Meeting 2c: Assemble an Emergency Binder

How to make an Emergency Binder

Source

"In case of an emergency, say a house fire, wouldn't it be nice if you could save all of your most valuable documents? I used to keep all of them in an old filing cabinet but you won't see me running out of our burning home carrying that!An emergency binder is a place to store birth and marriage certificates, passports, social security cards, home insurance information, car insurance information, emergency cash, missing fliers for your family members, etc. Its all in one convenient place that is easy to grab on your way out the door." Source

Supplies Needed: 

(and an explanation on each)

    - 1-1/2" to 2" 3-ring Binder with clear window/pocket on front and side  (If you go smaller than 1-1/2", you might not have room for everything. That's what I learned from making ours.) OR Zippered Trapper Keeper (or similar, so things don't fall out!)

     - Sheet Protectors (25+) - Slip your important documents into sheet protectors. It keeps them protected and a little water proofed (as long as it isn't raining right into the top of your binder :0 ). You'll have a few of these for each section in your binder. 

     - Tabbed Dividers (~5-10 - depending on how many sections you want) - They usually come in packs of 5 or 10 (sold at Walmart & Dollar Tree). Label the tabs once you are sure where everything is going to go. There will usually be a financial section, another for medical, vital records, etc. These dividers will make it easier for you separate out the sections in your binder so you can flip to the section you need easily. 

     - 1-2 ct. 3-ring Zipper Pouch (I use one to hold cash and passports and anything else I don't want slipping out of the binder. The other one I have a few pencils, pens, post-its, little pair of scissors, a few paperclips, a few rubber bands, maybe a small roll of tape, whatever else you might wish you had if you needed to take your binder and go for a while) These can go anywhere in the binder. I put my cash/Passports one toward the back of the binder so it isn't the first thing someone would see opening it up.

    
     - Cash (small bills in an envelope for emergencies) I would recommend at least $100 worth in 1's, 5's, 10's and maybe a few 20's. The amount is up to you. You should also spread out some other small bills in each of your family member's 72 hour kits. You can put them in different places in your bag so if you need to stop somewhere and buy something, you aren't pulling out a huge wad of bills, instead you are just grabbing out $8 here or $17 there. As you are heading out the door in an emergency, you can also stash some money on your person (a few bucks in your shoe or sock you are wearing, another small stash in a few different pockets, etc.). This way if your bags get stolen or you run out in your other places, you'll still have some on you and you won't be left with nothing. Also, if family members get split up, everyone will have at least a little money in case they need it to buy a necessity. 

    - Print out some cute binder section dividers that you can slip into sheet protectors. These go next to your tabbed dividers so you can find your sections easily. (Some of the links below are super cute and ready to print for this.)

        - Important Documents

             * Child ID Kit, Adult ID Kit, and Pet ID Kit (FREE) (includes photo of the individual, their fingerprints (optional), and their basic information, allergies, doctors info., etc.). These are free to print off (make sure you print one for each family member & pet.

              * A family photo in your binder and one in each 72 hour kit/grab bag. A family picture will prove that someone is part of your family if they get lost, they'll help you describe what a family member looks like if you or they get lost, and it is nice to have it to look at if you get separated for some reason.

              * Various Important Documents from here or another list. If you use the comprehensive list I recommend, don't panic, you won't need everything listed, just whatever applies to you and your family. I slide in all of the birth certificates in one sheet protector together, same with marriage documents, etc. This way you are saving on having to use a million sheet protectors, and your binder will be a little lighter because of it. (You'll thank me later!) 

              * Scans of both sides of your licenses, insurance cards, shot records, credit/debit cards, and anything else you carry in your purse or wallet that if it got lost or stolen, you would know what numbers to call and what your account numbers and everything were so you could immediately put a hold on your accounts and get replacement cards. Includes these scans in your binder. You should be able to fit 6-8 cards scanned on one piece of paper. Then do another scan of the backs of all of those cards, just in case you need it. 

              
      - A Cover: Think about how you want your cover of your binder. Do you want something similar to the 1st one (Family Name/Picture or cute design/etc.), something more discreet, similar to the 2nd one, or something totally different. 

Source

Source

                                                       
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- Here are some of my favorite sites for binder dividers and other resources you might put in   
an Emergency Binder. I believe all of these are free:

               * ThirtyHandmadeDays.com - Get Prepared: Printable Emergency Checklist - *Super Cute!! and Here
               * ThirtyHandmadeDays.com - The Always Prepared Binder
               * FoodStorageMadeEasy.net - How to Create an Emergency Binder 

               * FoodStorageMadeEasy.net - Preparedness Plan Brochure              
               * SimplyFreshDesigns - Create A Family Emergency Plan
               * Emergency Binder by Stock Up With Shelley

               * PinchALittleSaveALot - Family Emergency Planning Kit
               * Tis-Eventide.com - Emergency Document Binder
               * GiftsWeUse.com - Emergency Contact Card
               * Lilblueboo.com - How to Organize and Prepare for Almost Anything
               * There are a million resources out there if you don't find something you like above.   


**Be sure to keep your Emergency Binder in a safe place where only you and a few others know where it is (spouse, older kids (in case an emergency happens when you are gone--they'll know where to grab it from). If someone breaks into you house, you don't want them to find it and bring it with them. (It should be out of sight!) If that thought makes you not want to make one and you have your files in a filing cabinet or filing box, it is basically the same thing. A bad guy could look through there for important info. It is better to have it where you know it is and you can quick grab it and go in an emergency and not have to sift through file folders and wonder what you might be forgetting to grab. You can also scan all of your documents and put the images on a jump drive/flash drive or hard drive (along with important family photos) and put in a safe (at home in a hidden place) or in a safety deposit box at the bank. 
- Shalyse's 2 cents**       

Video - 2 Families Pack in 10 Minutes

Video 

(3 min. 16 seconds)

"2 Families Pack in 10 Minutes"

Consider watching this short video with your family. While watching, think about which family your family is more like (prepared and ready to head out the door, or not so much). Then brainstorm how you can be more prepared for when an emergency happens.  (HINT: Having car kits, 72 hour kits, drinking water to bring along, and having your emergency binder put together are great starts!)

This video originally was found on this site: http://pgward.org/ep/archives/468 . You can watch it there if the video above doesn't work.

How to Prepare Your Car for Winter

Source where I found this great image: http://www.loveinfographics.com/categories/how-to-guides/how-to-prepare-your-car-for-witner-infographic .

Meeting 2b: Emergency Car Kits

 

Becca Clayton taught about Emergency Car Kits and below are the notes and checklist that she put together!

Emergency Car Kit

The Basics:

1. Food - preferably something lightweight, easy open, and ready to eat that can withstand heat; examples include MREs, protein bars, trail mix without chocolate, tuna pouches, baby food pouches.  Don’t forget baby food or dog food if either of those apply to your family.  Place food inside gallon ziploc bags and then you’ll have some handy bags for trash or other uses.
2. Water- bottles of water; perhaps 2 per person, more if you have space.
3. First Aid Kit
4. Winter gear- socks, hats, and gloves for everyone in family, instant heat hand warmers.
5. Blanket- regular blankets, space blankets, or sleeping bags; based on available space try to have enough for your whole family.
6. Baby/Kid stuff- Diapers, spare clothing (underwear and pants if potty training), baby food, wipes, hand sanitizer.
7. Toilet Paper roll
8. Lighter and another fire source (matches, flint, etc.)- it is good to have at least 2 ways to make fire
9. Flashlight
10. Pocket Knife or Multitool
11. Walking Shoes- an old pair of sneakers
12. Phone Numbers and paper and pencil- a list of important phone numbers and people you could call for help & the ability to leave a note with your vehicle if you walk away from it.
13. Drawstring bags to make kit portable, possibly with reflective tape on them to make you visible

Additional items you can add:

1. Wash cloths or rags
2. Duct tape
3. Rain poncho- these can help you keep warm as well because they trap body heat
4. Folding Shovel
5. Compass
6. Rope or tow chain
7. Old Cellphone with a charged battery and an adapter to plug into lighter (can still call 911)
8. Windshield scraper
9. Batteries
10. Battery powered radio
11. Medications (epi-pen, benadryl, inhaler, etc.)
12. Road salt, sand, or kitty litter for traction
13. Money, prepaid phone card
14. Contractor Trash Bags or other large bags- can be used as a poncho, tarp, or bag.

Also have in your car:

1. Jumper cables
2. Tire changing equipment- spare tire, tire iron, jack
3. Map of area where you are traveling

Tips:

1. Try to bring winter coats with whenever you travel in winter.  If people don’t want to wear them, throw them in the trunk.  This is really useful anyway for in case you end up outside at a park or somewhere longer than expected and want your coat.
2. In a blizzard (winter storm with limited visibility), it is best to stay in your vehicle.
3. If you are stranded and must leave your car, leave a piece of paper in the car on the dashboard with your name, address, phone number, and where you are going and the route you will take to get there.
4. In freezing weather when you are stuck in your car, run the car no more than 10 minutes an hour to conserve fuel.  Don’t expect to be comfortable.  This is survival.  Be aware of how far you will need to drive for help once the storm passes and try to conserve enough fuel for that trip.
5. If you don’t have a lot of trunk space, then spread kit items throughout the car, under seats, in the glove box, in the trunk, etc.  It looks pretty all in one container, but if that isn’t practical then don’t let that stop you from being prepared.
6. Try to always bring your cellphone with you. 
7. Line the seats or floor of your car with blankets.  The blankets will not only protect your seats from car seats but can be used to keep warm.

Emergency Car Kit Checklist:

 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AqbF-X_Ux8JgdEt4WEc3U1A5SWYtZjBwTkMyVnFwVkE&usp=sharing 

LDS Food Storage Calculator

 

Here's a link to an online calculator that will help you to be able to calculate a year supply of food for you family! I really like it because it will have age ranges for children and will calculate how much you need if they are 0-6 years and then 7-and up.  It also lists the basics and a little more of what you would need.

Link:
http://lds.about.com/library/bl/faq/blcalculator.htm

Creating A Supply of Food Storage with $5 per Week

This article has a list per week of what and how much to buy of a certain food using $5 per week for a full year.  Keep in mind that that's for two people, so you would have to adjust how much per week depending on the size of your family, for example if you are a family of 4 you should plan on $10 per week.  That would be a total of $40 a month to build up a pretty basic year supply of food.  So check it out and see if it might be something that works for you.

Link:
http://www.goodshomedesign.com/how-to-create-a-food-storage-supply-for-5-per-week/

Meeting 2a: 72 Hour Kits

 

Lissa Estes taught our 72 hour portion of the meeting.  Below are her notes that she put together for us!

72 Hour Kits

Why: to provide for our very basic needs for 3- 7 days, so that we can be calm and provide help and a sense of peace to those around us. It is important to practice your plan with your children ahead of time. Maybe practice putting 72 hr kits in the car when going to Scouts, a movie, or a sports event.

Basic:  the top 3: water, shelter food. Other areas of need: Light, communication, identification, money. It’s better to have a small efficient pak, than no pack at all!

Things to do before you leave your home: turn off the gas, electricity, water! Lock you home. Unplug all appliances that you possibly can, maybe leave frig on, put on the “warmest” setting. It is a good idea to keep a few gallon jugs in the freezer (do not fill too full or they may crack). If power goes out, the water will keep the fridge cold a long time. Turn off lights. If you are expecting a high water level put paperwork, pictures, documents, computers, upstairs or in the top cabinets of your kitchen. If you have a freezer, put any documents in plastic in the freezer – it is likely to withstand exposure to elements if your home is damaged.

Contact your family/friend out of the area, let them know you are evacuating and that you are asking them to be the relay station for family members. Give them your phone numbers, and tell them what direction you are headed, your route and expected time of arrival. Let them know when you will contact them again with an update. OK to use a code that has been arranged in advance. “1st”, (meaning an agreed upon plan #1).  HAM operators don’t want to give an actual location but say: “trying to get to…”

72 Hour Kit Content:

Basic:  water, shelter and clothing , food,  light, communication (cell phone and solar charger or crank type charger), first  aid, (includes sanitation) identification (includes insurance papers, passport), money in small bills, coins.  Have paper copies of important phone numbers,  addresses, do not rely on electronics.

Water: Use pint bottles of food grade plastic, have purification tablets. Carry additional water, juice, Gatorade, etc. If you have portable water purifiers, make sure everyone knows how to use them. If you have purification tablets, try them out at a FHE, as most leave a funny taste in the water. You need to recognize that taste and know that it is correct. If your tablets are for pint bottles, carry at least two, and have one being treated while you are able to drink the other. Keep your fingers away from the lids and put the tablets directly into the container, not into your had first. Keep instructions of equipment in a plastic bag, you may forget how to use your equipment while under stress. . Do NOT limit your water consumption at any time, drink what you need and look for more later!

Shelter: this includes protection from heat, cold, wet, and the ground (rocks, sand, trees, briars, animals). This is more important than food. We may be uncomfortable without food, but we can die in a short time without protection from the elements! Tip: keep an old bathing suit in your pack and flip flops, so you can dry out or wash your clothing when you have the opportunity. Pack a change of socks. Think in terms of layers, and remember gloves, hats, scarves. Go to thrift stores and buy wool sweaters, extra large is good, for family. Maybe a large sweater to use as a blanket for a small child. Wool will keep you warm even if it is wet. Do not plan to wear jeans – they will make you cold if it is cold, and hot when it is hot. Plan on loose comfortable clothing. Have work boots or hiking boots if possible. Tennis shoes are OK for paved ground, but not good for rough terrain. Wear your shoes from time to time to make sure they are comfortable, have moleskin pre-cut into several  shapes to be ready when you feel a hotspot. A lightweight poncho is a great groundcloth, and can cover a backpack easily. Put things in plastic bags in your pack, you will need plastic bags anyway! Children may need a small toy or blanket for comfort. Update kids clothes and shoes every 6 months due to growing! Have tiny LED flashlights that attach to your clothing with a carabiner or chain. Maybe have a small compass in the same chain. Hope that you can remain in your car, but know that walking is very likely. Keep yourself physically fit.

Food: pack no-cook food, do not use pop top cans (they leak). Think in terms of high calorie, small space. Use MRE’s, peanut butter (if no allergies) and foods that do not require water added.  Hard candy is good for a treat and if there is no water at the moment.  Canned fruit, tuna, and also dried foods such as a trail mix are good, but remember that dried food will require you to have water. Small seeds that will sprout in a day or two will give  you fresh food. This includes: wheat berries, mung beans, lentils. They require some water, but will satisfy your need for fresh food  to supply vitamins and enzymes that are lacking in cooked food. Have tiny can opener.  Consider fire starters in case you need a fire to sterilize a knife or needle , and for light and comfort. Remind yourself and your children that fasting is OK. If you have limited food and need to ration food, pray and use this time as a fast time, not just a no-eat time!

Sanitation and First aid: Plan for simple cuts and scrapes and sore muscles (band-aids, Neosporin, Advil, muscle rub, sun screen, bug repellant, Lomotil, tums, Desitin,, and any Rx meds. My most important first aid item is moleskin!  Have a safe method for taking care of human waste. You may have to pack it with you until you can dispose of it safely. Be considerate of others, and do not attract animals with your waste. If you are in an open area, you can use a small trowel and bury it, use only biodegradable paper, do not bury diapers or other plastic. If you have plastic items, pack them out until you can find a suitable place for disposal. Take a small washcloth for each person. Water and mechanical action are sufficient!

Identification:   have original documents if possible, I.e. passport, drivers license, social security cards, birth certificates, marriage or divorce paperwork, custody paperwork, mortgage or deeds, bank records, insurance policies, wills, health records and doctor information, allergy, especially drug allergies, any medical condition needs to be noted on paper, in case of injury and inability to communicate verbally.

Money:  have small bills and coins, divide up money into several places in your pack and on your person, and among family members, including children if they are old enough not to talk about the money or take it out to look at it, or play with it. Be able to take out just enough  to pay for your items,  without extra being seen.

Communication: Always put gas in the car at half a tank Know where you are going and have a paper map. Know 3 ways to get there. Have a friend/relative out of your area who will serve as a communication center. Make sure everyone has his/her own ID and map and knows the plan. Take your cell phones and charges, have a solar or crank type charger if possible. Turn off your phones except when you plan to make a call. Arrange ahead of time with family that you will only be available on your phones at certain times: ½ hour in morning, ½ hour in afternoon and ½ hour in evening. Make sure all family knows this rule, and not to use data to run down batteries.  Use texts instead of calling. Take turns with phones so all batteries last as long as possible. Have your out of area family or friend attend your FHE (Family Home Evening, if you are unfamiliar FHE is a night you set aside as a family to spend time together) via Skype or facetime so that everyone knows ahead of time what your emergency plans are.

Moderate pack: always include more water first, or more ways to purify found water, increase food supply, better shelter,  redundant systems for communication, more advanced first aid, additional money, have additional gasoline stored that you can take with you. Think about having a tent. Have non-electronic games, note pad and pencils, sleeping bags, and more comfort items.

Super pack: think about adding HAM radios for better communication, better and more lightweight gear, better ways to catch and store water. Go back to the basics and see how you can improve your pack, or better ways to stay safe.  Think of different types of emergencies and plan for them. Add to your first aid kit. Take tools if possible. Think about how much you can carry comfortably, divide up redundant items among members of your party. Make sure each person has the basics. . Do not try to carry more than you are able.

Resources:

Of course our favorites: lds.org, provident living, and do1thing.com

Download the LDS preparedness manual, just Google, look for the 2012 version, I think

I love FEMA, they have a lot of information and new ideas all the time.

Try ready.gov

Watch youtube

Google your questions or keywords

Search the web and exchange favorite sites for preparedness. Get in email lists and watch webinars. You will learn a lot and be able to meet your challenges.

Show paks or Ask for paks!

Other tips:

•  Prepare spiritually, pray for calmness, and the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Do not move in panic, wait a few minutes for calmness and guidance. Paper scriptures: maybe take a Book of Mormon, cut or tear it into sections, each person gets a section.
• Get a water bottle that has a filter in it.  It is best if the straw can flip down and not come in contact with your hands!
• Macabi hiking skirts were mentioned as a good versatile clothing to have for a 72 kit for women.
• Pack a toy or game for children.  It will help to keep them calm in a stressful situation.
• Put a family photo in every family members pack so if you get separated you will have a way of showing what the person looks like!
•  Always keep in mind your own personal circumstances and plan according!  For example, if you have children have diapers, baby carrier, baby food, wipes, etc.  You are the one who knows your family best and what will work for YOU!

If you have other tips you would like to share please email us @ selfreliance2014@gmail.com and we will add your tips!  Thank you!