A wise old adage says: “Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst.” While we all assume tomorrow will hold no nasty surprises, nothing is better than the peace of mind that comes with preparation. At National First Response, we urge our clients to give themselves the comfort of knowing that if disaster strikes, they are ready for it. Regardless of your home’s location or your family size, a few simple steps to prepare for unforeseen circumstances can literally be lifesaving.

How to Build an Emergency Kit

The Red Cross advises people to keep a “go-bag” or emergency kit at the ready. Simply said, an emergency go-kit is a collection of everyday necessities that your family may require in an emergency. It should be portable, periodically re-stocked, and take into account the needs of anyone who might flee with you or shelter with you during an emergency. Place all of your emergency go kit’s components in one or two lightweight containers, such as a duffel bag, camping backpack, or plastic bin, and keep everything in sealed plastic bags.

Most disaster prep sites advise people to look around their homes to evaluate what they already have before purchasing supplies for their emergency pack. You might not have time to look for the materials you need or go shopping for them if you suddenly need to flee or take cover. Or worse – the stores might quickly sell out of essential supplies. Make sure you have enough of your own food, water, and other supplies to survive for at least 72 hours.

Create several emergency kits

Unfortunately, you never know where you’ll be when an emergency arises. That is why it is prudent to prepare supplies for your house, place of employment, and vehicles in case of emergency:

HOME

A minimum of three days’ worth of supplies for food, water, medicine, and other necessities should be included in your home emergency go kit.
Make sure everyone in the household is aware of the location of the go kit and keep it there.
You might want to think about stocking up on supplies for a two-week shelter.
To further safeguard you and your family from sickness, include products like face masks, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes in your go kit.

WORK

You must be ready to stay at your place of employment for at least 24 hours. Make sure your emergency kit contains food, water, and other needs like medical supplies and medications. Additionally, if a long-distance evacuation is necessary, make sure you have a suitable pair of walking shoes on hand at work.
In case you need to be evacuated from your place of employment, your work go-pack should also be in one container and prepared to be “grabbed and gone.”

VEHICLE

Maintain an emergency go-kit in your vehicle just in case you become stranded. Every time the seasons change, update this it. The following items ought to be included:

Jumper cables
Batteries and flashlights
Face shields, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, a first aid kit, and any necessary drugs
Cans of fruit, a portable can opener, and foods high in protein like nuts and energy bars
Water for each passenger and animal in your vehicle
Sand or cat litter for greater tire traction
Shovel
Snow shovel if you live in or travel to cold climates
Warm clothing, gloves, hats, boots, jackets, and an extra set of clothes are all recommended
Sleeping bags or blankets
Phone charger and fully charged cell phone
Flares or a triangle of reflection
Items required to suit the needs of everyone who might ride in your car, including infants and dogs

Keep your gas tank full to be ready for an emergency. If you become stuck, be safe by turning on your flashers, calling for assistance, and waiting until aid arrives.

Upkeep of your Go-Kits

Maintaining your resources so they are ready to use when needed is equally critical to assembling them. The following advice can help you ensure your kit will be stocked properly when you need it most:

Store canned food in a dry, cool place
To prevent pests from getting into the food and to increase shelf life, store boxed food in firmly covered plastic or metal containers
Any canned food that develops swelling, dents, or corrosion should be thrown out
Consume food before it spoils, then swap it out for new supplies
New objects should go in the back of the storage space, while older ones should go in the front
Every six months, replace the food and water that has been saved. On all containers, be sure to write the date you stored them
Every year, evaluate your requirements again and refresh your emergency kit as necessar

Water Advice

Allow 1 gallon of water per person per day for drinking and personal care Include your pet’s water requirements in your calculations if you have any
Maintain a minimum 3-day supply of water for each individual
Children, women who are nursing, and people who are ill could require more water
People who live in warm climates require extra water
If you are aware of an impending emergency and have the opportunity, fill as many containers as you can, including bathtubs, with water
As the last option, you can utilize the water from your water heater after filtering it through multiple layers of cotton (a t-shirt will work)

Food Advice

Stock up on non-perishable food for no less than three days
Pick meals that don’t need to be prepared or refrigerated and that can be cooked with little or no water
Bring kitchen essentials including forks, knives, and spoons along with a manual can opener
Avoid salty meals because doing so will make you thirstier
Take into account the requirements of newborns, young children, seniors, and those with food allergies and dietary restrictions

Pick meals that your family will enjoy, such as:

Canned fruits, vegetables, and meats that are ready to consume
Fruit or protein bars
Dry granola or cereal
Almond butter
Dried fruit
Nuts or Crackers
Canned juice
Pasteurized non-perishable milk
Energy bars
Vitamins
Baby food, if needed

Plan for Your Family’s Needs

Consider any family members who may require additional supplies or who may have allergies. Here are some things to consider:

For infants

Formula, if necessary
Diapers
Bottles
If necessary, spare breast pump parts and a car adapter
If necessary, a manual breast pump
Medications
Baby Wipes
Diaper Rash Ointment
Immunization Records

Seniors

Any equipment (wheelchairs, canes, and walkers) should be marked with a name and phone number
List of prescription drugs, their dosages, and any allergies
Include face masks and other equipment to protect the elderly from disease exposure
Bring a spare pair of glasses, and if necessary, hearing aid batteries
Include additional special items, such as wheelchair batteries
Copies of Medicare and health insurance cards
A printed list of medical professionals and emergency contacts

While we all hope disaster never strikes, being ready if it does can keep you one step ahead of the worst-case scenario. The good news is, whatever comes, you don’t have to face it alone. At National First Response, we are at the ready 24/7 to help you mitigate disaster or clean up following a crisis.

How to Prepare an Emergency Kit for Any Disaster