I didn't have any money to blow on emergency supplies, but I wanted to strike while the iron was hot.
So I started with a black and white floral backpack Bella had discarded, in which I'd placed six pairs of men's long athletic socks - used, but clean, and good for layering if we get cold. As time goes by, I'll make sure each family member has his/her own backpack with supplies.Just from what I could find around the house, I added:
1) Plastic utensils, cups and bowls2) Two envelopes of onion soup mix I had in the cupboard - took them out of their box for squishability, and wrote down the expiration date so we'll be sure to rotate them. Obviously, getting food for the 72-hour kit will be a top priority.
3) A gnarly-looking sharp folding knife I found in Neenaw's hutch drawer (I'd love to know where that thing came from)4) A flashlight (needs batteries)
5) $5 in change for phone calls, in a cute little metal tin
6) Genealogical records & copies of our patriarchal blessings
7) One kid's birth certificate - copy (should I put in the original?)
8) Four bandanas (Heff, recognize some of those?)9) A change of underwear for everyone
10) My old lawn-mowing shoes
11) Old T-shirts to help us with our change of clothes - 3 adults', 1 child's
12) A pair of pants for Son #1
13) Toothbrushes 14) Travel-size toiletries: shampoo, lotion, mouthwash, toothpaste, soap
15) Feminine supplies, for those days of the month when we're feeling particularly "feminine"
16) First aid supplies - the blue thing has bandages, antibiotic ointment, alcohol wipes, cotton swabs, etc. The clear plastic box has a book of needles, three paper bags (I assume for hyperventilation), and an Ace bandage.18) A box of latex gloves my mom bought to clean her hubby's office with, but ended up being too small, so she gave me the box! Score!
Later I added these emergency blankets - I found them for $1 each in a Target dollar bin - and shoved them in with everything else. I forgot about them until I unpacked everything today. Yay! Also to buy:
100 pounds variety of cereal grains-rice, oatmeal, cornmeal, etc. per person
24 rolls toilet paper per person
24 packages flavored gelatin per person (I bought seven last week)
Garden seeds
1 small bottle olive oil (for consecrating)
At least one month prescription ahead for all doctor prescribed medication
Battery powered radio - I actually have one of these in the kitchen. It also has a cord, which is what I use when I listen to it. But I think I'll get another smaller one for the 72-hour kit because if things are going south fast enough, I doubt I'll have the presence of mind to grab my kitchen radio. Just being practical.
The above amounts are staggering, let alone "per person." We definitely don't eat that much Jell-O (bad Mormons! BAD!). But I'll buy some of it - better to buy some than not any at all.
This blog is good for keeping you motivated: Safely Gathered In