Another blog entry today mentioned emergency preping in 52 weeks. That lead me to a brain dump and some ideas for how to prepare in 22 weeks, to be repeated as necessary until enough food, water and supplies for a minimum of 7 days.

Emergency Preparedness Purchase List for Disaster Preparedness Kit

First, be creative with where the purchases are made: thrift stores for storage solutions, dollar/99 cents stores for flashlights, first aid supplies, batteries, canned goods, candles, matches, etc. hardware or supply stores.

Rotate all food and water every 6 months.

*per person in family

Week 1: 1 gallon water, 1 jar peanut/nut butter, hand operated can opener, 1 canned meat*, 1 box permanent marking pen, role of duct tape, basic first aid kit, select storage location, select back pack for grab and go kit (think thrift stores for purchase),

Week 2: 1 gallon water, 1 canned meat*, 2 flashlights with 2 sets extra batteries and 2 sets extra batteries in a different size (dollar store purchases), water proof matches and water proof container.

Week 3: Leatherman or Swiss army knife type tool.

Week 4: 1 gallon water, 1 canned fruit*, 1 canned
vegetable*, 1 canned meat*, 1 package dry milk, 1 package feminine hygiene, aspiring or pain reliever, pencil/pen/notebook.

Week 5: 100 feet rope, 1 gallon water*, 1 each canned fruit/vegetable/meat*, evacuation routes map.

Week 6: Animal planning: 1 gallon of water for each household pet, 1 bag of food size to last 1 week for each household pet, 1 litter pan/container of litter, 1 backpack for pets labeled “PET GO KIT” with extra toys, leashes, water and food dishes, photocopies of vet cards (needed if ever checking into a shelter), licenses, veterinary contact information.

Week 7: 1 gallon water, 1 can fruit/vegetable/meat, 1 package toilet paper, 1 4-pack toothbrushes, toothpaste.

Week 8: first aid supplies: adhesive bandages in multiple sizes, gauze pads, safety pins, adhesive tape, non-latex gloves in multiple sizes, roller bandages, make arm sling from extra material.

Week 9: 1 gallon water, 1 can soup/fruit/vegetables*, sewing kit, disinfectant

Week 10: first aid supplies: scissors, tweezers, thermometer, antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer, disposable wipes, petroleum jelly, 2 tongue blades, extra eyeglasses, contacts, saline solution for contacts.

Week 11: 1 gallon water, 1 can soup, liquid dish soap, house hold bleach, 1 box heavy duty garbage bags, antacids.

Week 12: battery powered radio, wrenches to turn off utilities, waterproof plastic container for important papers.

Week 13: 1 gallon water, 1 large can of juice, “Ziplock” baggies in multiple sizes between snack sizes to 2 gallon, 1 box energy bars/quick energy snacks.

Week 14: paper goods week: toilet paper 1 4-pack per member of the family, paper towels 1 roll per person, paper cups,

Week 15: personal safety: whistle*, tools: crow bar, pliers, screwdrivers, hammer.

Week 16: 1 gallon water, 1 can fruit/vegetable/soup/meat*, 3 boxes “treats” graham crackers, fruit snacks etc.

Week 17: 1 gallon water, 1 large can of juice, 1 box energy bars/quick energy snacks, 1 role duct tape.

Week 18: 1 box dry cereal*, 2 containers each of antidiarrheal medicine, rubbing alcohol, antiseptic.

Week 19: Animal planning: 1 gallon of water for each household pet, 1 bag of food size to last 1 week for each household pet, 1 container of litter, I bag treats for each animal.

Week 20: plastic wrap, aluminum foil, disposable plastic containers with lids, personal hygiene items: feminine supplies,

Week 21: camping or utility knife, work groves, disposable dust masks.

Week 22: develop bucket toilet: http://www.survivalpreparednesstips.com/Survival%20toilet.pdf

Important things to consider:

Baby needs: formula and bottle, water, diapers, clothes, blankets for sleeping and clean space to crawl and play.

Elderly care: 1 month extra medications, spare glasses, hearing aid batteries, additional needs per person.

Kids care: games, books, cards, special treats to keep them busy and occupied.

Consider buying solar battery charger which can charge batteries and phones/computers/ipads etc. Goal Zero makes some fantastic items that I myself have purchased including solar powered lighting and energy sources enough to keep refrigerator running.

Blankets, towels, wash cloths, for each member of family.

Each member of family has back pack with several
changes of clothes season specific, especially socks and underwear, shoes, personal items.

Cash in multiple denominations and coinage, and some in each family member grab and go bags.

Continue with food and water prep until enough for family for minimum 7 days. Repeat weeks as necessary.

Learn how to make candle heater with flower pots: http://www.trueactivist.com/how-to-easily-heat-your-home-using-flower-pots-tea-lights/

Video tape contents of your home room by room for insurance purposes. Save video to disks in safety deposit box and at home, send to out of town contact for safe keeping as well.

Develop an out of town contact to notify in case of emergency who can track all members if communications in the disaster area are compromised.

Make a complete list of contacts in your phone book in case of error. Keep a copy in each back pack. Update twice a year, minimum.

Develop car emergency kit: ides forthcoming.

Review all insurance coverage once a year. Have copies of policy numbers and policy in important papers, know what emergency assistance your insurance company can provide.

Learn emergency plan for your childrens’ school/day care.

Bolt cabinets and book cases to wall studs. Hot water heater, too.

Test smoke detectors twice a year, minimum.

Learn first aid/CPR.

Know evacuate routes for your neighborhood. Identify evacuation point out of neighborhood that everyone knows where to go.

Develop complete lists of family member prescriptions including dosage, prescribing doctor and when the prescription expires and need to be renewed by the prescribing doctor as most are only good for 12 months.

Leave shoes and flashlight next to bed for quick exit. Keep spare pair of comfy walking shoes in trunk of car and at work location.

Know the utility shut off locations and procedures, identify tools needed and nail next to interior garage door clearly labeled or leave wrench attached to cut off valve.

Make photocopies of all important papers and store in water proof container with supplies.

I know I can write much more about this subject. This was just a brain dump. If the weeks don't work for your planning, identify when things are on sale and cross them off as your purchase. Remember planning for 7 days of food and water for your family.