Last week’s massive power outage – el gran apagón – made us all take heed of the 72 hour survival kit recommended by the European Commission earlier this year. It seems pretty basic, but I was surprised to see I don’t have everything on it. Have you got something similar at home? Anything missing?

✅ Bottled water (minimum 5 litres per person)  
✅ Easy-to-prepare, non-perishable food  needs update
❌ A battery-powered radio
❓ A flashlight  it’s around here somewhere
✅ A spare cell phone battery  two!
❌ A portable stove or cooker (and bottled gas)  NA
❌ Fuel  NA
✅ Matches
✅ Cash
✅ Medications  usually 1-2 week’s worth
❌ Iodine tablets  what?
❓First aid supplies  some
✅Adhesive tape
✅ A fire extinguisher
✅ Hygiene items 

My additions…
✅ Cat food
✅ Cat sand
❌ Tea candle lanterns (3)  going shopping
❌ A multi-use knife
❌ Extra batteries (for radio & flashlight) need to stock up

I always say that I could probably last for at least two weeks off what is in my pantry, but I should probably rethink that a bit in terms of practical meals. And I always have enough cat food and sand to last for a month! Priorities. But will also get extra water in for them.

The tea candle lanterns… a must have I think. It’s like having night lights and they are cat-proof. And there is no way I would last long in the pitch dark without dying of a panic attack. Also… cute!