How to Prepare Your Emergency Kit

Truth be told: emergencies are always right around the corner, but preparation is always the key to not being caught up surprised. For the best chances of survival, having a disaster kit will be your life saver during disasters such as earthquakes.?

But when you’re trying to prepare for the unknown but the anticipated, you’re also going to ask yourself: What are the things I have to prepare?

Choosing the things to include in your survival kit may be an arduous task, but research and planning will be able to help you out. Likewise, you don’t have to spend a lot of time trying to search for answers, because we’re going to provide them to you.

Here’s how to build your Emergency Kit:

The Basic Supply Kit

This will serve as the easily-accessible kit that will supply you with the necessary items that you might need during emergencies or natural disasters. All of the things in your emergency kit should be stored in airtight bags or containers within one or two backpacks, duffel bags, or plastic containers that are easily accessible.

Be sure to include the following items on your kit:

• Water for drinking and sanitation (1 gallon per person per day)
• Non-perishable food supply (that will last at least several days)
• First Aid Kit
• Batteries
• Whistle
• Can opener
• Cell phone with backup battery and power bank
• Toiletries for personal sanitation
• Local Maps
• Important documents

Additional Emergency Supplies

Based on your personal and familial needs, prepare these additional supplies

• Personal Prescription Medication
• Pain Relievers and Ointment
• Set of Important Keys
• Clothing
• Extra Cash
• Hygiene Items
• Sleeping Bags and Blankets
• Radio

How to Maintain Your Emergency Kit

No one knows when these emergency supplies will be of use, but when you do, you’ll want your supplies to be of use. Thus, maintaining your kit will be essential in order to ensure that everything is always ready in case of an emergency. Here’s what you need to do:

• Keep your equipment in a cool, dry location that is shielded from direct sunlight. The shelf life of perishable products in your kit can be diminished by heat, moisture, and UV radiation.
• Set a calendar reminder every six months to do a six-month review. When the time comes, inspect and refill all expired food, water, medications, and other perishable goods; additionally, replace products whose expiration date is within the next six months.
• Perform a more comprehensive annual check: Reevaluate the contents of your kit and your emergency plan; revise as necessary to meet the evolving requirements of your family. Check your equipment to ensure that everything is in working condition.
• If you remove things from your kit for whatever reason, replace them as soon as possible; for example, replace bandages removed from a first-aid kit.

Basic Preparedness Actions

Aside from things, you’ll also need to incorporate appropriate actions that you’ll need for survival:

• Collect essential supplies and prepare your survival kit
• Seek information on preparation
• Discuss preparing techniques with others.
• Make an emergency plan
• Attend a local training on disaster preparedness.
• Participate in a drill for an emergency

Takeaway

Disasters or emergencies are always uncertain, but they are inevitable. Nevertheless, preparation is always the answer in order to survive and help others to survive. It’s never too early to prepare!