72 Hour Kits

Orchard Seventh Ward 72 Hour Kit Training

Purpose:  To help your families understand the importance of a 72 hour emergency plan.

Why do we need a family 72 hour kit?

There are many types of disasters and emergencies:  floods, fires, earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes. In many cases, a 72 hour kit could mean the difference between life and death. It is estimated that after a major disaster, it may take up to three days for relief workers to reach some areas.  In such a case, if you live in a disaster prone area a 72-hour kit is the minimum you should have available. Plan your 72 hour kit according to your family’s size.

Family activity: 

Provide each family member with a pencil and piece of paper and then ask each family member to write down what they need to have in their family 72 hour kit and then ask them what they would like to have in their family 72 hour kit.  If there is a pet in the family ask what they need to have in their family 72 hour kit to make sure their pet is comfortable.

*** 72 Hour Kit Info You Need To Know ***1) Your 72 hour kit should be in a portable container located near an exit of your house or better, sheltered in your backyard.  2) Each family member should have their own 72 hour kit with food, clothing and water. Distribute heavy items between kits.  3) Enclose the extra clothing, matches, personal documents, and other items damageable by smoke or water in plastic to protect them.  4) Keep a light source in the top of your 72 hour kit, so you can find it quickly in the dark.  5) Personalize your 72 hour kit. Make sure you fill the needs of each family member.  6) Inspect your 72 hour kit at least twice a year. Rotate food and water every six months. Don’t forget to check your medications. Check children’s clothing for proper fit. Adjust clothing for winter or summer needs. Check expiration dates on batteries, light sticks, warm packs, food and water.  7) Consider the needs of elderly people as well as those with handicaps or other special needs when building your 72 hour kit. For example: for babies, store diapers, washcloth, ointment, bottles and pacifiers, and other special supplies.  (Homeland Security News and Information)  People with pets often prepare a 72 hour kit for their pets also.

There are numerous internet sites a family can go to that provide information on 72 hour kits and one of the best is www.bountifulutah.gov – you can also access the Orchard Seventh Ward Emergency Preparation Group on Facebook which details numerous helpful emergency preparation sites (contact Brother McQueen at davidmmcqueen@comcast .net). 

Brother McQueen will also email 72 hour kit information to anyone who is interested or call him at 801-992-3201 and he will provide you with handouts outlining what you might need to make your own 72 hour kit or where to go to purchase a commercial 72 hour kit.

72 Hour Emergency Kit Information from Bountiful City Family Emergency Handbook 

The following emergency preparedness kit should be kept cool, dry, and readily accessible for rapid exit. It could be stored in easy-to-carry backpacks, duffle bags, suitcases, or 5 gallon buckets. Include a master list in the top of each kit with date prepared.

Water

1 gallon per person per day

Water Purification Tablets or chlorine bleach

Equipment

Adjustable Wrench - Hammer – Pocketknife-Battery Powered Radio (extra batteries)-Fire Extinguisher (very small)-Flashlights (extra batteries) - Light Stick-Folding Shovel-Plastic,2 sheets 9'x12' (shelter, ground cloth, water collection)-Rope (1/4 x 26')-Duct Tape-Tent - Tarp (Shelter)-Whistle (1 per person)-Work Gloves-Sanitation-Plastic Bucket with Tight Fitting Lid-Plastic Trash Bags (large & small, also zip locks)-Disinfectant (bleach, Lysol, powdered chlorinated lime)-Toilet Paper-Soap, Towel-Cooking / Heating-Aluminum Foil-Backpack Stove-Candles (2 large)-Manuel Can Opener-Dish Soap, dish cloth, towel-Knife-Matches in Foil or Waterproof Container-Mess Kit (1 per 2 people)-Pan for cooking/Washing-Metal Cup - Pan, Can or Small Tin Pail-Paper Plates, Cups, Napkins, Plastic Utensils Spoon & Fork - Metal Utensils for Mixing

Stress / Morale Boosters

Scriptures-Ball, Small Games, Crossword Puzzles, Cards-Hard Candy, Chocolate Chips-Harmonica / Needlework / Pictures-Paper, Pencils, Crayons, Permanent Marker-Food for 3 days-Baby Food - Baby Cereal - Formula – Juice-Beef Jerky - Canned Meats/Tuna/Spam-Candy - Hard Candy, Lollipops, Gum-Canned Fruits / Vegetables / Juice-Canned Foods / Chili, Pork &Beans, Ravioli, Soup,Spaghetti, Stew-Cereals (Oatmeal, Cracked Wheat)-Crackers – Cookies-Dry Soup Mix - Ramen Noodles-Dried Fruits - Raisins, Trail Mix, Fruit Roll-Ups-Granola Bars - Peanuts, Trail Mix-MREs (Meals Ready to Eat)-Peanut Butter, Jelly, Honey-Powdered Milk / Cocoa Mix-Clothing / Bedding-1 Space Blanket Per Person-1 Wool/Fleece Blanket or 1 Sleeping Bag Per Person-1 Change of Clothes-Underwear-Shoes, 2 Pair Socks (at least 1 wool)-Sweatshirt, Gloves-Infant’s clothing, Pacifiers, Blankets-Disposable Diapers.

Hygiene

Comb & Brush-Deodorant-Lotion-Feminine Hygiene Needs-Lip Balm, Chap Stick, Blistex, Tube of Vaseline-Nail Clippers, Nail File-Shaving Supplies-Shampoo-Small Mirror-Soap (liquid preferred; a soap bar needs a container)-Toothbrush / Toothpaste-Washcloth / Towel

Other

First Aid Kit-Insect Repellant / Sun Screen-Money (Coins, small bills, credit card)-Safety Pins, Needle, Thread, Scissors, Buttons-Extra Glasses-Extra Set of Car Keys-Keep the family’s most valuable documents (or copies) in your emergency kit ready to pick up and take with you: deeds, mortgage, titles, insurance, wills, home contents & pictures, social security numbers, drivers license or ID-cards, birth certificates, account numbers, genealogy, current pictures of family members, name, address & telephone-number of out of state contact, etc. All this information could be put on one 3 ½" computer disk, CD or flash drive.

Infants / Toddlers / Senior Citizens / Pets

Infants and children have special needs in a 72 hour kit. Items should include:

Infants & Children-Their own bag & labeled with their name-Disposable Diapers (36-48 minimum)*Disposable Wet Wipes*-Plastic Garbage Bags*-Two Changes of Clothes*-Two Pair Pajamas-Two Blankets Hat, Gloves, Socks-Infant Formula (may be needed to supplement nursing babies)-Instant Baby Cereal Canned Food/Juices (must be consumed at one meal to prevent spoilage)-Teething Biscuits & Orajel Sterilized Water / Also Pedialyte-Plastic bottles (Label with Name)-Disposable Bottle Liners-Extra Nipples Bib-Plastic Spoon & Bowl-Pacifier (Label with name)-Safety Pins-Baby Powder-Baby Oil-Diaper Rash Medication-Children’s Tylenol-Assorted Toys (label with name)-remember that hygiene with infants is critical and plan accordingly.

Consider your pet’s needs in planning for an emergency.

• Have a current ID tag, license.• Keep their vaccinations current.• Keep pet carriers, extra collars, leashes on hand to contain and calm your pet.• Your pet needs a half gallon of drinking water per day.• Store at least 2 weeks supply of food.-In case of evacuation, be aware that pets are not allowed in Red Cross emergency shelters.

Seniors:  Arrange for someone to check on you-have a plan to signal for help-extra batteries for all you medical needs-list of all medical devices and medications-teach people how to operate the medical devices you have before an emergency.

Other Emergency Kits:  Basic First Aid Kit, Car Survival Kit, Office Emergency Kit.

 

Always maintain at least a half of tank of gas in your car