Do you have a home emergency survival kit? Recent memory of both natural disasters and man-caused horrors lead me to believe that every American should be prepared. There is absolutely no downside. If you take time to get ready and you never experience a disaster, no harm, no foul. But if you are not prepared, when disaster hits you, it is catastrophically worse.
No one knows when a disaster might strike. Whether it’s a natural or man-made disaster for you and yours, having basic home survival supplies helps you in ways that can't be measured now.
Don't think disaster will never happen to you and yours. Here's what you want to have on hand for emergencies:
• In an emergency, you want a non-electric powered weather radio. If you decide on one that is battery powered, be sure to buy a healthy supply of batteries.
• Consider a home generator. No matter where you live, when the power goes out, you are literally in the dark. Lack of power affects our refrigerated food and more. Generators range from $100 up.
• Keep cases of bottled water on hand. You can get a case of bottled water at Sam's Club for a couple of dollars. A smart investment anytime, but especially for survival in an emergency.
• Purchase a fire-proof, water-proof case or container and put in your important papers, including information about contacts, ownership documents, medical records, prescriptions and a store of cash.
• You want a "grab and go" bag on hand. An emergency survival kit is essential, especially if you have to abandon your home quickly. You want to be able to "grab and go" without stopping.
A survival kit is comprised of disaster supplies to be stored at your home, your workplace, your vehicle(s) or other locations where you spend a lot of time. You may want to store more than one in various easy-to-get-to places.
Survival kits generally include emergency food, emergency water, emergency lighting, emergency first aid supplies, emergency sanitation and shelter supplies and other essential items needed to survive the initial stages of an emergency situation.
You can purchase a home emergency survival kit anywhere from $50 to $300 and up depending on the number of people in your family.
You can also create your own home emergency survival kit. If you want to create your own, here's what you need.
Emergency Survival Kit Information:
This emergency survival kit content list uses advice from experts in the emergency preparedness industry. It follows guidelines given by government agencies and non-profit preparedness organizations.
Food and Water:
12 - Boxes of Aqua Blox Water Boxes - twice the amount of water as leading suppliers and has a 5 year shelf-life
12 - 400 Calorie Food Bars - 5 year shelf-life (4800 Calories)
20 - Water Purification Tablets - each tablet purifies 1 liter of water
Light and Communication:
1 - Am/Fm Radio with Headphones and Batteries
1 - Rechargeable Squeeze Flashlight - 3 LED flashlight which generates and stores power by squeezing the handle (NO BATTERIES NEEDED)
1 - 36 Hour Emergency Candle - can also be used as a stove
1 - 5-in-1 Survival Whistle - compass, signal mirror, flint starter, waterproof container, lanyard, and shrill whistle
1 - Box of 50 Waterproof Matches
Shelter and Warmth:
2 - Emergency Survival Sleeping Bags - Recommended over common "space blankets"
2 - Emergency Ponchos with Hood
Tools:
1 - 16 Function Knife
2 - N95 Respirator Dust Masks
Hygiene and Sanitation:
2 - 24 Piece Deluxe Hygiene Kits - toothbrush, toothpaste, 9 wetnaps, bar of soap, .34 oz shampoo and conditioner, dental floss pick, .25 oz hand and body lotion, deodorant gel, twin blade razor, 5" black comb, 4 maxipads, shaving cream packet, and washcloth.
6 - Tempo Pocket Tissue Packs
Safety Googles
Sewing Kit
First Aid:
1 - 37 Piece Portable First Aid Kit
Other:
Notepad
Pencil
Deck of playing cards for entertainment
Infectious Waste Bag
Of course, be sure you allow space for personal items. If it's your responsibility to look out for the safety of your family, with a few dollars, you can be prepared with a home emergency survival kit. Personally, I stock up on toilet tissue. Can you even imagine a day or two without toilet tissue? Gad! Be prepared. Don't think disaster will never happen to you.
