How to Prepare a 72-Hour Survival Kit

New Orleans. Mississippi. California. Thailand. Nobody has forgotten the tragedies from the fallouts of recent devastating hurricanes and similar weather disasters. Do you know what it takes to be prepared for such an event? Do you know where your important documents are? Is there a first-aid kit in your house? Do you have rain gear? Where are these things located and how long would it take for you to gather the necessities in the event of an emergency? Where is your nearest emergency center and how do you get there?

Despite the news coverage of natural disasters that are occurring at an ever increasing rate, most are still not prepared. Take for instance a recent storm that hit New York. It hit so fast that city officials and locals were taken by complete surprise. Three inches of rain completely disabled the subway system, leaving many people without transportation. The alternatives--buses, cabs--were often full or unavailable. What would you do in such an event?

The following is a basic list of tools that you can use to create a 72-hour survival kit and strategy for yourself and your family in the event of a natural disaster:

Rain gear-a poncho, waterproof bag for your goods, rain boots: These things can protect your body from the pathogens that can be present in flood water. The waterproof bag can protect your clothing and other goods from snow or water damage.

Bottled water and water purification tablets or a small bottle of bleach: You will need clean drinking water, at least a gallon per person, per day. If you find that you have run out, you may need to purify drinking water. You can filter, boil the water, and add iodine tablets or up to 10 drops of bleach per gallon to kill any remaining germs. It is more desirable to have readily available drinking water, especially if you have children, but just in case you should be prepared to clean any non-bottled water that you find.

First-aid kits: These are important to have regardless. You should have a kit complete with bandages, gauze, cleaning alcohol, anti-bacterial ointment, a small pair of sterilized scissors and tweezers, any necessary medications such as prescription medicine, and painkillers. You should also have something for upset stomachs, in case you accidentally ingest water or food that is contaminated. In a hurricane emergency, you do not want to be debilitated by food borne illnesses or any other type of injury.

Additional items: Flashlights, extra batteries, blankets, and canned food.

Make sure that you check your local government website to find a list of additional ways that you can secure your home in the event of a disaster. In most natural disaster situations, water damage is a big issue. Any material goods you can not take with you should be secured in sturdy waterproof containers and labeled. You should invest in additional security measures to deter break-ins when you have been evacuated. It is also a good idea to visit your local camping store for additional supplies, such as a multi-tool and dried food goods.

No one can be one-hundred percent prepared for a natural disaster. But you can reduce your chances of being caught off guard by having the proper tools available and ready in case of an emergency.