First I need to explain where I'm coming from.
I am packing our 72-hour kits to be complete for us to WALK out of our house. If we are able to take a car, we will throw in sleeping bags, tent, camp stove, etc. In fact, a later challenge will involve creating an evacuation list: when it's time to go what's the first thing to grab, second, third, etc. to keep organized in a small amount of time and not devolve into chaos.
However, some families may be able to be more comprehensive with their kits. My husband and I have 3 kids -- 7, 5, almost 3 -- who can offer little help and will themselves be a burden (and I say that with love but a 30 pound 3-year old will only walk so far so I'm just being realistic!).
Thus, our 72-hour kits are 2 adult backpacks, 1 full-size child backpack, and 1 mini child backpack.
Right now the posts will be divided into 3 categories. Make your own list for each category and COLLECT the items you have in your home on that list. That way you know what's left to purchase/find. At the end of the month, I will combine the 3 categories together and print a list of each backpack's contents to put in that backpack. That should help make it easier to rotate items every 6 months.
Ready? First category: comfort and clothing
This is the easiest category to get done because it's almost all on hand. It's also the easiest one to go overboard on so it may need purging at the end of the month but we'll see. This list is anything that is not a life or death item basically. Fun stuff to keep kids entertained, clothing (not being able to change your clothes won't kill you I think), and little things that make you happy (because seriously, if you're in an emergency situation you need SOMETHING to brighten your day!).
Here's my list with explanations and then I'll post some links to other blogs with great ideas!
Each individual gets 1 full change of clothing but 3 pairs of socks.
You do NOT want your feet to suffer if you're walking everywhere.
For my kids I am packing long pants but light knit types. I want the length to help protect them from bugs and sun. But they will have short-sleeved shirts. It is Texas in the summer after all.
2 tarps / cheap shower curtains / large trash bags for creating a shelter
hats
Glow sticks -- the skinny $1 for a tube kind.
Hard candy / gum / mints
card games / mini bowling game
scriptures (we have mini military ones so it doesn't add a lot of weight)
book(s) - hear me out. My kids love to listen to me read. 1 or 2 small paperback books will calm them down in a crisis and start a fire if absolutely necessary!
small notebooks and crayons (apparently one will burn for 30 minutes too. I'm trying that one this summer!)
Rain ponchos
Cash in small bills (how much is up to you)
Emergency contact info for family and friends
map of the area
family picture / recent pictures of kids
Hair ties and brush
Mini sewing kit (no I'm not planning on quilting when I evacuate but you never know!!)
I'm doing laundry today so I went ahead and pulled out clothes that we won't miss for the next six months and a few other things that were easily accessible. I have some items on my list that I know that we have but I can't find them so that's one of my goals for the next 10 days. Get this section of the list complete at least as far as what I have!
Am I forgetting anything? Hope not!
Here are some good blogs if you want to see others:
Bag for Baby (honestly so glad I don't have to worry about this one now!)
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