Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need
• May also come in handy

Any possible emergencies are best handled fully armed. This article provides advice on a set of household essentials. Also, do not forget to prepare a set of items in case of a possible evacuation and store it in the car.

Steps

1. 1 Review the "What You Will Need" list. It lists the required items for your kit.
2. 2 Be sure to get a first aid kit if you don't already have one. In emergencies, cuts, burns and other injuries cannot be avoided, and with a first aid kit on hand, you will be ready to help yourself, your loved ones, or even your neighbors.
3. 3 Identify the hazards in your area. You can ask your local emergency team leader this question. If there is no such position in your area, contact the emergency department.
4. 4 Make a plan based on potential threats, then put together a set of essentials.
5. 5 Buy standalone flashlights and radios. In the event of a potential disaster, the power supply will be interrupted and there may be no batteries in the store. The latest models have a “weather / emergency range” reception function, as well as the ability to charge a mobile phone. So your mobile will not work only in the event of damage or destruction of towers and other mobile infrastructure. Also, you will not be disturbed by a satellite phone, which does not require cell towers - communication is carried out via orbiting satellites.
6. 6 Consider the specifics of the area. Depending on where you live, you may need a variety of basic necessities for emergencies such as floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes. Naturally, some items are needed in any case and do not depend on the area.
7. 7 Don't forget the map. Maps are especially important when evacuation is needed, as detour routes can take roundabouts.
8. 8 Make a list of the items you already have.
9. 9 Keep a current list. If it is not possible to collect all the items at once, purchase a couple of necessary things at each time you go to the store.
10. 10 Use two first aid kits: one in case of emergency and one for every day. The first aid kit should contain the following:
    • No less two pairs of latex gloves for a small first aid kit. You may need to help a stranger, and then gloves can protect you from infections.
      • If you or your loved ones are allergic to latex, use vinyl gloves.
      • Stock up on plenty of first aid kit gloves in case of an evacuation. Several pairs of gloves may be required during an emergency.
      • Check that the gloves are intact if stored at different temperatures, as they can be damaged. Do not rush to throw away all gloves if you find that several pairs are damaged: gloves lying on the bottom of the box may well remain intact. Go through all pairs one at a time.
    • Sterile dressings to stop bleeding. (Get cotton-gauze surgical swabs from your pharmacy)
    • Detergents / soaps and antiseptic wet wipes for disinfection.
      • Antiseptic ointment to protect against infections.
    • Burn ointment to relieve pain.
    • Bandages of different sizes
    • Gauze compresses
    • Microporous adhesive plaster
    • Tweezers
    • Scissors
    • Eye wash solution or sterile saline solution for general disinfection. Saline is sold in 1 liter containers at the pharmacy.
    • Thermometer
    • Prescription medications for daily use: insulin, heart medications, inhalers.
      • Review medicines periodically to check the expiration date. Make an insulin cooling plan.
    • Over-the-counter pain relievers (Talenol, Advil) and antihistamines (Benadryl).
    • Prescribed medicines - glucose and blood pressure monitors.
11. 11 Buy the missing items from the store.
12. 12 Sealed container. Not necessarily expensive. Regular large sealed container with a lid. They are sold in the hardware departments of most discount stores.
    • They should be such that, in the event of an emergency, they can be moved to a car, yard or house in a few minutes. The presence of casters and / or handles will be an added benefit.
    • Place the kits at home, in the car, and in the workplace.
    • You never know where you can get in trouble
    • Use backpacks or plastic toolboxes.
    • Everything should be sorted into clean, resealable bags of different sizes.
    • Workers in large communities are advised to store a backpack with water, food bars, a flashlight, spare socks and comfortable shoes under the table in case public transport stops.
13. 13 Down with thirst! Water is the most valuable vital resource. Store drinking water (in clean plastic cans) at home, in the trunk of your car, and at your workplace so you can always rehydrate in times of stress.
    • Provide extra water for babies, nursing mothers, elderly relatives, or if you live in warm climates.
    • Stock up on electrolyte drinks (Gatorade, Powerade) to replenish essential minerals in warm / humid weather or high activity.
14. 14 The container must have at least three days' supply of the items listed in the "What You Will Need" list (below).
15. 15 Stock up on other essential items as well - pay special attention to medicines, bandages, firearms or other items depending on your age, place of residence or health condition.
16. 16 Don't forget food with a long shelf life. Buy ready-made food sets for several people.

Tips

• When choosing food items for your essentials kit, do not forget about the preferences of your loved ones. You can also stock up on the following:
  • Ready-made canned meat, canned fruits and vegetables
  • Protein or fruit bars
  • Oatmeal or muesli
  • Peanut butter
  • Dried fruits
  • Crackers
  • Juice in cans
  • Non-perishable pasteurized milk
  • High-calorie foods
  • Vitamins
  • Products for children
  • Favorite homemade food
• Mobile phones won't always work, but they can be very useful. Stock up on two options for powering or charging your phone. For example, it could be a power bank or a car charger.
• Conduct emergency drills with your family. Do not forget about what to do in case of fire if wildfires have occurred in your area.
• Buy standalone radios AND flashlights. In case of emergency, you won't be able to buy batteries, and some models will even allow you to charge mobile phone... Some devices are solar powered, while others use a "mechanical generator". These things are available at electrical stores.
• Glowing sticks. Candles can pose a safety hazard, especially with gas leaks, explosive and flammable vapors. Candles can cause fires and even explosions.
• When buying new prescription glasses, do not throw away the old ones. A pair of old glasses is still better than none at all.
• Your kit should be portable in case of a possible evacuation.
• You can join the radio amateurs circle. You will be able to learn how to transmit messages over long distances, even to other countries.
• Remember to take a vial with a dosage indication in case you need additional drugs.
• If you don't have enough space in your luggage, take the essentials.
• Many injuries are not life threatening and do not require immediate medical attention. Taking proper care of minor bruises can be a great time saver. Training for the [Emergency Response Team] can be completed. Trainees can be given kits from which they can build their own set of essentials.
• If you decide to take a firearm with you (not recommended in countries where the carrying of firearms is restricted or prohibited), then do not forget to stock up on the necessary amount of ammunition, as well as take the original and a copy of the permit to carry the weapon. When evacuating, it is necessary to know the laws of neighboring countries in case of crossing borders with firearms.
• Power converters (converting direct current to alternating current) for cars will help you charge a mobile phone, use a TV, radio or travel refrigerator.
• Attach the tags to the chargers of various mobile phones so that in case of a hurry or panic, do not confuse the cords; it will also help orient other people in your absence.
• Personal Radio Systems (FRS) can help you keep in touch with loved ones over a short distance if your phone stops working.

Warnings

• Try to avoid salty foods as they will only increase your thirst.
• Take only the things you need.
• Consider the temperature where the essentials kit is stored - heat can spoil supplies in a few months. It is best to store stocks below 27 degrees Celsius and out of direct sunlight.

What do you need

• Sleeping bag or warm blankets. Have at least one good sleeping bag or warm blanket for each family member. Please understand that your child's overnight sleeping bag is not suitable for outdoor use.
• Waterif the water source is contaminated or declared unsuitable for use: you should have several tens of liters of water on hand. It is recommended to have a three-day supply of 5 liters of water per person per day.
• Three-day supply food for your family - canned food with a long shelf life. Don't forget the can opener.
• First aid kit
• Flashlights and spare batteries
• Standalone flashlightswhich can be purchased in large supermarkets or online, as well as glowing sticks... Such lighting is safer (than candles) and does not require batteries.
• Wrench or other tools to shut down utilities in your home. Other emergency tools can also come in handy.
• Extra warm clothes
• Hunting matches or lighter
• The special needs of your family - medicines, glasses, baby food, diapers, etc.
• Weather radio with alert tone to keep you informed of severe weather conditions. In the US, it is best to use NOAA weather radio to stay up to date on warnings from the National Weather Service. Radios must be battery operated and have a tone alert function to automatically alert you to weather reports. Some "standalone radios" also have weather bands and Warnings.
• Standalone radios available at electrical or low-cost stores, they save money on batteries that may not be available. The "Eton" device is the above "stand-alone receiver" with a weather radio, only it works WITHOUT batteries, has a built-in LED flashlight, a red LED "ALARM" lamp, "ALARM" sirenas well as the weather range. This model even allows you to charge Cell phones, if they will be discharged.
• Optional kit car keys and cash and / or credit cards.
• Animal feed and water
• Whistle for help signal
• Respirator in case of air pollution or a gas mask with gloves and plastic film with adhesive tapeto take cover in place
• Wet wipes, trash bags and plastic ties for personal hygiene
• Terrain maps

May also come in handy

• Cash or traveler's checks, change and credit card
• List of important phone numbers and addresses
• Emergency guidese.g. first aid guide
• Changeable clothes setincluding a long-sleeved shirt, pants and sturdy shoes. Don't forget to wear warm clothes if you live in cold climates.
• Chlorine bleach and a dropper - if you dilute the bleach in water at a ratio of one to nine, it can be used as a disinfectant. You can also use bleach to clean your water: 16 drops of regular household bleach in 4 liters of water.Do not use bleach with fragrances, additional cleaning agents, or solutions for colored clothing.
• Fire extinguisher
• Feminine and personal hygiene products
• Cutlery sets, paper cups, plates and plastic dishes, paper towels
• Fun for children (and for yourself!) (books, games, puzzles, playing cards)
• Also, firearms with a stock of ammunition for protection or hunting purposes will not interfere.
• Tents. Your house may be partially or completely destroyed ... so a tent will always come in handy.