Getting Organized

Through the rest of December focus on getting organized so that come December 30, 2012 you are ready to begin putting together your 72 hour kit.

What to organize right now:
1) Review the 72 hour check list. The template I have created is designed so you can enter how many members you have in your family and it will populate how much you will need per person. There are larger items that are per family (tents, camp stoves, etc) that will be listed per family. You will only need one per family. Unless you would like more. I created a section per pets, but it does not auto populate per pet. It sais the amount needed for 1 animal. You can adjust those easily your self.

Review the list. Gather what items you may all ready have at home at set them aside as you collect and prepare your 72 hour kits. You might be surprised how much you all ready have. On the weeks we touch on those items you can either skip them, gather more of them, or focus on food storage what ever you would like.

2) Create a home inventory. Make a list of every item in your home and the cost to replace those items. Make a photo home inventory.

3) Create ID kits for the family. At least have a photo of all family members, a family photo and indivdual photo. For you pets make sure you have an ID sheet for them including a photo, markings, their chip number, rabies number and vet info.

4) Compile your grab and go folder

5) Develop your family emergency and evacuation plan.

6) Identify where you will store your emergency items. Make sure 72 hour kits are stored where you will have quick and easy access but where they are free from damage from the elements and animals. Make sure you can grab them quickly. Barried in the back of a closet or in the maze of your garage will not help in an emergency.

7) Gather storage containers/bags for your 72 hour kits. I would suggest that your 72 hour kits are kept in a bag so you can grab and go and hike out if needed. I suggest backpacks for the adult kits. Keep the family 72 hour kits in a duffle bag that you can carry with your back packs. If your children are to young to carry their own pack either keep their items in a duffle bag, the family 72 hour bag is a great location, but make sure you can carry their items with yours to. If there are two adults it can get to be a lot to carry. I would make sure that between both parents all 72 hour kits and children can be carried out. If needed break the young childrens items up between the adult and family bags. If your child is old enough to walk on their own and carry their own pack slowly add what they can carry to their packs. For animals buy a pack for them. Amazon and REI sale animal packs. That way your pet can carry out their own items if you have to hike out. If you have a smaller dog their items can be easily stored with yours. Its just more bulk. Make sure your animal is good on a leash though. Emergencies will be stressfull on them too.