "guts."

The "guts" are included in all Full 72 Hour Kits and with some variation in all Car Kits.  You can also purchase the "guts" or Emergency Supply Kit for $30.



Q & A about 72 Hour Kits

 

WHY Have a Kit?  *It takes time for emergency relief to be set up and sent out, even up to 72 hours.  You may also need to evacuate your area quickly and won’t have time to put anything together.

IN WHAT?           *A portable container is the best to have your kit stored in so you can grab it on the go.  Store it where it is easily accessible.

WHO?                *Each member in your family should have a kit and in them have all things necessary to sustain life.  In the chance that you are separated from your children, you want them to be able to stay warm, eat and drink.

CLOTHES?           *Always pack an extra set of clothes in each individual kit including underwear (bra) and socks.  A light jacket and knit gloves are also good to have.  The extra clothes should be stored in a plastic bag to keep them dry in case your kit gets wet. Always pack bigger sized clothes than smaller sized ones, you can always roll or cut off the access length.

PROTECTION?      *Keep all food and emergency supplies in separate plastic bags to keep them protected from water or smoke damage.

OTHER TIPS?       *Keep a light source at the top of your kit or in an easy reach spot.  Your first aid kit and plastic whistle are also good things to have accessible.  Whistles are heard over talking so they are good to have in case you are trying to find someone or be found.

*Each kit should have identification on it, in case of separation or death.  Each card should have the person’s name, birthdate, home city and state, emergency phone number, parents’ names and phone numbers, any medical conditions and any other important information.

*The head of the household should have photo copies of all the important legal documents for the family.  Examples are birth certificates, social security cards, titles, deeds and etc.

*Each family should have an Emergency Disaster Plan in place for different circumstances that may happen.  Each member of the family should have one of these plans in their kits.

*Money should be included in each kit, especially in the head of household’s kit.  Use small bills so in the case that there is no change you won’t be out a large sum of money.  If there is a power outage your debit and credit cards will hold no value.

* Medications are very important to have in your kits.  Make sure that in each kit you verify that the medication is not expired.

Full 72 Hour Kit

I have researched and put together a 72 hour kit that I love.  It isn't just one that I recommend it is one that I have for each member of my family. 

Each kit comes with basic survival items such as a plastic whisle (a whistles sound cares further than a voice and because if it is winter you would not want to use a metal one,) squeeze flashlight (no batteries needed,) poncho, emergency blanket, scissors, hand warmers, candle with matches, lightstick, sewing kit, utility knife, wet wipes, mask and several more important items.

Also in each kit is a first aid kit that I have put together myself.  I am a firm believer in having all things you "might" need.  In my first aid kits there are bandaids of all varieties, triangle bandage, tweezers, triple ointment, pain medications, antacids, sunscreen wipes, bug repellant wipes, burn gel and more items that are beneficial to survival.  It is important to have all the supplies you would need to stay comfortable.

Each kit has water and food for 72 hours.  The food includes three breakfasts, three lunches, three snacks, and three dinners each meal with a drink separate from your 72 hours worth of water.

All items are in plastic sealed bags to keep them safe from water and smoke damage.  All the items are in a sturdy backpack so you can grab and go.  Each member in your family should have their own full kit in case you are ever separated.  Remember, I would rather be prepared years early than a minute to late.

Full 72 Hour Kit $60