Emergency Kit
Many people dismiss the time honored-tradition of making personal resolutions this time of year. That tradition has gone along the wayside for most – the idea of adding pressure to our hectic lives seems daunting in this day and age. While I am not one to encourage people to make personal resolutions around New Years, I am one who likes to see people make practical changes to the way they act and live in order to improve safety and give a little peace of mind.
One of the easiest things families can commit to doing this year is to create an emergency kit for their home. Unforeseen disaster and complications can hit us at any time. Preparation for these things can increase safety and give you peace-of-mind.
What You Need to Know
I break emergency kits into two types: Home and Travel. A kit stored at home will usually contain more supplies because of the added room and the potential to be stuck in the home for long spans of time during a disaster. However, during many disasters, evacuation is necessary. In these cases an emergency kit that can be easily picked up and taken with you is needed, something like a large waterproof backpack or easy to carry duffel bag work well here.
Packing Your Emergency Kit
There are a lot of items that should be included in a good emergency kit. Below is the list of the most common items recommended for kit, categorized by essential, important, and nice-to-have. Each family will need to evaluate the list and put together the items they believe will be the most crucial for them in a time of crisis.
Essential Kit Items
o LED flashlight: These reliable torches are a must. The new technology is far superior to battery-draining incandescent bulbs and provides a brighter, more visible light than any other light source available. Remember to include two LED torches and extra batteries.
o First-Aid kit: Stock a complete kit with basic medical items like bandages, disinfectant, basic pharmaceuticals, etc. If your family members require daily medication, make sure to store extras in the kit as well.
o Multi-tool or pocketknife: A sturdy multi-tool provides you with basic tools in an easy to carry package. A good multi-tool will have screwdrivers and knife blades in various sizes for a number of different applications.
o Non-perishable food: Include food that doesn’t need to be cooked in your kit supplies. Pack enough for at least a 72-hour (3-day) period. Nuts, granola bars, dried foods, and peanut butter are all excellent choices. Canned food has a good shelf-life too. Just be sure to include a can opener (or make sure your multi-tool has one)!
o Bottled water: Pack one gallon of water per person per day. This not only serves as your drinking water (which your body desperately needs) but will provide enough to use for sanitation purposes.
o Warm blankets: For your home, any warm, dry blankets will suffice, preferably made of wool. Space blankets for your travel pack will conserve space and lighten the load.
o Waterproof matches/lighter: It is important to have fire-starting tools in the event that extra warmth is needed.
Important Kit Items
o AM/FM radio: Important information is often broadcast across radio waves in the event of an emergency. Keep extra batteries in your kit for the radio if you choose to include one in your kit.
o Extra clothing: If inclement weather is involved, the value of warm, dry clothes increases dramatically. Put extra clothes in a waterproof bag.
o Dust mask: Natural disasters can produce a big mess, stirring up dust and other harmful particles.
o Bleach: This common household cleaner serves a number of purposes, the most important being purifying drinking water. Sixteen drops per gallon will provide you safe, drinkable water.
o Cash (and change): ATMs and credit card machines don’t work when the power is out. Keep extra cash in a safe place within your kit in case you need to buy supplies during an emergency.
o Whistle: Often overlooked, do not underestimate the importance of a good whistle. These little wonders are simple to use, safe to carry, and easy for emergency personnel to hear.
Nice-To-Have Kit Items
o Moist Towelettes: For cleaning and sanitation
o Plastic garbage bags: For cleaning and sanitation
o Tarps / Plastic Sheeting: Window and Wall Repair
o Feminine Hygiene Products
o Baby Diapers / Formula
o Extra Glasses, contacts, etc.
o Duct Tape
Ben Anton lives in Portland, OR and writes for DLK.
We invite you to read more about portable emergency lights like flashlights and lanterns at our LED light source website.
What’s In Your Emergency Kit?
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Augason Farms Emergency Food Storage Kit – One year – 1 person $1,155.92 |
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Emergency Food Storage Three Month Kit 2,237 Servings $662.98 |
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1384 Servings of Ultimate Fruit Supply Emergency Food Kit Shelf Reliance® THRIVE $777.77 |
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Emergency Food Shelf Reliance THRIVE 2,471 Total Servings Food Kit Free Cookbook $749.99 |
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Emergency Food Storage 3 Month Kit 2,237 SERVINGS $699.99 |
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7-day, 4-person Emergency Food Kit By Mountain House® $677.77 |
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Augason Farms Emergency Food Storage Kit 3 months for 2 person or 6 for 1 person $599.99 |
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Emergency Preparedness Kit Water Purifier Berkey Light & Solar Charger + Free $597.00 |
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Groomsman Emergency Kit $24.99 Fashioned in attractive black nylon and featuring a fun red cross and initial design, this embroidered bag contains all the details he’ll need in case of an emergency. |
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You CAN Survive Survival Stove and Supplements Outdoor Kit $17.11 This is a compact tool to have if you are ever in a survival situation. All you need to get through an emergency situation in an aluminum little can that can be used as a drinking cup or a pot to cook with and includes a resealable lid. |
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Lifeline First Aid Automotive Safety Bundle Kit $55.99 Stay safe and prepared with this automotive safety kit. This preparedness kit comes with an essential mix of safety items for your car. |
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Lifeline First Aid Outdoor Adventure Bundle $69.99 This bundle of outdoor products is perfect for any outdoor enthusiast. Bundle includes a pocket survival kit, ultralight first aid kit, travel blanket, aluminum sport utility shovel and a 27-ounce stainless steel water bottle. |
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Emergency Car Tool Kit $24.99 Essential emergency kit for every glove compartmentAuto accessory has flashing emergency light, LED flashlight, glass break and air bag punch tools, whistle, seat belt cutter and magnetic hood-mountBe prepared with emergency kit |
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Buffalo Hand Crank Emergency LED Light FM Radio $21.49 Be prepared to communicate even without power with the hand crank emergency radio from BuffaloEmergency accessory requires no batteries to operateCamping and outdoors equipment is perfect for power outages or emergency situations |
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Grab ‘N Go Four Person Emergency Kit $96.05 Be prepared for anything with Ready America’s 3-day Deluxe Emergency KitPack includes sufficient life saving supplies for family of fourUnique to the kit are an Emergency Power Station, 10 yards of duct tape, and Multi-Function Pocket Tool |
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Lifeline First Aid Winter Automotive Safety Bundle $59.99 Stay safe on the road during colder weather with this automotive safety kit. This preparedness kit stows away in your car’s back seat or trunk. This kit includes a winter weather car kit, travel blanket, first aid kit and essential survival can. |
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Lifeline First Aid Automotive Safety Bundle 3 $105.99 Stay safe on the road with this automotive safety kit. This car kit comes with 85 pieces to keep you prepared. |
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Picnic Time San Francisco 49ers Roadside Emergency Kit $45.95 Team: San Francisco 49ersMaterials: Polyester25-piece roadside emergency kit |
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Lifeline First Aid AAA Automotive Safety Bundle $51.99 Stay safe on the road with this AAA automotive safety kit. This preparedness kit stores in your car’s trunk for easy access. |
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SuperSonic AM/FM Binocular Radio $19.99 This AM/FM binocular radio is perfect for sporting events or sight seeing. This binocular and radio combo is ideal for keeping in an emergency kit. |
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Grabber 10-pair Combo Box Hand & Toe Warmers $16.49 The Grabber Hand & Toe Combo pack is a reusable box that contains five pairs of hand warmers and five pairs of adhesive toe warmers. Stash the warmers in your car, sports bag or emergency kit to have on hand whenever the chill sets in. |
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Lifeline First Aid AAA Traveler Emergency Road Kit $40.99 Travel with peace of mind with this AAA certified road emergency kit. This kit includes 63 pieces that are designed to ease road travel worries and it’s perfect for every driver. |
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Grabber Big Pack Combo Toe Warmers (Pack of 2) $20.49 Stash these Grabber toe warmers in your car, sports bag, or emergency kit to have on hand whenever the chill sets in. The Combo box makes a great warm gift, are long lasting, and safe for the environment. |
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Grabber Big Pack Combo Mega Warmers (Pack of 2) $18.49 Stash these Grabber mega warmers in your car, sports bag, or emergency kit to have on hand whenever the chill sets in. These warmers make a great warm gift, are long lasting, and safe for the environment. |
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Grabber Excursion Multi-pack Warmer Box $22.81 Be prepared for the cold with this Grabber Excursion pack of body warmers Features 8-pair hand warmers, 8-pair toe warmers and 8 Peel N’ Stick adhesive body warmersStash the warmers in your car, sports bag, or emergency kit |
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The Prepper`s Pocket Guide (Paperback) $9.84 Guides readers in preparing for disasters, including developing plans, calculating how much water is needed, and making a disinfectant cleaner from emergency kit items. |
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The Handbag (Paperback) $11.54 The handbag is the portable office, bank, and emergency kit for women everywhere. Now this indispensable accessory and key fashion statement has its own comprehensive, lavishly illustrated history: The Handbag. From the classics–Chan… |
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Emotional Repair Kit (Cards) $13.36 In this “emotional emergency kit” New York Times bestselling author Dr. Judith Orloff offers simple exercises for transforming seven negative emotions into positive thinking and living. Follow the easy-to-use action steps to transform:-&… |