5 Useful Items to Keep in Your Home for Emergencies
When it comes to emergency preparedness, there is no such thing as being too prepared. While it is never fun to think about how your family will fare in an emergency or natural disaster, thinking this process through and acting accordingly can potentially save your life. Here are five useful items to have on hand in your home for emergencies.
Non-Perishable Food and Drink
Every family emergency kit needs a plentiful supply of non-perishable food and drink. According to the American Red Cross, you should always have a three-day supply of food for each member of your family.
Good choices to keep in your pantry include canned goods, dried fruit, beef jerky, rice, and pasta. For the most peace of mind, you may consider purchasing a dedicated emergency food supply kit. These kids make it possible to make a variety of meals with simply the addition of water.
Be sure to have a manual can opener on hand as well. It is also important to regularly check the expiration dates of your stashed food and replace them as needed.
Water Purifier
The human body can only go approximately three days without water. If you find yourself in a dire emergency due to a natural disaster, you may need to filter your own water. A potable water filter is an essential item to have in your emergency stash. A straw water filter will remove debris and sediment while also getting rid of harmful parasites, viruses, and bacteria.
Once you learn all about straw water filters, you will understand how this tool can be an invaluable tool in your family emergency kit. A straw water filter will also come in handy when hiking or camping, making it a good addition to any home.
First Aid Kit
Now is a good time to make sure that your first aid kit is stocked with everything that you need to attend to minor cuts, bruises, and illnesses. Having the right items in your first aid kit will potentially save you from having to seek outside medical attention.
A basic first aid kit should include a variety of sizes of bandages and gauze dressings. The kit also needs appropriate medications such as pain relieves, antihistamines, and antibiotic ointments. Tools to include in your kit include tweezers, safety pins, scissors, and a thermometer. If you already own a first aid kit, be sure to periodically check the supplies and make sure that the medications have not expired.
Infant and Pet Supplies
If you are like most families, you lean on a variety of infant or pet supplies to get you through each day. Your emergency supply kit should encompass all of these necessities so that you are not left without the essentials that you need.
When gathering your own food, be sure to consider the eating needs of your pets by making sure that you have extra food on hand for them. If your infant is still on formula, it is always prudent to have an extra stockpile ready to go. Keeping extra diapers on hand will save your sanity should you run out during an emergency.
Miscellaneous Items
Once you have all of your food, water, and medical needs covered in your emergency stash, you need to consider all of the miscellaneous items that you need to include. For example, there is a good chance that you will find a battery-powered or hand-crank radio useful.
If you live in an area prone to severe weather, a NOAA weather radio with tone alert should also belong in your emergency kit. Along with these items, you will need the appropriate batteries. Other items to include are a flashlight, a whistle, and local maps. And, of course, everyone knows that duct tape is a miracle essential that will prove its worth in a variety of situations.
When you have all of your emergency supplies assembled, it is important that you keep it all in a designated place. If a disaster strikes, you are not going to have time to search for all of your essentials. Make sure that all of the members of the family also know where the essentials are located.
