Is it possible to prepare for all eventualities? Fire? Flood? Earthquake? Job loss? Death?
The list could go on nearly endlessly. And on the surface it might appear impossible to prepare for all eventualities. But the more one looks, the more one realizes that a little bit of preparation can go a long way. And before long, nearly every possibility could be handled in very much the same way.
For example, just think of how a 72-hour kit could help you. If someone called, “Fire”, in the middle of the night, in spite of blearily opening your eyes and stumbling out of your home, you could be clutching your 72-hour kit that you store near your front door in the hall closet.
Within that 72-hour kit you have most every essential you might need, from important insurance papers and birth certificates, etc., to emergency food to tide you over till things settle, to a change of clothing. You’ve even thought to tuck in medical supplies and “boredom busters” – activities you and your family can engage in while waiting to return home.
That same 72-hour kit could help you should you experience a sudden death in the family. Perhaps your spouse has passed on unexpectedly. In the face of this gut-wrenching tragedy, you’re still expected to know where his or her life insurance policy is, with all the other important papers you’ll need to handle the awful events of the next few weeks.
The same 72-hour kit could see you through if an ice storm ravaged through your area. Food items that don’t need cooking were already in your 72-hour kit, as were miniature emergency handwarmers, etc., thanks to your providential foresight.
Of course, the geographical location influences what you put in to your 72-hour kit. Living in Florida will necessitate the adjusting of your 72-hour kit items, compared to living in Alaska, etc.
So have you put together your 72-hour kit? Trust me – it takes some time to think of everything you might need for nearly any eventuality. But once it’s done, the piece of mind is precious that it brings.
For my family, I’ve taken old backpacks and used one per family member. Each 72-hour kit has a 3600 calorie food bar (purchasable from online “emergency prep” stores), changes of clothing, mini-first aid kits, “boredom busters”, extra meds, etc.
Each kit also should contain important papers, a picture of the family with emergency phone numbers written on the back – both local numbers and long-distance (out of state) phone numbers, etc. And while you’re putting these together, make sure to include water for three days (or at least water purification tablets).
Just start. That’s the point. Find a satchel and begin filling it with the most basic of items. Once you start, it actually becomes a bit exciting and intriguing to see how well you can prepare.
Remember, when ye are prepared, ye shall not fear! No matter what eventuality may come.
