Emergency Kit Parameters

When putting together an emergency kit, determine:

1. How long you want it to provide for your needs.  We often talk about a 72-hour kit, but there are only a few additional supplies you need to have a 120-hour kit.  This becomes increasingly important the more rural your location, since it could take longer for help to arrive.
2. How many people will be depending on the emergency supplies?  Don't forget family who may come to you for assistance.
3. Are these people often separated during the day, at school, work or traveling?  Perhaps each member of your family needs his/her own kit.  It might be a good idea to keep a basic kit in the desk at work and a second one in the car for traveling.
   
4. What are the extremes in weather and temperature you can expect?  For example, if you are often traveling across a mountain pass, you will want to plan for severe cold.  In the Northwest, you need to add items to help keep you dry, including a parka and a change of clothing. 
5. Are there individuals with special needs you are providing for, such as infants, children, elderly, disabled or pets, who have unique dietary, sanitation, medical and other needs? 
   

Your emergency kit should meet the following guidelines:

1. Light weight
2. Compact
3. High Performance products which have a maximum shelf life
4. Not temperature sensitive to the heat of summer or the cold of winter

Our family's first "72-hour kit" was in a large garbage can, which had wheels so we could drag it around.  We had five children at home and felt we needed lots of supplies, including canned food, lanterns and a tent.  It was bulky, heavy, and it lacked some essentials, but at least we had a kit and we learned by putting it together.  After seven years, we couldn't have gotten it out of the garage, let alone into our car, if we needed to evacuate.  When we finely opened it, the canned food was not usable, the batteries had leaked acid and it smelled disgusting.

We graduated next to duffel bags, but again they were very cumbersome and trying to fit family members into the car, along with our duffel bags, would have been impossible.

We now have kits which meet the criteria listed above.  By being light weight and compact, our emergency kits can be easily stored and taken with us, if needed.  By having high performance products with maximum shelf life, they are much easier to keep up to date.  By being able to withstand extreme temperatures they can be stored in the car, so they are handy, when needed.

The most important thing is start today.  It's better to have it and never need it than to need it and not have it.  Do it today!  Call us at 360-698-3678 and we can help you get started.

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