Grab 'n Go Kit Details

IMPORTANT PAPERS AND MONEY
Consider having a packet of copies,  CD or flash drive of all your important papers and documents, such as wills, birth certificates, marriage certificates, bank account numbers, mortgages, car registrations, church documents, genealogy,  family pictures,  life insurance and health insurance policy info along with the account 3'sw, social security card, house deed, important phone #'s,  vehicle titles, graduation certificates, and any other important documents you may have, (consider a reduced size that can fit in your wallet.  Keep it with you for safe keeping in case your pack turns up missing).    Or put them in a lock box at your home or at a secure location to retrieve later.

Keys   chgetready

Make a contact list of family and include current photos. If someone becomes separated, it is helpful to be able to show authorities a recent picture of who you are looking for.  In stressful situations it is easy to forget or mix up addresses or phone numbers that you normally know.

Include a Family Photo     chgetready

Be sure to include some $$$ in your kit!

 coins, small bills and larger bills

Small bills and change             chgetready

FOOD
Many food choices, dehydrated, freeze dried, MRE’s, pouched and canned (heavy). A variety of foods and packaging is best. Nothing perishable in the kit. (rotate  food and water every year for freshness). Dehydrated and freeze dried foods are compact and light, although water is needed to reconstitute it, so pack extra water for preparing these foods. Canned foods are convenient, though bulky and heavy.   Foods needing minimal or no cooking from a can or add water to a pouche of freeze dried chili or stew etc.  Or packaged tuna, salmon, nut butters, dried fruits, veggies, nuts and jerky. (flip top cans or pack a can opener). Add protein drink powders, Emergen-C, candy or mints for comfort. 

WATER
Adults need at least 1 gallon of water a day to drink when under stress to keep dehydration at bay. Three gallons would be too much to carry, so include a means for purifying, collecting and storing water. One and two liter sizes for carrying could be used. Collapsible containers are handy for collecting and may be stored in your pack.  Gallon size clear plastic bags are very useful in collecting water from dew or rain. Options: water can be boiled in a small pan after it is filtered, use purification tablets, a purification kit, a dependable filter, then put in a jar to sanitize it in the sun (scout kits have a small pot for heating water). 
DO NOT SKIMP ON YOUR WATER FILTERING CAPABILITY, DRINKING DIRTY WATER DOES NOT HAVE A GOOD OUTCOME.

SHELTER
There are many products available in this area.  Consider investing in a tent.  A ground cover with tie ropes and clips will make a shelter in a pinch.  Two ground covers, one for a tent, and one for the ground.  Or wrap yourself in a ground cover. Plan appropriately for your family size shelter.

A small travel size blanket and pillow allows you to “stake out your space “ in a shelter.

HYGIENE AND SANITATION
There is nothing better to boost morale than a few simple items such as a comb, toothbrush and toothpaste or powder, hand cleaner, razor, shampoo, toilet paper and personal hygiene essentials. Small versions fit nicely in a pack. Bathroom needs and laundry needs are essential to keep the spread of germs and disease at a minimum. 
Know how to set up, use and empty a sanitation kit if you are sheltering at home, or camping.

COOKING
There are several sizes of Sterno or instant heat available. A rack to sit over a can of Sterno takes up very little space and can heat water, soup, or cook simple meals. Remember cooking and eating utensils. Plan to cook, drink, and eat from the same container making clean up simple, if possible.

Waterproof matches, fire starters, disposable lighters, and compressed fuel tablets are great additions.

LIGHT
A flashlight is an essential item (store batteries separately). Hand powered, wind up flashlights need no batteries, or solar flashlights. Light sticks are excellent for short term light and signaling help.

COMMUNICATION 

A whistle  can be blown with less energy and heard further than your voice. A mirror is excellent for signaling help. A radio with multiple source possibilities for power is critical to learn what is happening, where authorities are asking people to go or what to do, in Utah, channel AM1160 KSL. Emergency flashlight radios can run off multiple sources of power including solar and hand cranking. Consider hand held walkie talkies, or HAM Radio (take a HAM Radio Course) Make sure everyone in your group knows what channel they are to be on and know how to operate the radio. ( store batteries separate, and rotate them out when you rotate your food). 

FIRST AID
First Aid Kit is a must for any emergency situation. Basic items and a simple first aid instruction sheet needs to be included in every kit.

So what are you waiting for?                   

You make it happen........... Get Ready!

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