Emergency Kit Update: Only 10 More Items to Go

26 March 2009, 8:30 UhrEmergenciesSingle Ma11 comments

In mid-February, I reported that my emergency planning kit was almost complete.  Since then, I’ve added several new things to the kit based on your suggestions so now my list is complete.  I’ve gathered/purchased a few more items and there are only a handful left (see blue text):

FOOD

  1. Water
  2. Can food
  3. Manual can opener
  4. Utensils (fork/spoon)
  5. Non-perishable snacks

FIRST AID/MEDICINE

  1. Extra Inhaler (need new Rx)
  2. Tylenol
  3. Motrin
  4. Aspirin
  5. Benadryl – added
  6. Antibiotic ointment
  7. Band-aids
  8. Duct Tape
  9. Gauze pads
  10. Scissors
  11. Hot/cold compress
  12. Digital Thermometer

SURVIVAL

  1. $100 Cash
  2. Emergency POC contact list (in/out state)
  3. Breathing masks
  4. Space blankets
  5. Flash lights
  6. Light sticks
  7. Candles
  8. Tin can -added
  9. Water purification tablets – added
  10. Matches
  11. Butane lighter
  12. Extra cell phone charger
  13. Gloves (work and latex)
  14. AM/FM radio
  15. Batteries (AA/AAA/9V)
  16. Mini sewing kit (needle, thread, safety pins, etc.)
  17. Set of warm changing clothes
  18. Extra socks and underwear
  19. Extra glasses/contacts
  20. Extra contact case
  21. Rain poncho
  22. $5 Prepaid phone card (hard to find)
  23. Trash bags
  24. Whistle
  25. Pocket knife
  26. Map or atlas
  27. Survival book

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

  1. Laminated birth certificates
  2. Laminated social security cards
  3. Passports
  4. Credit cards (including copy of front/back)
  5. Will (draft)
  6. Financial statements
  7. List of passwords – not including
  8. Health records (proof of shots)
  9. USB drive with important electronic docs
  10. Pictures of each other-added (great suggestion!)

TOILETRIES

  1. Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer
  2. Deodorant
  3. Soap
  4. Toothpaste
  5. Toothbrush
  6. Toilet Paper
  7. Wipes (moist, sanitizing, disinfectant)
  8. Pads/tampons
  9. Brush, mirror, hair supplies

PET

  1. Dog food
  2. Small food/water tray
  3. Leash and identification tag
  4. Medical record (proof of rabies shot)

ENTERTAINMENT

  1. Books and Magazines
  2. Travel size game(s)
  3. Cards
  4. Cross word puzzle book – not including
  5. Journal
  6. Pens and marker

CAR

  1. Fix a flat – may remove
  2. Jumper cables
  3. Tire pressure gauge - may remove
  4. Cell phone car charger - may remove
  5. GPS
  6. Ice scraper
  7. Road flares - may remove
  8. Blankets and pillows

As you can see from the bold blue text, there are only 10 more items remaining and I expect to have them by the end of next month.  In total, I’ve spent about $125 (excluding cash) over the past year creating this emergency kit.  I already had several items around the house and many others were FREE or less than a few bucks. When everything is complete, I plan to store our emergency kit in an easily accessible location.  I will review the contents every six months and replace anything that has expired.  Hopefully, we’ll never ever need to use it, but simply having it available gives me a peace of mind.  That alone makes it worth the time, money, and effort expended.

Have you started preparing your e-kit yet?

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    11 comments:

    1. Sheena, 26 March 2009, 10:11

      Maybe I need to have something like this in place. With the way this country is going…we might need it. People think what we’re going through is bad now, but they haven’t seen anything yet. People are going to revolt if greed and corruption continues on.

      Thanks!

       
    2. Citygirl, 26 March 2009, 12:26

      Do you think $100 is enough cash? I live in NYC, so I’m assuming that I will have to have way more than that just to hitch a ride out of town.

       
    3. Citygirl, 26 March 2009, 13:41

      Do you think $100 is enough cash? I live in NYC, so I’m assuming that I will have to have way more than that just to hitch a ride out of town.
      Ooops, should have said great post! Waiting on your next post!

       
    4. Savings, 26 March 2009, 14:14

      Great blog!

      I would suggest that you have a roll of quarters… if the phone card doesn’t work, quarters will.

      I’ve been wanting to get together an emergency kit since I moved to Cali (earthquakes scare me), but haven’t wanted to outlay the huge expense. You’ve inspired me to take care of it though :-)

       
    5. Converting A Spendthrift, 27 March 2009, 9:24

      My daughter (age seven) has taken it upon herself to create an emergency plan for the family.

      One her classmates lost their home in a fire, and she has talked non-stop about a family emergency plan. She even made us practice a fire drill a la the Huxtables.

      I think I will give her a list similar to yours and let her assemble the emergency kit. It will ease her fears.

      Thanks, Spendthrift

       
    6. amaranta, 27 March 2009, 10:56

      why are you thinking about removing the car items?

       
    7. R. May, 27 March 2009, 12:49

      Make sure you get the water-proof matches.

      I great thing to have in a car kit is an empty coffee can and a couple tea light candles. If stranded in the cold, a lighted candle in the coffee can puts out a surprising amount of heat.

       
    8. R. May, 27 March 2009, 12:58

      I have to add a comment for your commentors –

      I work for a local government emergency management department:

      EVERYONE needs an emergency kit. It does not matter if you do not live in an area prone to major natural disasters or in one you think relatively safe from terrorism.

      Everyone is suscpetible to fires, floods and severe storms.

      It is better to have a kit and never use it then to need one and never have put one together. As Single Ma has shown they can be put together very inexpensively and can be as minimal or as complex as you’d like.

      In fact our basic education plan for preparing the basic kit is 9 steps. Of course we encourage people to be as prepared as possible, but the most commone situation will be for people to be able to shelter-in-place. i.e. stay put. Here’s the list.

      1. Water
      2.Food
      3.Clothes
      4. Medication
      5.Flashlight
      6. Manual can opener
      7.Radio
      8.Hygeine Items
      9.First Aid Kit.

      Here’s a link. I don’t work for Montgomery County – but they started the program, so they get the credit : )

      http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/hhstmpl.asp?url=/content/hhs/phs/APC/prepplaning.asp

      Besides – even if you start a little at a time, getting one item a paycheck, you are one step more prepared then you were.

       
    9. Trish (girlatgym), 27 March 2009, 14:01

      This is a great list. I really ought to put a kit together. You just never know what will happen. And I am in Florida – so hurricane season will be here soon.

       
    10. Hang Wei, 4 April 2009, 5:16

      I live in a country where natural disasters are non-existent and the law enforcement is very strong. Even going on strike is rare and if there is any, so no one can ever imagine a large-scale revolt or anything that warrants an emergency kit. As a result, I don’t think anyone in my country will even begin to think about having such an emergency kit.

      I’m wondering if we are really that safe or someday Murphy’s Law is going to work against us and we will all be caught by surprise. :)

       
    11. Beckie, 20 April 2009, 13:32

      Where do you store your emergency kit? What do you keep all the stuff in?

       

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