72 Hour Kits for Home Preparedness | Lifestyle

by BillMontgomery

With a record snowfall and continued flurries, I have to consider this a potential survival situation. Just like me, you may not have expected the unexpected, but now you are faced with a problem. Having a disaster kit might become necessary. Are you prepared?

If I was to have a power loss, I would quickly find that the house was quickly getting cold. Since my stove is electric and the stack of firewood outside only has a few pieces left, things are going to get cold. Even if you have gas heating, you wouldn't have the electric fan to circulate the warm air. This inconvenience is now becoming a real problem.

Since I am at home and have shelter, I will plan on staying in my home for now. With a home survival bag, I can concentrate on the tools and items I need without the worry of shelter. The items I need will help me get through the next couple days if needed. Here are the basic items I want to have available.

Water - Each person needs a minimum of two liters per day. If the electricity has gone out, the city's pumps could be down. I could melt some of the snow outside, but my electric stove is not working due to the power loss. Having the ability to start a small fire would allow me to melt the water. However, having some water stored is an easier option and keeps me inside the house. The water can be in your own containers or pre-packaged, such as bottled water. Just make sure you have enough available and rotate it as needed.

Food - Not only is this necessary to keep our energy up, it can also be a great comfort. When packing for a survival bag, consider foods that have a long shelf life and can be prepared with minimal effort. Canned foods are a good option as long as you aren't relying on an electric can opener. MRE and freeze-dried options can provide a wide variety of options with little to no preparation. I keep some of both in my kit because of the variety.

Shelter - If you are staying in your house like I am, make sure you have enough blankets or sleeping bags available. You need to consider the fact that there might not be any heat and family members might need more than one. Considering placing these items in a easily accessible area or alongside your kit

Tools - Even if your garage is full of tools, could you use them without power? Consider the following as a minimum and keep them in your survival bag. A multi-tool can be used as a can opener and other unexpected situations. A set of flashlights, candles or glowsticks can provide the lighting you need and provide comfort at night. I use crank-type flashlights, in addition to candles and glowsticks so I don't have to rely on batteries. Matches or lighters are essential for starting a fire or lighting candles. Be sure to place matches in a container to keep them dry and ready for use. A radio is also a great idea for keeping up with news/weather information. Just like my flashlight, I have a radio that uses a crank for power. This eliminates the need for extra batteries. As a final item, I like to keep a small notepad for talking/leaving notes.

Remember to assemble these items in a box, bag or other type of container that can be stored in an accessible area and resist the urge to borrow from it. Although this is a very basic list, I hope it helps you think about those items you might need based on your specific needs. You probably have most, if not all the items you need. A little preparedness planning now could really make life easier during an unexpected event.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.

Learn more about the essentials you need in case of a disaster now! There are many items required for a 72 hour kit to be effective. Having a disaster kit can protect you and your family in case of a disaster!