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What Should Be in a 72 Hour Emergency Kit for Families: Essential Items and Priorities

by PREPARE | Apr 6, 2026 | preparedness

Understanding what to include in the kit can make a significant difference in survival situations. Families often overlook the importance of personalizing their kits based on specific needs, such as medications, dietary restrictions, and items for pets. Additionally, common mistakes include failing to check expiration dates on food and supplies, which can render the kit ineffective when it is most needed. Prioritizing high-calorie food and sufficient water is essential, as these are the most critical elements for sustaining life.

Moreover, it is important to consider the logistics of using the kit effectively. For instance, storing the kit in a readily accessible location ensures that family members can quickly reach it during an emergency. Regularly reviewing and updating the contents of the kit according to changing family needs or seasonal requirements will ensure preparedness. Families should also practice emergency plans that involve the kit, so everyone understands its purpose and contents.

Water and Food Supplies

Water and food are the cornerstones of any emergency kit, as they directly impact survival. Aim for at least one gallon of water per person per day for three days, along with a variety of non-perishable food items that are easy to prepare and consume. High-calorie energy bars, canned goods, and dried fruits are excellent choices.

It is crucial to consider dietary restrictions when selecting food items. For families with children, including familiar snacks can help ease anxiety during emergencies. Also, remember to pack a manual can opener if you include canned goods. Regularly check the food and water supplies for expiration and replace them as necessary to maintain freshness.

Additionally, ensure that food items do not require cooking or excessive preparation, as access to cooking facilities may not be available during emergencies. Prioritize high-calorie options that provide energy and sustenance, especially if there is a risk of prolonged isolation.

First Aid and Safety Gear

A comprehensive first aid kit is essential for addressing injuries and health issues that may arise during an emergency. Include items like bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, scissors, and any necessary prescription medications. Families should also consider including a thermometer, tweezers, and pain relievers.

Safety gear, such as flashlights, batteries, and whistles, should also be part of the emergency kit. Flashlights are critical for visibility in dark conditions, while whistles can help signal for help if needed. When choosing flashlights, opt for LED models that are energy-efficient and long-lasting.

Moreover, families should familiarize themselves with basic first aid procedures to enhance their preparedness. Knowing how to treat minor injuries can make a significant difference in managing health during stressful situations. Regular training on first aid can empower family members to respond effectively when emergencies arise.

Personal Hygiene and Sanitation

Maintaining personal hygiene during emergencies is vital to prevent illness. Include items such as hand sanitizer, moist towelettes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and feminine hygiene products in your emergency kit. These supplies help ensure that family members can stay clean and healthy even in challenging conditions.

Furthermore, consider including a portable toilet or sanitation bags for waste disposal, especially if access to plumbing is compromised. It is essential to think about how sanitation will be managed during an emergency, as this can significantly affect the well-being of the family.

Regularly check the hygiene supplies for expiration dates and replace items as necessary. By prioritizing hygiene, families can reduce the risk of infections and other health issues that can arise during emergencies.

Important Documents and Communication

Keeping important documents organized and accessible is crucial during emergencies. Include copies of identification, insurance policies, medical records, and emergency contact information in a waterproof container. This ensures that critical information is available when needed.

Additionally, consider including a battery-powered or hand-crank radio to stay informed about emergency updates and instructions. Communication devices such as mobile phones should also be part of the kit, along with portable chargers to maintain power during outages.

Regularly review and update the documents in your emergency kit to reflect any changes in circumstances, such as new family members or changes in insurance policies. This proactive approach will help families stay prepared and informed during emergencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much water should I include in a 72-hour emergency kit?

Aim for at least one gallon of water per person per day for a total of three days, ensuring everyone in the family has enough hydration.

What types of food are best for an emergency kit?

Include non-perishable, high-calorie items such as energy bars, canned goods, and dried fruits that are easy to prepare and consume.

How often should I check my emergency kit?

Review your emergency kit at least twice a year to replace expired items and adjust supplies as family needs change.

What first aid items should be included?

Your kit should include bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, scissors, and any necessary prescription medications for family members.

Do I need to prepare for pets in my emergency kit?

If you have pets, include food, water, and any necessary medications, as well as leashes and carriers for their safety.

Conclusion

All in all, preparing a 72 hour emergency kit for families is essential for ensuring survival during unforeseen events. Prioritize including adequate water and food, a comprehensive first aid kit, personal hygiene supplies, and important documents. Regularly update and review the kit to reflect your family’s changing needs, and practice emergency plans that incorporate the kit. By taking these proactive steps, families can enhance their preparedness and resilience in the face of emergencies.

My Experiments With Modified Square Foot…

by PREPARE | Apr 5, 2025 | preparedness

My Experiments With Modified Square Foot, Ruth Stout, Hugel-Something-or-Other Gardening

Shared by John Wesley Smith

I’m a fan of intensive, low maintenance gardening. The less work you do for the most food, the better. Over the years I’ve experimented with various gardening methods and have combined some as well. As with all experiments, some work better than others, but it’s always fun and exciting to see the outcome.

In addition to doing some container gardening this year, I’m doing square foot gardening with six beds. Three are 4′ x 4′, one is 4′ x 6′, and two are 4′ x 8′. My friend, Gerald, helped me get the materials and build each bed. All but two were built within the past few months.

Each bed contains at least six inches of soil. My preferred soil is ProMix for indoor plants because it contains vermiculite, whereas the outdoor mix doesn’t. A 44 lb bag costs about $15 and it takes seven bags to fill a 4′ x 8′ bed. That sounds costly, but it’s a lot cheaper than Mel Bartholomew’s recommended Mel’s Mix (Bartholomew is the founder/inventor of the Square Foot Gardening method). You can add any amendments you like to my soil blend.

Believing microbial life is a key to success, I’m adding various products to the soil to foster growth of beneficial fungi and bacteria. I plan to add more occasionally throughout the season, including diluted molasses, which provides food for the friendly microbes.

Bed #3 has gotten special treatment. It’s one of the 4′ x 4′ beds. When it was built in November, we added a bag of Gardener’s Pride, which contains beneficials. I stirred in a couple bags of cow manure, too. A few days later I added in soil from six 3-gallon buckets used for container gardening. This soil had been made mostly from compost and had become dense and compacted so it needed to be broken up, aired out and mixed in with better soil. A couple of days after this, Gerald and I added a little azomite (rock dust), bone meal, brown rice flour and Root Zone granules. Then I watered with a weak molasses solution.

Soon I started covering the bed with cardboard. It didn’t fully break down into compost. However, it protected the soil and rotted sufficiently to be added to a barrel of compost in the making. In mid March I started peeling back the cardboard and replaced it with a thick layer of hay. Around the same time, I planted five Goldrush Russet potatoes held over from last year’s crop. In early April I planted Burbank Russets to fill out the bed.

I’ve put hay on top of all six beds to incorporate the Ruth Stout method. This calls for a thick layer of several inches of hay mulch. So far, potatoes, onions and beans are doing well in their respective beds.

Bed #6 was built in early April and represents another experiment. Instead of seven bags of ProMix, we used six, along with a couple of bags of Buffaloam (manure), leaving room at one end for a mini Hugelkultur bed. Hugelkultur uses rotting wood for growing medium. We buried rotting branches with soil and wood mulch. It was then covered with hay like the other beds.

We gardeners thrive on experiments and anticipation. Naturally, I’m eager to harvest what I’m growing in my modified square foot beds. If you’ve got limited space or if you want to simplify your survival gardening, I highly recommend square foot gardening. Remember also to feed your soil since that will feed your plants, so they can feed you.

Photo captions:

01–Cardboard covers bed #3 in February.

02–One end of bed #6 contains the makings of a Hugelkultur bed.

03–Branches in bed #6 were covered with soil and wood mulch before a layer of hay covered the whole bed.

04–Potatoes grow well in bed #3 in early May, thanks to the addition of various products to foster growth of beneficial soil microbes.

Author Bio:

John Wesley Smith John Wesley Smith is a former radio broadcaster who taught his children at home. He’s an avid reader, writer and gardener. He lives with his wife in central Missouri, where they work hard to get by like so many others these days. His goal is to help preppers at DestinySurvival.com as he continues along his own preparedness journey. John hosts DestinySurvival Radio on Thursday afternoons at 1:00 Central Time on the Preparedness Radio Network.

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