Evacuation Kits (72 Hour Kit)

Your evacuation kit needs to be convenient. Keep it in a place that is easy to get to...a closet, the garage, wherever you can pick it up in a hurry. If you are away from home a lot, perhaps the trunk of your car. Choose a container that is easy to carry. A backpack works perfectly. Each family member should have their own backpack with a portion of the supplies. Other ideas might be to store it in a garbage can or bin that has handles. Here are some ideas of what to include in such a kit:

Basic Supplies
Battery powered radio and extra batteries
flashlight and extra batteries
first aid kit and first aid manual
prescription medications or special needs such as eye glasses
credit card and cash (small bills and quarters)
personal identification
extra car keys
matches in a waterproof container
signal flare
map of area
phone numbers of important contacts
info on area emergency services...where to evacuate to, etc.
copies of important documents, policies, etc.
(wills, policies, deeds, stocks, bonds, passports, SS cards, account #’s, family records)

Food
you need enough food to last three days for each
person, including such things as:
Granola bars
Beef Jerky
Canned Meats
Fruit/Pudding cups
nuts, trail mix, raisins, dried fruit
juice or drink boxes
cheese/crackers
hard candy
canned milk
dry food mixes (cocoa, soup, etc), MRE foods
Water

Warmth/shelter
Warm clothes for each person
extra comfortable shoes
Space blankets
garbage bags (great light shelter or rain poncho..
also to make a makeshift porta-pottie!)
rain poncho
hand warmers
tent (sporting goods stores sell great small ones!)
tarp
hat, gloves, coat, etc.
Safety/First Aid/Personal Needs
Toilet Paper
Sanitary or Baby Wipes
Antibacterial Gel
Soap
Antibacterial cream
bandages
Feminine Hygiene needs
Diapers
pain reliever, etc.

Additional Items
This is where you really want to talk about how comfortable you want to be! Sure, the milk carton kit will sustain you, but will you really feel comfortable? Just keep in mind that you have to be able to carry this with you. What if you have to walk? Prepare your kit so that you can drop unnecessary items if they are slowing you down.
Sleeping bags
full size tent
lantern
small cookstove (sporting goods stores have very small ones!)
water purifier

Comfort Items
favorite toy or blanket
books, toys, games
photos of loved ones
shampoo, deodorant, comb & brush, lip balm, toothbrushes/paste,etc.

First Aid Kit
Your first aid kit could contain the following:
First Aid Manual
bandages in an assortment of sizes
safety pins
latex gloves
antibacterial gel
antidiarrhea medication
ipecac
antacids
vitamins
allergy medications
prescription medications
scissors
tweezers
needle
antiseptic
petroleum jelly
sunscreen
names & numbers of doctors and pharmacists
eye drops
burn spray
cold pack