An emergency kit or first-aid kit is essential in any household, especially if you have little kids around. You could only expect the unexpected. They are the best way to be a hundred percent ready whether it is to treat a small boo-boo or to face a more serious incident. In these times of panic, we tend to rush to supermarkets to stock up but often neglect our emergency kits.
In this article, we go through from the most basic necessities to the highly desirable items that all emergency kits should include.
Let us start with a first aid kit:
– Plasters.
– Scissors.
– Thermometer.
– Painkillers.
– Gauze Pads.
– Antiseptic Spray
– Tweezers.
– Alcohol.
– Swiss Army Knife.
Now let’s look at an emergency kit to help you through emergencies like a natural disasters.
– Water.
During disasters, the water supply may be compromised. Make sure you stock enough clean water for consumption but also for hygienic purposes. According to the Department of Homeland Security, it is recommended to have at least one gallon of water for each person every day for a minimum of three days.
– Food
Most grocery stores are shut down during a disaster (and you do not want to be roaming around too), so you better store some easy-to-store food, such as cereal bars. Try to keep to non-perishable food items such as canned tuna, canned soups and dried fruits.
– First Aid Kit
We already put together a basic first-aid kit; if there is any additional medication that you want to include, you are free to do so. A pro-tip is to label all your medications so that you can find them easily in a hurry.
– Flashlight
You can equip your house with LED lights that immediately turn on after a power cut to help you and your relatives find your way to a safe place, for example, the living room. You can store flashlights and lamps in different rooms across the house.
Make sure you have a supply of batteries, and I would recommend you go for a waterproof flashlight and store some candles.
– Tool Kit
A tool kit may sound weird to you, but the purpose of an emergency kit is to be prepared for the situation. A tool kit can be convenient. A hammer, some nails and a rope can be handy in times of distress.
You may want to include a can opener if you store some canned food.
– Radio
Some radios are specifically made for emergencies. Try to find one that can work both with an outlet and batteries to be on the safe side if ever you run out of charge. You want one that is impact-resistant and is waterproof to withstand any weather.
– Cash
Some radios are specifically made for emergencies. Try to find one that can work both with an outlet and batteries to be on the safe side if ever you run out of charge. You want one that is impact-resistant and is waterproof to withstand any weather.
– Comforts and clothing
Pack some warm clothes, a waterproof jacket and also a thick blanket for each family member.
– Miscellaneous Essentials
Besides everything listed above, you want to have your identification paper at hand. It may be a birth certificate, social security card or driver’s license. Make sure to have a waterproof copy of all your documents.
The above emergency kit may be altered depending on the duration of the emergency and the size of your family. You may go through some first-aid training to be even more prepared. Make sure always to stay together and to listen to the news often for more info. Let us know in the comments if you already have an emergency kit or consider putting one together.
