There are various emergency situations that can occur and it is vital to be fully prepared so that you aren’t scrambling around at the last minute. In recent years, we have seen a huge increase in the number of natural disasters due to climate change and this has seen people cut off from electricity or water.
In 2020, the Covid-19 Pandemic took the world by surprise, and citizens of almost every country around the world discovered that their governments were woefully unprepared for such an event. It is up to every individual person to ensure that they have everything they need in case of an emergency so that they can ensure the health and security of themselves and their family. Here is what you need to have in your emergency kit.
1. A Firestarter and Water Purifying Tablets
When it comes to survival, freshwater is the most important thing, but many of us take for granted how easy it is to get access to drinkable water. Most people live in a house with taps that provide instant clean water but this is often cut off in an emergency situation like an earthquake or floods. All survival experts agree that the first thing every emergency kit needs is a means for making freshwater. A firestarter so that you can make a fire to boil water in any situation is a great tool or you can pack water purifying tablets in case there is no way to make a fire.
2. A GPS System
There are various emergency situations where you might find yourself lost and don’t know which direction you need to go to get safe. There are few situations more dangerous than losing your way while hiking out in nature and having to spend the night exposed to the elements. Maps can easily get wet or can be lost but a quality GPS system will enable you to find your way no matter where you are. When choosing a GPS system for your emergency kit, look for a model that is light enough to carry but which is also durable and waterproof so that it won’t get damaged.
3. A First Aid Kit
In an emergency situation, it is vital that you have the essential medical supplies needed to treat the range of injuries and illness which can occur. It is likely if a disaster occurs that you will be unable to seek professional medical care so you need to have everything prepared well in advance. A first aid kit should have waterproof bandages and band-aids, essential medicines for allergies, simple antibiotics for infections. Regularly check the expiry dates of all your medicines to make sure that they are safe and effective and replenish them as necessary to keep your emergency kit up to date. Keep your medical supplies in a sealed waterproof tin so that your medicine can’t get spoiled.
4. Camping Stove
A camping stove is another essential piece of equipment for every emergency kit because so many of our home amenities and appliances can be cut off in an emergency situation. You will need a camping stove to purify water, cook food, and can also use it to get a fire started if necessary. When choosing a camp stove, look for one which is lightweight and portable and make sure that you are well stocked with paraffin or whatever kind of fuel it uses.
5. Emergency Clothing
If your power gets cut off by an earthquake or a hurricane, your home’s heating will no longer be operational. In order to stay warm, it is vital that you have some emergency clothing prepared which will protect you from the elements.
It is always better to wear many layers so that you can take them off if you get too hot and so that you can dry different articles of clothing if they get wet while still having enough pieces of clothing to wear whilst they are drying. Invest in some quality thermal and waterproof gear and keep them in a waterproof backpack.
6. A Flashlight
No power means no light and this makes everything more difficult. A high-powered flashlight is vital in many emergency situations and if you want to make sure that it won’t cut out on you, either choose a kinetically charged flashlight or ensure that you have a good supply of batteries which are stored in a waterproof, airtight container.
There is nothing more dangerous than being unprepared in an emergency situation, and the sooner you prepare your essential supplies, the better. With so many potential disasters that could occur at any time, you don’t want to take the risk of finding yourself without the things you need to survive. Make sure to prepare the things on this list and have them ready in an instant if the unexpected should occur.