# 3 of the emergency series: Emergency bins for a healthy and safe family

Emergency bin #1 should contain stuff for being in the home when an emergency happens:

• Candles and a clicker lighter or matches. . .unless your house has gas. (Then use flashlights.)
• Flashlights and extra batteries.
• Duct tape and plastic to seal windows and doors.
• If you don't have rain barrels, use an aqua pod, which stores a 14 day supply of water for a family of four in a bathtub.
• Food grade hydrogen peroxide to safely purify water.
• Green reusable personal products like: cloth diapers, cloth wipes, "mama cloth pads", breast pads or "family cloth". Or packages of paper products like: diapers, wipes, pads and TP. . .not very long lasting or sustainable in any major emergency, but handy.
• BBQ and/or a camping stove. Free DIY one here.
• Fire extinguisher or fire blanket.
• If you have money to burn, get an all-in-one solar generator like this one, to power the necessities in your house. Or get a gas one to run outside, and keep extra gas around.
• Solar, crank or battery powered radio

Emergency bin # 2 for if you need to take to the road and can't go to family or a hotel. Also just a great camping kit. Often called a "bug out bag." (Could even be kept in the trunk.)

• Garbage and ziplock bags 
• A package of unlubricated condoms not only can come in handy for their traditional use, but they can carry water and hold important things you need to be waterproof. 
• Everlasting matches or solar powered electric lighter
• Lara bars 
• Fully cooked dehydrated meals. 
• Cooking utensils, peeler and can opener 
• Plates, bowls, utensils and cups 
• Duct tape 
• Aluminum foil 
• Salt
• One door rocket stove and/or Biolite campstove to cook and recharge cell.
• Solar set to recharge rechargable batteries 
• Lifestraws or a family filter like a Brita and extra filter cartridges. 
• An optional bottle of trace mineral concentrate to add to filtered water. 
• Foodgrade hydrogen peroxide for water purifying. 
• Luggable Loo Seat, Cover and 5 gal. bucket for bathroom
• Umbrella(s)
• sunscreen
• Axe
• Swiss army knife 
• Collapsible saw or "pocket saw."
• Machete and sharpener 
• Work gloves 
• Insect repellent 
• Tarp(s) 
• Ropes of varying sizes and lengths.
• Clothes pins 
• Small kit of fishing stuff and an optional collapsible rod 
• Laundry soap, shampoo and dishsoap. . .unless you prefer cleaning with ashes as some survivalists recommend with little water. 
• Solar shower (preferably one for each person.) 
• Hand siphoning gadget for gas or water. 
• LED flashlights 
• Rechargeable batteries 
• Walkie talkies 
• Solar, crank or battery powered radio 
• Copies of birth certificates, titles, insurances, deeds, cash, passports, SS cards, etc. in a waterproof container. 
• Sharpie to mark bags, leave messages to family members on odd surfaces, etc.

Other things to have handy, but not in trunk.

• Optional blow up boat and ores
• Tent
• First aid kit and if you feel they are needed prescription medications. 
• Wallet with all the cash you can scrape up in the house.
• Toiletry bag, including dentures, extra eyeglasses, and hearing aid batteries as well as diapers if needed. 
• A change of clothes, including hiking sox and underwear and a coat and good walking shoes or work boots. 
• A sleeping bag or blanket and pillow for each household member. 
• Car keys and keys to the place you may be going (friend’s or relative’s home). 
• Cast iron pots, skillets and griddles as well as a steamer basket.

In an emergency, grab the last minute items, possibly turn off utilities, lock your door and go!

(If it's not an emergency though, check out my next post called #4 of the emergency series: Good things to do now to be better prepared for coming disasters or emergencies later.)