Preparedness Articles › Emergency Evacuation and 72 Hour Kits
Emergency Evacuation and 72 Hour Kits
1. Stay in your home if it is safe and possible. You are more comfortable there and you have supplies you need. This known as Shelter in Place.
2. Cooperate with your neighborhood emergency plan. Can you take in neighbors or friends whose homes are not safe?
3. Listen to Radio or TV for instructions. If it is necessary to evacuate, Follow instructions and evacuate.
EVACUATION CENTERS
Evacuation centers are nothing more than shelters. They DO NOT store supplies. Depending on the size of the emergency, it could be several days before supplies can get to you.
- ALWAYS take your 72 Hour Kits with you.
EVACUATION PLAN
If possible Secure your Home before leaving. If not enough time, grab your family, 72 hour kits and leave. Make an Evacuation Plan and keep it with your 72 hour kits.
- Turn off/down heater/air conditioning
- Check gas appliances
- Unplug all electrical appliances except for refrigerator and freezer
- Lock Windows & Doors
- Secure Car if leaving it
- Leave a note saying who evacuated. Include date and time when you left. Include Address, Phone number where you are going & emergency contact phone number.
What is a 72 Hour Kit or Evacuation Kit?
A 72 hour kits contain supplies you might need to survive for 3 days or longer.
- Must be portable: A backpack or wheeled bag is recommended.
- Include Necessities only: this is a survival kit. Put additional items in a separate kit that might be taken if conditions are possible.
- Prepare an Individualized Kit Per Person
- The kit needs to be tailored to the needs and abilities of individual. Consider personal needs and how much the person could carry if needed.
- Label kits with name of individual.
- Include supplies from all the 10 Basic Survival Needs
- Remember SURVIVAL. Minimize “nice to haves” which add weight and reduce room for more important items.
- Include a “Grab List”: Items to take in addition to 72 hour kits depending on time & conditions. Attach "Grab List" to outside of kit. Divide list in 2 parts, Necessary, and Nice
Where should I store my kit?
- Accessible
- Near Exit
- Structurally Sound Area
- Closet
- Dark
- Constant Temperature
- If you choose to store kit in garage or in car, be sure to rotate perishables more often.
- Update your kits every six months to one year.
Additional Evacuation Supplies
This is different from the 72 hour kits!
These things are taken only if there is time and space available, or used when you shelter at home. Gathering these supplies in a single location, before-hand, is still a good idea.
MAKING YOUR FAMILY PLAN
- If you need to walk out, can you carry all the supplies you need and care for family members? If not, plan for some way that will make it possible. A garden cart can hold a lot of supplies and small children.
- Teach all members of family how and when to turn off gas, electricity and water to your home.
Practice a Fire Drill
- Know an escape route from each room.
- Decide on a Family Emergency Meeting location. Discuss with children that some family members might get there before others, but they need to stay there and wait, because that location is where you will look for them.
- Plan an alternate Family Emergency Meeting Location
- Plan an emergency, will you be part of the problem, or part of the solution? Think flexibility and improvisation. Use your emergency preparedness knowledge and skills. Use all available resources. Adapt and overcome.