It doesn't matter where you live, disaster kits are essential. There are a lot of reasons that many people are not prepared when disaster strikes. Creating a disaster kit list and actually putting it together takes time, money, effort, and it is seen as an unnecessary inconvenience. Fortunately, you can eliminate all of these issues by purchasing a natural disaster survival kit.
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Buying a pre-built home disaster kit is much less expensive than buying everything separately. Plus, you get the benefit of buying a disaster kit that is based on the specifications of government agencies and industry experts. Once you order an emergency survival kit, it can be delivered right to your door. As a result, you spend less time, less money, and feel confident that you have everything you need.
Every Home Needs a Disaster Kit
Over the past several years, the government has released a laundry list of disasters that they consider to be real threats to their citizens. The problem is that most people don't take them seriously, so they don't purchase a disaster kit.
The unpredictable threats that you and your family are vulnerable to include: blizzards, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes/tornadoes, storm surges, wildfires, landslides, industrial accidents, and even terrorist attacks. Every level of government in North America has created a list of risks specific to their citizens and it is more extensive than you could ever imagine, which makes a disaster survival kit essential.
A Disaster Kit Prepares For the Aftermath, Not the Disaster
With so many potential threats, you may be wondering how a single kit could cover them all. The key is developing a home disaster kit based upon the common outcomes, not the actual disaster.
Most Disasters Lead to Similar Situations
Looking at the list of disasters, they can all leave you in a similar situation. First, you likely won't have any electricity. Plus, anytime that a disaster is severe enough to cut out your electricity, it also has the potential to cut off your water supply as well. This not only leaves you with nothing to eat or drink, but also takes away the ability to maintain your hygiene.
Your Disaster Kit Needs to Be Comprehensive Yet Lightweight
The trick to building a useful emergency kit is including as much as possible, while also keeping it lightweight. Your kit won't do you any good if you can't carry it. This means that when you are building a disaster kit, you should focus on items that are versatile. Plus, if you can include one tool that can replace three others, then you quickly make your kit much lighter and no less useful.
Experts Agree - Your Disaster Kit Needs These 7 Things
While there is not a universal survival checklist, they are all fairly similar. There will be some variance, but it quickly become evident what items should be at the top of your priority list when creating your kit.
Your Disaster Kit Should Allow You to Maintain Your Body For 72 Hours
Experts agree that when you are packing food and water for your disaster kit, you should include enough to last for at least 72 hours/3 days. The reason for this is that every government states that it could take up to three days for emergency services to mobilize and rescue you. Most people choose to store non-perishable, canned food items, however this can make your kit extremely heavy. Opting to include calorie-dense nutrition bars will prove to be more efficient because they are lightweight and ensure that you receive enough nutrition.
Water gets a little trickier because safely storing three days of water can be difficult. Including a combination of water and water purification tablets is an excellent compromise because you get immediate access to water without the extra weight.
Include Items in Your Disaster Kit That Will Help You Get Found
One of the biggest reasons that emergency rescue personnel don't find people is because they can't locate them. By including multiple methods of alerting them to your position in your natural disaster survival kit, you exponentially increase your chances of being found. The two most important senses to focus on is sight and sound. Items like a flashlight, emergency candle, and glow sticks provide you with multiple ways to be seen. Adding a versatile survival whistle so it can be used to get their attention, even if they are not nearby.
Your Disaster Kit Should Protect You From the Elements
There is no way to know if you will have shelter following a disaster. Threats like earthquakes and tornadoes can quickly leave you without a stable home. Another possibility is that you will need to evacuate. A few lightweight items in your disaster survival kit can make a big differences when you are in need of shelter. Some of the best things to include in your disaster survival kit are durable survival blankets, ponchos, and small tube tents.
Only Include Versatile Tools in Your Disaster Survival Kit
Packing a bunch of tools is the fastest way to weigh down your disaster survival kit. To prevent this, you should focus on how versatile and useful each tool is when deciding what to include in your disaster kit. Keep in mind you may not have electricity, so nothing that requires power should be in your disaster survival kit. Some of the best tools to add to your emergency disaster survival kit includes a tarp, duct tape, pry bar, and a multi-function knife.
Don't Forget About Hygiene and Sanitation When Packing a Disaster Survival Kit
The last thing that you are going to think about is taking a shower, but poor hygiene and sanitation can quickly become major problems. Including items like tissue packs and small hygiene kits in your disaster survival kit can go a long way. You should also include some toilet bags with chemicals and an air freshener as well. In the spirit of versatility, try to keep your disaster survival kit in a bucket with a toilet seat instead of a backpack.
A Comprehensive First Aid Kit Should be in Every Disaster Survival Kit
It should be no surprise that experts agree a comprehensive first aid kit should be included in every natural disaster survival kit. Without first aid, even the smallest injuries can quickly turn life threatening. One of the biggest risks after getting injured in a disaster is infection. By including a first aid kit it will give you everything that you need to keep your body as healthy as possible.
Include a Few Games in Your Disaster Survival Kit
You may not realize it, but even after a disaster you need to have an activity to get your mind off of things. Boredom and silence often lead to isolation and despair. None of these are helpful characteristics after your world gets turned upside down. Even something simple like including a deck of cards could make the difference.
Stop making excuses for why your home doesn't have an emergency disaster survival kit. We offer high quality disaster kits that has been strategically built around the recommendations of preparedness experts and it will save you time and money.
