July 07, 2008
I received this note this past week and I decided it was worth a response here as it is a really great question.
I wonder if it’s just me, but it seems that it takes about a WEEK for the government and non-profit agencies to get things together and get to the areas that are affected. I live in an area in the middle of the ocean so we’re even more isolated than the contiguous 48-states. Why do they say to have a 72-hour kit if things take that long? Is it too much to want to be ready for that week? Any ideas of how to stretch things further so it isn’t so heavy but still be ready? We are a family of 5, one is an infant. We don’t have cold-weather in Hawaii but we have many other disasters to worry about.
You are absolutely right, most times it takes at least five days to get help after a disaster. The government has conducted surveys and found that disaster relief is rarely in place in just 72 hours. This is especially true when power is down and roads are blocked. It is very difficult to get most people to understand the importance of a 72 hour kit and I’m not sure anyone would listen if we suddenly said a 5-7 day kit.
There are some very simple things you can do to make your kit relevant for a longer period of time. You will need light for every night. If you have a flashlight with batteries (not stored in the flashlight) for use while you are awake and a glow stick to use to find your way to the restroom and also to provide a night light you are set. So 7 glow sticks and a flashlight and batteries will do the trick. If you have several people in the family they should all have a 3 day supply of glow sticks, so share and you are set. I have added medications to my kit for more than three days, takes up little room and I don’t have to worry about finding a doctor to renew meds or a pharmacy for over the counter medical supplies. I have hygiene items including a bar of soap. I also have 3 days worth of clothing which I can use the bar of soap to launder if need be. Worst case I could air out clothing I had worn and wear it again. For an infant I would add cloth diapers, in addition to a 3 day supply of disposables, to my kit. I know it sounds awful to think of washing diapers but it is far better than being without an option.
The only real problem with a 72 hour kit would be the lack of food and water if the need arose to use the kit for more than 3 days.
The key to food is to keep it portable, light weight, high calorie, and packaged to last a long time (3 years or longer). When we designed our Totally Ready 72 hour kits we included high calorie energy bars which meet all these criteria. I have added nine additional bars to my kits. This is another 2 day supply as each bar is 400 calories thus, 1200 calories a day. They taste like cookies and are portion controlled so you can let the kids eat the whole thing, one equals a meal. I would not add canned foods (too heavy) and of course you know already, if you have been following this blog, that I would never add anything like jerky or dehydrated oatmeal or anything else requiring water to prepare.
Water is more difficult only because it weighs so much. I keep a case of bottled water ready to add to the trunk of the car if we have to leave our home or move out onto the lawn because the house is unsafe. I would suggest getting a simple water bottle carrier for each family member. We include these in our Totally Ready kits for just this reason. If you have to leave without your car each member can then carry some additional water around their neck or shoulder or even tie it through a belt loop. Even small children are able to carry a bottle of water this way. If you have more room in your kit after adding the necessities, add water.
The only other thing you may want to consider in preparing for more than three days would be to add more cash to your kit. I always suggest $100 in small bills to each adult kit but I would increase that to at least $150. to be prepared for a longer time. There may be, and often are, items available to purchase. The problem is most people don’t have a 72 hour kit and thus turn up at a shelter with no money. The other problem is that often there is no electricity and therefore no ATM machines or credit card access. At times like these sellers will run out of change for large bills and either you pay $20 for a case of water or you go without because someone will pay it.
Today there are thousands of people in shelters in California because of wild fires. The thing I have heard most often from those evacuated is that they are bored, nothing to do. Remember to add puzzles, books, travel games, to your kits so you have a way to keep yourself and your children occupied. If family members are bored they will think more about food and water. Have items available as distractions.
It’s easy to extend a good 72 hour kit into a good 5-7 day kit. Doing so is a very wise thing to do.
