Are you prepared for an emergency?  Natural disasters, accidents, loss of income, fire, etc?  This list can help you prepare an Emergency Preparedness kit (72 hour kit).  Gathered by Merikay Smith, who taught a mini-class, it is a suggested list for you to use along with your own ideas and personal needs.  Used in conjunction with family drills and first-aid classes, you will find your family prepared for the unexpected.

Suggested Emergency Supplies

Backpack/container for supplies kept in accessible area (near exit)

• flashlight and extra batteries
• candles or lantern
• waterproof matches and/or lighter
• Radio and extra batteries
• Water (suggested minimum seven gallons/person)
• water purifying tablets or clorox (1 tsp per 5 gal., 16 drops per gal, wait 30 minutes)

First-aid kit (one for home, one for car)

• First aid book (study before storing!)
• First aid container (water-tight, easy to carry)
• First aid cream
• Bandaids, butterfly strips
• Elastic bandages
• Sterilized gauze
• Adhesive tape
• Acetaminophen pain reliever (Tylenol)
• Small scissors, tweezers
• Thermometer
• Petroleum jelly
• Safety pins
• Cleasning agent, Liquid antiseptics
• Rubbing alcohol
• hydrogen peroxide
• Sunscreen
• Antacid
• Anti-Diarrhea medicine
• Ipecac (to induce vomiting after poisoning)
• Personal medications (at least 3 day supply)
• Vitamin supplements
• Instant cold packs
• Instant heat packs
• Bandages and dressing (various sizes)
• Baby supplies (diapers, formula, bottles, etc.)
• Toys- coloring books/crayons, etc

Personal supplies

• Comb
• Toothbrush, paste
• Washcloth, towel
• Sanitary needs
• Shampoo/soap
• Small sewing kit
• Razor, nail clippers
• extra clothing

All weather blanket or tarp (for home and car)

Food

• Ready to eat meat
• Peanut Butter
• Canned juice
• Dried fruit
• Crackers
• Granola bars
• Can opener
• Utensils, include sharp knife
• One year supply would include what, salt, sugar, oil, water

Sanitation supplies/paper products

• Large and small plastic trash bags
• Paper towels
• Toilet paper
• Paper cups/plates
• Hand wipes/dish cloth
• Sanitized dish towel (doubles as triangular bandage)
• Bleach
• Liquid detergent

Valuable Papers

• Insurance information
• Wills, Titles, etc.
• Select genealogy papers
• Family photos
• Cash

Miscellaneous survival supplies

• Tools
• Identification tags for each family member (including blood type, medical problems, doctors, etc.)
• Compass and Maps
• Pocket Knife
• Plastic sheeting
• Shovel

Phone number and address of local and out of town relative or friend to contact in an emergency (not on a cell phone).

(Merikay Smith)

Taken from Encouragement, a publication of Angela DiCicco and Gail Signor