Everything You Need For The Best Possible Emergency Kit
Emergencies happen. Whether you’re in a crisis at home, stuck out in the wilderness, or in the midst of a natural disaster, a reliable emergency kit can save the day. Since the majority of Americans don’t have a plan or the resources prepared to respond to an emergency, we at JUDY took it upon ourselves to put together a bug out bag checklist, complete with everything you’ll need to stay safe in the midst of any crisis. It may seem like a lot of work to put this together, but it’s worth it to be prepared for any situation that may arise. Keep reading to get helpful information about all the items your emergency kit needs.
Item 1: Biohazard Bag
A biohazard bag is the safest way to dispose of hazardous waste. If you’re dealing with blood or other bodily fluids in an emergency, dispose of them in your emergency kit’s biohazard bag to keep yourself and others safe. Then, promptly clean your hands with hand sanitizer.
Item 2: Multipurpose Bag
A multipurpose bag can be used to store trash or dirty clothes, or as extra storage for items like toothbrushes, soap, and other personal care items you’d need when you have to evacuate your home quickly. The multipurpose bags in your emergency kit can serve as an extra place to put items that wouldn’t otherwise be included in the kit itself.
Item 3: Quick-Dry Towel
Quick-dry towels are designed to absorb spills as fast as possible, coming in handy in accidents and emergencies.
Item 4: Glow Sticks
Glow sticks are a perfect source of light to use when the power goes out. A single glow stick can give you hours of battery-free illumination. Carry several, if possible!
Item 5: Tissues
More of a convenience item in emergencies than an absolute necessity, a package of tissues is one of those things you’ll never regret packing in your emergency kit. If someone has a runny nose, it’s much more pleasant to use a tissue than a rag or towel – it’s more sanitary, too.
Item 6: Hand Sanitizer
In many emergencies, you won’t have access to running water. This means you need a waterless way to keep your hands clean. Hand sanitizer comes to the rescue, perfect for using before you eat or perform first aid, and after you use the bathroom. A little bit goes a long way!
Item 7: Wet Wipes
Another reliable method for cleaning your hands when soap and water aren’t available, wet wipes can serve as a backup for hand sanitizer.
Item 8: Work Gloves
Work gloves help you to safely remove dangerous debris from your pathway when they’re left behind by a natural disaster. Wear gloves to protect your hands when handling hot objects, sharp objects like broken glass, and anything rusty.
Item 9: Dust Masks
N95-style dust masks protect you and your family from airborne debris, germs, and smoke that you don’t want to breathe in. Make sure your kit includes a mask for each member of your family!
Item 10: Flashlight (Plus Spare Batteries)
A flashlight is an ideal source of light for power outages. Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with replacement batteries to power your flashlight if it goes out.
Item 11: Candles
If the power goes out, candles can keep you warm and able to see for hours. Just make sure you pack matches in your emergency kit, too!
Item 12: Whistle
A whistle lets you notify the other members of your household if you’re in trouble. In an emergency, rallying your family and getting everyone out of the house takes quick and efficient communication. A whistle will help you send the warning signal louder and more reliably than yelling for help.
Item 13: Duct Tape
Duct tape is one of your emergency kit’s secret weapons. With its ability to quickly and efficiently patch up a hole or leak, duct tape makes the perfect temporary fix for damage dealt to your home by a natural disaster or other emergency. Stash a roll in your emergency kit.
Item 14: Hand Warmers
These nifty gadgets will keep your hands warm if you are stuck in a blizzard, lost in the wilderness, or in your home without power in the winter.
Item 16: Multi-Tool
If you need to make a quick repair, cut a branch, open a bottle, or cut a wire, your emergency kit’s multi-tool is bound to come in handy. A multi-tool offers a wide variety of miniature utilities rolled into one, including a saw, knife, screwdriver, pliers, and more. It’s a much smarter option than stocking your emergency bag with full-sized tools, which will quickly weigh you down.
Item 17: Emergency Food And Water
Non-perishable food and water are an absolute must for your emergency kit. Keep your home stocked with plenty of non-perishable foods like canned goods, beef jerky, dried fruit, cereal, and crackers, but also keep something ready in your emergency bag in case you need to quickly evacuate your home. Our pick for emergency food is a high-calorie meal replacement bar, hearty enough to keep you full for hours.
Item 18: First Aid Kit
A first aid kit gives you everything you need to treat minor injuries like cuts, scrapes, bruises, and burns. Stock yours with bandages, gauze, antibiotic ointment, non-prescription pain medicine, medical shears, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, and anything else you might need if someone gets hurt. Or, you can purchase a pre-assembled first aid kit and save yourself some time.
Item 19: Emergency Blanket
Collapsible, highly portable, and weighing almost nothing, emergency blankets are a reliable source of heat when you’re in a crisis. An emergency blanket is made out of the same heat-reflecting material that is used to keep space stations from overheating. This technology reflects your body heat back at you, helping you to warm up and stay warm. A full-sized blanket is too heavy to pack and carry with you in your emergency kit, so opt for a lightweight “space blanket” for each family member instead.
Item 20: Poncho
A plastic poncho will keep you dry if you need to quickly protect yourself from a storm. Ponchos are more reliable in emergencies than raincoats, since they’re much easier to stash in an emergency kit and take with you. Make sure your emergency kit is equipped with a poncho for every member of your household.
Now that you know 20 of the most important items to keep with you in emergencies, you’re ready for whatever comes your way. Stock up on these items and keep them handy in your home, even taking them with you when you travel if possible. There’s never a bad time to be prepared for the worst, and now is as good a time as any to start! For more ideas check out another 10 suggestions here.
Sources:
If you have additional questions, send them our way!
*By signing up via text, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages at the phone number provided. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Msg & data rates may apply. View our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
