(Newswire.net — January 8, 2021) — A survival kit is a necessity for any home, but there’s a lot of confusion out there about what exactly a disaster kit should include. Disaster management authorities generally suggest that your disaster kit has supplies to last for at least 72 hours, and the expectation of including three days’ worth of food and water is obvious. But there’s a decent amount of other things a disaster kit should include – and a number of things that might seem important but will just take up space. If you’re putting together a disaster kit, these are the absolute essentials you need to include.
Food
You should have enough food to last all the people in your household – as well as any pets – for a total of at least three days. But not just any food will do. Dry and canned goods are a solid choice because they have a long shelf life, but professional survival kits tend to pack in high-calorie food bars. They provide your basic nutritional requirements in a very compact package. If you need to evacuate or move to higher ground, they’re a far more sensible alternative to canned goods. While your ideal caloric intake can vary depending on your body type and other conditions, you should try to include a diet of around 1,500 to 2,000 calories for each person.
Water
If you thought lugging around aluminum cans was bad, think about having to lug around three gallons of water. And that’s just per person! At least a gallon a day is recommended, but be smart with how you get the necessary amount of hydration. Water pouches are a common choice in commercial kits since they’re sealed and safe to drink – but they shouldn’t be your common source of water. You’ll get more use of your space by including water tablets. They should serve as your primary source of getting water in an emergency, and you can rely on the pouches when there’s no other water readily available.
First Aid
First aid kits are pretty standard, so you won’t have to pack this yourself. Simply pick one up from your local pharmacy and add it to your kit. But you will need to account for any conditions in your family. If anyone you live with needs special medical devices like a prescription, inhaler, or epi-pen, set three days’ worth of supplies aside. They can be easy to forget when you’re forced to rush out the door.
Hygiene Products
Feeling good is important even in the midst of a disaster, but staying clean can also help prevent infections and reduce the risk of getting sick. That doesn’t mean you should dump all the contents of your vanity into your emergency kit. Moist towelettes, soap, and a toothbrush and toothpaste will cover most of the essentials and leave you covered if you end up having to rough it for an extended period of time.
Tools
You obviously can’t bring your whole tool belt with you when disaster strikes, so you’ll want to be judicious in what you take with you. If canned foods are a component of your disaster kit, a manual can opener will be essential. One way or another, you’ll want to pack in a wrench of pliers so you can manually shut off your utilities. A little bit of foresight can help keep your home a safe and habitable sanctum even while a storm rages around you. But the most essential tool in your kit may be your flashlight. Don’t be afraid to invest in a more expensive model with a brighter light, and don’t forget to pack in some spare batteries.