In case of emergency, you have to learn to survive through the days without water, power, and food. An emergency means power outages that can last for days, you may run out of food, your water resources may be depleted, and you may not have access to your health-related essentials.
Emergencies are always unexpected! At the spot, you may not have the presence of mind to decide what to do. So, it is always wise to keep your supplies ready to counter any urgent situation. A home emergency kit- a smart collection of supplies and tools is the best possible solution to cater to this problem.
Creating a home emergency kit is not an overwhelming task if you know the right things to put in. So, here is the list of the 12 must-have items for your home emergency kit that can keep you comfortable and sustain your family in the course of any crisis!
Read Also: 7 Survival Tips That Could Help You Survive The Apocalypse
1. Food Supply
You should always have an ample food supply at least for three days, ready to be included in your home emergency kit. As far as your food supply is concerned, it is always advisable to go for non-perishable food such as canned food because they are particularly designed for emergency situations. Furthermore, they don’t require refrigeration to prevent them from spoiling. Moreover, they have a pretty long shelf life. In addition, try to go for protein-rich food having low salt content.
2. Water
Access to safe and clean water is the primary requirement for survival. Make sure to stock gallons of water in your home emergency kit. It would be best if you had at least a three days supply of water, typically one gallon for one person per day.
Worst scenarios can deplete your water resources. In this regard, you can opt for portable water filters that use a micro filtration membrane to purify water from untreated resources to make it suitable for drinking purposes.
3. First Aid Kit
Your home emergency kit is incomplete without a first aid kit! Consider adding equipment such as a thermometer, pulse oximeter, sponges, sterilization wipes, medical tools, bandages, and pads in your first aid kit. In addition, make sure that it is compact and organized. Moreover, assure that everything is visible and can be accessed quickly and easily. This compact kit will serve all your basic medical needs!
4. Prescribed Medications
If you or any of your family members are going through illnesses or have mobility restrictions and you are using your prescribed medicines on a regular basis, then having access to them is the key in any emergency. Always consult your medical expert to get an extra supply to stock them in your home emergency kit.
5. Multi tools
Most people have a very elaborate tool kit in their homes! You might be in crucial need of some of these tools when you encounter an emergency. So, you can go for multi tools! Furthermore, multi tools are compact and can easily fit in your pocket. Moreover, they can serve multiple purposes, which can be a beneficial trait in times of crisis.
6. Supply of Batteries
Blackouts can last for hours or even days in case of any destruction or even thunderstorms. You can pick up from alkaline batteries available in the market that last longer. Moreover, they are also leak-resistant and have a pretty good lifespan. So, they are a valuable addition to your emergency kit to help you thrive through any emergency. You can easily get through days of power interruptions when you have them in your kit!
7. Flashlights
It is always preferable to add flashlights in your home emergency kits that don’t need any battery to operate them. There are different versions available in the market that can be operated by hand crank technology or the ones that can be powered by solar energy.
8. Radio
In the course of an emergency, radio is the most reliable means to catch alerts and news to stay updated. It is because you might not have access to power. A battery-operated or hand-cranked radio is an essential item to seek emergency information. Moreover, you can get information pertaining to weather, current circumstances, and evacuation plans.
9. Gas Stove
You won’t be able to survive for a longer period of time upon your accumulated food. Sooner or later, you will find yourself surrounded by the need to cook. When you don’t have access to electrical power, then a cheap and effective substitute can be a gas stove to make things work! So, don’t forget to add it to your home emergency kit.
10. Duct Tape
They are an invaluable item of your home emergency kit with dozens of applications. For example, you can use them to patch a leaking roof or a leaking hose. Moreover, they can serve multiple repair purposes. In addition, they can also be used in place of a bandage or to reinforce sprained ankles when you don’t have anything else to fix them out! It is a perfect tool for quick fixes, without a doubt.
11. Respiratory Masks
It is always commendable to assure that you make masks a part of your home emergency kit. Therefore, they are required not only during the times of pandemics but also have prime importance in case of disasters and destruction. Natural disasters and wildfires are usually accompanied by smoke and dust, which can lead to respiratory illnesses. Masks can shield you against them in the most effective way by preventing you from breathing in contaminants and debris.
12. Cleaning Agent
Do consider adding a cleaning agent such as bleach in your home emergency kit. They are inexpensive, but they can have tremendous benefits in case of emergencies. For instance, you can use a dilute solution of bleach to wash your hands. Moreover, it can be used to disinfect the surfaces and for water purification. Furthermore, if your area has suffered excessive rainfall or floods, adding a few drops of bleach in the stagnant water can kill larvae to hamper the spread of diseases.
Top 3 Books for Serious Preppers!
Alive After The Fall
The worst possible fear for a common person is facing the apocalypse. No matter how hard you deny it, you would accept that we all are a little worried. The book Alive After The Fall is a complete survival guide uniquely written by Alexander Cain.
Bulletproof Home
There is nothing wrong with protecting yourself and your loved ones for the very best. And in the worst of times, those who prepared will survive. Luckily, Steve Walker, a US Army veteran, compiled a great guide, Bulletproof Home, that unravels all the safety secrets that he discovered and jotted down the complete set of instructions that he gained from professional preppers.
The Lost Ways 2
It is sometimes hard to imagine how our forefathers lived when no facilities are available. However, you must know that we will have to resent those ways in emergencies. But how will we be successful in that? The Lost Ways 2 has everything you need to know.
Conclusion
Emergencies don’t take much time! A summer storm can lead to a blackout, or you may have to evacuate your home during an unexpected wildfire. So, it is always advisable to have an emergency plan and home emergency kit ready. Preparing a home emergency kit won’t make you a doomsday prepper! It is a precautionary measure that will help you thrive through the tough times in a better way.
So, take a step forward, make a home emergency kit by putting in all the above-listed items to tackle every storm with full preparation!