Blackout Box vs. Shelter in Place Kit: Home Preparedness Essentials

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Preparing for emergencies and disasters is essential, and having the right supplies on hand can make a significant difference in your safety and comfort during challenging times. Two key components of home preparedness are the Blackout Box (BLK) and Shelter in Place (SIP) kit. These kits serve different purposes and work together seamlessly to ensure you're ready for anything. In this article, we'll explore the differences and complementary nature of the Blackout Box and Shelter in Place kit, helping you understand their roles in your emergency preparedness plan.

The Blackout Box: Immediate Relief

The Blackout Box is designed for short-term emergencies, particularly power outages or blackouts lasting up to three hours. It's your go-to kit for situations where you're sheltering at home, providing essential items for immediate relief.

This kit is designed to keep at home in case of a power outage or blackout.  It has a few storm-related tools and communication devices.  The Blackout Box is designed to handle emergency power interruptions  of up to 3 hours while sheltering at home.

The Blackout Box will stay at home so it can handle candle wax and other items that would be sensitive to extreme temperatures.  It also seeks to avoid "over-redundancies" that can happen for things like "first aid kit" or "tools" -- since we are at home, we have access to the home inventory.  Contents should be just items that we would need ready access to in case of a storm or blackout.

  1. Red - First Aid:  You really don't need much if anything for this one... you're already at home!  You do have a first aid kit at home, right?  Or several?
  2. Orange - Fire:  Matches and a Bic lighter.
  3. Blue - Water:  Water purification tablets, and you should also have a backup water supply.
  4. Green - Food:  YOu won't need much here, maybe some Ramen noodles, vitamin C mix. and a couple of  MREs or "add-water meals"
  5. Brown - Shelter:  It never hurts to have a dropcloth, there may be some small amount of storm damage to your home that you need to patch up.
  6. Gray - Cooking:  Folding camp stove, alcohol burner, alcohol fuel
  7. Yellow - Communication & Power:  AM/FM/SW radio, AAA power cells (3), Rite In the Rain notepad. pencil (2)
  8. Black - Tools:   Headlamp, Flashlight, chemical glow sticks
  9. Purple - Clothing:  Bandana, Emergency poncho
  10. White - Hygiene: -- none, you're at HOME!
  11. Pink - Personal: A deck of cards can be your best defense against boredom.

Shelter in Place Kit: Extended Preparedness

While the Blackout Box handles short-term emergencies, the Shelter in Place (SIP) kit is your long-term solution. It takes over when situations require extended preparedness, such as natural disasters or pandemics.

There is no need to list everyday items (such as clothing) but instead listing supplies of long-term needs that will only be used for a shelter-in-place situation.  Also, no items from the Blackout Box are listed because that is a part of this collection.  And finally, any gear that is in regular supply around the house is not duplicated here--I don't need an "extra" first aid kit or saw.

  1. Red-Extended First Aid:  NOTHING, I'm Home and should be fully stocked!
  2. Orange-Fire:  Fire bag (Bic lighters, Matches, box (2), Char cloth, Fresnel lens, Ferro rod/striker, Tinder quick); Coleman fuel; Firewood
  3. Blue-Water: Water supply, MSR Guardian water purifier
  4. Green-Food:  Have a good stock of emergency meals
  5. Brown-Shelter:  Your home serves as primary shelter, so focus on maintaining its integrity.
  6. Gray-Cooking:  Coleman stove, grill, and pots and pans from home
  7. Yellow-Communication & Power:  HAM radio. Generator, solar chargers
  8. Black-Tools:
    • Braided bankline
    • Duct tape, regular roll
    • Electrical tape
    • Folding saw
    • Headlamp
    • Zip ties
    • Gloves
    • Garbage bags, roll (contractor bags)
    • Glow sticks, chemical (2)
    • Flashlights (3)
    • LuminAID Packlite solar lantern (3)
  9. Purple - Clothing:
    • Rain gear (3)
    • Reflective safety vest (3)
    • Bandana (6)
  10. White - Hygiene:
    •  JP Bathroom Master bidet  (the "Great Toilet Paper Rush of 2020" should make this purpose clear)
    • Scrubba wash bag
  11. Pink - Personal: Games, books, other items that help boost morale

Conclusion

The Blackout Box and Shelter in Place kit serve as essential components of your home preparedness plan. The Blackout Box provides immediate relief for short-term emergencies, while the Shelter in Place kit ensures your extended comfort and safety during more prolonged crises. By understanding the distinct roles of these kits and keeping them well-stocked, you'll be better prepared to face unexpected challenges and protect your loved ones. Remember, preparedness is key, so start assembling your kits today.

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