Prepared

With the countless disasters happening in the world, it baffles me why I have not had a good First Aid kit for my family or a stock of emergency food. Or even an emergency plan. So I got the emergency prepardness itch and it's been mine and the baby's project this week. I used the recommendations of a First Aid kit listed on the Red Cross and Kid's Health Websites. Both are fairly similar. I got most everything at Target, including a $10 red backpack. By purchasing their Up & Up store brand I saved a lot of money and the end cost of everything was roughly $80. I added a few extra things I thought were important because we have an 11 month old and rather than buying the suggested individual packets of alcohol swabs, ect, I purchased larger bottles of the alcohol, ect. Since we are a family of three I wanted to be thouroughly stocked for ourselves, as well as anybody we may encounter in an emergency situation that could require help.
Here is what my kit includes:

• Gauze Pads (small, medium & large)
• Cold Packs
• Large Bandages
• Small Bandages
• Bandage Roll
• Airborne Disease/Dust Masks (I noticed when I got home it was only a two pack and will be adding an additional box so we have enough for all of us)
• Gauze Wrap
• Cloth Tape
• Burn Gel
• Sterile Exam Gloves
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Advil
• Neosporin
• Thermometer (free...it was one they gave us at the hospital when the baby was born!)
• Small scalple (I've had this, random to have but good for a first aid kit)
• Bar of Soap
• Toothbrush and toothpaste (part of the freebies from the dentist, I imagine in an emergency brushing our teeth would be a luxury and I wouldn't mind sharing with Eli)
• Hand Sanitizer
• Two flashlights (one that you shake to power)
• Two knives (one being a pocket knife)
• Emergency First Aid pamphlet

Then my "extras" that were added specifically for the baby:

• Single serving Pedialyte packs
• A few bags of squeezeable baby food puree (he doesn't eat puree anymore, but thinking ahead that our emergency food supply may be things he can't yet chew, it seems smart to have these fruit and vege packed pouches for him)
• Similac Toddler formula
• Pack of cloth diapers
• A long sleeve onesie that is bigger than what he currently wears
• Baby tylenol

I still need and would like to add:

• Safety pins (for the cloth diapers)
• Hand crank radio
• A bigger stronger flashlight and extra batteries (still keeping the no-battery one as well)

I removed most of the items from their boxes and organized them into plastic quart sized freezer bags to save space and ensure they stay dry in the event of flooding.I plan on sewing a first aid cross patch to the front of the backpack, and possibly some lettering to read "First Aid" or something to that extent so that it will be clearly labeled. I'm not exactly sure where/how we will store it, but I do want it to be close and accesible to an exit in our home. My goal is to stay on top of these things and update/cycle out things as they expire or would not be needed (like the formula or baby onesie).Next project will be preparing an emergency food/shelter bag which I will share as soon as we do it! On the same topic, they had small First Aid kits at Sports Chalet for 40% off today so I took advantage of the deal and got one for the van to replace my very outdated and half emptied one.