Where to store your 72 hour kits

These pictures show where to store food storage...but this will get your brain thinking outside the box of where you can store your 72 hour kits.

I believe if you pray to know where/how to store your 72 hours kits, then you will be inspired.

72 Hour Kit---Backpack/Bin Module

Time to start a new round of 72 Hour Kits!!!!!!! Yea! We do a new module (goal) each month. This month will be BAGS/BINS...something to put your 72 hour kit in!  Module due TUES APR 9 (due dates are always the 2nd Tues of each month).

Here is a link to some of my ideas (please do not feel like you have to do everything...just pick and choose...not even I am going to do all of my ideas I have gathered...do 1 SMALL thing each month!

Backpack versus Bin

Grab an old Backpack or Rubbermaid container to start compiling things into.  Some type of portable
storage container.

You can buy backpacks at Savers and DI for a few dollars.

For smaller kids, make sure they are smaller backpacks, they cannot carry a full size backpack.

This does not have to be your permanent solution.  This is just something to get you started.

The advantage to backpacks over bins or suitcases is that you can carry them in any terrain/weather.  
Wheels won’t work in the snow or the mountains. The disadvantage to backpacks is that they cannot
carry as much as a bin and they would need to be lighter.

You can keep your backpacks inside a rolling garbage can.  Then you can take turns pulling the
garbage can until terrain gets too hard, then ditch the garbage can and use the backpacks.  Here is
an example for $20. The garbage can also helps protect your kits from rodents and weather.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough-32-Gallon-Wheeled-Trash-Can-with-Turn-Lock-Lid/23598269

One family I knew bought a small wheeled dolly for each of their smaller kids.  They had the backpack
bungeed onto the dolly. Then if they needed to leave the dolly behind and wear the backpack they
could.  Here is an example for $30
https://www.amazon.com/Coocheer-Aluminum-Folding-Portable-Lightweight/dp/B019SMHFSU/ref=sr_1_22?crid=35GP0GMVUDLB2&keywords=wheeled+dolly&qid=1551645906&s=hi&sprefix=wheel%2Ctools%2C625&sr=1-22

As an alternative to backpacks for kids...this blogpost (not mine) suggests using a youth fishing vest
with 26 pockets (make sure it is youth size). Link to blogpost...

https://preparednessmama.com/starting-your-72-hour-kits/?fbclid=IwAR0k5T9-RDcNzWWp_yB6YEErPRS1kjVx3QabqCO0xAVQkW06RwRp5G1rE88

Here is an example of a youth 26 pocket vest ($25-$30)

https://www.amazon.com/Master-Sportsman-Youth-Pocket-Fishing/dp/B003DVZQI4/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Youth+fishing+vest&qid=1551646576&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-5

Rolling Chest/wagon

Maybe consider if you have a lot of small kids that can’t carry their own backpack or you have
a child with disabilities that has a lot of equipment

Stanley Pro Contractor Chest ($55.52)

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-033026R-Pro-Contractor-Chest/dp/B0050034P8

Stanley 50 Gallon Mobile Chest ($60.55)

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-037025H-Gallon-Mobile-Chest/dp/B000Q5LZT4/ref=pd_bxgy_469_img_3/132-9649431-9193158?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000Q5LZT4&pd_rd_r=5e538d54-3df0-11e9-8c21-b5518fd3ff68&pd_rd_w=HeLd2&pd_rd_wg=9237P&pf_rd_p=6725dbd6-9917-451d-beba-16af7874e407&pf_rd_r=A4V23J0XASZH1AHKXQ5Q&psc=1&refRID=A4V23J0XASZH1AHKXQ5Q

Harbor Freight Garden Cart ($80) (Goes on sale for around $60...watch the ads)

https://www.harborfreight.com/lawn-garden/wheeled-carriers/1000-lb-mesh-deck-steel-wagon-62576.html

Labeling Backpacks/Bins

I wanted to label my backpacks.  I just used random ribbons I had laying around.  It has their first and last name and Mom and Dad’s cell phone numbers inside.  I realize it may be dangerous to write kids names in open view, but I decided to risk it.  Alternatively you could write...emergency info in pocket. The reasons for labeling were so that #1) each person could easily remember which bag was theirs and #2) if you were dehydrated and confused you would have your name and cell numbers easily accessible #3) In case the younger kids got separated from us.

General 72 Hr. Kit advice for Child with Disabilities

Here are a few blogposts I wrote…

72 hr. kits

https://supportedinourtrials.blogspot.com/2017/09/72-hour-kit-for-medically-complex-child.html?fbclid=IwAR068qbu2wes7GBvM4FJlKe1xXCFs8qPAmkNQ-m85abwprqwH_TouZpajds

How to stock up on meds

https://supportedinourtrials.blogspot.com/2016/09/how-to-build-up-your-supply-of-meds-for.html?fref=gc&dti=624490147679068&fbclid=IwAR2QY1lW1W1fGCFs_Sk8TGUwM07XI057jEhfi9GNZs363q-E5SLKzMQe3qc

Camping when you need power or oxygen

https://supportedinourtrials.blogspot.com/2017/07/camping-when-you-need-powercamping-when.html?fbclid=IwAR3xT2GztwMKWpGin3L92nuFeadwOo8v7jO5voL6hhrjw29lVOYrv35U2NE

So you want to be prepared for an emergency...

So, you want to be prepared in case of an emergency.  Maybe you have heard of a 72 hour kit, or  B.O.B. (Bug Out Bag), but don't know where to start.

On this website I post a module (goal) each month, walking you through step by step of gathering things to assemble a 72 hour kit.

72 hour kits have to be individual, you cannot buy a per-made kit and expect it to be all you would ever need.  It is a constantly growing and changing thing.  1 year you might need diapers and the next year you don't. 

Reasons to work on your kit monthly:
#1)  Family and personal circumstances change and your kit needs to change with you
#2)  Money!  I don't have money to put together 72 hour kits for my whole family all at one time.
#3)  So that creating a 72 hour kit is broken down into a manageable plan that seems doable.  This is PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT...it allows you to work on 1 small thing at a time...so you don't get overwhelmed.

I don't believe you should ever be done creating your 72 hour kit.  There are always things that can be done better or differently, added or subtracted.  For example; food may need to be rotated every few years, children's clothes may need to be changed out as they grow.

When I work on a module I do not try and get EVERYTHING I will need for that module.   I get 1 thing (or a few things) up to my allotted monthly budgeted amount and then I stop.  When we come back to that module next time I will get a little more.