Have An Emergency Preparedness Kit

By Paulette Short


Have an emergency preparedness kit and you will be ready for natural and man-made disasters. They are not difficult to put together and store easily. Just a little planning ahead can save you and your family stress, discomfort, and maybe lives.

Most often the disasters experienced are due to acts of nature. These include, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires. All over the world there have been volcanic eruptions, landslides, earthquakes and acts of terrorism. Everyone of these events can lead to a halt in traffic, no electricity, and no forms of phone communication.

It is important to first have a plan put together for yourself and your family. Create an evacuation plan. Know where everyone will go or meet in case of a disaster. It is also important to be aware of which disaster may occur naturally in your area and where safe places are located. Have at least one family member, two would be better, trained in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and first aid.

It is vital to have a kit prepared. In it you must have at least one gallon of water for each person per day. Have regular household chlorine bleach to sanitize water if it is needed. If water is unsafe, you can add sixteen drops of liquid bleach to one gallon of water to make it safe for drinking. Do not use the type that is scented, color safe or have any added cleaners. It can also be used as a disinfectant by mixing one part bleach to nine parts water.

Food can be easy to store if you consider using Military Ready to Eat packets (MRE). These packages have one complete meal in each packet. They also hold up very well in storage because they can withstand rough handling and exposure to the elements. Other items to include would be protein bars, crackers, and even some hard candy to lift spirits.

You will need a dependable light source. There are glow sticks good for one use and there is a new product on the market that is reusable. This product can be charged with a few minutes of day light or seconds from an intense light source, such as your flashlight. A good flashlight is still a must as are fresh batteries. A portable radio with weather channels preset are also a good idea.

You will also need a first aid kit. Stock it with sterile gloves, sterile dressings to stop any bleeding, a cleansing agent, antibiotic ointment, burn ointment, and a variety of bandages. Also, include any prescription medication and include aspirin, an anti-diarrhea medication, scissors, tweezers, and a tube of petroleum jelly. Do not forget a fire starting kit or moisture proof matches.

Include any other items you may require for comfort. Blankets, warm clothing, a change of cloths, large garbage bags, and sleeping bags can help ease some of the stress of dealing with a natural or man-made disaster. Plan ahead and know what it will take to keep you and your family fed, hydrated, and warm for at least three days. Have an emergency preparedness kit, keep it up to date and store it somewhere easy to get to.




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