Survival Kit Series week #8: Protection from the Elements

Time for another week of building our 72 hr kits!  And time to award another prize (my favorite part!)   THANK YOU for participating!  You can see the winner at the bottom of this post.

If you are just joining us, I recommend starting with week #1.  You can find it here:

 Survival Kit Series Week #1

Once you've completed that, just jump in on this week's focus.  I will cycle through each week again once we are done.  You can do the earlier weeks last instead of first!  You can also read the intro to this series here: Survival Kit Ideas: a week by week approach.

I hope all of you were able to add some utensils, plates etc. to your kit  last week.

This week's focus:  

Add some sort of "weather protection" to your kit

Be sure to leave a comment ON THIS POST by Wednesday, November 23rd at 9:00 am PST to be entered in this week's giveaway. Just tell us what you will be using for protection in your kit!

Photo Credit: Harley Qinn

If you (heaven forbid) ever have to face a serious natural disaster in which your home is destroyed or you are forced to evacuate with no where to go, you will need to be able to provide shelter for yourself and your family: something to protect you from the elements.  I include clothing in the "protection" category as it will be your first line of defense against the elements.

Clothing Suggestions:
Remember, the clothing you have on during a disaster may be cut, ripped, or ruined in some way or another, so you should include at least one change of clothing.  

• Think of what the weather will be like in the next 6 months (since you should rotate your kit every six months) and include appropriate clothing.  If it will be cold, be sure to include jackets, coats, hats, gloves, etc.
•  If you have children, especially young children, think of how much you expect them to grow in the next 6 months.  It is better to have clothing be slightly too big than not big enough!  
• Don't forget underwear, shoes and socks!

Shelter Suggestions:
Tents can get pricey.  But, there are ways to protect yourself from the elements on a smaller budget.  I've separated my suggestions into three categories.  If you have small children, make sure you choose something they will actually use / wear.  You should show it to them and have them practice wearing it (poncho) or getting in it (tent etc).

Small Budget:

• Try a  poncho (you can even use a large garbage bag instead), or a couple of drop cloths (hang one above you on trees or a rope, and lay one out under you if needed.

Medium Budget:

• A couple of tarps (used similarly to the drop cloths mentioned above), a more durable poncho, or a tube tent.

Larger Budget:

• A popup or dome tent

What we have done in our family:

Clothing:

We have a change of pants, socks, shirt and underwear for each family member.  We also have a jacket and hat for each family member.  It doesn't get too cold here in So Cal, so we do not have coats or gloves.  We do not have extra shoes in our kit (I couldn't fit them...still trying to figure out how to do that), but do keep an extra set for everyone in our cars.

Shelter:

We have six garbage bag for every to use as a poncho.  We have one tube tent and a tarp in each adult kit (we would each sleep with two kiddos REALLY close to us).  We also have a 5 man popup tent and a very large 2-room 10 man tent right next to our kits.  We could not fit these inside our actual packs, but if we were able to evacuate by car or were simply staying put, but without a home, we would use (and likely share) those larger tents. 

This week's focus:  

Add some sort of "weather protection" to your kit

  

Be sure to leave a comment ON THIS POST by Wednesday, November 23rd at 9:00 am PST to be entered in this week's giveaway. Just tell us what you will be using for protection in your kit!

And don't forget....
Add $1 per person to your survival kit this week.  Make sure you use $1 bills and / or quarters.

November's Monthly Challenge: Fire Prevention.  

This is separate from your 72 hr kit and will help you be prepared to deal with the after effects of an emergency that you do not have to evacuate for.  

I hope you were all able to store at least 14 gallons of water per person in your family during the month of October.  During the month of November, we will be focusing on fire prevention

• Check all smoke alarms in your home and replace batteries as needed.  You should have at least one on every level of your home.
• Make sure you have a gas shut off tool and know how to use it.  Read this post on facebook for great tips from reader Marcia about this.
• Make sure you have a fire extinguisher in your home and that you know how to use it. If possible, have one on every level of your home.
• Consider adding a home fire sprinkler.  This can decrease insurance rates and increase your home's value.
• Practice an escape plan from every room in the house. Caution everyone to stay low to the floor when escaping from fire and never to open doors that are hot. Select a location where everyone can meet after escaping the house. Get out then call for help.
• Make sure all matches, lighters etc are kept up high out of the reach of children.
• Review the information at the USFA on Home Fire Prevention

Other weeks in the Series:

Intro: Survival Kit Ideas: a week by week approach
Week #1: Rotation and Packaging
Week #2: Water Part I: Bring it with you
Week #3: Water Part II: Clean it as you go
Week #4: Food Part I: Breakfast and Lunch
Week #5: Food Part II: Snacks and Dinners
Week #6: How ya gonna cook?
Week #7: How ya gonna eat?

This week's winner:

I'm so thrilled to announce the winner of week #7's drawing:  I had 8 entries (only 1 entry per person).   According to Random.org comment #1 was the winner:

Nichole said:

Congrats Nichole!

Want to win?
I am giving away 1 prize per week for 26 weeks.  All you have to do to enter the drawing each week is leave a comment on THIS POST before 9:00 am next Wednesday.  Simple.  This is open to anyone and everyone: my family members, friends, those I've never met, other Shelf Reliance consultants: anyone! Below are the 4 prizes each winner can choose from:

1. A 55 gallon water barrel, 
2. A Katadyn Hiker Pro Microfilter, or 
3. A Featherlite zero degree sleeping bag
4. A $70 credit to purchase any emergency supplies you want from Shelf Reliance

That's right!  I will be giving away something EACH WEEK for 26 weeks!

Want to guarantee winning one of the above?  
If you want to earn a prize instead (or in addition) to winning one all you have to do is share this series 50 times., fill out the form at the bottom of this post each week.  Once you reach 50 entries (an average of just over 2 per week), I will contact you about which free product you want.
You can share it:

• using the buttons at the very bottom of this post.  This is the quickest and most painless way:...just click on each button!  Each click counts as one entry!
• on your own on facebook (each post counts as one entry, so post often), 
• on your own on twitter (each tweet counts as one entry), 
• on your own on pinterest (each pin counts as one entry)
• by phone (each phone call counts as one entry), 
• by email (each person you email counts as one entry), or 
• on your blog / website (each post / mention counts as one entry).  

The following form will be available at the end of each weeks post.  Simply submit your info each week.  Once you reach 50 entries, I will contact you about which product you'd like.  Please be honest!



I am an independent consultant for Shelf Reliance; a company with a mission to empower others to become self reliant, prosperous and charitable.  You can learn more about Shelf Reliance, becoming a Shelf Reliance consultant ,buying their products, or earning free products, on my Shelf Reliance Consultant website.