50 Reasons to Eat & Grow Local Food
Growing, preserving, and storing our own food is a BIG part of our emergency preparedness toolbox here in geographically isolated Powell River. Find out how you can better prepare yourself against any shortages that may come from bad weather or other disasters. Always have at least 3 days worth of fresh water on hand. Also, this exercise will help the prepare for long-term possibilities related to the well-acknowledged ‘slow march’ toward dwindling resources. Find out more: http://www.pep.bc.ca/index.html
(A three day supply of food and water, per person, when no refrigeration or cooking is available)
- Protein/Granola Bars
- Trail Mix/Dried Fruit
- Crackers/Cereals (for munching)
- Canned Tuna, Beans, Turkey, Beef, Vienna Sausages, etc (“pop-top” cans that open without a can-opener might not be a good idea, read thiswarning from one site visitor.)
- Canned Juice
- Candy/Gum (warning: Jolly Ranchers can melt and using mint gum might make everything taste like mint. See the comments from the blog post, 72 Hour Kit Warning, comment #11)
- Water (1 Gallon/4 Liters Per Person)
Bedding and Clothing
- Change of Clothing (short and long sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, socks, etc.)
- Rain Coat/Poncho
- Blankets and Emergency Heat Blanks (that keep in warmth)
- Cloth Sheet
- Plastic Sheet
Fuel and Light
- Battery Lighting (Flashlights, Lamps, etc.) Don’t forget batteries!
- Extra Batteries
- Water-Proof Matches
- Can Opener
- Radio (with batteries!)
- Pen and Paper
- Pocket Knife
- Duct Tape
Personal Supplies and Medication
- First Aid Kit and 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 3 days)
Personal Documents and Money
(Place these items in a water-proof container!)
- Genealogy Records
- Legal Documents (Birth/Marriage Certificates, Wills, Passports, Contracts, etc)
- Vaccination Papers
- Insurance Policies
- Credit Card
- Pre-Paid Phone Cards
- Bag(s) to put 72 Hour Kit items in (such as duffel bags or back packs, which work great) Make sure you can lift/carry it!
- Infant Needs (if applicable)
- Update your 72 Hour Kit every six months (put a note in your calendar/planner) to make sure that: all food, water, and medication is fresh and has not expired; clothing fits; personal documents and credit cards are up to date; and batteries are charged.
- Small toys/games are important too as they will provide some comfort and entertainment during a stressful time.
- Older children can be responsible for their own pack of items/clothes too.
- You can include any other items in your 72 Hour Kit that you feel are necessary for your family’s survival.
- Some items and/or flavors might leak, melt, “flavor” other items, or break open. Dividing groups of items into individual Ziploc bags might help prevent this.