Neighborhood
Emergency Preparedness
August 2022 – 72-Hour Kit
Last month we finished making our general emergency plan. This month we’ll start the most important aspect of emergency preparedness, a 72-hour kit.
Week #1—Commit to Make a 72-hour
Kit
During
a large emergency (like a major earthquake) utilities, services, and even roads
can be disrupted for an extended period of time. It can take three days for FEMA
and the Red Cross to set up emergency shelters and distribute supplies.
During
this time, you’ll need a 72-hour kit for each person in your household.
Ideas
for what to put in kit:
-BYU Women’s Conference list: https://womensconference.byu.edu/sites/womensconference.ce.byu.edu/files/14d.pdf
- https://beready.utah.gov/family-preparedness/get-a-kit-family/
Week #2— Decide Where to Keep It
Based
on your situation, decide where to store your 72-hour kit.
·
Camper or Motorhome—If
you have a camper or motorhome and you store it on your property during the
winter, then you could easily move into it if your home is not habitable.
·
Car—If the
emergency happens while you are away from home, you will probably have your car
with you. However, you need to insulate perishable items, like food and water,
from hot and cold temperatures.
·
Garage or Shed—Because
your home could be destroyed by fire or earthquake, you may want to keep emergency
supplies in your garage or in a shed.
·
Home—Store it
close to an exit, where you can quickly grab it if you need to leave in a
hurry.
Week #3—Get a Backpack for Each Person
Because you may need to relocate to an
emergency shelter or hotel, get a backpack, duffel bag, or suitcase for each person
in your household. Make sure it is large enough for all your emergency
supplies. If it is not waterproof, then store it off the floor so it will stay
dry.
Week #4—Don’t Borrow from Your Kit
Have your 72-hour kit be for emergencies only.
If you borrow items and forget to put them back, then you won’t have them when
you need them the most.
Extra
Credit—Buy a Premade Kit
If you can afford it, buying a premade 72-hour
kit is a quick way to get some basic emergency supplies. If not, you can save
money by making your own kit as we talk about it in the newsletters this year. However,
don’t assume the kit contains everything you need, especially if it’s
inexpensive. Also, make sure you know how to use all the items in your kit.
Neighborhood Radio Net: Sunday, August 14
Participate in a
GMRS Radio Net on the 2nd Sunday (August 14th)
at 4 pm). The first several sessions will be on Zoom and will be informal. Eric
& Amy Dennison will be available to answer questions about the GMRS radios.
If you have a GMRS radio, we can do a test and help you get started using it.
Zoom link: https://byui.zoom.us/s/4366630502 (Join as attendee)
