For any reason you and your family may be caught away from home and can’t get back:

· Home area quarantined and not accessible due to water, chemical, biological, disease isolation, or nuclear contamination..

· Roads in and out of home area blocked due to earthquake or nuclear or chemical explosion..

· Fire evacuation.

· Storm damage from rain, wind, hail, hurricane, or tornado.

· Volcanic eruption.

How important will preparation ahead of disaster be when protecting yourself and each member of your family by having a bag immediately available? Something you and each family member can carry that will sustain them for at least 72 hours. What should you put in family member’s bag?.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Dept for Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says each “kit” or bag should contain at least the following.

* Food -
* Water -
* Waterproof blanket / sleeping bag
* Flashlight
* Emergency Radio
* First Aid Kit

This is not enough if you are to help others, let alone, sustain yourself and family members. Additionally consider these items:

Portable Light

Communication devices including cell phones and shortwave radio, at least a hand-cranked AM radio.

Hand-cranked cell phone charger

Rechargeable Flashlights

36 Hour Emergency Candles – can also serve as an emergency stove

Emergency Glow Sticks – typically last 12 hours
Whistle

Compass

Signal mirror

Flint starter – for starting fires

Waterproof containers or bags

Box of waterproof matches

A Bic type Lighter

Double occupancy tent

Emergency poncho with hood

Hand tools

Multi-function Knife

Work gloves

Dust masks

A minimum of 45 Feet of Nylon Rope

Hygiene and sanitation aids

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Wet napkins and soap

Dental floss

Dental pick

Hand and body lotion

Feminine hygiene articles

Always include prescription drugs and medications.

Extra set of eyeglasses or contact lenses including clean and wetting solutions
Place these items is in a bag or backpack that you can quickly grab and carry when an emergency occurs.

Such bags are priceless when disaster strikes. We strongly advise, everyone to have a disaster survival bag ready for each and every family member.

We will be discussing different the various items available and making our own recommendations what is practical or impractical in coming posts, as well as the experiences of our readers. Stay tuned.