[HappyMomAnna]

I have always found the New Year is a great time to take inventory and set goals or as most people referr to it: Set Resolutions.
I have always considered being ready for an emergency an important part of my life but have never been completely systematic and made sure we have every thing we need in the even we were on our own for 72 hours or more.
This New Year I plan to make sure our family disaster emergency kit is organized, and complete! We have purchased two 32 gallon garbage cans with lids and will be using them to keep all of the supplies we may need in the event of a major emergency. So now the planning starts.
Items to have in our emergency Kit:

• Pre Assembled First Aid Kit.
• Contact sheet with emergency phone numbers.
• AM/FM Radio
• Flash light
• Extra Batteries
• Hand Can Opener
• Several Cans of Beans......and......

................... As I am working on our emergency kit please feel free to add the items you include in yours--or the items you know you should include.

[babydawn]

My husband and I are working on this sort of thing as well. We spend about $50.00 per month on food storage. We are also planning on forming 72 hour emergency kits which will include, food, first aid, flashlights, blankets, change of clothes, hygene items, and water. We asked my parents for emergency preparedness stuff for Christmas. They got us a propne lantern with 4 extra propane cannisters to go with it, and this really cool TV/emergency radio/light all in one. The cool thing is, you can plug it in the wall or your car, or use batteries, OR use a crank which I thought was really cool, because if if the batteries run out, you still have access to it. They also make flashlights like these, I know that Costco sometimes carries them. Some other ideas:

tent - or anything else you would take camping
supply of perscription medications or other medications that are used on a regular basis
candles and matches and other sorts of lighting
fire extinguisher
sleeping bags and/or blankets

It would also be a good idea to carry some emergency items in the trunk of your car, such as water, a blanket, flashlight, and some food. I also know people who have sent their children with emergency kits which include everything from little games to snack foods to school in case they were stranded there for some time.

Also, know how to turn off your gas and water lines, incase they get broken during a natural disaster. Never let your gas tank go below half a tank (this is a pain, but something I would like to get in the habit of doing).

[DyannaL]

Originally Posted by HappyMomAnna

As I am working on our emergency kit please feel free to add the items you include in yours--or the items you know you should include.

BOTTLED WATER!

Lack of clean, safe water is often cited as one of the biggest problems in disaster situations.

Other canned veggies that can be eaten cold/plain: corn, carrots, peas, green beans (but these are kinda nappy), any others that may be favorites with your family. Tuna or other canned meats, peanut butter, crackers and/or rice cakes.

Also, you might want to invest in a vacuum food sealer product to seal things up in your emergency kit, just in case it gets wet...

[madcanner]

If you look in your grocery store aisles at the convenience foods you'll find some great stuff that fits easily into a kit like that. Our kits are based on the assumption that I won't have anywhere to cook, so we've got things like individual packages of tuna and crackers, granola bars, individual servings of applesauce and fruit cocktail, things like that. As well as some candy, coloring books, crayons and toys, toilet paper, individual apple cider packets, hot chocolate packets, etc.

[LazyBear]

Thanks for the great info.

[gran-gran]

I like the idea of the trash cans. Wheels make them easier to haul around, and are large enough to keep more things in case you have to be out longer. This is provided that you are in the city. If you are in the country and have to cross creeks or fences that would be harder and in that case the backpacks would be better. You also have to consider is it going to fit in the trunk of your car and the weight of it if you have to lift the trash can when it is full
Poptarts / breakfast bars
triscuts or other type of crackers
animal crackers
rice krispie treats
beef jerkey
vennia sausages
bennie weenies
tuna in the soft packets instead of the cans
hand crank can opener
plastic ware or get the ones like the millitary uses that have the metal plate and silverware that fit inside.
powdered drink mixes that you add to water (koolaid, crystal lite, tang)
book to read
deck of cards
word search or crossword puzzle books
pen or pencil
coloring book and colored pencils or crayons
sticker books
hidden picture books
blank paper or notebook to doodle on or keep score for card games
toilet paper at least one roll per person, 3 would be better
baby wipe to clean up spills, wash sticky hands, and faces, can be used if you run out of TP, refresh your face and armpits,
at least 2 changes of clothes per person, sweats would be best, clean undies for each person,
Make sure to have both summer and winter clothes, or change them out for each season.
If you are changing them out each season you can also check your food and batteries at this time to see if anything else needs replaced.
small pillow
blanket per person
small bottle of shampoo
bath soap
deoderant
tooth brush
toothpaste
Purell or other type of sanitation gel
paper toilet seat covers
hair brush or comb and scrunchies
hand crank radio
tennis shoes/ hiking boots
hand crank flash light
These are just a few things I thought of off the top of my head.