Our third prep challenge in September is to add shoes, shirts, and pants to our 72-hour kit. After a disaster, your clothing may become dirty, torn, or contaminated. It’s best to prepare with clothes in your current size or clothes one size up. Update children’s clothing every six months. Shop at a thrift store to save money.
Add Shoes, Shirts and Pants to Your 72-Hour Kit
Shoes
- Earthquakes, fires, floods, tornadoes, and other disasters leave glass and debris behind, so have shoes in or next to your kit.
- Find closed-toe shoes that work in any season. Boots are a good choice if they are lightweight, but running shoes are fine too. Think, “What would I want to wear if glass was on my bedroom floor?”
- Don’t use the shoes you wear daily, since they don’t stay put.
- If you keep your emergency kit in your closet or under your bed, your shoes should always be there. It’s important to be prepared to evacuate on foot at a moment’s notice.
Shirts
- Fabric matters, so consider your climate when choosing shirts. Cotton is good, but once it gets wet, it stays wet for awhile.
- If you don’t update our kits regularly, you could add a short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirt.
Pants
- Choose a fabric that is easy to roll up. If you live in a hot climate, add shorts to your kit. We use hiking pants that convert to hiking shorts.
Adding shoes, shirts, and pants to your 72-hour kit will prepare you for many emergencies. Keep up the great work!
Best wishes and look for the good in others,
Valerie Albrechtsen
The Food Storage Organizer
Purchase my food storage and emergency preparedness items in my Etsy shop.
