Yesterday we talked about how you should prepare a 72 hour kit for each member of your family. We looked at the list for 72-hr kits and the suggested items to include in a 72 hour kit from Utah.gov. I told you to print it out and put it in your binder. The list was pretty easy to understand and pretty specific. Most of the items are easy and cheap to buy and even easier to store. What do you do once you have bought all the items? The Utah.gov website also has tips for storing your 72 hour kit. There are also many other useful tips about 72 hour kits.

Emergency Container Tip:

A water-tight container is most ideal for keeping a 72 Hour Kit. Most people prepare and store 72 hour kits in backpacks because they are easy to carry. I think this is a great idea. Right now backpacks can be purchased in the clearance section of many stores and the back-to-school items are marked down.

Utah.gov had some other suggestions. “Create emergency kits and store in any type of containers with wheels. Such as for the larger kits; garbage cans, foot-lockers, chest, duffle bags, tote bags, ice chest, various size suitcases or various size plastic boxes.”

Suggested Areas To Store 72 Hour Kits:

1. Store grab-and-go food and water container where easy to access in case you are advised to evacuate.
2. Children and adults keep their emergency kit(s) in their bedrooms. Let the children have responsibility for their own backpack and have the older children buddy-up and take care of younger brothers or sisters. Mom, dad take care of baby.
3. If a senior citizen resides with the family, also buddy-up and help them for they move slower and a backpack may be too heavy for them to carry.
4. Donʼt forget house pets should also have emergency kits to be ready to grab-and-go. Pack the foods pet(s) normally eat, leashes, crates and litterbox.
5. Re-think where all of your camping gear is located throughout the household. Keep in one area if possible for easy access so youʼre not looking in the dark with a flashlight for things.
6. Always keep a pair of hard sole shoes underneath your bed.

Stay tuned tomorrow when we continue to talk about emergency preparedness. We’ve got a few more tips and ideas to share. Want us to share your idea? Let us know, we love to hear from you.