Prepare a Three Day Survival Kit

When a disaster strikes, your community, emergency services and government agencies may not be able to respond to your needs immediately. Their buildings, equipment, personnel, communications, and mobility may be severely hampered by the event. You should be prepared to be on your own for a minimum of three days after a disaster. One of the most important elements of this preparedness is the 72-hour kit.

The contents of this kit will vary, but in every case it should contain the things you need to survive for three days on your own.

Your kit should contain at least the following items: ·

• Four quarts of water per person per day.
  This means at least twelve quarts of water per person for 72 hours.
• Sufficient nonperishable food for three days.
  Ideally, these foods will be lightweight and high in energy. If you pack canned foods, remember a can opener!
• Prescription and nonprescription medications.
  Include a spare set of glasses, if you need them.
• Battery powered portable radio.
  This may be your only source of information during a disaster.
• First aid kit.
  The small camping kits work well. Remember to get enough supplies for the number of people who may be using them.
• Personal hygiene items.
• Clothing and bedding.
  A spare pair of socks and a space saver blanket would be a minimum.
• Special items.
  Such as baby or pet needs, contact lens supplies, etc.
• Personal comfort items.
  Books, games, personal electronics, etc.

  Remember, this is only a bare bones kit. You can add things to this list that you or your family will need.

Maintain and exercise your plan and 72-hour kit

Keep your plans and kit current and up to date, you should go over it with each family member at least once every six months. One way to do this is to make a night of it. Pick one night to go over the plan, practice escape routes and contact procedures, call your out of area contact (they'd probably like to hear from you), change the batteries in your Smoke Alarm, and cycle the food and water in your 72 hour kit. This is a fun way to ensure that your family is prepared to react in the event of a disaster.

For a more detailed disaster kit follow this link to the San Diego Red Cross website.

Department of Homeland Security Family Communications Plan.
Plan on how you will contact one another in case of an emergency. Click here to open or view this Adobe PDF formatted document.

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