Having the correct preparation for an emergency is essential for keeping safe during a crisis. When facing a disaster, having the appropriate emergency survival kit can make all the difference in staying secure and safeguarded. A survival kit should include essential items and tools to help you get through any emergency situation. With careful planning and preparation, you can create the perfect survival kit that will help you stay safe no matter what happens.
Read: A Hiking First Aid Kit and Supplies Checklist for Your Next Trip
Types of Survival Kits
Survival kits come in a variety of sizes and styles, all packaged to meet specific needs. Mini kits are designed for short trips and daily use. They typically include basic items like bandaids, matches, flashlights, and food and water. Emergency survival kits are designed for more serious situations. These usually contain more substantial items such as shelter supplies, fire starters, medical emergency supplies, water purification tablets, and first aid equipment.
Essential Items for a Survival Kit
- Clean drinking water - enough per person for three days
- Food - having items that are easy to prepare, store and have a long shelf-life can be invaluable during an emergency like energy bars.
- First Aid Supplies - gauze, antiseptic wipes, bandages, etc.
- Led Flashlight with extra batteries.
- Multi-tool or a pocket knife.
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items- toilet paper, soap, hand sanitizer, feminine supplies, etc.
- Emergency clothing - warm layers and rain gear as needed.
- Whistle - so you can signal for help if necessary.
- Matches or lighter - if needed to start a fire outdoors safely for warmth or cooking food outdoors safely
- Portable stove
- Cell phone charger with an extra battery pack.
- Battery-powered hand crank radio
- Local Maps and compass
- Dust Masks
- Cash
Considerations for Family Members
- Ensure family members have a ready supply of necessary medical items such as hearing aids, glasses, contact lenses, and syringes.
- Have sufficient supply of baby items like bottles, formula, baby food and diapers can be absolutely essential.
- Make sure any pets in the household have a collar, leashes, ID tags, food, carriers, and bowls at all times.
- Have two-way radios available in case communication is needed between different locations or individuals.
- Keeping a spare set of car keys and house keys on hand can be lifesaving in the case of loss or an unexpected emergency situation.
- Ensure everyone has access to a manual can opener.
Additional Supplies Based on Common Natural Disasters
- Work gloves
- Towels
- N95 or surgical masks
- Extra clothes
- Plastic sheeting
- Duct tape
- Scissors
- Entertainment items such as books, cards, puzzles, and games
- Household liquid bleach
- Emergency blankets or sleeping bags
Read: 5 Reasons why you need dog first aid kit | Safety kit essentials
Storage Locations for Your Survival Kit
Home Storage
It's important to have your survival gear easily accessible and ready to go in the case of an emergency. Designate a location in your home, such as near the front door, near an exit or inside a closet, where all members of your family can quickly access essential items.
Work Storage
Be prepared to stay at work for upwards of 24 hours. Pack a "grab-and-go" bag.
Car Storage
Having an emergency kit in your car is essential for being prepared on the road. Maintaining a well-stocked emergency kit in your car can be lifesaving if you become stranded due to an unexpected breakdown or other dangerous situation.
Maintaining Your Survival Items
Keeping a survival kit updated and well-stocked is an essential part of ensuring your family's safety in the event of a survival situation.
Canned Food
Ideal places for canned food storage include pantries, closets, basements and garages. A cool temperature helps to preserve the nutritional content of canned items and can extend their shelf life for up to many years.
Boxed Food
Food that is boxed should also be kept in tight containers like plastic bins or metal containers to preserve freshness and maintain taste. These containers should be checked regularly for signs of spoilage and replaced if necessary.
Replacing Expired Items
It's important to check your survival kit periodically for expired items and replace them with fresh essential supplies when needed. This way, you can ensure that your kit is up-to-date with all necessary items to keep your family safe if an emergency arises.
Updating Your Kit Regularly
It's also important to review your family's needs each year and make changes to your survival kit accordingly. Keeping track of new or changing family members or other needs may help you decide if different supplies need to be added or removed from the kit over time.
Read: Why it's Important to Have a Medical Kit Available to You
Benefits of Maintaining Your Survival Kit
Preparedness
By having an emergency preparedness kit ready, you are better prepared for any disaster or emergency that may come your way. You will know what supplies you need and where to find them quickly if needed.
Peace of Mind
Being aware of the potential risks and being equipped with the right supplies can give you complete peace of mind when it comes to facing an uncertain situation. Knowing that you are prepared for anything can instill a sense of safety and security, no matter where life takes you.
Cost Savings
Having a survival kit already assembled can save money in the long run as opposed to buying items separately when an emergency arises. By having all the necessary supplies on hand, there is no need to purchase additional items at the last minute, which could be costly.
Safety
Having a well-stocked survival kit ensures that you have access to the necessary supplies needed for safety during an emergency situation. This includes items such as flashlights, fire extinguishers, and other safety high quality equipment that can help keep you safe during an emergency event.
Summary
In conclusion, having a perfect survival kit for any emergency is about ensuring you have the essential items to keep you safe and comfortable in any situation. It's important to customize your kit to fit your needs, whether it be for extreme temperatures or otherwise. Additionally, make sure you review your comprehensive kit regularly so that when the time comes, you can rely on it to support you in whatever situation may come. Be prepared and take steps now so that you are ready for anything.
FAQs
What is the best basic survival kit?
The Roadie is one of the best emergency kits to keep in your car. This kit provides all the basic supplies a person may need to survive in an emergency situation. Redi's Roadie safety kit is also lightweight and easy to store, making it perfect for camping trips or having it on hand in an unexpected disaster.
What is the most important survival item?
The most important survival item is reliable first aid kits. A first aid kit should include medical supplies such as gauze, medical tape, bandages, tweezers, antiseptic wipes, scissors, anti-bacterial solutions and ointments. Having these medical kits on hand can be crucial in an emergency situation as they can help to provide basic medical care.
What is a Go Bag?
A Go Bag is an essential disaster supplies kit that should be prepared in advance of any natural disasters or emergencies. Having a Go Bag can help ensure that a person has the necessary items on hand if they need to evacuate quickly. The contents of a Go Bag should be tailored to fit individual needs and should be updated regularly with fresh supplies and replacements.
Related Posts
What is a Portable Medical Kit? Why is it Important to Have One?
Top 10 Essentials that Need to be in a Professional First Aid Kit
