Imagine yourself dealing with an emergency and you have no idea what to do. Now, more than ever, every homeowner needs to be prepared for unexpected emergencies. It doesn’t have to be a natural disaster such as a hurricane, flood, wildfire, or earthquake. It could also be a disease outbreak, a power outage, dry taps, a harsh winter, or even a family member falling ill.
So, as you begin to create a stylish and comfy home for you and your family, don’t forget to stock up on the proper emergency supplies. We hope we never have to use them, but it’s wise to have them to avoid being caught off guard. When a calamity strikes, these items will help you respond appropriately, keep your family safe, and secure your home.
Here are some must-have items for your home emergency kit.
A Tool Kit
Let’s face it: you are more likely to face a burst pipe or an overflowing toilet before you encounter an extreme natural event. Knowing how to handle these small but destructive emergencies before calling in a specialist can help you prevent costly damages.
Put together a tool kit to help you when you need to make urgent repairs. It should include a hammer, pliers, a small hand saw, a utility knife, screwdrivers, duct tape, and a crescent wrench. With these simple hand tools, available from any reliable hardware store, will help you tackle plumbing, electrical, and other small emergencies before a professional arrives.
First Aid Kit
A first aid kit will help you address many emergencies ranging from slip-and-fall injuries, kitchen burns, cuts, to high fevers. You can put one together yourself or purchase a ready-made kit. Must-have supplies include bandages, gloves, sterilization wipes, tapes, scissors, a thermometer, antibiotic ointment, flashlight, and a seven-day supply of prescription medications.
Place the kit in a visible and easily accessible location, and make sure it’s waterproof. Don’t forget to routinely check whether any of the items are expired or need to be replenished. When you can’t access a health facility on time, a first aid kit can save lives.
Emergency Radio
Communication is vital, especially in extreme disasters such as storms and wildfires. You need to learn what the authorities are recommending, what help is coming, and the location of response teams. Without power, you can’t tell what’s going on. A solar or battery-powered radio offers a reliable way of getting emergency broadcasts when cell networks go down, or your cell phone battery dies.
Generator
A backup generator isn’t just meant to keep your TV running when there is a power disruption. During a crisis, it can keep your most essential equipment functioning. First, it will keep your food in good condition in your fridge until it’s safe to go outside. It can also power a space to keep your pipes from freezing and bursting if your furnace malfunctions. You can also count on it when making an emergency fix using a power tool.
Food and Water
Most disasters affect the water supply, and if there is water coming out of your tap, it could be unsafe to drink. To prevent dehydration, store drinking and cooking water that can last your family seven days. When it comes to food, don’t rely entirely on your fridge for storage.
Store enough non-perishable, ready-to-eat food that can keep your family satisfied for two weeks. Include nutritious canned food and energy bars. Remember to replace your supplies every five months to keep the food fresh. You should also have a camping stove to prepare meals and to boil water.
Start Preparing Early
The hardest part of preparing for an emergency is that you never know what is coming and when. Planning ahead will help you ride out minor and major emergencies without putting your family or property at risk. The best way to prepare is to create an emergency preparedness stockpile. Start gathering the right tools, get a first aid kit, and store enough water and food to help you through any difficult situation that comes your way.
