Living in Salt Lake means preparing for “The Big One,” or even small ones. Just last Thursday, a 3.9-magnitude earthquake rattled parts of Salt Lake and Utah counties. Do you have a 72-hour kit*? It can make all the difference in an emergency. Here’s what to include in yours.
*Salt Lake City suggests a 96-hour kit, the estimated time it will take before outside resources reach the area after a big natural disaster.
🧭 The Essentials
- Water: One gallon per person per day
- Non-perishable food: Enough for 3-4 days. Energy bars, canned goods, jerky, trail mix, and dried fruit are all great options. Freeze-dried foods are especially nice because they’re light and have a long shelf life.
- Medications: An extra supply if you take any
- Flashlight: Ideally, LED (because the bulb lasts longer) with extra batteries or a hand-crank flashlight
- First aid kit: Adhesive bandages, gauze, alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment
- Hygiene kit: Hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes, menstrual products, glasses or extra contacts
- Copies of important documents: ID, social security card, birth certificate
- Cash in small bills
- Radio: Battery-powered or hand crank, preferably with NOAA weather channels
- Mutli-tool or pocketknife
- A change of clothes
- Pet food, water, and any medications if they take them
- Leash/harness
- Copy of vaccination records
- Waste bags
- Diapers, wipes, formula, bottles
- An extra comfort toy or blanket
- Books, games, or cards to keep them entertained
✅ Extra Tips
- Store your kit in a sturdy backpack and somewhere easy to grab like an exit.
- Refresh your kit every six months. Swap out expired food, batteries, medication, clothes for warm weather or cold weather.
- Have a game plan. Talk with members of your household about where to meet if you’re separated.
