Tuesday, March 15, 2011

72 hour kit update--Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed


I like to update my 72 hour kit every 6 months or so.  I usually do it the first weekend in April and October, but as I have been watching the devastation in Japan, I decided to make sure my kit is up to date.  

There are lots of lists out there to help you design a kit.  Shelf Reliance has an online tool  called the emergency kit planner.  It is a free tool to help you plan your 72 hour kit.  You can find it here. 

I generally use the American Red Cross emergency kit list.   You can find it here.  Red Cross Get A Kit The Red Cross recommends that Americas, "get a kit, make a plan, be informed"  I love this idea.  I think it encompass exactly what we need to do to be prepared for an emergency.

As I have been going through our kits over the last few days, I have found a few things that I needed to add, but over all it made me feel like we were ready.  I hope we never have to use them, but if we did I think we would have the things we need.

So what did we add?  Our 72 hour kit Updates:
Family Emergency Plan-  I made to go in our 72 hour kits.  We have one for each of our extended families.  One of the thing I think is most important is to have a family out of state contact.  Often in an emergency it is difficult to make local calls, but possible to make out of state calls.  Our family had decide on one person that is out of state that we will all call. This person will then relay any information that he has received and help coordinate our family.

Medication- My son has asthma and has several medications to help control it.  As I have been thinking about our 72 hour kit I decided his inhaler is something I do not want to be with out in an emergency.  I called the doctor and explained why I wanted a second inhaler and she wrote up a prescription.  Easy.  

Baby Sling--I have used a sling to carry each of my babies.  When I was watching some of the video from the disaster in Japan. I saw this woman

walking through utter destruction carrying a child in a traditional baby sling.  This is a case where you would never be able to push a stroller and might need your hands for other things.   This photo prompted me to add a sling to my 72 hour kit.  I have two different types of slings.  Slings are simple to make if you sew.  If not check out my friend Kim's Etsy store.  When my youngest was born she made me the most beautiful sling.  I have loved it.  It holds the baby securely, it is easy to use, and even has a pocket.
photo from: prairie-mama.blogspot.com

 
The sling I am adding to my kit is a simple one I made a few years ago.  It is a pouch sling.  You can find the pattern here http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/

For more info on babywearing: Kim has written a bit about babywearing on her blog.  
Here is a link to how to safely wear a baby - http://prairie-mama.blogspot.com/2010/03/be-safe-not-sorry.html
Here is one about different ways to wear a baby - http://prairie-mama.blogspot.com/2009/06/what-im-wearing-besides-baby.html
And another about different babywearing options - http://prairie-mama.blogspot.com/2008/11/international-babywearing-week.html