Make a 72-Hour Kit in 12 Steps: Step 3 – Clothing

A change of clothing would be very helpful if the clothes you are wearing after a disaster get, torn, dirty or wet. Some of the challenges with choosing clothes for our 72-hour kits are changes in seasons and clothing sizes. Your best option is to pack clothes that will work in most weather conditions, and clothes that are a little bigger than what family members currently wear. Here are some more ideas.

  • Clothes pack more easily if you roll them up.
  • Shoes and a coat can be near the pack if they don’t fit inside.
  • To economically build your clothing packs, go through your home and gather what you already have before you head to the store.
  • Update your kits every 6-months to make sure your clothing still fits. Some Latter-day Saint families check their 72-hour kits around General Conference time in April and October. I prefer the beginning of the year or the school year.
  • A few years ago I picked up matching yellow T-shirts at Michael’s craft store so each family member would stand out in a crowd if we ever got separated. Some families have matching tie-dyed shirts which could be a fun family home evening idea.
  • For bottoms I like sport pants or something that rolls up easily.
  • You can even pick up clothes at a thrift store.
  • Jeans seem warmer, but they don’t dry easily when wet.
  • Choose what works best for your family.
  • Most of you young moms with infants already keep a well-stocked diaper bag which makes a perfect 72-hour kit for children because you are consistently changing the clothing and food as your child ages.
  • You probably won’t be able to fit all of your clothing in your pack, so you will probably need an additional bag.

Suggested Clothing Ideas

  • Underwear (2)
  • Socks (2)
  • Long-sleeved shirt
  • Short-sleeved shirt
  • Long pants
  • Cap or beanie hat
  • Mittens or gloves
  • Closed-toe shoes
  • Rain-poncho or large plastic trash bag

Whatever 72-hour kit clothing you choose will be one step forward to having peace of mind.

Resources:

72-hour Kit Items I Recommend From Amazon

Utah 72-hour Kit Checklist

Build a Kit by Ready.gov

My 72-Hour Kit in 12 Steps

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Please leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.