stephmodo: Preparedness

• 17 March 2011

It's hard to know where to start when discussing all of the calamities that have taken place in Japan this week. It's heartbreaking to watch all of the video clips of the tsunami striking--there is nothing more frightening than watching someone's village being completely obliterated in a matter of minutes. I can't help but start thinking about how unprepared I am for a disaster of this magnitude. Not good!

To jumpstart the preparedness process, I asked one of my friends to share with me the contents of her family's 72-hour-kit. A few things in her kit struck me as particularly useful--head lamps, baby wipes, power bars, $2000, and all of their important docs in a binder (i.e. passports, birth certificates, medical records, etc.). I'm in total awe of her organization! I know I'd feel more relaxed about living in this crazy world if I were prepared to leave my home quickly.

Tell me, what do you put in your 72-hour-kits, if you have one? I'd love to start an impromptu forum of good ideas so we can all learn from each other. Thanks!

p.s. some video clips you may not have seen just yet--they were broadcasted on Russia Today:

clip 1 / clip 2 / clip 3

first aid kid by Best Made, found via Polkadot / also love this 72-hour-kit...well-designed and looks easy to carry

17 comments:

AnonymousMarch 17, 2011 at 9:26 AM
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AnonymousMarch 17, 2011 at 9:26 AM
I don't have an emergency kit (I'm thinking now I really should..) but if I did, I would keep some of the things that are really important to our family in it -- things like old family photos that absolutely can't be replaced if something were to happen. My mom always kept that kind of stuff in a fire box in our basement.
AngelaMarch 17, 2011 at 9:28 AM
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RachelMarch 17, 2011 at 9:32 AM
We have emegency backpacks for everyone in our family so we can take them and run. On top of the kit is a list that says what we would want to take in case we need to leave quickly and where those items are located in our house. That way we don't have to think about it. Things like family heirlooms, important documents, a stash of cash, photos, etc.
AngelaMarch 17, 2011 at 9:32 AM
My son heads off to college this fall so I've been reading dorm contracts. One of the schools strongly encourages each student to bring a First Aid Kit and a few other "survival" items. As a result, I've decided to give a First Aid Kit to friends and family who will be in the dorms for the first time next year. I don't care it they think it's a boring gift. :-)I'll include a little note that says "Hope you never need this but it's good to be prepared."
JessicaMarch 17, 2011 at 9:57 AM
Great post! We always keep essentials hygiene supplies, iodine tablets for water or apparently radiation as well, rationed food packs, money, documents like birth certificates, passports,important phone numbers, dog supplies, and our church magazines and scriptures. I never thought about photos so that is a great idea for us to add.
BlogfulMarch 17, 2011 at 10:04 AM
I live in FL and have used my 72-hr kit several times. The one thing I am always glad I have is toys for my kids. Little books and games make waiting in shelters or for storms to pass less scary and more calm. You'd be surprised how much time you have to kill waiting for power to be restored or FEMA to call back.
whoohoogirlMarch 17, 2011 at 11:28 AM
In my emergency kit, besides our birth certificates, immunization records and important contacts (family and medical) I have identification kits for our children. These are from police seminars where they fingerprint your children, DNA and any identifying marks are listed. Along with the regular medicines and such, I also include plenty of water, powdered milk, granola etc.
noelleMarch 17, 2011 at 11:37 AM
1. absolutely need prescriptions of those necessary meds that you our your children might need. i began thinking about this when one of my children was on an inhaler....and there are many more necessary meds that people are on daily. be sure to check the dates.

2. an old phone...not a cordless phone. your fiberoptics will be up for 10-12 hours after electricity is out.

3. most importantly...your important documents need to be copied and sent to a trusted family member or friend outside of your geographic location. when disaster strikes starting your life won't be so hard. this came from a washington post article after katrina...people were having a terrible proving who they were etc. one thing to have in your docs is your most current tax return. got lots of info on there. you have the originals...someone else far away has the copies. we have sent out two copies just to be safe since i'm paranoid.

4. have an emergency kit in your car. things happen when your out of your house.
littlestreetfighter's MomMarch 17, 2011 at 1:37 PM
We live in Christchurch New Zealand and I though I've experienced 2000 earthquakes I STILL don't have a kit...I've got to get on this asap. good thinking !

jennifer
AnonymousMarch 17, 2011 at 6:10 PM
I don't have an emergency kit per se. I have several flashlights on each floor and bottled water. Copies of documents are out of the state with my brother. I am a 9/11 surivor and chances are you will not be near any of these things during traumatic event. What helped me, other than God, was to act quickly and not underestimate the severity of the situation.
BarbMarch 17, 2011 at 6:55 PM
We have a change of clothes and set of good walking shoes in our kits. I just replenished ours (checked the food and water, and made a kit for my toddler son). I'm feeling really energized about taking emergency preparedness seriously, I'm disappointed in myself that it took a horrible tragedy like this to kick me into gear.
Mrs. BiscuitMarch 18, 2011 at 5:31 PM
Important papers and passports is a great idea that we hadn't thought of! Hubby and I have food, water, etc... but the important papers aren't easy to grab. Thanks for the tip!
Sarah Sedgwick AndersonMarch 18, 2011 at 7:22 PM
Also work gloves, a whistle, a gun would be a good idea :( (I think of what happened during Hurricane Katrina where people had to defend their houses, yikes), did I say a water filter? I think neon bandanas would also be a good idea.
KJMarch 22, 2011 at 4:32 PM
photocopies of our important documents, account numbers, id's etc. Coloring books, crayons, 2 matchbox cars and a small snuggle toy for my little ones. Of course, the usual: snacks with a long shelf life, water, flashlights and batteries and first aid that includes children's pain relievers.
Jen BerryMarch 23, 2011 at 11:27 AM
this looks good: http://72hours.org/build_kit.html
Jane SaysMarch 25, 2011 at 9:12 AM
we just started our 72 hour kits last week. if you go to the federal army and navy surplus in belltown, you can find some useful items to add into your kits. plus, it's just a fun place to shop!