Wednesday, December 5

Family Van Emergency Kit

I like to refer to my teeny bit of paranoia as "preparedness"With three kids and husband, it's always a good idea to keep your emergency kits up to date. So after a few years of watching Man vs. Wild and MacGyver, I've come up with a few kits I hope will help if anything unexpected occurs. Hee hee, maybe I'd better consult the recommendations of www.ready.gov/build-a-kit as opposed to a fictional, albeit awesome TV show.
I have several emergency preparedness kits & locations; the basement tornado kit, the quick kit in my purse, the hubby's "working man" kit, the emergency pantry, and more. Today, I am going to share with you my on-the-go Family Van Emergency Kit.

Family Van Emergency Kit
I need this kit to be multifaceted. It has to meet the small needs that may arise (hungry kids, headache, etc.), or if necessary become a survival kit. I needed the perfect grab-and-go case, and what works better than a double decker  cooler bag? Heh heh, I thought my "brilliant" idea of was one-of a-kind creative until I ran across a couple other bloggers  with cooler emergency kits. Well, let's just go with "great minds think alike". Lol, it makes me feel less sheepish.

Tips For Filling Your Kit
Shop the camping department of your favorite store to find everything you need. An outdoor store is best, but Walmart is cheaper.
You wouldn't believe how much stuff you can cram into such a small space! I divided items into like groups by putting them in tiny craft baggies and labeling them, it helps you find things quickly without rummaging through tons of stuff. Baggies are also a good idea for waterproofing, if your kit gets wet or something moisture rich decides to burst, you won't have drowned your entire kit rendering it a useless mess.

Van Emergency Kit Contents:

Food Storage Area –upper compartment
  • Non-perishable food items, 
  • Cup & camper seasonings, paper towels
  • Gatorade packets, water packets
Injury, Illness, & Pain Management –main compartment
  • Aspirin, non aspirin, Ibuprofen, antacid
  • Bandages, & adhesive tape, neosporin
  • Alcohol swabs, disposable gloves
  • Children’s Tylenol
  • Activated charcoal
  • Thermometer
  • Cough drops, zinc tablets, Emergen-C
  • Anti-itch ointment, sun & insect spray
Personal Products – main compartment
  • Feminine products
  • Mints, wisp mini brush,
  • Chapstick, petroleum jelly tube
Small Tools & Sewing – container in main compartment
  • Needles, safety pins, thread, small scissors
  • Nail file, clipper, scraper, & tweezers
  • Superglue, glasses kit, & spare glasses/contacts
  • Clothing stain stick
Extreme Survival –main compartment
  • Water purification tabs & liquid storage bags
  • ¼” x 50’ poly rope
  • Emergency poncho’s, windbreakers, & blanket
  • Emergency whistles
  • Lightstick, flashlight
  • Matches, + waterproof, flint
  • Multitool, nails
  • Compass/whistle/thermometer
  • Handwarmers
  • Campers toilet paper & paper towel
General/Misc. –side & front compartments
  • Napkins, & plastic utensils
  • Plastic bags
  • Sharpie, pen, & paper
  • Antibacterial wet wipes, & dish soap

Keep Up Your Wit & Kit
Ok, I have been in enough weird random situations to know that preparedness is half the battle. Keep yourself educated, be well informed in addition to having the necessary tools. Oh, and watching Survivor Man doesn't count. Review certain basic emergency procedures from time to time; know CPR, know the signs of stroke or heart attack, know what to do in a natural disaster, keep a booklet with emergency basics handy.
The other important thing is to keep all your emergency kits up to date. Change out medications that may expire, restock used items immediately, etc. 
My philosophy, better to be safe than sorry!  



5 comments:

  1. Anonymous8.2.13

    I love this! I just found your blog through Pinterest...the organization kit. :) I'm enjoying hopping around on your blog looking at all of your great ideas. Can't wait to do the menu plan. It's perfect!! Yay!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Kellie!
    That is an excellent question... why didn't I include that information? The first kit I created had a lotion bottle explode, and my chapstick melt away! LOL! So I learned the hard way. The solution is thankfully pretty simple... shop in the camping gear section of your store. Items commercially packaged for emergency preparedness or camping trips come in sturdy individual packaging that will withstand most extremes thrown at it. I still store items like my chapstick and emergency contacts, but they are reinforced in baggies and get used fairly frequently, plus I rotate them out each season. Sometimes it's the careful choices, such as a tube of Petroleum jelly rather than a stick of chapstick. Other items require a little bit of attention; store already packaged wipes in an additional baggie or a plastic canister, store non-prepackaged medication in a tin pill vial that contains the reinforced plastic insert (I blogged about my key ring pill vial), and change out before expiration.
    You get the idea...
    Hope that helps! ;)

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  3. I'm glad to see you have kits that use flashlights. I was on another website that did not have it nor batteries. I use the http://www.bestflashlightspot.com/flashlight-type/tactical-flashlight/ by Fenix in all my emergency kits, because they are super bright and last a long time, plus you can use it for S.O.S.

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  4. I live where it gets really cold and where I'm buried under snow most of the year. I have a really basic emergency kit in my car, but it has more items for winter (snow shovel, blankets, AC converter, flashlights) and this might be something to help add to that.

    But, you also mentioned you have emergency kits for other things. Do you think you could add some blog posts to those specific kits? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kudos on your winter emergency items! Yes, I may be overly paranoid or something *grin*... I keep those types of items, as well as overnight items in a second bag, which I will be sure to share at some time! I also have a different set of items in my husbands kit, which I will be sure to share here on the blog. Thanks for following along!

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