Here are a couple of his lists:
Suggested Disaster Evacuation Kit.
Buy one of those 5-gallon buckets with a lid from the Home Depot or Lowes and pack it with the following items. Store this bucket in the front hall closet or in the garage so you can easily grab it and go if and when the time comes to evacuate your home. Replace noted items every 3 to 6 months; tape a piece of paper on the top so you know when you last updated your supplies.
Bucket Contents:
- Flashlights at least 2 of them without batteries inserted.
- Batteries for flashlights, at least 3 sets for each light... watch dates on package
- Small roll of duct tape, and a pair of work gloves, you may need them.
- Chemical light sticks (8-12 hour variety) at least 4 (longer lasting light for kids)
- Portable radio (batteries out) with 2 sets of batteries
- A Small Basic First Aid Kit
- Roll of toilet paper - Toothbrush - toothpaste - small bar of soap - washcloth - Wet Wipes
- Water: bottled water (rotate every 6 months) 12 bottles. Stack around perimeter of bucket, one up one down- fill middle area of bucket with other gear to hold water bottles against the sides. Water is heavy, but necessary and could be a scarce commodity in a shelter.
- A 32 oz. wide mouth polycarbonate water bottle (available at hiking shops) in case you have to secure water in a shelter. Put as many personal toiletries inside the bottle as you can.
- Save a small eyedropper type bottle and fill it with household bleach, dump out old and fill with new bleach every 6 months. Should it be necessary you can use the bleach to disinfect your drinking water. 1 quart = 2 drops if water is clear, 4 drops if water is cloudy.
- A few High-energy food/snack bars and some pieces of hard candy and/or mints.
- Pre-sweetened ice tea packets or drink mix, maybe even some dry soup mix.
- Consider including an ESBIT( Pocket Stove and solid fuel tablets, to heat water for a cup of tea or soup, a little comfort item. Put in a metal campers cup to use over the flame.
- Small hard plastic cups, in case they are dispensing water.
- Next time you are in a fast food place, take a few sugar and salt/pepper packages to spice up shelter food service.
- Your out of state family-friends phone contact numbers taped inside the lid, also include your home/car insurance policy# and agent contact #...
- Draw top kitchen trash bags - use bucket as emergency toilet, bags as disposable liners.
- Smokers; put in a pack of cigarettes and lighter, you don't need stress in a time like this.
- Pen and a notebook, you will need it.
- If you have children, small puzzle books, deck of playing cards, reading material, a ball and small game items to occupy their time if you are stuck in a shelter.
- Some cash as credit cards and your ATM will be useless.
Personal Papers: Since you live in a disaster prone area get all personal papers such as deeds, bank books, check books, insurance papers, agents phone numbers, car titles in one place so you can take them if you have to evacuate. Have them stored in a plastic folder that you can buy at Staples or Office Max... so it's a grab and go.
Personal Medication: Keep an empty zip lock poly bag stored inside your medicine cabinet, place all your personal need medications in it and take with you when it is time to evacuate. Don't forget your extra pair of glasses. For help in times of panic, write beforehand on the bag with a marker or make a list of the items you really need to put in this bag when the time comes.
Your Cell phone: Most of us have cell phones today, make sure you have a car recharging unit to take with you so you will be able to recharge the phone battery from any car lighter or 12V socket. Electricity outlets may not be readily available.
Inside your car: Put a few SPACE( Brand ALL WEATHER Blankets inside your trunk, bungee cord them up on the slots in the trunk lid, makes for use as emergency blankets, privacy tarps, provides warmth and protection from wind and/or rain, and can be used as a cot cover. In warmer climes, put one or two one-gallon bottles of spring water in the trunk in a small cardboard box to stop them from banging around. Replace them every 3 months. If you have the room in your trunk put in an extra set of work type clothes like jeans and t-shirts and clean socks.
SUGGESTED PERSONAL SURVIVAL KIT
This is only a suggested outline for a personal outdoor survival kit; it is by no means all encompassing. Always customize your kit to meet your specific needs.
12" x 24" sheets of Aluminum foil Fold for cooking, fire reflector from wind or use to signal
Heavy plastic bag, preferably Zip-Lock Use for water, food storage, keeping things dry
SPACE Brand Emergency Blanket Shelter, signaling, personal protection from elements and a means to provide warmth
A high shrill whistle 3 short blasts is a recognized distress signal
A good quality Compass Navigation needs
Waterproof wooden matches and tinder (Having more is better - try adding a few small birthday candles to your fire kit, get the kind you can't blow out) Provides ability for fire starting, if you can start a fire you know will be OK. (Stops panic)
Bouillon cubes or instant soup mix, salt/pepper Sustenance--boil water in aluminum foil made pot, add spices
Bright colored Bandanna or cloth Filtering dirty water, signaling, head band, sling, wash cloth, etc.
Chemical light sticks (8 - 12 hour type) (Flashlights/batteries are not very dependable over time and in cold weather situations) Provides light, signaling and for your personal well being
Small multiple function knife-multi-tool For your general tool needs
Water purification tablets Insures you have potable water
Small Fishing kit Line, hooks, lures, snares, repairs
Signal mirror Visual signaling
Wire saw Shelter building, tinder making
Hard candy or a high energy bar Survival food, peace of mind
Heavy Duty cord, thread/needle Shelters, snares, repairs
Insect repellent and lip balm Personal comfort/protection
SMALL First Aid Kit: Bandages, antiseptic, pills, etc. Suited to the terrain you are in and your personal needs. Don't pack for surgery; pack what you know you may need.
Pocket Hand Warmers Ideal for staving off hypothermia
Survival Notes-make your own notes Reminder guide (puts your mind at ease) of what to do and what not to do
A picture of your loved ones For the will to survive
Over and above the "21 Basics" above that I choose to carry within my personal survival kit are: moleskin pads, wet-naps, plastic wire ties, nylon cord, a few large balloons and a few short cut pieces of the wood slat from the bottom of household shades or cut up paint stirrers and some ESBIT Tablets for dry and easy starting tinder needs.
The purpose of any Personal Survival Kit is two fold:
1) To insure that you have the potentially needed items available to provide for your well being and safety in the event you may need them, and
2) As a means to create positive psychological security for you and those that may be with you, just knowing it is there when and should you need it will help curb the negatives of panic from arising.
¨ Store your Personal Survival Kit items inside a small zippered pouch, one that is easy to carry with you at all times and can be easily located in times of crisis. Add a bright band of colored or reflective tape around it so that you can find it easily when it may be needed.
¨ Add a terrain map, if available and any personal medication needs.
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