Emergency Preparedness on a Budget

A few years ago I attended a local preparedness fair where I was given a paper with a list of ideas for putting together an inexpensive emergency survival kit. There was, unfortunately, no author credited for the list. However, I felt this short list of ideas was valuable enough to reproduce here:

Ideas for Building an Inexpensive Emergency Preparedness Kit:

• Recycle old gear. Put old boots, gloves, flashlights, tools, uniforms, and bedding in your kit.
• Check for backpacks or bags you already have. No need to buy new containers if possible.
• Look for seasonal sales. If new items are necessary, buy items at the end of the season.
• Buy bulk. Stores often have case-lot or bulk item deals.
• Buy with others. Join with friends for discounts.
• Shop at used goods stores. Try Deseret Industries, thrift stores, army surplus stores, or garage sales.
• Shop throughout the year. Buy preparedness items throughout the year in small increments.
• Store water in safe/used containers. Reuse soda or juice bottles once disinfected, but never dairy.
• Request preparedness supplies as gifts from your friends and family.
• Trade a night out or family activity to fund supplies for 96-hour kit.
• Use common plastic bags with zip closures to store clothes & important personal documents.
• Update contact list. Have current info for family, friends, and neighbors.
• Keep medical contact information on hand & make sure medical records are current.
• Review insurance policies. Know your coverage in advance of a disaster.

Absolute minimum Items for a 96-hour kit:

Food and Water:

• 4 gallons of water per person
• 4 days supply of ready-to-eat, non-perishable food

Equipment:

Can Opener, Dishes/Utensils, Shovel, Radio (with batteries!), Pen and Paper, Axe, Pocket Knife, Rope, Duct Tape

Personal Supplies & Medication:

• First Aid Supplies
• Toiletries (roll of toilet paper–remove the center tube to easily flatten into a zip-lock bag, feminine hygiene, folding brush, etc.)
• Cleaning Supplies (mini hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc. Warning: Scented soap might “flavor food items.)
• Immunizations Up-to-Date
• Medication (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, children’s medication, etc.)
• Prescription Medication (for 4 days)

Personal Documents and Money—Place these items in a waterproof container

• Scriptures or inspirational books (miniature ones are lighter)
• Genealogy Records
• Legal Documents (Birth/Marriage Certificates, Wills, Passports, Contracts)
• Vaccination Papers
• Insurance Policies
• Cash
• Credit Card
• Pre-Paid Phone Cards

Fuel & Light

Lighting (Flashlights, Lamps), Extra Batteries, Flares, Candles, Lighter, Water-Proof Matches

Bedding and Clothing

• Change of Clothing (short and long sleeve shirts, pants, socks, jackets adjusted to the season)
• Undergarments
• Rain Coat/Poncho
• Blankets and Emergency Heat Blankets
• Cloth Sheet/Plastic Sheet