Prepare for Emergencies

It seems to me we have been encourage more these last few year than ever to be prepared for an emergency.  Especially after what has happened in Japan, I have felt very strongly about it, but I also know I can’t go into debt preparing for it.  As Provident Providers this is our responsibility to have our families prepared in case of emergency.  So I am slowly getting things going in our house by starting with these thing. 

• At least a 3 Month supply of food. 
  • Food that is normal to your daily eating!. One way I do this is to purchase a few extra items each week to build a one-week supply of food. Then you can gradually increase your supply until it is sufficient for three months. Make sure you are rotating your items
• Drinking Water – You can learn more about how to store water here. 
  • I just got two 50 Gallon Barrels and I am excited to get those filled up
• First Aid Supplies Kit
  • Have it in a place you can grab quickly.
  • Have natural healing oils and herbal supplements in kit!
• 72 Hour Food Kit and Clothes Kit
  • As a ward we are planning on making emergency cans, but I have also seen it done in an old milk jug. 
  • Have backpacks for each child with these items in each one.
• Have Important Documents in Locked Fireproof case
  • Documents such as Birth Certificates, Marriage Licenses, Social Security Cards and any other information you feel is important to keep in case you have to leave your home quickly or there is a fire. 
• Talk as a family about a family emergency plan if you were to  ever get lost from each other.
  • Where you will meet
  • Who you will need to contact
• I have also been thinking about if I had to leave my house quickly what I would want to grab first.  Here is my list starting with what is most important depending on how much time we have.
  • Kids
  • Shoes
  • Coats (if it is cold)
  • Cell Phones
  • Food and Water –72 hour kit stuff
  • Blankets
  • Fireproof Case
  • First Aid Kit
  • Scrapbooks and Family Stuff
  • Computer
  • There is obviously a whole ton more I wish I could save, but these are the most important

The site Food Storage Made Easy has helped me so much. They have a great Emergency Plan Kit that has helped me a lot in establishing what I need to have prepared in case of emergency. 

Good Luck, and remember don’t get to overwhelmed. Take it slow and start with the most important thing first!