Are you prepared for an emergency?
If not, it’s important to remember that a disaster could strike at any moment. That means you probably won’t get a warning. Thus you won’t have time to gather the emergency supplies you’ll need to help you stay safe and comfortable.
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place for help. This article takes a look at a list of items you’ll need to have ready in case of emergency. Keep reading to get the inside scoop on being prepared for any possible situation.
1. Food and Drinking Water
First and foremost, you’ll need enough food and drinking water on hand to survive for at least three days. Otherwise, you will find yourself in serious trouble in a hurry.
The key is to buy the right type of food items and store them in your emergency shelter space. Food to buy in case of emergency should include canned food items that can be easily opened by hand or with a simple can opener, as well as vacuum-sealed food designed to last for several before expiring. It’s also important to make the expiration date on all food items and then rotate the food with fresh items as they age. This will help ensure that your emergency food supply remains fresh and edible.
You’ll also need plenty of drinking water. In fact, potable water is actually more important than food. Why is this? Because in an emergency, you are more likely to experience severe dehydration than starve to death.
The best strategy is to buy water in gallon jugs that are sealed. Depending on the number of people in your family, have a minimum of 10 to 20 gallons of fresh, clean water on hand at all times. And just like your food, this emergency water should be rotated regularly.
In addition to storing a supply of emergency water, you’d be wise to invest in a simple water filter. This is a small device that will enable you to filter the water in your home in case of contamination. You can also use it to filter water from a lake or stream if you’re stranded in the wilderness.
Remember, there’s no such thing as too much food or water when an emergency arises.
2. Emergency Radio, Flash Lights, and a Whistle
When disaster strikes, it’s crucial to be able to know what’s happening in the outside world. After all, you’ll need to hear the weather report and be able to keep abreast of any public announcements. Keep in mind that cell phone service is often not possible during severe weather. Thus you should invest in an energy radio.
This radio doesn’t need to be anything fancy. Just make sure that it’s waterproof and somewhat durable. The best emergency radios are typically less than $30 and are designed with an outer shell made of rubber armor. This construction allows them to be dropped or knocked over without breaking. Another option to look for is a manual crank that will enable you to charge the battery manually without needing to replace dead batteries. This way you’ll never have to worry about keeping fresh batteries on hand. Simply give the radio a couple of cranks and you’re ready to go.
You can never have too many flashlights and fresh batteries. Because when the power goes out, it’s never fun being stuck in the dark. It doesn’t matter if you buy cheap flashlights or expensive ones. The key is to be able to find your way around and function as necessary when the house loses power.
Believe it or not, a whistle is also important. That’s right, a simple whistle. This is especially true in situations when someone in your family needs medical care or you’re trapped in rubble or stranded due to flooding. Blowing a whistle will help rescue workers locate you much quicker and easier so that you can receive the care you need.
3. Dry Clothing and Blankets
Your emergency survival kit should also include dry clothing and plenty of blankets. Keep in mind that you’re probably going to get cold, especially if the power supply to your home gets disrupted. In these situations, having extra clothes and warm blankets will make all the difference.
Put a storage box in your emergency survival space filled with enough clothes and blankets for every member of the family. This will make the crisis much more bearable for everyone.
It will also help make everyone feel more comfortable during a crisis to have clean clothes, especially if you’ve gotten wet from flooding. Because there’s really nothing more miserable than being cold and wet.
4. First Aid Kit
There’s no excuse for not having a first aid kit. Your kit should include all the basic supplies for tending to cuts and other injuries. Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit in your house and car, because this could help save lives and prevent a bad situation from escalating into a life-threatening one.
Here’s a helpful buyer’s guide.
5. Hygiene Products
The simple truth is you never know how long might be stuck sheltering in place. This means you’d wise to have some basic hygiene products on hand. These items should include toothbrushes and toothpaste, toilet paper, mouthwash, diapers, baby wipes, pads or tampons, and soap.
Keep in mind that these few basic supplies will make everyone more tolerable to be around when you’re stuck together in close quarters for a few days.
6. Identification Papers
You should also keep identification papers for each member of the family in a waterproof box. This is especially important in a crisis where someone gets separated from the rest of the family and search becomes necessary.
7. Cash
Put some cash in a sealed container. A few hundred dollars should do it. This will give you money for food or water should the need arise and you’re unable to use credit or debit cards.
Your Guide to How to Be Prepared In Case of Emergency
You can never be too prepared for a crisis situation. Fortunately, these tips will help you keep your family safe in case of emergency.
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