Natural disasters can strike anytime and anywhere, leaving our homes vulnerable to various kinds of emergencies. When such events happen, having a well-stocked home emergency kit can help you endure the aftermath with a sense of security and preparedness. In this article, we will discuss the essential items that you must have in your survival kit to keep you and your family safe in times of emergency.
1. Water and Food Supplies: Stock up on non-perishable foods, such as canned goods, energy bars, and dried or powdered milk. Ensure that you have several gallons of water for each person in your household to last a minimum of three days. If you have pets, don’t forget to store water and food for them as well.
2. Medical Supplies: Keep a first-aid kit in your emergency kit that includes bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, and prescription medicines, if any. Also, it’s essential to have a 30-day supply of prescription medications, antihistamines, and other necessary medical supplies.
3. Emergency Lighting and Communication: Power outages during emergencies are common, so it’s crucial to have a flashlight, extra batteries, and a battery-powered radio on hand. This way, you can listen to emergency broadcasts and be aware of any updates or evacuation notices.
4. Emergency Shelter and Clothing: Having appropriate clothing like warm jackets, gloves, hats, and boots in your disaster kit is essential, especially in cold climate areas. A waterproof tent or tarp, blankets, and sleeping bags can also provide shelter and warmth in extreme conditions.
5. Sanitation and Hygiene Supplies: Staying clean and hygienic is crucial during emergencies to prevent the spread of diseases. Pack toilet paper, disinfectant wipes or sprays, soap, and hand sanitizer. Additionally, you should also include garbage bags, feminine hygiene products, and baby diapers if needed.
6. Cash and Important Documents – Have a small amount of cash in your kit as ATMs may not be working during emergencies. Also, prepare and store a waterproof pouch with copies of important documents like passports, IDs, insurance policies, and essential phone numbers.
7. Warm Clothing and Blankets – Depending on your location, you may need to include warm clothing and blankets in your kit. If you live in colder climates, pack extra warm layers of clothing, a thermal blanket, and hand or body warmers.
8. Shelter and Personal Supplies – Having a small tent, tarp, or waterproof poncho can protect you from the elements in emergencies. You can also include personal supplies like feminine hygiene products, diapers, and baby formula if needed.
9. Comfort Items – It can also be stressful during emergencies, so include comfort items in your kit. You can pack a notebook, a favorite book, or board-game for kids to keep them entertained.
Natural disasters are unpredictable, and it’s essential to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. So, invest time and effort into putting together a home emergency and disaster survival kit with the five essential items we discussed. Once you have assembled the kit, make sure that everyone in your household knows where to find it and how to use it in the event of an emergency.