Responsible preparedness: prep smart not hard.
We are entering into uncertain days. And in the midst of uncertainty, people want to be prepared. For pretty much anything.
But preparing doesn't need to involve hoarding supplies, or losing your cool.
Let's talk about the basics. The essentials. The items that everyone should have under their roof to make sure they're safe and ready for whatever may cross our path. Let's take care of our households and take care of each other by focusing on these emergency preparedness essentials.
Start with a 5-gallon bucket.
These buckets are waterproof, stackable storage options that can house all of the other supplies you'll want to have on hand. Have one bucket for each member of your family, and get ready to fill 'er up with the rest of the basics you'll need for each family member.
Food and Water: What you need, and when to stop.
Having a stash of food is smart. Having a mountain of food isn't necessary. When building up a supply (for a week or two is fine), focus on nutrient-dense, non-perishable options. Convenience is always a plus, but in this case, pay attention to the nutrients you'll get, with a taste you can tolerate, too. Morale is important! The best stock of emergency food is the stock you'll actually eat. Some great options include granola bars, trail mix, beef jerky, oatmeal, noodles, and ready-to-eat canned foods. (Note: pay attention to your cans. Are they nifty pull-tab options, or do you need a trusty opener on hand?)
Water is a life-essential commodity, for sure, but you may have a safe and clean water supply available to you. If you do, give yourself permission to not go overboard on your water supply. Equip yourself with a number of gallons, and maybe supplement with electrolyte powders to go along with it.
In case that the lights go out.
Power outages happen, and it's always smart to be prepared. Flashlights and batteries are perfect for these events. Candles aren't bad either, but they do come with additional safety risks (you know, because of the fire factor). Back-up batteries can be handy, too, for a variety of reasons.
Nothing beats a good garbage bag.
Large garbage bags are effective tools in a variety of emergencies. We like them specifically for their waterproof properties. Need to keep something dry? Stick it in a garbage bag. Need to seal up a window? Garbage bags work for that, too! In a pinch, a garbage bag can show up and really help you out, but only you have...
DUCT TAPE. 'Nuff said.
When do you NOT need duct tape? That's what we would like to know. You may not know when or why you're going to need a good roll of duct tape, but you're definitely going to need it at some point or another.
Keep yourself clean and comfortable in the case of a stressful emergency situation. Hygiene items are important, of course, including soap and shampoo. (Make sure you have a stock of feminine hygiene items as well). But also have some good socks, underwear, and comfy clothes on hand. It's good to have a dry-and-ready extra outfit, just in case.
You don't have to liquidate all of your assets, but it's smart to have some cash on hand. Keep cash in a waterproof bag. While you're at it, keep a s et of laminated emergency numbers and some change in there as well. You never know when you might need it.
A first aid kit is a no-brainer when it comes to preparing... for anything. But you'd be surprised how many households don't keep medical supplies on hand. Make sure your kit has the following basics in it:
Don’t want to be left in the dark in the case of a power outage? Consider investing in a home battery, your own secured energy source you can tap into whenever the grid goes down.
Thanks to modern technology, you never have to be powerless. Due to growing supply, solar-plus-storage systems have dropped so much in price, basically every household can afford one.
Here’s why solar-plus-storage is a no-brainer:
Solar power and energy storage are quickly becoming mainstream, due to the lowered cost and clear-cut value. What used to be a luxury reserved for the upper-class is now a completely accessible household device.
Here’s how it works: Home batteries can either store power from the grid, or through the free solar energy generated by solar panels. This power is then stored in a home battery, which is charged and ready whenever you need it. Solar needs energy storage so you can still have power, even after the sun goes down. Energy storage needs solar so it can be recharged, even when the grid is down.
Solar + storage make the perfect team, protecting your home from the outages caused by a vulnerable grid. Future-proof your home from the next power grid failure with a Energy Security System from Swell.