Emergencies are usually unpredictable, and it’s far better to be prepared for emergencies by having a few essential emergency supplies than it is to try to find needed things after an emergency occurs. There are quite a few organizations that dedicate themselves to helping people put together earthquake or disaster preparedness kits. The emergency supplies that might be required in these kits doesn’t vary much except by where the kit is located and the number of people who are likely to be present during an emergency.
Sometimes emergency kits are organized by length of days a person might need to survive without access to medical care, water, or food sources. In this case a three-day kit could require a flashlight, preferably one that can be cranked, battery powered, solar powered and recharged. It’s also helpful to have a battery or crank radio, and people can find flashlight/radios that are combined together. The emergency kit should also contain food for three days that is non-perishable and doesn’t need to be cooked. Multiply food needs by number of people likely to be present.
Some emergencies leave people without access to safe drinking water. It’s important to keep drinking water on hand, preferably in plastic bottles. Exactly how much water can depend on needs of the people involved. Some people like to have multiple small bottles of water available, which may be cleaner than a larger gallon (3.79 liters) size bottle. Consider having about a half gallon of water per person for each day of an emergency. A family of four should probably stock six gallons (22.71 liters) to cover water needs for three days.
Emergency supplies should include any medications a person depends on for survival. Again this supply should be at least sufficient for three days, and longer if the nature of an emergency could cut people off from medical care for a longer time period. Be sure to observe prescription expiration dates on bottles to make certain that meds don’t expire while they sit in an emergency kit.
Along with prescription medications, emergency supplies should include some common over the counter meds. Valuable ones to purchase would include anti-diarrhea meds, antacids and fever reducers or those medications that offer some pain relief. People may also want to stock antiseptic lotion and antibiotic ointment to treat minor injuries.
Most people should have other emergency supplies that are medical in nature. These include gloves, scissors, gauze pads, band-aids in a variety of sizes, and tape. It’s usually easy to obtain a good first aid kit by purchasing one already prepared at a drug store. Several kits may be required if a number of people might need access to the kit.
Other emergency supplies should include blankets, a change of clothing, some trash bags, a can opener and disposable cups, plates, forks and knives. Providing soap, waterless handwash, and some supplies for personal hygiene is valuable too. Periodically inspect any emergency supplies to make certain that everything is still useable by date, and that there has been no damage to any sealed items.
