Evacuation Kits---Individual First Aid Kits

A small first aid kit should be in each evacuation kit, that way if your family members get separated, then each one will have a kit. You could buy a simple first aid kit, but from what I have seen (I haven't seen them all, though!), they have an abundance of bandaids, plus a few other items. Making your own first aid kit might be better and you can personalize it with what you family members specifically need. Below is a list of basic first aid supplies you might want to include:

Alcohol Wipes (12) - Use for cleaning needles, clippers, tweezers.
Aloe Vera Gel - Use for minor burns or skin irrations that require soothing.
Antibiotic Ointment - For the obvious minor cuts.
Baking Soda - Use to make an anti-itch paste. Just add water and apply to the itch area.
Band-Aids - Use for those little cuts and make sure to have an assortment.
Benadryl - Use for allergies.
Cotton Swabs - Use for cleaning or applying creams or ointments.
Elastic Bandage - Get 2 of these, a wide roll. They are use for sprains, strains or in some cases to keep a dressing over a wound.
First-Aid Tape - We use both the 1 inch tape used in sports, and the conventional 1/2 inch tape. Having both has been useful for us in securing bandages.
Gauze Pads - Make sure the pads are sterile, preferably packaged in individual packages. You'll need several small pads for both covering and cleaning small cuts and scrapes. Get 3 large non-stick pads for larger cuts or scrapes.
Gauze Roll - Use a 2 inch wide roll. It's great for wrapping an injured arm or leg. Be sure it is also sterile.
Hydrocortisone Cream - Used for itching caused by bug bites or plants. Make sure the cream is 1% or less.
Ice-Pack - Use the chemical ice-packs. It turns cold when you break open the chemicals inside the pouch. Do not apply the ice-pack directly to the skin.
Ipecac - Use for poisoning.
Latex Gloves - Use these whenever you have the possibility of coming into contact with someone's blood, outside of your immediate family. You want to use all the protection you can get.
Magnifying Glass - Use for those hard-to-see slivers, etc., the one's kids seem to attract.
Mole Skin - Use for blisters.
Safety Pins - Use for making a sling or pinning elastic bandages.
Scissors - Use for cutting tape or even skin in certain situations.
Sewing Needle - Use for those gruesome splinters.
Small Mirror - Used to check eye problems, also as an emergency signaling device.
Soap - We like using the liquid soap. Make sure it is not one just full of scents and get a small bottle of it. Soap is an excellent cleaner.
Syringe - Find the kind that has a bulb on it, it is great for flushing wounds with water rather than applying a cloth.
Tissues - A package of these can go a long way. Good for bloody noses and general clean-up. Also, a great emergency fire starter.
Triangular Bandage - Used as a sling. You can make one out of a light piece of cloth. Get a cloth approximately 42" x 42".
Tweezers - Use to pull out those splinters.
Tylenol - Use as a pain reliever or fever reducer.
If you are allergic to bee stings or other critters make sure you have the adequate medication in you kit.

[From: Anaheim.net]

There are so many other things that could be included, that's why it is a good idea to make your own kits, so you can include just what you think you might need.

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There are many different containers that first aid kits can be packed in. One consideration might be to make sure it is water-proof. If the kit will be in a backpack, then it is better to have it in a soft bag, which could then be put into a zip plastic bag. If it were in a box, the corners would take up too much space and might even poke the person carrying the pack. The weight of the kit should also be taken into consideration--the smaller the person, the less weight they can carry.

Make sure to have a master list of items in your kits, and keep track of any expiration dates. Then it is easy to replace things that are no longer viable.

Evacuation Kits---Books

What kind of books would you need to help you during an evacuation? Usually, the first one listed is a copy of The Boy Scout Handbook. It will help you in a variety of ways, from different knots that will be useful, to cooking outdoors. It even has a section on first aid, although it will be just the basics.

A First Aid Book would come in handy for medical problems that go beyond the basics. There are many websites that offer free downloads of first aid information, a few are listed here:
--All Things First Aid
--Safety and First Aid
--First Aid Coloring Book for children
--Holistic First Aid
--First Aid Book

Scriptures or books from your church will help to ground you in a time of chaos, giving you the peace and calm that you might be yearning for.

To help calm and keep children busy, coloring books, reading books, puzzle books, and picture books will be a blessing. Adults might appreciate reading books and puzzle books, too.

A survival book will come in handy if you will not be staying in a government shelter. As we have seen after the Katrina storm, the government may not be ready for the surge of people that will be looking for help. Be prepared to be on your own--just in case. A few free download books are listed here:
--US Army Survival Manual (6th e-book down)
--Many kinds of survival downloads
--Scroll down for survival manuals

I am sure there are other books that would be important to include in our evacuation kits. Add a comment to share what books you may have thought of!

Canning Peaches

Here are two yummy sounding recipes dealing with peaches! The harvest is still going on, so if you have extra peaches you might want to try something different!

The recipes for Peach Pie Filling and Peach Vanilla Syrup will be found here!

Swine Flu Kits

I found this post on the All About Food Storage blog and wanted to pass it on--we all should be prepared!

The Southwest Utah Health Department is encouraging residents to assemble swine flu kits to keep in their homes. It seems this advice is good for everyone, so I am posting the list that the Health Dept. has provided so anyone can assemble a kit for their home. These kits will help prevent the spread of the virus and also help those who are ill to convalesce more comfortably at home. A swine flu kit should contain:

• Disposable gloves
• Liquid soap
• Paper towels
• Hand sanitizer (Alcohol gel hand cleaner with at least 60% alcohol)
• Thermometer
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and / or Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
• Fluids for replacement (juices, Gatorade, Pedialite, teas, soda, soup, Jell-O)
• Cleaner / disinfectant for surfaces
• Masks (a regular one for the sick person to wear; one with a plastic eye shield for the caregiver if the sick person is a child and refuses to wear a mask)
• Phone numbers for physicians, pharmacies, and potential caregivers for young children

Re-Using Canning Lids

I found an interesting post about reusing canning lids--use it at your own discretion. This is just for your information!

Reusing Canning Lids

Evacuation Kits---Food--part 2

The foods I posted about yesterday could weigh down your pack, making it heavier than you might want. There are other alternatives you might want to consider, although the cost will be a bit higher.

Freeze-Dried Meals--There are several varieties of these foods, and they are packed especially for back-packing. The meals are very light-weight, but need water to rehydrate them, and usually hot water at that (check the package). The cost can be fairly high.

MRE's--These are military "Meals Ready to Eat." They come wrapped in plastic and don't need to be heated to eat. They have come a long way in taste and texture, and are very light-weight.

High Protein or Carbohydrate Bars--These are high-energy bars meant to boost energy levels when it is necessary, but not as meal replacements--both have their places.

Energy Gels--are similar to the bars in energy boosting, but are faster working because they are liquid.

As with any foods that are packed for emergency evacuation, taste the foods before they are needed. You don't want to get out of town and find you really don't like the foods you packed. It's better to find out when you are able to replace foods you don't like.

Evacuation Kits---Food--part 1

This is the basic list of foods that should be included in any emergency pack:

"Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Avoid foods that will make you thirsty. Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals, and canned foods with high liquid content.
*Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:
Note: Be sure to include a manual can opener.

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
• Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
• Staples--sugar, salt, pepper
• High energy foods--peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
• Vitamins
• Foods for infants, elderly persons or persons with special dietary needs
• Comfort/stress foods--cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags"

[List from--Self Reliant Sisters]