Emergency Preparedness (year's supply of food, 72 hour kit)

The LDS Church who believes strongly in self reliance. Spencer W. Kimball, one of the deceased presidents of this church said, "No true Latter-day Saint, while physically or emotionally able, will voluntarily shift the burden of his own or his family's well-being to someone else... Maintain a year's supply. The Lord has urged that his people save for the rainy days, prepare for the difficult times, and put away for emergencies, a year's supply or more of bare necessities so that when comes the flood, the earthquake, the famine, the hurricane, the storms of life, our families can be sustained through the dark days... I am not howling calamity, but I fear that a great majority of our young people, never having known calamity, depression, hunger, homelessness, joblessness, cannot conceive of such situations..."

I just wanted to share some things that my church and family has done to be prepared. This is a list of a year's supply of food storage that can be gathered in one year. It is very flexible. I have the basics in my home, along with some "luxuries" in my food storage and preparedness are. If a calamity strikes, I think I will be prepared and will also be able to share with others. If you have any questions, please let me know. I'm going to try to post once a month (or sooner if requested) on this preparedness topic.

The Relief Society in my ward (it is the women's organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) has a lesson once a month on the first Tuesday of each month. The first part of that meeting is Family Preparedness. We cover many topics such as food storage, financial preparation, disaster awareness, first aid, etc. The lady in charge gets information on storing food, how to read dates on cans, where to buy in bulk. Usually every month she will make arrangements so that we can buy something in bulk (beans, dry milk, dried potatoes, etc.) In November we will be canning salsa and jumbleberry jam at the local cannery. Anyway, here is the list.

And a couple of other suggestions that I have found helpful. Make sure to buy food that you and your family will eat. Rotate through the food, don't just buy it and store it. When I go to the grocery now, I'll buy a case of something (fancy fruit cocktail, ravioli, beets, sweetened condensed milk.) If you don't have the money monthly to follow this plan, just pick up an extra can of something. Try to do what you can within your financial resources. NOTES: Personally I don't recommend buying those dehydrated foods for your whole food storage. You'll need a heck of a lot of water, plus how will you know if you like them until you've tried them? And it is extremely expensive.

Provident Living Goal---review your retirement goals. Are you putting enough aside to be able to support yourselves and to do the things you want to do when you retire? Also change the batteries in your smoke alarms.

Storage Goal:
24 cans of meat or fish per person
1 gallon bleach per person
can opener
garbage bags
laundry detergent

72 hour kit:
Gather a change of clothing including underwear and shoes for each family member--include warm coats and boots,
or have them immediately accessible.
ax, shovel and bucket
utility knife
$20.00 cash
$5.00 in change for phone
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Provident Living Goal---plan and carry out a family meeting on home fires.
Include planning an escape route and practicing it.

Storage Goal:
100 pounds (total) pasta & flour per person
hand grain mill
thread, needles, buttons, and zippers

72 hour kit:
1 gallon water per person
scriptures (Bible)
personal documents--genealogical records, wills, passports, insurance, contracts, birth certificates, etc.
$25.00 cash

Provident Living Goal---Learn a new skill or read a book pertaining to your career.

Storage Goal:
50 cans of soup, stew or chili per person
5 pounds of salt per person
20 pounds fat, oil or shortening per person
aluminum foil, plastic wrap, storage bags, etc.
At least 5 gallons water per person--recommended is 14 gallons / person for 2 weeks

72 hour kit:
1 pound dried fruit or trail mix per person (can use fruit leather)
1 package soda crackers per person (4 per box)
1 package graham crackers per person (4 per box)
2 liters tomato or orange juice per person (Note: these items will be rotated every 6 months-see Sept)
ALSO make a goal to always have the fuel tanks on ALL vehicles at least half full.
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Provident Living Goal---If you normally do not grow a garden, plan to grow at least one vegetable this year. if you already have a garden either 1)grow a vegetable you haven't tried before OR 2) try a new method or technique this year.

Storage Goal:
2 pounds yeast per person
2 pounds baking powder per person
1 pound soda per person
1 gal vinegar per person
10 cans evaporated milk per person
10 pounds peanut butter per person
spices, condiments and vanilla

72 hour kit:
4 granola bars per person
2 sticks beef jerky per person
1 package chewing gum per person
hard candies or lollipops--at least 12 per person (note these items will be rotated every 6 months--see Oct.)

Storage Goal:
100 pounds variety of cereal grains-rice, oatmeal, cornmeal, etc. per person
24 rolls paper towels per person
24 packages flavored gelatin per person
garden seeds
At least one month prescription ahead for all doctor prescribed medication.

Provident Living Goal---Make a goal to have 6 months wages in savings for emergencies. Write out a realistic plan to make it happen.

Storage Goal:
First aid kit--should include scissors, knife, thermometer, measuring cup, medicine dropper, hot water bottle, triangular bandages, soap, matches, razor blades, needles, safety pins, adhesive tape, elastic bandages, sanitary napkins (excellent compresses), paper bags, gauze bandages, bicarbonate of soda, Ipecac syrup (induces vomiting), ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, calamine lotion (insect bites and sunburn), rubbing alcohol, diarrhea remedy, antibiotic ointment, first aid instruction book, prescription medication, waterproof matches.

72 hour kit:
Container for holding kit. Large garbage cans with wheels OR a back pack for each family member recommended. Find a place in your home that is easily accessible for storing the kit. You need to be able to grab it at a moment's notice to leave your home. Note: Your first aid kit is also part of the 72 hour kit. Note: your 72 hour kit is also part of your general storage, but your general storage CANNOT be part of your 72 hour kit. When you need it there may not be time to gather it together for transport.

Provident Living Goal---Make a goal to eat healthier. For example: less sweets, more fresh fruits and veggies, less meat, more fiber etc.

Storage Goal:
50 pounds sugar or honey per person
10--#10 cans (35 pounds total) powdered milk per person
2 toothbrushes per person
toothpaste
mouthwash
infant needs-formula, baby food, diapers, Tylenol etc.

72 hour kit:
Prepare blankets (the silver foil ones)
gather items to entertain your family and include in kit--UNO cards, coloring books and crayons, x-stitch kit etc. Be
sure to include paper and pencils.
camp stove or portable BBQ and fuel
mosquito repellant
$25 cash

Provident Living Goal---Learn to preserve food in a way you haven't tried before.

Storage Goal:
100 quarts fruit and or vegetables per person
24 pints jam or jelly per person
feminine needs
school supplies
pet supplies

72 hour kit:
1 can tuna per person
1 can pork and beans per person
1/2 pound dried milk per person
2 packets hot chocolate mix per person (or 1 large can per family).
2 instant soup packets per person (these should be rotated every year)
disposable plates, cups, bowls and flatware
pet supplies-be sure to include dishes, leash and extra water

Provident Living Goal---Review your will if you have one. Make any needed changes. If you do not have a will, make arrangements to get one. EVERY Adult should have a will. Plan and carry out a FHE on the importance of preparedness.

Storage Goal:
10--#10 cans (35 pounds total) powdered milk per person
25 pounds canned or dried potatoes per person
50 quarts fruit or tomato juice per person

72 hour kit:
1 pound dried fruit or trail mix per person (can use fruit leather)
1 package soda crackers per person (4 per box)
1 package graham crackers per person (4 per box)
2 liters tomato or orange juice per person (Note: these items will be
rotated every 6 months-see March)
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Provident Living Goal---Make a goal to read 30 minutes/day to your children or grandchildren. If you have not children to read to, make a goal to read at least 30 minutes/day just for pleasure.

Storage Goal:
50 cans soup, stew or chili per person
10 pounds cheese--dried or bottled per person
shaving supplies
dish soap

Provident Living Goal---Make a goal to reduce your family garbage by recycling more.

Storage Goal:
100 pounds wheat per person
1 #10 can juice mix with vitamin C per person
Hand/shower soap
light bulbs
At least one month prescription ahead for all doctor prescribed medication.

72 hour kit:
soap
toothbrushes and toothpaste
shaving supplies
infant needs
feminine needs
disinfectant
aluminum foil

Provident Living Goal---Review your insurance coverage, life, household, vehicle. Do you have enough? Could you replace your vehicle or household foods with the coverage you have?

It's very important for us as human beings to be self-reliant. Included in this folder is a program to assist you to get a years supply of emergency food, 72 hour kit, spiritual goals and provident living goals.
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You can live for quite a long time without food, but only about 3 days without water. The Fema (Federal Emergency Management Agency) recommends 14 gallons of water per person for a two week period. That may seem like quite a lot, but it is only a gallon a day for drinking, cooking, and washing needs. The agency recommends at least 14 day supply.

There are some hidden places in your home that have usable water.
One is the hot water heater. Turn it off and open the drain at the bottom of the heater. Make sure the gas is off, and the pilot light is out! Another source is the toilet tank. Not the bowl, the tank of water that goes into the bowl in a flush. You can use that water as long as you don't use an automatic bowl cleaner in it. I would still add bleach to it, just to be on the safe side.

There are many ways to store water.
There are containers that you can buy especially for storing. These can be found in some super markets, and hardware stores. Try on line if you can't find them in your area. They come in different sizes. The ones that I have seen are galloon, 15 gallon, and 55 gallon blue barrels. The barrels work best with a pump, purchases separately, for about $10. You can use heavy plastic juice containers, washed well with hot water and soap. You can use liter pop bottles as well. Do not use glass containers, bleach bottles, metal containers, milk bottles, or water already in milk bottle like containers. These are made to decompose and will leak all over your storage room (personal experience!).

ALL water obtained from out of doors is subject to contamination for dirt, bacteria or other nasty things. First it must be clarified and then cleaned of all physical impurities such as dirt and debris. Then it must be disinfected or made safe from biohazardous materials. No home method of water treatment can guarantee safety of the water. Certain water treatment methods described below can deduce the risks involved, but emergency treatment of water cannot guarantee safety of the water. Devices that are sold with a claim that they can purify any water should be avoided because they will not work as claimed.

Settling: This is the easiest method to remove most debris, including radioactive fallout from water. To let water settle merely let it stand in a container, totally undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours. This will allow any sediment to sink to the bottom of the container. A handful of clay soil in each gallon of water will help speed this process. Since it takes so long to settle it is advisable to use a large container for this purpose, like a tough tote. After settling is complete pour, dip or siphon the clean water to another container, being careful not to stir up the sludge at the bottom. Discard the sludge and then purify water.

Take a six or eight foot section of garden hose and stuff two cottontails in one end. Place that end into a container of your dirty water. Then suck on the other end until water starts to come through. Then place the that end into a container placed below the dirty water. Gravity will pull the water from the higher container into the lower container while trapping sediment in the cotton balls. When the balls are clogged simply remove and replace. This will clean about one quart per thirty minutes. However, if the water is really muddy the cotton balls will have to be replaced very frequently.

Place three or four filters (one inside the other) into a mason jar and let the edges stick out over the mouth of the jar. Then screw the lid on over the edge of the filters. Pour the water into the filters. The water will drip into the jar. When the filters become clogged, replace them. This type of filter will clean approximately one quart of very dirty water per two hours.

Boiling: Water sterilization by boiling is preferred over any method of chemical disaffection because disease causing microorganisms cannot survive the heat of a sterilizing boil. If water is cloudy, only heat sterilization can be fully relied upon to assure complete destruction of these organisms. Bring the water to a rolling boil for *10 minutes, then adding one minute for each 1000 feet of elevation.

Chlorine: Liquid household chlorine bleach can be used to purify water provided the label says that it contains hypochlotie as its ONLY active ingredient. Do NOT use granular or powdered forms of household bleach, they are poisonous!! Add 2 drops of bleach per quart or 8 drops per gallon and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water doesn't taste and smell of chlorine at that point, add another dose and let stand for 15 minutes. If the water is cloudy you may double the dosage.
Liquid bleach loses strength over time. In one years storage you must put in double the amount of bleach as new bleach. Two year old bleach must not be used. It is not potent enough to kill bacteria. After adding bleach to water, stir and let stand for 30 minutes. Bleach is totally ineffective against GIARDIA and other hardy forms of protozoa. USE BOILING TO REMOVE THESE if they are suspected.

Iodine Tablets-- these are very effective against all forms of bacteria, however they are less effective against GIARDIA. Iodine tablets usually have a relatively short shelf life, losing 20% effectiveness in just six months. They are also sensitive to heat and light. They turn color from gray to yellow as they become less potent. The usual dose is one tablet per quart of clear water and two for cloudy. Let stand for 30 minutes before use.

Regardless of the method of chemically disinfecting water, always double the dosage for cloudy water. If the water temperature is cold, below 45 degrees, let it stand for one hour before using it.

Be sure to have some water on hand in case of any emergency. You will need it mostly for drinking, but also to wash up a bit and keep utensils clean. Be sure to at least to have 1 gallon per person and a take week supply of actual clean water is recommended. You can live for much longer without food than without water.

NOTE: Water is the hardest thing to store. I have 3 55 gallon containers of water, plus about 20 2 liter pop bottles of water. Not enough, but room is a concern. Just make sure to have enough bleach or iodine on hand to sterilize the water. Any time I get an empty soda bottle, I rinse it out, and fill it with water. I don't drink soda pop, but at family parties or work parties, I'll gather up the empty ones to use.

Do you have any estimated costs of what the total monthly investment is to fund these purchases for General Storage and 72hr kit that you would be willing to share with us?

We should all think of it as self-insurance, instead of paying premiums we invest in a safety net of commodities and foods. Saved for a short winter storm that we hope never appears but we must prepared for...

I don't have any idea what a monthly list like this would cost. It totally depends upon the number of people in your family, and their ages (children eat less than teenagers, adults eat less than teenage boys.) And if you rotate through the food storage, you kind of save money by buying in bulk and when it is on sale. I know that a local grocery store here has a canned goods sale every July. So I save a couple of hundred dollars for July and buy a lot of canned goods. Then when I use a can of something, I just buy one can to replace it as I go along.

In the future I'm going to post some ideas on what to buy, how to store it, and some recipes. I have a friend who is rich and a gourment cook. You should see her food storage. ;-)

Personally what I would recommend is to perhaps get your 72 hour kit together first. A lot of the stuff is lying around the house, I didn't buy hardly anything new. I did buy a solar, battery operated radio from Radio Shack for ten dollars. Here is the total list in one spot. I probably spent under 25 dollars for my kit, but I am single without children. The most money was buying the stuff for the first aid kit. One extra thing I threw in the first aid kit is four sanitray napkins. They work really well for compressing against a bleeding wound that needs to be staunched. I also store my sleeping bag and blanket right next to the 72 hour kit. I still use the sleeping bag when I go camping, so I didn't buy another one.

This 72 hour kit should meet the needs of your family. Use ready to eat foods your family will eat and hobbies and entertainment your family likes to do. Include individual medication as required by your family members. Whatever container is used should be portable.

You should have:

Immediately available
- Battery powered radio
- Flashlight and extra batteries
Emergency Needs
- Instruction Manuals on Emergency Preparedness
- Water storage
- Sleeping bags and blankets
Sanitation Kit
- Plastic bucket with tight fitted lid
- Plastic bags and ties
- toilet paper
- disinfectant
- improvised toilet seat (for bucket)
- feminine hygiene needs
- paper towels
- soap
- paper cups
- paper plates
- plastic utensils
- can opener
- utility knife
Stress Factors
- Children - coloring book, crayons
- Adults - books, needle work
In the Car
- Standard First Aid Kit
- Blanket
- Flashlight and batteries
- Reflectors and flares
Individual Medical Needs
Suggested Additions
- Family Photographs
- Medical Information Sheet
- Insurance Information
- Identification for each Family Member
- Will or Trust Information (copies of each)

Food - Ready-to-eat
- Meats: canned
- Fruit Cocktail
- Peanut Butter
- Powdered Milk
- Infant Care: Canned milk and bottles
- Dried Fruit: (caution - drink plenty of water.)
- Raisins, prunes, fruit leather
- Crackers
Stress Foods
- Sugar Cookies
- Sweetened Cereals
- Hard Candy
Standard First Aid Kit
- First Aid manual
- Spirits of ammonia
- Scissors
- Table salt
- Baking soda
- Eye drops
- Safety pins
- Matches
- Adhesive or paper tape
- Bandages
  - Telfa pads (4"x4")
  - Triangle Bandage (37"x37"x37")
  - Roll of Gauze
  - Elastic Bandage
- Splints
  - Popsicle sticks
  - shingles or thin board
  - 40 page newspaper or magazines
- Heavy String
At least one change of clothing for everyone
- including shoes

I've also thrown in a sweatshirt with a hood, an inflatable pillow, my scriptures (Bible, Book of Mormon)

It is really hard when you live check from check to do this. I know when I started my food storage, I was living from check to check. I started small, I would buy two cans of tuna, instead of just one when I went grocery shopping. When toilet paper went on sale, I'd buy three packages, and store two. Things like that. Whenever I got a bonus (which was very rare back then), I'd take half the money and buy food storage stuff. I think the most expensive thing was the medications. I have arthritis, and that stuff is expensive. And I think it was almost a change in attitude too as much as anything else. Here's a link to a site that has a list for weekly shopping, it is much less expensive.

Weekly Food Shopping list

Oooh, and here is a really good list on Food Storage for five dollars a week. Wow, this is wonderful. Here is the suggestion.

Food Storage on Five Dollars a Week

Week 1: 6 lbs. salt
Week 2: 5 cans cream of chicken soup
Week 3: 20 lbs. of sugar
Week 4: 8 cans tomato soup
Week 5: 50 lbs. wheat
Week 6: 6 lbs. macaroni
Week 7: 20 lbs. sugar
Week 8: 8 cans tuna
Week 9: 6 lbs. yeast
Week 10: 50 lbs. wheat
Week 11: 8 cans tomato soup
Week 12: 20 lbs. sugar
Week 13: 10 lbs. powdered milk
Week 14: 7 boxes macaroni and cheese
Week 15: 50 lbs. wheat
Week 16: 5 cans cream of chicken soup
Week 17: 1 bottle 500 multi-vitamins
Week 18: 10 lbs. powdered milk
Week 19: 5 cans cream mushroom soup
Week 20: 50 lbs. wheat
Week 21: 8 cans tomato soup
Week 22: 20 lbs. sugar
Week 23: 8 cans tuna
Week 24: 6 lbs. shortening
Week 25: 50 lbs. wheat
Week 26: 5 lbs. honey
Week 27: 10 lbs. powdered milk
Week 28: 20 lbs. sugar
Week 29: 5 lbs. peanut butter
Week 30: 50 lbs. wheat
Week 31: 7 boxes macaroni and cheese
Week 32: 10 lbs. powdered milk
Week 33: 1 bottle 500 aspirin
Week 34: 5 cans cream of chicken soup
Week 35: 50 lbs. wheat
Week 36: 7 boxes macaroni and cheese
Week 37: 6 lbs. salt
Week 38: 20 lbs. sugar
Week 39: 8 cans tomato soup
Week 40: 50 lbs. wheat
Week 41: 5 cans cream chicken soup
Week 42: 20 lbs. sugar
Week 43: 1 bottle 500 multi-vitamins
Week 44: 8 cans tuna
Week 45: 50 lbs. wheat
Week 46: 6 lbs. macaroni
Week 47: 20 lbs. sugar
Week 48: 5 cans cream mushroom soup
Week 49: 5 lbs. honey
Week 50: 20 lbs. sugar
Week 51: 8 cans tomato soup
Week 52: 50 lbs. wheat

Some weeks you will have leftover change. Save the change each week in a
kitty to be used for the weeks you may exceed $5.00 (for example, as when
purchasing wheat or milk). You will end up with:
500 pounds of wheat
180 pounds of sugar
40 pounds of powdered milk
12 pounds of salt
10 pounds of honey
5 pounds peanut butter
45 cans of tomato soup
15 cans of cream of mushroom soup
15 cans of cream of chicken soup
24 cans of tuna
21 boxes of macaroni and cheese
500 aspirin
1000 multi-vitamins
6 pounds of yeast
6 pounds of shortening
12 pounds of macaroni

This should be enough to sustain two people for one year. For every two
people in your family, add $5.00 more and double or triple the amount of
the item you are buying for that week.

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