72-Hour Kit Essentials
A 72-hour kit should contain the essentials needed for survival for a 72-hour period. It should be portable enough to take in a car or even the more essential portions on foot. Store it in an accessible place where it can be picked up at a moment's notice. Keep an index of the items in your kit with expiration dates where appropriate. Once your 72-hour kit is assembled, reassess the kit every six months to replace expired items. General Conference is a good time to help you remember. Some emergencies may require tents, tarps, boots, coats, etc. Keep these and other possible useful items accessible. Think and plan ahead. Remember, "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear" (D&C 38:30). This is a Week-by-Week List of Items to Put into Your 72-Hour Kit
January
-Obtain 72-hour kit container (backpack, duffel bag, plastic bin).
-Check the batteries in your smoke detector.
-Place a flashlight next to your bed and one in an alternate location; check batteries.
-Add 1-1/2 gallons of water per person.*
-Add $10 cash.**
February
-Add a can opener.
-Add 2 cans of tuna fish/canned meat.
-Add 1 large roll of paper towels.
-Add 1 blanket.
March
-Add $10 cash.
-Add 4 rolls of toilet paper.
-Add 1 bar of soap.
-Add stress relief items (books, games).
April
-Add pocket/utility knife.
-Add $10 cash.
-Add 1 container of baby wipes.
-Add 1-2 changes of clothing.
May
-Add 48 oz. non-carbonated canned juice.
-Add 1 can of fruit and 1 can of vegetables.
-Add $10 cash.
-Add 1 box of matches.
-Add hard candy (jolly ranchers, lifesavers).
June
Add 1-1/2 lbs. peanut butter.
Add Ziploc bags (varied sizes).
Add $10 cash.
Check batteries in smoke detectors. Practice escape routes.
July
Add 1 box of crackers.
Add plastic utensils.
Add large candle and matches.
Add $10 cash.
Add 1 lb. graham crackers.
August
Add flashlight; check batteries.
Add disinfectant (beta dine, bleach sterile wipes, hand sanitizer).
Add paper cups.
Add $10 cash.
September
Add basic first-aid kit.
Add 1 lb. dried fruit (date for rotation).
Add 1/2 lb. non-fate dried milk.
Add battery-powered radio; check batteries.
October
Add $10 cash.
Add diapers and/or feminine hygiene supplies.
Add toothbrush and toothpaste.
Add hand shovel.
November
Add $10 cash.
Verify that each family member's immunizations are up to date.
Add 1 large roll of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
Add 1 axe.
December
Add paper plates.
Add $10 cash.
Add 1-2 boxes pre-sweetened cereal.
Add photocopies of personal documents (insurance info, medical records, birth certificates, social security cards, photos, etc.) and send copies to a family member or friend in a separate location.
Though many of the items on the list can be shared among family members, each person should have their own individual kit containing their clothes, food, personal items, etc.
*I've heard a pretty wide range of amounts for short-term water storage and I think this is a little on the low end of the spectrum. It's enough water to keep you alive, but it may be wise to store more depending on what you plan to use it for, the kinds of food you hope to be able to prepare, etc.
**When you save cash for an emergency, it's always best to save small bills, as you may not be able to get change in some emergency situations.
-Obtain 72-hour kit container (backpack, duffel bag, plastic bin).
-Check the batteries in your smoke detector.
-Place a flashlight next to your bed and one in an alternate location; check batteries.
-Add 1-1/2 gallons of water per person.*
-Add $10 cash.**
February
-Add a can opener.
-Add 2 cans of tuna fish/canned meat.
-Add 1 large roll of paper towels.
-Add 1 blanket.
March
-Add $10 cash.
-Add 4 rolls of toilet paper.
-Add 1 bar of soap.
-Add stress relief items (books, games).
April
-Add pocket/utility knife.
-Add $10 cash.
-Add 1 container of baby wipes.
-Add 1-2 changes of clothing.
May
-Add 48 oz. non-carbonated canned juice.
-Add 1 can of fruit and 1 can of vegetables.
-Add $10 cash.
-Add 1 box of matches.
-Add hard candy (jolly ranchers, lifesavers).
June
Add 1-1/2 lbs. peanut butter.
Add Ziploc bags (varied sizes).
Add $10 cash.
Check batteries in smoke detectors. Practice escape routes.
July
Add 1 box of crackers.
Add plastic utensils.
Add large candle and matches.
Add $10 cash.
Add 1 lb. graham crackers.
August
Add flashlight; check batteries.
Add disinfectant (beta dine, bleach sterile wipes, hand sanitizer).
Add paper cups.
Add $10 cash.
September
Add basic first-aid kit.
Add 1 lb. dried fruit (date for rotation).
Add 1/2 lb. non-fate dried milk.
Add battery-powered radio; check batteries.
October
Add $10 cash.
Add diapers and/or feminine hygiene supplies.
Add toothbrush and toothpaste.
Add hand shovel.
November
Add $10 cash.
Verify that each family member's immunizations are up to date.
Add 1 large roll of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
Add 1 axe.
December
Add paper plates.
Add $10 cash.
Add 1-2 boxes pre-sweetened cereal.
Add photocopies of personal documents (insurance info, medical records, birth certificates, social security cards, photos, etc.) and send copies to a family member or friend in a separate location.
Though many of the items on the list can be shared among family members, each person should have their own individual kit containing their clothes, food, personal items, etc.
*I've heard a pretty wide range of amounts for short-term water storage and I think this is a little on the low end of the spectrum. It's enough water to keep you alive, but it may be wise to store more depending on what you plan to use it for, the kinds of food you hope to be able to prepare, etc.
**When you save cash for an emergency, it's always best to save small bills, as you may not be able to get change in some emergency situations.
1 comment:
Just wanted you to know, I started working on my 72-hour kit. I have cans of food, two rolls of toilet paper, a box of matches, and a pocket knife so far.
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