Imagine there is a tornado, thunderstorm, or hailstorm. Your power goes out, or there is flooding or large hail, and that can all do damage to your house. In an emergency situation, you will not always have time to grab what you need to take.
That is precisely why it is always a good idea to have an emergency survival kit in a safe place, where you can grab it and go, or where you know you will go to be safe in the event of a storm or tornado.
Water cannot be stressed enough since we need it to survive, and after a bad storm the tap water may not be safe. Always make this the first item in your survival kit.
Did you know that the American Red Cross recommends one gallon of water per person for each day in your emergency kit? If you have a family of four, that’s twelve gallons for three days.
It may seem odd – why would you need money in a survival kit? After a disaster, many stores and banks may be out of power but stores will open to cash customers who need extra emergency supplies or forgot something.
Food may not be readily available, rot, or be swept away in an emergency. It is always good to have extra in your survival kit. Pack at least a three-day supply.
- Canned food lasts for a long time, and you’ll need things to eat when disaster strikes.
- Check and update your survival kit canned food supply regularly to avoid expired product.
- Have a variety of food items, including some form of protein, to keep up your strength during times of stress.
- Be sure to include a can opener in your survival kit so you can get to your food.
- You may also want to have a set of utensils on hand, like a sturdy camping set.
Important Personal Items
Keep extras of what you use on a daily basis handy for emergencies. You never know what will happen to your originals, and they may be scattered around the house or lost, so having a back-up set in your survival kit is always a good idea.
- Rain gear
- Extra set of clothing, including all-weather gear, hats, gloves, etc, in case the weather changes drastically.
- Sturdy close-toed shoes, like sneakers or boots.
- Personal hygiene items, such as toothbrush and toothpaste, hand sanitizer, toilet paper and paper towels, feminine products, etc.
- Personal documents such as I.D.s, birth certificates, passports, medical I.D. bracelets for allergies, and insurance information. Try to store them in something water- and fire-proof.
- Sewing kits
- Medications – anything you take on a regular basis as well as anything you may need for an emergency, such as pain and allergy relief, as well as all of your prescriptions.
- Band-aids, gauze
- Matches, preferably in a waterproof container
- Flashlights and new batteries
- Garbage bags for waste
- Battery-powered or crank-powered AM/FM radio for emergency broadcast updates
Emergency Survival Items
Sometimes food and blankets won’t cut it. If you’re in a high risk area, consider adding some of the following items to your survival kit.
- Tent, or plastic sheeting and duct tape to make an impromptu shelter
- Emergency flares
- Compass, in case you have to vacate the area
- Fire extinguisher
You always hope for the best, but planning for the worst is not necessarily asking it to happen; it’s just good sense. Be sure to start your emergency survival kit now, before an emergency happens and you are left unprepared.