It's that time of year again. *Insert Kansas weather cliche here* This is my list of what we have stored and ready to go in a large backpack.
Since we don't have toddlers or other diapered-folk in the house, this list probably omits some very important items if you have children. Even older children need to be entertained (read: distracted). But, seeing as how you are parents and I am not, I'm definitely leaving all those judgment calls up to you.
Here's the list, and then here's the list again with explanations down below:
If I have time, I will run to the garage and snag ALL my backpacking/outdoor adventure supplies. For example, a cooking stove would be great, but that's not in the kit itself. Or a tent.
Since we don't have toddlers or other diapered-folk in the house, this list probably omits some very important items if you have children. Even older children need to be entertained (read: distracted). But, seeing as how you are parents and I am not, I'm definitely leaving all those judgment calls up to you.
Here's the list, and then here's the list again with explanations down below:
- Bicycle helmet - 1 for each person
- Whistle
- Cash
- Old sneakers
- Rifle & ammo
- Extra pistol ammo
- List of phone numbers, emergency/family/friends/employment
- List of rendezvous points
- Emergency survival pamphlets/books
- Heavy blanket
- Flashlights & batteries
- Firemaking equipment
- Battery powered/wind up radio
- First aid kit (with latex gloves)
- Water
- Water purification means (pot to boil, tablets)
- Freeze dried backpacking meals
- Energy bars
- Trash bags
- Duct tape
- Work gloves
- Ax
- Dust mask - 1 for each person
- Towel
- Toilet paper
- Candles
- Contact solution & case/old glasses
- Extra underwear
- Soap
- NOAA weather radio
- Pads/tampons
- Utility knife
- Extra dog food
- Rope
- Copy of mortgage & insurance information
- Backup flash drive of important files (if you don't utilize online backup storage)
- Tarp
Things to grab on your way to shelter:
- Wallet/Purse
- Glasses (if necessary)
- Computer (if portable)
- Cell phone
- Pet leashes
- Grab gun (if so inclined)
Now with added logic:
- Bicycle helmet - save your cranium from your 2nd story bedframe falling on your head! In all seriousness, head injuries are one of the most common ways people die in these storms while seeking shelter inside a house.
- Whistle - so if you're stuck underneath debris, you can help people find you.
- Cash - For me, this is a $20 bill. I don't think I can bribe people with that. No, bribery is not and should not be common, but when people are panicking, it's surprising how easily this comes into play. Example: you need to have your basement pumped first. Hm, what's this? According to my FEMA guidebook, this is in case of evacuation. Ohhhh. Note: I have never bribed or tried to bribe anyone in my life.
- Old sneakers - You are not John McClane. You cannot walk on broken glass. And you might not have remembered your shoes if the storm kicked up in the middle of the night.
- Rifle & ammo - In order to hunt the deer that inhabit that park by my house. I will not eat looters.
- Extra pistol ammo - See above.
- List of phone numbers, emergency/family/friends/employment - Important.
- List of rendezvous points - In case for whatever reason, you are separated either before or during an event. If you can't get home, know another place to go.
- Emergency survival pamphlets/books - No joke, so you can double check yourself after the storm in case your mind has gone numb.
- Heavy blanket - Protect yourself from falling debris/hail during the event; sleep on it, set up a privacy screen, tape reflective strips on it and signal ariel people, and whatever else you can think to do with it.
- Flashlights & batteries - So you can play flashlight tag now that you no longer have a TV.
- Firemaking equipment - Fire good!
- Battery powered/wind up radio - Because information is king.
- First aid kit (with latex gloves) - I hope I don't have to explain why this is important. Also, maybe a first aid book should be included in this kit. I would also include hand lotion, because if you're going to have to be digging through rubble/debris and you're not used to it, you will be thankful. & any other medical supplies you might need!
- Water - Several gallon jugs, ready to go.
- Water purification means (pot to boil, tablets) - Water goes quickly, and healthy water is necessary for survival.
- Freeze dried backpacking meals - Kung Pao Chicken! Never underestimate the power of a hot, flavorful meal when you're under duress. Also, military MREs are good too, and they come with their own heating elements and a high calorie count.
- Energy bars - Ready to eat, no water necessary.
- Trash bags - One of the most useful disaster tools! most useful thing ever! You can make/fill them up to a blanket, pillow, rain poncho, tarp, shelter, sanitation, water catching, wrap your laptop/tablet up to keep it dry, etc etc...
- blanket, pillow, sanitation, water catching; wrap laptop/tablet comput in trash bag to keep it dry
- Duct tape - Always useful. Always.
- Work gloves - Save your hands!
- Ax - Ever have to physically cut your way out of your own basement before? Ever have to cut through a wall to rescue a friend/neighbor/dog/cat/child when every second counts? I hope you never have to, but semper paratus (always prepared).
- Dust mask - 1 for each person. More useful than you'd think.
- Towel - Sit on it, dry off with it, use it for a pillow. I will refer you to the Hitchhiker's Guide by Douglas Adams for the full explanation of the benefits of a towel.
- Toilet paper - self-explanatory, but you'll be glad you did it!
- Candles - Save your flashlights if you can.
- Contact solution & case/old glasses - Be glad you have it after, because you probably won't think of it during.
- Extra underwear - Again, useful and less stinky.
- Soap - Wash your old underwear while wearing your new ones! Also, wash your face for the psychological benefits.
- NOAA weather radio - Redundancy is redundant, but very useful.
- Pads/tampons - I don’t have to tell you ladies out there this, but for you men, you don’t want to have to live with your house destroyed & this – also, bandages from the first aid kit will work or a sacrificial sock, but that’s a story for another time.
- Utility knife - The most important survival tool ever - it will help you create all the other tools you'll need.
- Extra dog food - Remember your pets!
- Rope - rope is ALWAYS useful; I have never been in a situation where I’ve said, well, I can’t believe I dragged this rope up here with me. Make a clothes line, hang items to dry, use it to make a windblock or other shelter.
- Copy of mortgage & insurance information
- Backup flash drive of important files (if you don't utilize online backup storage)
- Tarp - Instant shelter! Also, has all the other uses of your imagination
If I have time, I will run to the garage and snag ALL my backpacking/outdoor adventure supplies. For example, a cooking stove would be great, but that's not in the kit itself. Or a tent.
Finally, power down your phone. The cell towers probably took a
hit too and those few that are still working will be overloaded. Don’t waste your
precious battery fighting to get through until the situation is more stable. If
you’re safe, you’ll be safe in a few hours.
