72 HOUR KITS: SHORT TERM ESSENTIAL SOLUTIONS

72 HOUR KITS: SHORT TERM ESSENTIAL SOLUTIONS

HEALTH Magazine, Winter 2025
Published by the Southwest Utah Public Health Foundation

This podcast episode is an AI-generated narration of the HEALTH Magazine article.

The full article text is provided below as the official transcript of this episode.

72 Hour Kits: Short-Term Essential Solutions By Nathan Cleverly, Emergency Preparedness Planner

Narrated by Nathan Cleverly using AI-assisted voice.

Emergencies and disasters can strike without warning, leaving individuals and families without immediate access to essential supplies. Whether you are facing a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or flood, or a personal emergency like a power outage or house fire, being prepared beforehand brings peace of mind and greatly increases your chances of staying safe and comfortable during unexpected events.

A 72-hour kit is designed to be a short-term solution, offering the essentials needed to survive for up to three days. Here are the recommended items to start your emergency kit:

Water - One gallon per person, per day, necessary for both drinking and sanitation. Store it in a cool place and resupply every six months.

Food - Nonperishable food, ideally enough for 3-5 days per person, such as canned food, fruit, vegetables, soups, crackers, granola, and trail mix.

Can Opener - A can opener is essential for accessing canned food items in your kit.

Clothes - A change of clothes for each person, considering different weather possibilities, including sturdy shoes and layers for varying temperatures.

Flashlight - Keep extra batteries on hand or use a hand-crank flashlight to avoid reliance on battery life.

Medications - Include a supply of prescription medications and over-the-counter remedies for common ailments to maintain health during an emergency.

Radio - A battery-powered or hand-crank radio helps you stay informed during an emergency when other communication methods may be down.

Hygiene Items - Some useful items could include soap, toilet paper, toothbrush, moist towelettes, and hand sanitizer to maintain hygiene and prevent illness.

First Aid Kit - Specifically for emergencies, different from your regular kit, including bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, and other necessary medical supplies.

ACCESSIBILITY AND STORAGE

Store your emergency 72-hour kit in an accessible place for quick and easy access during an emergency. Ideal locations include your car, garage, or a closet near the front door, ensuring you can grab it at a moment's notice. It can also be helpful to have a kit at work in case an emergency occurs while you are there. When choosing a storage location, consider the impact of weather on the kit's contents. For example, if kept in the car, extreme heat or cold may affect items such as liquids and medications.

REGULAR MAINTENANCE

Regularly check expiration dates on all perishable items, such as food, water, and medications, to ensure they are still safe and effective. Setting a routine, like checking your kit when daylight saving time changes, can help keep your supplies up-to-date and ready for use.

SHELTER-IN-PLACE versus EVACUATION

Shelter-in-place means staying indoors during an emergency, such as a severe storm, chemical spill, or other situation where it is safer to remain inside rather than venture out. During these times, your 72-hour kit ensures that you don’t need to leave your home to meet your needs.

Evacuation, on the other hand, involves leaving your home due to an imminent threat, like a wildfire, flood, or other emergency where staying at home is dangerous. In this scenario, your 72-hour kit will contain all the essentials you need to survive on the go, making the transition smoother and ensuring you have vital supplies readily available.

PLANNING AND ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

Picture this: you have just 10 minutes to grab what you need and evacuate your home. What would you take? This quick exercise helps you figure out what’s really important and what you would want all in one place so you don’t have to search for it under pressure. Your 72-hour kit should be at the top of the list, but don’t forget about important documents like IDs, insurance papers, and financial records - things you may need to get back on your feet after an emergency.

Also, don’t overlook your pets. Make sure you have a plan for their emergency food, water, and medications. Include these items in your kit so they are taken care of too.

Don’t wait for an emergency before you take action. Thinking ahead and planning for different possibilities will make any emergency easier to handle. Having essential supplies ready can make a significant difference in your ability to stay safe and comfortable during challenging times.