72-Hour Kits For Your Home

72 Hours worth of supplies for your home is the absolute minimum. Some emergency planning sites are now recommending six days worth of supplies. You decide what’s best for you.

You need these in the event you lose power or for some reason can’t leave your home. In December 1996 I went to Eastern Washington to visit my family for Christmas. On December 26th a terrible ice storm pounded Washington and Oregon with inches of ice. We were lucky enough that we didn’t lose power, but due to the ice, the Interstates were closed for four days and therefore there were no deliveries being made to the grocery stores. By the time we could get to the grocery stores the shelves were bare. There was no food left. So, even if you don’t lose power you need to have at least 3 days worth of prepared foods, such as chili, stews and soups on hand at all times.

72-Hour Kits can be purchased on-line at Amazon.com or you can put them together yourself. Pick a cool dry place like a cupboard or closet to store your 72 Hour Kits. Stock it then leave it alone. Check it every 6 months to make sure nothing is damaged or has expired. If you use something from your kit, replace it right away. You can store the water at the bottom of a closet or under the bed. This is the MINIMUM you should have on hand in your 72 Hour Kits for your home.

FOOD & WATER

Water-At least 1 gallon per person per day

Canned Foods – Soups, stews, chili, ravioli, spaghetti – figure one can per adult per meal. I like Campbell’s Chunky and Progresso. No water to add and they also have pop-tops.

Protiens – Canned Tuna, Vienna Sausages, Canned Chicken

Snacks – Crackers, cold cereals, nuts, dried fruit, granola bars-whatever you like

Instant Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat – individual packages

Juices and/or Crystal Lite-for those non water drinkers

Tea and/or instant coffee-I am a coffee lover and have a small French Press from Starbucks. Add regular grounds and hot water and you have a great cup of coffee.

Miscellaneous Items

Small Folding stove – I love the Coghlan Flat Fold Stove

Fuel for Stove – I like the Eco Fuel fuel canister – no fumes, non-toxic and easy to use indoors

Small pot for stove (1 qt)

Manual Can Opener

Prescription Medications – Keep at least three days worth of prescription medications. Do no mix meds and keep them in their labeled container. Rotate you meds when you refill your prescription. ALWAYS KEEP MEDICATIONS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

Utensils – I also keep sturdy paper plates, bowls, cups and silverware on hand. This reduces the amount of dirty dishes piling up.

Wet wipes- Keeping a good supply of these on hand will reduce the amount of water needed for washing up.

If you have children you may want to have some board games, card games, puzzles or coloring books available to ward off boredom.

LED Flashlight- Click HERE for a great selection of hand crank rechargeable flashlights and HERE for solar charged flashlights. If using them during a power outage, don’t carry them around.

I also like a rechargeable flashlight nightlite. You plug it into an outlet. If the power goes off the light comes on. It acts like an emergency light. There are many models such as the 3-In-1 Flashlight Nitelite Emergency Light.
They are affordable and readily available at Amazon.com. Although candles are cool, they can be very dangerous. Keep them away from flammables, children and pets.

Battery Operated Radio-This will help you stay informed. I like the Freeplay models. They are durable and easy to use. Mine has a hand crank for easy recharging. There are lots of models to choose from HERE

Cash -$20 in small bills and a roll of quarters. Remember if there is no power, the ATM’s won’t work. Some markets may be open on a cash only basis. Some payphones may be operable and the quarters can be used to contact friends and family. A pre-paid calling card is also a good idea.

First Aid Kit-Every home should have a basic First Aid Kit hand.

Fire Extinguisher- Every home should have at least one working fire extinguisher readily available..

Personalize your home’s 72-Hour kit to meet the needs of YOUR family. If you have pets add pet food. If you have a baby add diapers, baby food, formula or whatever you think you will need. If you have someone with special needs. Make sure they have what they need.

If you lose power for more than a few hours, eat your perishables from the refrigerator before you open canned food. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as long as possible to keep cold air in. Food Safety Tip: If in doubt throw it out!!!! Don’t make yourself sick.

If you lose power in the winter and you don’t have electric heat, bundle up to maintain your body temperatures. Close all windows and doors to keep heat in. Block off all drafts using duct tape or blankets. Light a fire in the fireplace or woodstove if you have one. DO NOT LIGHT A BBQ OR OUTDOOR HEATER INSIDE. This can cause a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. If you lose power in the summer close all windows, curtains and doors during the day to help keep the inside cool. While maintaining your personal security, open windows and doors at night to allow cooler air inside.

What about your phone? Does your phone plug into the power outlet? If so, you may want to pick up a basic old fashion phone like a GE Slimline Phone. Just because you lose power, doesn’t mean you will necessarily lose your phone service. Even if your phone has a battery backup the battery may not last as long as the power outage. Having a basic phone that doesn’t utilize electricity may allow you to maintain communication with emergency services and friends and family. Slimline phones are cheap and are still readily available at Amazon.com. Keep a call list by your phone. Emergency numbers, friends and family. I don’t know about you, but if I ever lose my cell phone I’m in trouble. I’m not sure I could remember my husbands number.

If you are on city water, loosing power does not necessarily mean you will lose water right away. If you lose power and still have water pressure, fill up a bathtub with water. This water is for flushing toilets. When a toilet needs to be flushed, dump water into the tank. When the tank is full….flush. This will help maintain a stink free bathroom. DO NOT DRINK THIS WATER.

Just remember….no electricity means…no microwave, no electric stove top, no TV, no electric heat, no lights, no water if you are on a well. Assess you situation and plan accordingly.

If money is tight you don’t have to do this all in one shopping trip. Make a list and pick up a can or two of something every time you go to the store. Keep an eye on the sales and check the thrift stores for items as well.