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

Valerie Albrechtsen

13 years ago

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