We have recently seen horrendous flooding in North Carolina and Tennessee and unbelievable fires in California. If we are paying attention, there is much we can learn. Today we look at lessons learned as they apply to Five Day kits.

What is a Five Day Kit? For those who may not have been following articles here and/or are new to preparing, let me explain. For years we have been counseled to prepare 72-hour kits. As I have interviewed hundreds of disaster survivors it has become obvious 72 hours is just not enough. Several states and organizations are now in agreement that kits should be prepared with five days survival in mind.

Right now, four months after the flooding, many residents in North Carolina and Tennessee are still without clean water, sufficient food and even shelter. Some are still living in tents with freezing temperatures. In southern California, families are sharing hotel rooms or even living in their cars because housing is so limited, and shelters are insufficient to house everyone needing help.

In large part, much of what survivors need would have been in their Five Day kits had they been available. You may not be able to save your food storage during a natural disaster, but you can grab your kits and be so much better prepared to deal with the stresses which are to come.

With that in mind, consider why we include specific items in our kits:

  1. Full Size Backpack: Every great kit begins with a great container to carry your supplies. Full size backpacks ensure you can carry all your essentials with you. Backpacks should be brightly colored so they will be easy to find at the bottom of the closet when you must get out fast.  The colors also make it easy to identify family members in a large crowd. Backpack should also have outside pockets for items needed immediately such as keys and light sources.Rolling backpacks should be very carefully considered. They will not be usable to roll after a disaster involving debris such as an earthquake, tornado, or hurricane. If you choose to purchase one, load it with heavy items while in the store and try it on. The frames of these packs may dig into your back, making them impossible to carry for very long. When using a rolling pack of any kind, you will not have hands free to hold a child or pet or to move debris.
  2. Fishing Vests: Those disabled by age or illness may not be capable of carrying a backpack. For those with this challenge, purchase a fishing vest and fill the pockets with essentials such as food bars, prescription glasses, mylar blanket, emergency card, medications, cell phone, whistle, one change of underwear, etc. The vest may also be draped over a walker or the back of a wheelchair. Extra pockets may easily be added for more room. If you want to or don’t have the money to purchase a vest, you can look for one from a thrift store, or find a heavy weight shirt that is a few sizes too large and add pockets. Your finished product may not be the best looking but do you really care? You may just start a new fashion trend.
  3. Boredom busters: Boredom leads to restlessness, depression, and at times, an increase in frustration and verbal or physical confrontations. Be prepared by including games, cards, puzzle books, reading books, coloring books and crayons, and other small toys in your families’ kits. Remember the adults need a release from the tension too. These items are crucial whether in a shelter, a hotel room or even while evacuating and sitting in miles of bumper-to-bumper traffic.
  4. Infant’s Needs: Don’t forget the baby…Include a few soft toys, clothing, over-the-counter medications as well as any prescription medications, formula and other age appropriate food, bottles, small spoon, small plastic bowl, pacifier, diapers, wipes and diaper cream. I recommend you store diapers and clothing a size too large as children grow quickly. If an emergency occurs it is easier to deal with items that are too large rather than those which are too small.
  5. Pet’s Needs: Many shelters do not accept pets. Plan to have your pet stay in your car if you are lucky enough to have your car with you. Always keep pet vaccinations up to date as shelters will definitely not accept pets whose vaccinations have expired. Be sure to keep vaccination records in your own kit. Remember that in close quarters, normally congenial pets may need to be separated even from your own family. Have a plan for caging animals in your car. Pets need a separate kit which will be important if you are in a hotel room or shelter and your pet is at a rescue center or is being housed by a friend or volunteer family. This should include: food, food and water dish, medications, leash, a small toy, and medical records.
  6. Small Note Pad and Pencil: You will want to leave a note at your home telling family and friends where you have gone. If you need to abandon your vehicle you will want to leave a note there as well. As announcements are made by government and relief agencies you will want to record this information. Remember, following a disaster, you may not be able to charge a cell phone or laptop to access notes.
  7. Scriptures: At this time, you will need the comfort of your faith. Be sure to include religious materials which will bring that reassurance and comfort. In recent fires in Southern California churches and synagogues have been totally destroyed. You may also need to move your family miles and miles away to find housing or available school opportunities removing you from your religious support family.
  8. Safety Pins: These have at least a thousand uses including downsizing clothing in kits that are too large. Another reminder to store clothing for children, and maybe yourself that is a size or two too large.
  9. Work gloves. You can also purchase small sizes for children. Keeping the little ones busy helping will alleviate their frustration and consequently yours. When you are finally allowed to return home or when you help others as you wait, simple items like gloves may not be available. Many helpers and survivors will be looking for the same items. Work gloves may also be important if your disaster includes a car that breaks down or you experience a flat tire. Yes, two challenges can and will happen at the same time.
  10. Over the counter Medications: Pain relievers, anti-diarrheal, eye wash, allergy, etc.. Think about it, you have been evacuated but so have thousands of others and they have all left behind medications but will still catch colds, get headaches and muscle aches. Do you remember watching reporters and survivors in California complaining about how the ash and smoke was affecting their eyes? Eyewash is important. And, shortages may occur because local pharmacy stores may have burned down or as in North Carolina, washed away.
  11. Prescription Medications: Talk to your doctor about getting an extra month’s supply. As with over-the-counter medications all those who evacuated without a plan will be looking to replace insulin, blood pressure meds, and all those medications your family relies on.
  12. Prescription glasses or magnifiers and contact lenses and solution: If evacuating during the night, your glasses may not be by your bedside. I recommend you also keep backups in your car.
  13. You may need to spend hours in long lines to file with insurance companies or for government agencies or food and water distribution. Why add a headache to the stress you are already feeling?
  14. Small Sewing Kit. Individual use sizes such as those available at hotels take up little room. If you receive clothing from a distribution they may not fit perfectly and you may need to adjust.
  15. Sun Screen: Individual packets are expensive but easy to slip into a kit. Again, think about standing in long lines and or sifting through what is left of your home.
  16. 1-Pair of Long Pants: Long pants should always be included even in hot weather areas as they will better protect you from injury as you clean up after a disaster. Although they may be hot to wear, they will also protect you from insects, rodents, snakes, sharp objects and even sunburn. Choose pants that are practical, loose fitting, and sturdy enough for working.
  17. 3-Pairs of Socks: Wet socks should be changed as soon as possible. Socks can also be layered for sleeping and to keep warm in cold weather. A disposable body warmer can be inserted between two pair of socks to prevent frostbite. Body warmers should never be place directly against the skin. Think about those in North Carolina and Tennessee who are still living in tents as it snows outside. Some of those in homes that are livable do not have power.
  18. 2-T-Shirts: T-shirts are great because they take up little room in a pack and can be layered for additional warmth. Nothing feels better when cleaning up after a disaster than clean clothes. They are also easy to launder in a sink.
  19. 1-Long Sleeve shirt: A long sleeve shirt will protect you not only from debris during clean up but also from insects and sunburn, just as long pant will. In cold weather areas, a flannel shirt is recommended, as it will also provide added warmth.
  20. 5-Changes of Underwear: Going without clean underwear is the equivalent of torture. Need we say more…
  21. Hat: Hats are great in the sun, rain and snow providing protection and warmth. A distinctive or brightly colored hat can also make it easier to spot family members in a crowd or shelter.
  22. Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, soap, comb and/or brush, hair band or clips, shaving cream, razor, tissues, and toilet paper. As with medications, hundreds will be in line to receive hygiene kits donated by organizations and they do run out. If you are evacuating miles away, so are others and they are all shopping for all these items because agencies are not there to distribute free items.
  23. Feminine Hygiene Supplies. In addition to the obvious need, maxi pads can also be used as compresses for injuries. Even if you no longer need these, having a few in a kit is extremely valuable when you are cleaning up following a disaster and there is an injury or to help women who need them.
  24. Hand Towel – these are large enough to dry off after a shower or to dry your hair but take up far less room in your kit than a full-size towel. They can also be cut into strips as bandages. If you are in a shelter, they will not have towels to use when you are trying to take a sponge bath in a bathroom.
  25. Whistle/lanyard: Whistles are not only a great signaling device, but can also be used to find a family member from whom you have been separated.  Create a family signal pattern and practice blowing that signal.  Your children will then know to blow that pattern to help you locate them. Just like Morse Code using a whistle. A whistle can be heard farther away than a human voice. Yelling for help or to find a family member can be dangerous in an area full of mold or debris or ash from an earthquake or fire.
  26. Mylar blankets: Every kit, every home, and every car should have a stash of mylar blankets. There are so many uses from keeping warm, cooling a room, warming a room in a power outage, as a signaling device even, for collecting water. Learn the uses and stock up*.
  27. Dental floss: We all know dental health is essential for good health but dental floss like mylar blankets has many uses. During a disaster, floss can be used to repair tears in clothing or backpacks, replace shoelaces, lash together branches for a shelter, start fires and so much more*.
  28. Uniform: Imagine being in a shelter and trying to find your child or spouse. Wearing an item of clothing that is unique will make the task so much easier. A child with brown straight hair and blue eyes who is 5 years old could describe dozens of children. Searching for the same child wearing the same tie-dyed t shirt or paint splattered hat you are wearing will give people something to remember the child by. Purchase white shirts or hats and create a uniform for your family. You may also consider making bandannas from a unique fabric that all family members can wear as a bandanna, scarf or even tied around their arm.
  29. Glow sticks: Again, there are so many uses for these. They do not go bad as batteries can, they are inexpensive, safe around children, can provide light for hours, even overnight, do not run down batteries as a flashlight would or be dangerous as a candle is. Right now, there are many in shelters or temporary housing who do not have power. For those with children and adults with difficulty moving around placing a glow stick in a bathroom or hallway will keep them safe as they maneuver around during nighttime hours.*
  30. Keys: Be sure all keys are in your kits and in an outside pocket where they are easily retrieved. Your home may be gone but do you have a boat in a harbor, a safety deposit box, a vacation home, a camper in storage, a storage unit, an office? We do not keep all of these on the key ring with our car keys. Many in California are now living in their vacation camper or office.
  31. Cash: There may not be many services available, however, you will want to be prepared to purchase food, water, fuel, or housing, as they become available. Children who are old enough to manage money wisely should have around $20.00 in small bills in their kits. Every adult should have $100.00 to $200.00 in small bills in their kits. You may become separated from your spouse, thus each person should be prepared to handle expenses on their own. Do not have bills larger than $10.00 in your kits as there are, unfortunately, always people who will take advantage of an emergency situation and you don’t want to “tip your hand” that you have more cash available, thus paying more for what you need. There will also be places where only cash is accepted, and change may not be available. With extensive power outages following a disaster, credit cards will be useless and any merchants still serving the community may not be able to make change for larger bills leaving you no option but to walk away or pay more than needed or demanded for food, water or other items needed.
  32. Phone numbers: Cell phones may not be working and land lines may only allow you to call out of the area time-to-time as local lines will be overwhelmed with emergency calls. Following the flooding in North Carolina, our niece was without power for a week meaning she could not access contact info in her phone once the charge was gone. The internet could not be accessed until Star Link arrived days after the disaster. Include the following in your list of important numbers: Spouse, Doctor, Dentist, Optometrist, Hospital, Police Station, Fire Station, Parents, Clergy, Neighbors, Siblings, Poison Control, Insurance agent(s), Local Contact person, Out of area contact, Child’s school(s), Children’s friends (any place they may be playing when an emergency strikes). Satellite phones and phone banks may be brought in and you will need numbers. You may also have lost your phone while evacuating. These may all be important to relay to your out of area contact person as they may have more luck tracking down family members.
  33. Photos: Each kit should have several family photos. Include individual photos of each family member as well as a family group photo. Individual photos may be used to post if you are separated, and a family photo can be used to prove a relationship if there is a question because a family member is hospitalized and unusable to confirm a relationship or if the family member is a child.
  34. Food: The best choices for food are those specially designed for survival. These have a 3–5-year shelf life which allows you to forget about them for longer periods of time – MREs, energy bars or carb bars. Always order one of any survival food you may want to add and try it before buying several. Some survival bars are amazing and taste great while others taste like I imagine cardboard would taste. You may also want to add granola bars, nuts, trail mix, foil packed tuna, and individual servings of canned fruit. These are easy to snack on as you evacuate in long lines of traffic or wait in line. Never add jerky or salted nuts or other salty foods to your pack, as they will increase your thirst. Never store anything in your pack that is packaged in glass. It is not recommended that you store freeze dried or dehydrated foods such as instant oatmeal as these will use up your precious water supplies to reconstitute before you can eat them. Remember foods purchased at the grocery store will need to be rotated at least once a year.
  35. Water purifying bottle. A water bottle with a filter should be included in, at the very least, adult kits. Even four months after the disaster in North Carolina and Tennessee many are still without water that is safe to drink. A filtered bottle will enable you to drink clean water from a source that does not have chemicals spilled in them but may not be completely safe without filtering.
  36. N95 masks. We understand the benefit for medical needs but they are crucial for cleaning debris after a disaster. Purchase N95 not KN95 for the most reliable and beneficial.

Obviously, these are not the only items that should be included in a great kit but those that may need some explanation as to why they are so important.

I have a friend who wanted to know where the makeup was on the list. If makeup is what you need to feel safe and to remain sane during a disaster, then add it to your kit. This is your survival and sanity kit so if you need a crossword puzzle, hairspray, or a copy of Plane and Pilot magazine then add it. Don’t forget to let the kids do the same.

One more thing. Right now, we know of 45 families in southern California who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who have lost homes. We know of 30 plus families who are members of the Palisades Synagogue who have lost homes. If you were a member of those congregation and were asked to help those families, do you have well stocked kits to share? We are asked to prepare for “Emergency Preparedness and Response”. Are we prepared to respond?

If you have not started, begin now. If you have begun, finish as quickly as possible. Today determine a finish date and work toward it. Those thousands of families who lost homes in North Carolina, Tennessee, California and so many more places this past year never expected to be homeless and in need of simple things like a toothbrush when they woke up the morning the disaster happened. What do you think they would advise now that they are surviving in shelters, vacation rentals, hotels room or even tents or cars? Don’t be caught wanting and knowing you could have prepared but chose not to.

*A list of many more uses is available in your Totally Ready Emergency Binder.

To ask a question or get help please contact Carolyn through the comment section or by sending a message through the Totally Ready Facebook page.