Family Emergency Kit

Starting A Kit Is Tougher Than It Seems

We recently purchase a 4x4 SUV in August 2011. Overall excitement and new ideas/adventures were our intention with this new vehicle for our family. Besides more room for kids and grocery space we were looking forward to road trips, camping, driving on the beach and overall off road capabilities with our Lexus GX470. 

A few items are needed to make these times more enjoyable. I started with a bag for the back of my SUV and began to research things to have in tow. The wish list for the SUV is HUGE and then I started to think about recent snow storms in Northern VA and I wanted a emergency kit for my family.

We had an plastic Rubbermade rack and I cleared it off. I started with some basic everyday household items and then it grew.....you can put as much money as you want into this. Either way the old saying "better safe than sorry" comes to mind or the "what ifs?"

First make a list, being organized and sticking to your budget can save money and space if you are working with a smaller area. Then look around your house for items you may have or not be using. (Ex. duck tape, candles, matches can be found around the house)

So here is my list of what we have so far:

Plastic tarp

Duck tape (for chemical attack or pandemic to sell windows/doors)

2 pairs heavy working gloves

Waterproof matches

Candles 

Canned veggies

Canned beans

Canned fruits

Canned juice

Can opener

Propane tank

Grill

Wood chips or starter wood

2 pots

2 pans

Benchmade knife

Plastic trash bags with zip ties

4 emergency survival blankets (depends on how many people are in your family)

4 ponchos

8-10 hand warmers

Paper Towels

Toilet paper

2 tissue packs

4 toothbrushes and 1tube toothpaste

4 glow sticks

utility rope ( made of twine, not plastic)

Drinking water - 2 gallons

2 plastic flashlights ( batteries)

Coloring book, crayons, playing cards (other kid friendly activities)

First aid kit (small)

Paper face masks (1 pack has 4 masks)

Gas can (keep away from fire, heat or grilling items)

Ok, so some people are like what do you do with all this crap if nothing happens?! Well, concerning canned foods & water if our family doesn't use these items then we plan to donate them to a food pantry before it's expiration arrives.  Other items are needed for camping anyhow and it's good to have most of these items for a storm, hurricane or power outage.

So, in the beginning August 2011 I started this little "stock pile" and it was just a little thing that was for "what ifs" and for my new rustic flavor, until we had an Earthquake hit our area in Northern VA August 23rd 2011. I am taking this emergency kit to a WHOLE new level!

Experiencing 1st hand the lack of cell phone coverage in a 4 hour period and there was no real damage or fatalities scared me even more for the  BIG ONE! Everything we had is now considered post earthquake gear!

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d8aaecf214c576bf971e4cfe43181aa0/?vgnextoid=72c51a53f1c37110VgnVCM1000003481a10aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default

Items I Am Adding:

Shovel

Feminine items

Diapers & wipes 

Whistle

Purified water tablets 

Copies of important documents, papers and files (in case you have to evacuate)

Cash

More gas

Need to know how to change a flat tire

Family meeting area or route (maps)

Power bars or ration bars 

*A Radio

Once the earthquake hit and cell service was jammed I went straight to the tv which was out. I kinda thought it was a earthquake but at first I thought my washer was loaded with too many towels and was rocking the house, then a panic when the tv was out that something worse had happened. I need a battery controlled radio!

I'm bothered by the fact that the flashlights & radios require batteries. What if the batteries die before you us them or what do you do when they run out? I don't want to be completely dependent batteries. Wind-up and/or solar powered equipment is a must now I feel. Also, what about charging gadgets like cell phones or other electric items you might have with you that need energy. I am looking into an inverter for my car as well!

*More Water

A luxury I take for granted and if gas lines, power line or septic is getting into your water you could be out of water fast.  Allow 1 gallon per person per day up to 3-4 days! So I say have at least 5 gallons of water for a family of 4 to start. Whether it's during summer or winter water is a commodity you don't want to have to be looking for, worried or panicked about! Stock up now!

*First Aid Kit

Yea, I have little stuff for my family like band aids & peroxide. But think if you or a family member is hurt or unable to move. You may need some extra first aid for you, a loved one or neighbor. Include medications and personal hygiene items in a separate container. Alcohol, gauze, and breakable ice packs for bumps and bruises. A medical book could be handy since I am not a wiz at symptoms or how to treat certain things. If the power is out no Wed MD so I am going to try and add a medical book to my stock pile! 

*Two-Way-Radio or Walkie Talkies

My husbands work building is 3-4 miles away and we may be able to communicate with some nice walkie talkies if cell service is down.

*A Family Plan

Where would you go? Where would you meet? You need to have a rough plan in mind and everyone in your family on the same page. Get matching maps and highlight some plans to follow or somewhere to meet. Think of friends or family that may live outside your area and email them to let them know if you plan on including them.

God forbid if your child is at school during an emergency but ask the school whats their policy on emergency or evacuations and talk it over with your kids.

This 2011 school year I plan to include a comfort note to my child from me, a blanket and glow stick for my kid to bring with her for her student supply bag. Teachers are trained for emergency but as a comfort ask your child's school if you are able to include something like this with this years schools supplies out of your pocket!

 *MRE's

Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs) are packaged food rations created by the US military which are used to aid soldiers who may not have access to food preparation facilities.

Typically MREs contain an entrée, a side dish, either crackers or bread, margarine or spread for bread, a ration of coffee and creamer, dessert and required utensils. They also contain a ration heater, which tends to work by adding a little water to the MREs. This effectively heats the entrée and the coffee. Most MREs contain about 1200-1500 calories. (this definition provided by wiseGeek)

I want to pick a few of these up!

*Car Kit

Having a small container in your car or trunk with a few of these items are important. How often are you really home? I am home all the time but I am a stay at home Mom. What if I prepare all this stuff and am out one day when a emergency happens. Yea, you can never be fully prepared but it would be silly to spend all this time and money and be stuck in your car during a storm, blizzard or disaster. If I were stuck in my car more than 2-3 hours with my 2 kids I could be in serious trouble - no thanks! 

Some simple steps to make you think - be informed and start to be in control if something were to happen in your area. Like I said in the beginning you can invest in as a little as you want in your family emergency kit. Add things week by week or every other month. Skip the big stuff and just start with canned food, water and a first aid kit. Think about a situation you, a friend or loved one has been in. What could your family really need or could not go without and start from there!