Emergency Preparedness for a family of 4
Four years ago, Colorado had one of the biggest storms it has had in over a decade. The snow was falling in feet, not inches and that was in town, not just up in the mountains. The Hospitals were all on the plan D, Disaster Mode. Stores were shut down because people couldn’t get out of their driveways, let alone get to work. Fortunately for us, we have a year’s supply of food for just this type of situation.
When people are asked about emergency preparedness, they tend to think of “end of the world” scenarios. But it can be as simple as a snow storm or outrageous gas prices that prevent you from going to the store for the things you need. Ideally, it would be best to be prepared for short term needs as well as long term needs.
For short term needs, the best route to go is to get 72 hour kits for each member of your family. 72 hour kits are backpacks that contain enough supplies to last a person 3 days. They typically contain high calorie food bars,(with a minimum of 1200 calories per person per day) water or purification tablets, waterproof matches, a flashlight, a whistle, a space blanket, and a first aid kit. Some even have tents and hygene kits and there are a number of other items you can add. There are also adult and child specific kits. The children’s kits usually contain the same general items as the adult kits but they also have some sort of entertainment, such as coloring books or small toys.
Once you purchase your kits it is a good idea to make copies of important records, such as driver’s license, birth certificates, and copies of prescriptions that you take, to include in the kit. It is also a good idea to have spare keys for your home and vehicles and to have at least $100.00 cash. You also need to make sure that you keep handy a supply of diapers, wipes, formula, etc. that you would need for young children. Since emergencies can cause panic and anxiety, it is also helpful to make a list of items you should take with you, if you have time to grab them, so that you don’t have to try and remember everything when time is limited.
For long term needs, it is ideal to have a year’s supply of foods and essentials. MRE’s (meals ready to eat), freeze-dried food (that all you need to do is add water), and high calorie food bars are all good options. The MRE’s typically need to be rotated every 5-7 years depending on the temperature at which they are stored. The freeze-dried food comes in a 2 person serving pouch that can be stored for up to 7 years or in a 10# can that has up to a 30 year shelf life. The high calorie bars need to be changed every five years. It is also essential to have a good supply of water. You can buy water storage containers or you can even fill up empty 2 liter soda or juice bottles. Anything that is used to hold liquids. you should change the water once a year, or you can buy purification drops that will keep the water usuable for up to 20 years. It is also a good idea to have a year’s supply of items such as toilet paper, candles, matches, disposible dishes, etc.
If you are just starting to prepare your family and home, don’t be overwhelmed with the amount of things you need to buy. Start with the 72 hour kits and then buy a little bit each paycheck or each month. A disaster can happen any time, any place, so it’s best to be prepared.
