Use your judgment as you assemble your kits. Each member of the family should be provided for, which may require that you do several kits. Children could share a pack, as their items are smaller and lighter than an adult's. Keep your kits at an easily accessible location, should you have to run out of the house and grab them quickly. Happy packing!
Contents for an Adult's 72-hour kit:
Adult Kit
- Sturdy backpack (1 per person) or rolling suitcase (1 for every 2 people in your family)
- 1 set of scriptures per family, consecrated oil
- Flashlight, spare batteries, light sticks (2 per person)
- Spare keys (house and car)
- Cash ($100) - may be added in installments or all at once.
- Glasses, contacts, solutions
- At least 1 week supply of meds, 3 weeks recommended (if you can't return home or refill the prescription)
- Comfortable shoes, two pairs of socks
- Change of clothes per person, underwear, jacket/sweatshirt
- Whistle 1 per suitcase
- Pocket knife
- Paper and pencil, crayons, cards, a book, crossword puzzle, or any small, light entertainment
- Emergency phone list – who to call if injured, who to notify where you are
- Important personal documents, specifically a form of ID for each member of the family
- Small first aid kit
- One small toothbrush per person
- Toothpaste, Vaseline, shampoo, soap
- Toilet paper
- Ziplock baggies, large and small, and plastic grocery bags
- Work gloves
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Plastic ground tarp
- 5 gallon Bucket, also useful for storing items that may not fit in the packs
- Dust masks for every family member
- Shovel
- Small axe or hatchet
- Drinking water, 2 gal. per person
- Food – canned or non perishable, snacks, peanut butter, granola bars
- Can opener
- Mess kits or disposable plates, bowls, utensils, napkins
- Insect repellant, sunscreen
- Matches and/or lighter and candles
- Camp stove or portable BBQ and fuel
- Battery powered radio
- Map of state
If applicable:
Baby Kit
- Formula
- Disposable bottles, nipples
- Diapers and wipes
- Baby food and spoon
- 2 changes of clothes, make sure there is something to keep baby warm
- Thermometer
- Medicine dropper
- Baby medicine
- Toys, books, stuffed animal
Pet Kit
- Backpack to Keep everything together
- Several ziplock baggies full of pet food (enough for 3 days)
- Water
- Medicine
- Leash and stake
- Plastic bags
- Important paperwork (shot records, quirks, food and medicine dosage directions, phone numbers of people who might take him during an emergency)
- Towel or blanket
Car kits are similar to a 72 hour kit. They provide comfort and convenience. Should your car be stranded for several hours with children in the back, they would have games and snacks. Even in a less urgent situation, such as a child having an accident, or scraping a knee at a soccer game, you'd be prepared with a change of clothes or first aid kit.
Contents for a car kit:
Car Kits
- Box with a snap on lid
- Pocket knife
- Cash - $20 or as much as you’re comfortable with
- Hand sanitizer
- Notepad, pens, pencils
- Book or magazines
- Jumper cables
- Baby diapers, if needed
- Feminine products
- Change of clothes for you and your children (shorts, t-shirt, socks is fine)
- Plastic grocery bags
- Blanket or towels
- Basic first aid kit
- Toilet paper
- Wet wipes
- Flashlight and batteries or crank flashlight
- Snacks (trail mix, granola)
- Bottled water
