Skip to Content

Must Have Emergency Preparedness Kits

SHTFPreparedness may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.

Disasters can strike at any time and destroy lives and property. You have probably seen communities being struck by disaster on the news and the level of destruction can be extensive and heartbreaking. A community unprepared for disaster will have a tougher time after recovery. Today we’ll look at a few emergency preparedness kits you might need to prepare.

Disasters can strike at any time and destroy lives and property. You have probably seen communities being struck by disaster on the news and the level of destruction can be extensive and heartbreaking.Preparing For Disaster

Post-disaster recovery requires not just repairing structural damages in areas affected but the psychological healing of traumatized victims. Disasters can either be natural or man-made and both threaten a person’s health and destroys properties.

If you know that you are going to be in an emergency situation you should be updated with advisories from authorities in your area. In certain cases, officials will have an evacuation plan and center prepared for residents. In instances where you won’t have to leave your house, you have to prepare your house’s structure before the onslaught of a disaster.

Examine your house and replace or repair any unstable parts that can fall off. You should strengthen posts and repair holes on your ceilings to avoid water damage to your home if the coming disaster will be a weather-related one. You should keep an adequate supply of food and fresh water. Foods that don’t need cooking are recommended.

During the disaster you have to be on top of the news so you can be updated on damages and if your area will be hit. Make sure you have open lines of communication with family. If you need to evacuate, make sure you bring along an emergency preparedness kit for yourself and each member of your household.

If you are in your home in the middle of a disaster and a flood has already hit your area make sure to turn off the main electrical switch. You should avoid using electrical appliances while standing on wet floors and rugs. If there is an advisory to evacuate you should do so immediately.

You should take as much care after a natural disaster has passed and take the necessary precautions. You should take care not to come in contact with live wires and outlets immersed in water. Avoid fallen electrical posts and damaged cables. Get authorities to repair fallen structures in your neighborhood or area. Immediately drain pots and receptacles from floodwater to avoid mosquito breeding.  

Disasters Around the World

Disasters are more common than you think. The United States and China are two countries that have suffered the most disaster throughout the years since 1993 because of their large land size. Asia has had the greatest number of disasters with 3.3 billion people affected in China and India.

Disasters in Haiti have claimed the most human lives relative to the population and size of the land area. There had been three megadisasters in recent years which include the 2004 Asian tsunami, Cyclone Nargis in 2008, and the 2010 Haitian earthquake.

Disasters remind us that life is tenuous and fragile. Despite human advances, disasters can lay to waste the achievements that took years to build.  Disasters have a silver lining though because it brings out the best in people.

There is always an outpouring of help and cooperation during a disaster showing that people can be heroic even in the worst of times.

Why You Need to Prepare Emergency Preparedness Kits and Checklists

It is important to make a disaster preparedness plan to increase your chance of survival. No one is spared from the possibility of an emergency because there will always be natural and man-made disasters that can occur. Being prepared for an emergency isn’t just about safety during a disaster.

You have to be comfortable, clean, and fed.  Being healthy throughout the duration of a disaster is also important.  

If you are trapped in a storm or any disaster that knocked out electricity you must have access to emergency light and resources to maintain your bodily health. Every family should make an emergency kit that they can take right away after a disaster.

A practical emergency kit includes enough food, water, clothing, and other supplies that can last for three days.

Different Types of Disasters

There are many types of disasters that can destroy a community. Natural disasters are fairly common, especially in certain geographical areas. Some areas may have to deal regularly with typhoons, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and floods.

Human-caused disasters are equally destructive and traumatic and can cause lost lives and property.

Incidents of shootings, terrorism, and industrial accidents are some cases of human-caused disasters.

Must Have Emergency Preparedness Kits

Basic Kit for One Person

Lifeline 4045 Orange (1 Person 48 Hour) Essential Emergency Disaster Preparedness kitsLifeline 4045 Orange (1 Person 48 Hour) Essential Emergency Disaster KitLifeline 4045 Orange (1 Person 48 Hour) Essential Emergency Disaster Kit

If you live alone you must prepare a kit which is just enough for one person so you can easily carry it in an emergency.

Keep the phone numbers of your friends and family with you. Be aware of the evacuation plan on your home or building to make for a fast and safe escape. You must also let friends and colleagues know how to contact your family to track you down.

As one person there are items necessary for the emergency kit that you should prepare. Multi-tools are not just great for camping and hiking they are lifesavers in times of emergency. Multi-tools can do everything. These tools can cut steel, saw through wood, and break windows.

If you need to repair electronics, machinery or do first aid, these tools are a great help. The choices of multi-tools and the stuff they can do are staggering.

Extra clothing should also be in your emergency kit list. You should choose clothes adapted to your climate. Make sure you have something that is wind and water-resistant, especially if you are dealing with weather-related disasters.

Radio is a dependable way of communication during a disaster, especially a weather-related one to get the latest news and updates. Make sure to carry along a radio that can tune in to AM/FM.  

Emergency Kit for the Family

If you are preparing an emergency kit for an entire family you have to make a basic kit for one person for each member of the family including the kids.

There are additional items that you must include on a family kit like blankets.  Mylar blankets are especially a good choice because it is windproof, waterproof, and capable of reflecting more than 90 percent of your body heat. You can’t carry a full sleeping bag in an emergency and Mylar blankets are the lightweight alternative.

Primacare HB-10 Emergency Foil Mylar Thermal Blanket (Pack of 10), 52HB-10 Emergency Foil Mylar Thermal BlanketPrimacare HB-10 Emergency Foil Mylar Thermal Blanket (Pack of 10), 52Don't Die In The Woods World's Toughest Emergency Blankets | 4 Pack Extra Large Thermal Mylar Foil Space Blanket for Hiking, Marathon Running, First Aid Kits, Outdoor Survival Gear | Orange World’s Toughest Emergency Blankets | 4 Pack Extra Large Thermal Mylar Foil Space Blanket Don't Die In The Woods World's Toughest Emergency Blankets | 4 Pack Extra Large Thermal Mylar Foil Space Blanket for Hiking, Marathon Running, First Aid Kits, Outdoor Survival Gear | Orange

You must also carry along some bleach particularly for weather-related disasters. Household chlorine bleach, when diluted with nine parts water, is an effective disinfectant. If you are uncertain of the purity of a water source you can add 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water to treat it.

Waterproof containers should also be on your emergency kit to hold important documents and identification. These containers can hold your valuables during a weather-related disaster.

If you have kids you should pack necessary items such as diapers. You can also include books and puzzles for the kids so they have something to do during the stressful wait (choose one of these pre-made activity bags).

Emergency Kits for the Car

People often neglect to prepare themselves for the inevitable car breakdown.

Let’s say you are traveling to your relative’s house in the rural part of the county for some family gathering. The whole family is packed into the car. 

You’re 50 miles from the property when the check engine light suddenly comes on, you hear a ding, then nothing. The car just dies and your coast over to the side of the empty rural road you are on.

What if there was no cell service, no help stopping by, no friendly-looking house to make a call from… you are on your own. Are you prepared for a situation like this?

A fully stocked car survival kit will keep your family safe long enough to weather what may come.

Emergency Kits for Pets

Emergency preparedness kits for petsPet First Aid Kit Dog – Vet Approved and is Perfect for Bleeding Nails, Clean, Dress Wounds. Self Adhering Bandage Will Not Stick to Hair. Hiking Dog First Aid Kit for Backpacking, Camping, TravelPet First Aid Kit Dog - Vet Approved and is Perfect for Bleeding Nails, Clean, Dress Wounds. Self Adhering Bandage Will Not Stick to Hair. Hiking Dog First Aid Kit for Backpacking, Camping, Travel

Pets are like family and it will break your heart to leave them in a disaster. So you should also prepare an emergency kit for them. Nearly every home has a pet so there is a need to increase awareness on what to include in an emergency kit for pets.

You don’t want to leave out your pets on planning for an emergency and find out you have nothing to take care of them when disaster strikes.

Pack a few days’ supplies of pet food, extra water, and medication your pet may need. You may also need to pack their favorite toys to keep them happy in an uncomfortable situation.

You can also consider putting some nifty coats or jackets on your dogs if the climate is cold. It is also a good idea to put pets on a harness so you can easily lead them and pick them up.

Learn more about evacuating pets.

Conclusion

You and your loved ones have better chances of staying healthy and safe during a disaster by planning and preparing. Be aware of the latest news in your area so you can adequately prepare for a coming disaster.

Having the tools and resources on hand can keep you from fear and anxiety due to waiting for rescue or until the disaster subsides.  Having your emergency preparedness kits ready at a moment’s notice will give you peace of mind. And having peace of mind is so worth it!

Disasters can strike at any time and destroy lives and property. You have probably seen communities being struck by disaster on the news and the level of destruction can be extensive and heartbreaking.

If you want to be ready for disasters, take a look at these must have emergency preparedness kits #shtf #shtfprep #emergency #preparednesskits #emergecypreparedness #disaster