Emergencies happen and they can cause communication failures, power failures and other inconveniences. It is important to have emergency supplies in a reliable, sturdy container. Your emergency preparedness supplies should be enough to last for seventy-two hours. In the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster it is possible that it will take several days for help to arrive. If you prepare a kit with your emergency preparedness supplies, you will be caring for your family. You will have peace of mind in case of any unexpected event. There are emergency kits available that contain all of the emergency supplies you will need for three days. These would contain medications and some personal, necessary items.
To get your emergency preparedness supplies together there are some steps you will need to take. First, you will need a container to hold all of the supplies. Backpacks, sturdy bags with shoulder straps or plastic buckets with a tight fitting lid are all good suggestions. You are going to need food, shelter, clothing, basic tools and water.
You need to have some water. Water is heavy and necessary. You should have three gallons of water next to your kit. Take at least one and all three if possible. Water purification tablets also need to be included. This will allow you to get more water if necessary, using the empty gallon to purify the water.
Your hygienic needs will need supplies as well. You should have hand sanitizer, toilet paper, toothbrush and paste, comb and brush and tampons. Most stores have travel sizes of deodorant and other toiletries. They should be adequate. Your hygienic items should be in a Ziploc bag. Additional bags and trash bags should also be in the pack. You will need to dispose of waste.
You may need shelter. If you do not have a backpacking tent, take a couple of tarps and some blankets. Take a good supply of rope to connect your tarps into a lean-to for shelter. It will also provide you with a place to keep your clothes. You should have a complete change of clothing. This includes long sleeved shirt, pants, underwear, shoes and socks. A poncho and coat should also be part of your emergency preparedness supplies.
There should be enough non-perishable food to last 3 days. It should be food that can be eaten without the need for cooking. It should not require water or need refrigeration. Emergency supplies need to be stable and ready to eat. If there are any cans in your larder, don't forget a can opener or be sure you have cans that have pull-tabs.
Consider other types of emergencies. A first aid kit should be in your pack of emergency supplies. Sterile gauze, tape, latex gloves, creams and antibiotic ointments, Betadine, pain reliever, a first aid manual and any of your prescription medicines.
Have copies of all of your important documents in your kit. Birth certificates, wills, insurance, social security documents and bank account info should be considered vital parts of your emergency preparedness supplies. The feeling that you will be prepared if you have to leave your home unexpectedly, or if there is a storm or other natural disaster, will bring you comfort.
