A crisis can happen at any moment, and it is always important to make sure that you and your family are safe by keeping the essentials for emergency preparedness handy in your home. One of the best actions you can take in favor of your family’s safety is assembling an emergency kit. This well-stocked box serves as your family’s last resort in a crisis, giving each member of your household everything they need to survive for up to 72 hours.
To Be Prepared For Any Emergency, You Need These Items In Your Supply Kit
The items necessary for your family’s emergency kit include food, water, tools, medical supplies, and more. From this article, you will learn everything you need to include in your emergency kit. This way, you can be prepared for any crisis that comes your way, confident that you can keep your family safe if the worst happens.
Every Emergency Kit Needs Food And Water That Won’t Go Bad
There are plenty of difficult circumstances that can leave you and your family without access to food and water. Power outages, natural disasters, even being stuck on the side of the road in a broken-down car can all temporarily cut off your access to food and water. To be prepared for anything, it is crucial to have non-perishable food and water packed in your emergency kit, ready to eat and drink whenever the need arises.
For your emergency kit, not just any food or water will do. You need a source of food that is both calorically and nutritionally rich, something that will keep you full for hours if you are stuck without access to food for a long time. In addition, your emergency food needs to be non-perishable, able to sit for years in your supply kit without expiring. As for water, did you know that water bottles can go bad? This means you will need a non-perishable source of water that does not eventually expire.
A perfect option for emergency food, the one favored by JUDY in our supply kits, is a stash of meal replacement bars. Non-perishable and nutrient-dense, these bars are perfect for situations where you and your family need to stay filled up until a crisis blows over and you have access to food again. For non-perishable water, JUDY recommends emergency water pouches. Unlike water bottles, these pouches will not expire over time.
You’ll Also Need Emergency Wearables To Stay Warm, Safe, And Dry
If a crisis leaves you and your family exposed to the elements, emergency sources of warmth and protection from weather are absolute necessities. Some of the most important wearable items to pack in your emergency kit are:
- Dust masks. N95-style face masks will protect you and your family from airborne germs, smoke, and debris. Keeping one for each member of your family in your emergency kit is a must.
- Emergency blankets. Made from heat-reflecting foil, these lightweight warmth preservers are some of the most important resources to have with you in an emergency. If a natural disaster or other crisis leaves you and your family without power or exposed to cold, rainy weather, an emergency blanket can mean the difference between freezing and staying warm.
- Hand warmers. Small and pre-packaged for easy use, these little gadgets are ideal for providing protection from the cold when you need it most. Plus, they can provide heat for up to ten hours, making them perfect for cold nights.
- Work gloves. You never know when you might need them! Heavy-duty gloves keep your hands safe when you need to handle dangerous debris that might be putting your family’s safety at risk. They’re a must-have item for any emergency preparedness kit, extremely useful in many crises.
- Ponchos. Like emergency blankets, these portable raincoats are extremely compact and lightweight, easy to store in your emergency kit with room to spare. A plastic poncho provides quick and convenient protection from the rain when you need it most.
Every Emergency Kit Needs Reliable Sources Of Light
If the power goes out due to inclement weather or a natural disaster, you want to make sure that you have enough electricity-free sources of light to keep your family from being stuck in the dark. Some ideal light sources to pack in your emergency kit are:
- Glow sticks. Easy to use and extremely long-lasting, glow sticks can provide you with light for hours without the use of batteries or electricity. They’re a perfect backup option for flashlights or candles and ideal when you need a powerful source of light in a pinch.
- Flashlight (and replacement batteries). Ideal for when you need a pointable beam of light that can shine and powerfully illuminate dark areas, the trusty flashlight is one of the staples of any emergency preparedness kit. Make sure yours is stocked with an extra set of batteries in case your flashlight dies!
- Hand crank radio. More than just a backup source of light, JUDY’s hand-crank radio (which includes a flashlight) has plenty of uses in a crisis situation. With a USB charging port that can be used to restore power to your smartphone or other devices, as well as easy access to emergency broadcasts via the hand-powered radio, this gadget is extremely useful in an emergency.
Keep Your Kit Stocked For Making Repairs And Cleaning Up Messes
It’s always a great idea to stock your emergency preparedness kit with a multi-tool, a roll of duct tape, and cleanup supplies like wet wipes, a quick-dry towel, and a biohazard bag. All of these items are bound to come in handy in both major emergencies and in handling everyday household messes.
You Need A Well-stocked First Aid Kit And Hygiene Supplies
No emergency kit can be complete without supplies to deal with scrapes, burns, bruises, cuts, and other minor injuries. Anytime you need to quickly respond to an injury that happens in your home, your emergency kit’s first aid supplies can be a lifesaver.
In addition, always make sure to keep your emergency kit stocked with tissues and hand sanitizer to keep everyone’s noses and hands clean. These items may not be the first you would think to pack in your emergency kit, but they can make a major difference when you and your family are riding out a crisis. Hand sanitizer will keep your hands germ-free, an absolute must when you don’t have access to running water or soap. Tissues are one of those items that it is always good to have on standby in case someone gets a runny nose.
Of course, you can never be too prepared when building your family’s emergency kit, and keeping these items on hand and ready to go in your home will ensure that you can confidently face any dire circumstances that come your way.
Sources:
https://www.adventure-journal.com/2017/12/hand-warmers-work-anyway/
https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/12-brilliant-uses-for-duct-tape/
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