After seeing and watching the disaster in Japan, after there 8.9 Earthquake, I started to feel sick in my stomach for the suffering and challenges that they are now facing. However seeing disaster on the news, and experiencing it in real life are completely different things.

While in many cases, the disaster it’s self takes a large number of lives, more often than not, lack of preparation takes as many lives after the fact. So with that in mind, and because, I am feel extremely vulnerable at the moment, I have put together some of the best Information that I can find on 72 Hour Kits, and what should be included in them.

72 Hour Kit for the Family

Your basic emergency kit should include:
•    Water- One Gallon of Water for Each Person, and a LIFE STRAW or some other form of simple water filtration.

•    Food-    Ready to eat food, that doesn’t need heat or much water to prepare. MRE’s are great, but make sure it is food your family will actually eat. In an emergency they need comfort, and food really helps.

•    First Aid kit- two pairs disposable gloves, sterile dressing, cleansing agent/soap, antibiotic
ointment, burn ointment, adhesive bandages, eye wash, scissors, diarrhea
medication, prescription medications and prescribed medical supplies

•    Essential medications0n – Perscriptions and common drugs like Ibprophen, aspirin Tylenol etc. Also Triple Anti Biotic Ointment

•    Manual can opener – If you brought canned food in your 72 hour kit

•    Flashlight- Get the wind up, or a HIGH QUALITY shake Up Kind. If it is the cheapo ones, they don’t work for long.

•    Radio—battery operated, or preferably a wind up radio (in disasters, there is usually no electricity)

•    Cash in small denominations (no one will be able to make change for you)

•    A copy of important documents & phone numbers (you can’t get this info in an emergency, you need to do this NOW)

•    Unscented liquid household bleach for water purification (or Iodine)

•    Personal hygiene items including toilet paper, feminine supplies, and soap (Feminie Supplies are often used to absorb blood, and cover wounds)

•    Sturdy shoes

•    Heavy gloves, Gloves are power, plus you don’t know when you will encounter, broken glass, debris, downed power lines etc.

•    Warm clothes, a hat and rain gear

•    A local map (no power means no cell signal, means no gps for many of us)

•    Extra prescription eyeglasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items

•    Plastic sheeting, duct tape and utility knife for covering broken windows- This can also be used for bedding and protection.

•    Blanket or sleeping bag

•    Extra keys to your house and vehicle

•    Large plastic bags for waste and sanitation

•    Diapers and other items for babies and small children (this is critical for children, even potty trained ones)

•    Special need items for family members with mobility issues such as an extra cane or manual
wheelchair in case there is no power for recharging

•    For your pets, drinking water, bowls, food, cat litter, extra leash and/ or pet carrier, toys,
veterinary records

Personal Kits

Every family member should have there own personal kit. This will include items specific to them, and also comforting to them in an emergency.

•    Some water, food, and manual can opener

•     Flashlight

•    Radio—battery operated

•     Batteries
•    Whistle

•    Personal medications and prescriptions

•    Extra keys to your house and vehicle

•    Basic First Aid kit and instructions

•    Walking shoes, warm clothes, a hat, and rain gear

•    Extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items

•    Toilet paper, plastic bags and other hygiene supplies

•    Dust mask

•    Pocket knife

•    Paper, pens and tape for leaving messages

•    Cash in small denominations

•    Copies of insurance and identification cards

•    A recent picture of your family members and pets

•    In your child’s go-bag include a favorite toy, game or book as well as his or her emergency
card with reunification location and out-of-area contact information

Most of this information came from a variety of government and other sites. I can not claim credit for it. That being said. I am going to spend my saturday at the dollar store and Walmart, getting most of these items.