Agness Walewinder
Travel Blogger
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

We often expect our moms to have everything under control at any time, and while they may be the go-to person for the whole family, sometimes they just do not have it all. However, an emergency supply kit will prepare your family for various emergencies. This article, along with another one I previously wrote about survival kits, will help you understand how you can set up a home preparedness pack so that you are always ready when your family needs you.

Why is it important to have an emergency supply kit?

A survival kit is a pack of items essential for surviving in unpredictable situations such as natural disasters or accidents. When you experience a calamity such as a wildfire, earthquake, or hurricane, it is crucial to have supplies that will last for at least 72 hours while you wait for assistance. Equipping your home with an emergency kit will prepare your family in case of unforeseen circumstances. Hence you should be ready to grab your emergency survival kit and go in an instant.

What You Need to Know About Emergency Supply Kits

Shelf life

You never know when you will need your emergency kit, and therefore, it is necessary to ensure that all the supplies are always in good condition and have not yet expired. Getting a survival kit with a long shelf life means the items take longer to spoil. However, you should occasionally check and replace your supplies so that the kit will have everything you need.

Size

The size of the kit depends on what sort of emergency you intend to use it for. Small and lightweight packs are ideal for carrying around every day in your bag. These come in handy for less critical mishaps, such as a child falling or getting a cut. These kits contain few supplies for first aid to keep the situation under control until you get the required assistance.

Comprehensively packed home preparedness kits are larger and more suitable for major emergencies. Its size will depend on the items it has and how many people it can cater to. Commercially prepared kits come in packages for single, two, four, or six people, and you can distribute the suppliers into compact and easy-to-carry bug-out backpacks.

Purpose

A camping survival kit is different in content from the one you keep in your car or house for natural disasters. The car kit will have sufficient supplies for accidents or emergencies that are likely to happen in that setting. However, if you live in an area prone to natural calamities, you may want to consider having a comprehensive kit. It comes with items such as thermal blankets and outdoor stoves that you might need in those circumstances.
Furthermore, you may also consider how many people and pets the kit is expected to cater to. Other considerations include medicines, special diets, and extra clothes.

What Should You Include in Your Home Emergency Supply Kit?

There are several survival kit options available on the market, and the variety can cause more confusion than good. These are some of the things you should look for to get the most out of your kit. In the end, you should consider the special needs of your family and customize your kit with items they will need.

First Aid Kit/box

The first aid kit is probably the most vital item in your emergency pack, considering that injuries may happen in adversity, and you will need to respond to them quickly. The kit should have all the basics, including sanitation and hygiene supplies such as plasters of different shapes and sizes, alcohol-free cleansing wipes, a thermometer, antiseptic creams, painkillers, and scissors. However, you need to check the items constantly to ensure you have everything required.

Communication and Light

Light and the ability to communicate for help is another important consideration when it comes to survival kits. You will need to ensure that the pack has items such as a torch or headlamp with batteries. These would be the first things you will look for if the electricity goes out to help you evacuate a building or get your way around in the dark outside.

Having a backup power bank will keep your phone battery powered for you to seek help. However, you will have to constantly check on it to make sure that it always has power. Where there is a likelihood of a natural disaster, it will be of great help to have an NOAA weather radio to continue getting updates of your situation and where to get help due to the disruption of emergency services.

Food and water

The American Red Cross advises having a three-day supply of food and water for each person in your emergency supply kit. The food should be non-perishable and preferably canned foods that will nourish but will not make you thirsty. Furthermore, you can also include portable camp stoves in your pack to warm food and boil water when you do not have any other heat sources.

You will also need to ensure that there is a gallon of water per day for each individual. The water is not only for drinking but for other basic hygiene needs as well. You can include filters or water purification tablets in your emergency pack that you can use to purify fetched water.

Basic tools

Having some simple tools on hand can help navigate the emergency easier. Consider items like a survival knife, whistle, flare, paracord, and duct tape. Other supplies may include masks for filtering contaminated air, can and bottle openers, and a small ax for cutting down branches of fallen trees. When getting these supplies, opt for high-quality stuff that is more durable and effective.

Warmth supplies

You will most likely have to leave your house in a natural disaster, so you need to ensure that everyone stays warm outside. Thermal blankets are an excellent choice as they do not take up space. They are also lightweight and waterproof, making them ideal for any weather conditions. Other shelter items may include tube tents and sleeping bags to keep your family comfortable before you get a more permanent shelter.

Conclusion

Now that you know what to look for when getting an emergency supply kit, you should always remember the 3-3-3-3 rule. This rule means that you can survive 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without shelter in sub-zero conditions, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food provided you have shelter and food. It is best to be prepared for anything, and an emergency supply kit is one way of doing it. And, with devastating natural events occurring more frequently than before, it is now essential for every mom to consider having one. While you can make your own emergency supply kit with all the products you need, you can also opt to buy a ready-made kit and add on other items that you think are necessary for your family.

About Agness Walewinder

Agness is a passionate adventurer and is the co-founder of Etramping Adventure Travel Blog, a travel website that focuses on low-budget traveling, backpacking, and outdoor adventures. She has been on the road since 2011, and she uses her website to share her unique travel experiences and tips on how to travel smarter.

View all posts by Agness Walewinder here.

Save

Save