Guest Author - C.S. Bezas

Have you ever been woken from your sleep in a start? Whether from a bad dream or because of someone shaking you awake, it's startling and confusing. Perhaps that is how the California residents are feeling now, those who have lost their homes.

What must it be like? On the news you can hear individuals stating how they went to sleep, feeling safely distant from the fires - only to be woken a few short hours later with a mandatory evacuation breathing down their necks.

Perhaps some of these individuals were ready. I only hope so. These kinds of situations are stressful enough - especially if you have young children to care for (or aging parents).

I hope you never face a similar situation. But if you do, here is one way to help you in that unpleasant reality. I've written it elsewhere and it bears repeating. Take a notepad and keep it near you throughout the day. As you go along through your activities, jot down those things you use, eat, or touch during the day.

For example, if you showered in the morning, you write down the items you touched and used; i.e. "shampoo," "soap," "razor." If you brushed your teeth (we hope so [grin]), write down "toothbrush" and "toothpaste." If you ate breakfast, write down "breakfast food." And so on.

By the end of the day, you will have most likely acquired a lengthy list. From this list you then analyze what you would not want to go without during a time of emergency. We can live on very little, but if we now have the time to prepare for unforeseen unpleasantries, why not seek to make them as pleasant as possible?

Also, remember if you have a pet, you'll need supplies for them. If you take medicines, ditto for putting them on the list. Eventually you'll want to add important non-daily items, such as insurance papers, birth certificates, and so forth.

But for now, we're keeping it simple. At the end of the day, look at your list. Find an old duffle bag and throw everything you've decided is important into your duffle bag (including a large ziploc plastic baggie for your important papers).

Don't worry if now you don't have a razor to shave with the next day. Go get one tomorrow. That's far easier to deal with than having nothing during a time of emergency.

One final word. Once your 72-hour kit/duffle bag is ready, you'll still think of things you need or want to add. That is natural, normal and good. Continue to improve it. Just think, though . . . 24 hours from now you will be more ready than ever for any unforeseen emergency. All because you started with a notepad, taking notes, today!