Being a paranoid and nervous person who has experienced too many unfair, unpredictable circumstances, I can’t stress enough the importance of creating a 3-day emergency kit. Realistically, do I imagine too many people will have to utilize it? No, but in my humble opinion, that isn’t a valid enough of a reason to not create one. I’ve heard too many people say that their likeliness of using it is so slim that they don’t want to bother with it. It’s an emergency kit!!!! It’s for emergencies. Over a person’s lifetime, there are less emergencies than there are non -emergencies, so, of course, your likeliness to use it is slim! I’m not denying that. I’m also not focusing on that factor b/c that isn’t the point of an emergency kit! It’s for an emergency. How hard of a concept is this? I have a 3-day emergency kit b/c I want to be prepared, in the event of an emergency. Despite many peoples (forgive my frankness) lazy hesitance, I don’t think people want to be unprepared in an emergency situation. I’m not even sure that some people are lazy and hesitant about this. I just think that they have other priorities, so, I’m just a pushy reminder to get it done if it’s been on your list for a while. And considering how easy it is to put together an emergency kit, it really is worth the effort.
Before I lose the interest of any readers, I’ve created some excuse busters.
- I don’t need one.
Let’s hope so, but the truth is that you can’t be sure. You can “feel” pretty certain, and most people probably won’t need one, but, again, that isn’t the point. If you don’t need one, great, but we’re not talking about diabetes prescriptions or a pair of glasses. An emergency kit isn’t created based on whether you need one or not, it’s created with the pretense that IF you need one, you’ll have one. It isn’t the most complicated task.
- I don’t have the money to put one together.
Now, this is a respectable and valid concern for many people, including myself at one point. If you don’t currently have the money to put one together, you can set money aside. Eventually, it’ll add up. Nobody said that your emergency kit has to be built within a day. It can grow over a period of time, that’s fine. When there’s a sale on canned foods, stock up, or buy generic brands so that you can buy food for dinner tonight and for a possible emergency later. It’s a little pathetic sounding, I know, but you can also ask a friend with exceptional bargaining skills to pick up some supplies. I’ve known people who can buy a week’s worth of canned food for a family without exceeding $3. If you know someone like that, you can give that person the money and he or she do the hunt for you or ask your friends to donate some supplies when your birthday or Christmas comes around as part of your gift. Bandages are only a few bucks, so I don’t think it’ll interfere with buying a better gift. Just do it a little at a time. Doctors offices also carry freebies. For larger items like carryalls, you can pick up a cheap one @ Salvation Army. It doesn’t have to be fancy, and it could be discreetly put away if you’re embarrassed by the design.
- It’s an unnecessary expense.
So, are a lot of things. It’s an unnecessary expense isn’t a justifiable excuse; it’s a fact, in most cases, that’s used as a scapegoat. If you’re going to use an excuse, use a good one. Oh, let’s not forget that it’s possible it wouldn’t be an unnecessary expense.
- The food will go bad.
Well, take a little effort to keep that from happening. Simply create an inventory of what you have and when it’ll go bad. Three months before it goes bad, consume it and replace it with new food. Jot it down on your calendar, write a reminder, email yourself, call a responsible friend to remind you, etc. And if you forget, it’s not the end of the world.
- I won’t remember it during an emergency.
It’s possible, but it’s also possible that you’ll remember or someone else will remind you. Maybe you’ll get notice of an evacuation, allowing you time to calmly remember your kit.
- In a real emergency, a 3-day emergency kit won’t be adequate.
Depending on the length of the emergency, it’s possible that a 3-day kit won’t be adequate, but it’ll be better than nothing. People need water and food. You may not have a lot, but maybe you’ll have enough to survive.
If you don’t want to take the precautionary measures, then, that’s your choice. I respect that, and I would like that same courtesy. I’ve come across too many people who act like they’re losing respect for me b/c I’m preparing for something that in their eyes won’t happen. And I hope they’re right. I’m well aware of what goes into a 3-day emergency kit. I hope to God I won’t have to ever use it in an emergency, but hoping won’t prevent it, luck will. And I personally don’t want to take my chances. Some people act like creating a 3-day emergency kit is such an inconvenience.
3-Day Emergency Kit Supplies:
Water
Keep at least 1 gallon of water available, more for pregnant women and children. Ideally, you want 1 gallon of water reserved for each person. Store in plastic water bottles, not in breakable containers such as glass or milk cartons.
Food
High-energy foods (granola bars, energy bars, peanut butter, etc.), ready to eat canned foods (sausages, spam, fruits, and vegetables), & canned juices. *Steer clear of high sodium food sources, foods that require cooking, heating, or refrigeration, and little to no water. Include a can opener.
First Aid Supplies
Roller gauze (I prefer this over the pads. Roller gauze is easier to handle if someone is bleeding badly.)
Assorted bandages
Medical Tape
Antibiotic Ointment
Wound cleaner
Scissors
Pair of Non-Latex Gloves
Flashlight
Medications
Additional Supplies
Plastic utensils
Personal hygiene (toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, feminine products, contact lenses, soaps, hand sanitizer)
Garbage bags (for sanitation uses)
At least one complete change of clothing and footwear, including a long sleeve shirt and long pants, closed shoes or boots, and socks
Plastic sheeting and duct tape for shelter
A list of nearby shelters and emergency contact information
Money
Map of the area
Entertainment (deck of cards, etc.)
Well, I hope I inspired some of you to create a 3-day emergency kit. If you don’t want to, again, that’s fine, but please lay off the attitude for others who are pursuing this. Sorry, if I came off hostile. I just feel so defensive for doing something responsible, and it’s annoying. For more information, go to www.redcross.org.
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