With so much going on in the world today, from natural disasters, violent political unrest and a global pandemic that seems as if it will never end, having an already assembled, ready-to-go emergency kit at home has become somewhat of a necessity.
Emergencies strike when you least expect it and, in that moment, we don’t always immediately know what to do. It is, however wise to have supplies readily available should you ever find yourself in an urgent situation requiring you to think and act fast.
Here’s everything you need to prepare an emergency kit that will leave you prepared for anything.
Assembling your emergency kit
The first step is to assemble your emergency kit. Start by asking yourself the following questions:
- Who is this kit for?
- How many people will this survival kit need to support?
- What kind of emergencies could affect you?
Consider who is the kit for and how many people will this kit need to support. Is this an emergency kit just for one person or for an entire family? An emergency kit for a young single person will be very different from an emergency kit for an elderly couple or family of four.
Next, consider what kind of emergency situations you might be expecting. Would it be a natural disaster, like flooding, hurricanes or wildfires? Or would the emergency arise from local political unrest? Will you need to immediately evacuate and protect yourself or would you need to seek shelter in a section of your house? All of these questions will determine the type of kit you prepare, the size of the kit itself as well as where you store it. For example, if you need to evacuate suddenly then you will need a portable emergency kit that you can easily be thrown in the car.
Set Up Your Emergency Kit
Determine what you will set up your emergency kit in. If you’re preparing an on-the-go kit, then you will need a backpack or easy-to-carry bag. On the other hand, if the kit is meant to stay at home, then consider using a large waterproof container that can be stored in your safe place.
Here are 20 items to include in your emergency kit:
- Clean drinking water
- Non-perishable food items
- Flashlights or a torch
- Batteries
- First aid kit
- Medication and any prescriptions
- Swiss army knife or a multipurpose tool
- Hygiene items
- Copies of important personal documents (this is the perfect time to grab your home binder!)
- Chargers for electronics
- A power bank
- A family photo
- Emergency contact information
- Cash in small denominations
- Duct tape
- Scissors
- Matches
- Easy to carry blanket
- A few heavy-duty garbage bags
- Whistle
Keep Your Emergency Kit In The Right Place
After packing your emergency kit, ensure that you know how to use all the items within your kit. If not, keep an easy to access manual within the emergency kit. This manual should contain simple and easy to understand instructions for everyone who may need to access the kit.
Use Ziploc bags to separate liquids from other items and ensure all medication is clearly labelled with indications. Store your emergency kit in an easy to access place that is ready to grab and go.
Save the Emergency Kit Checklist below
