How to Pack an Emergency Kit for the House
Look at the Things You'll Need to see what your kit should contain., Make a first aid kit if you don't already have one., Determine what hazards exist in your local area., Write a plan based on the hazards, then build a kit to support the plan...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Look at the Things You'll Need to see what your kit should contain.
In an emergency you, a loved one, or even a neighbour could be cut, burned or injured in some other way.
If you have these basic supplies you are better prepared to help people when they are hurt. , Contact your local emergency manager and ask.
If your location does not have an emergency manager, check with your county or state emergency management official for assistance. ,, In the event of a disaster, power will be out and batteries will be unavailable, sold out.
The latest models have the "Weatherband/Emergency Band" and will also charge your cell phone, thus if your cell phone fails in a disaster, it will be that the cell phone towers, their infrastructure will be damaged, even destroyed. it also doesn't hurt to have a satellite phone which can be used with out a cell tower it connects to orbiting satellites. , Depending on where you live, you might need different things in an emergency such as flood, hurricane, tornado.
Of course there are a few things that you should have regardless of location. , These are especially helpful if you must evacuate and emergency routes may involve detours. ,, If you can't pick up everything at once you should add an item or two to each shopping trip. , Your first aid kit should contain:
A minimum of two pairs of Latex gloves for the smallest kit.
Remember, it may be a stranger who needs your help and having a latex barrier will help prevent infection.
Use vinyl gloves if you or a family member is allergic to Latex.
Latex allergies can be severe.
Keep more pairs in your disaster kit that will evacuate with you.
You may go through several pairs in one emergency.
Check the integrity of the gloves if they've been stored in changing temperatures.
They may become brittle.
Sometimes gloves deeper in a box may still be good so don't toss the box because the first few pairs are bad.
Look through them all.
Sterile dressings to stop bleeding. (Look for bulky dressings called surgical pads in health supply stores) Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect.
Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
Burn ointment to relieve pain.
Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes Gauze pads Micropore tape Tweezers Scissors Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or sterile saline as general decontaminate.
Sterile saline is available in litter bottles in health supply stores.
Thermometer Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers.
You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates and have a plan for refrigerated insulin.
Over the counter pain medicine (Like Tylenol and Advil) and an antihistamine (Like Benadryl).
Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies. ,, This does not have to be expensive.
Just a large waterproof box with a lid.
These are available in the storage sections of most discount stores.
It should be small enough so that in an emergency, you can roll it into your car, yard, or home in just a few minutes.
Look for something with wheels and/or handles.
Consider placing kits in your home, car, and workplace.
You never know where you'll be when an emergency strikes.
Use backpacks or plastic tool boxes for jump and run bags.
Keep everything sorted with clear zip sandwich, quart or gallon bags.
For worker/s in large urban areas keep a backpack under your desk which contains water, energy bars, flashlight, spare socks and good walking shoes in case public transportation is disrupted. , Water is the most essential life sustaining resource.
Keeping water (in clean plastic bottles) in your home, car trunk, and workplace will keep you hydrated when you're under stress.
You may need more water for children, nursing mothers, the elderly or if you live in a warm climate.
You may need to add electrolyte replacement drinks (Gatorade or Powerade) to replace valuable minerals in warm or humid weather or if you will be very active. ,,, Buy ready-to- go meal kits that can feed multiples. -
Step 2: Make a first aid kit if you don't already have one.
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Step 3: Determine what hazards exist in your local area.
-
Step 4: Write a plan based on the hazards
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Step 5: then build a kit to support the plan.
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Step 6: Purchase "Self Powered Flashlights" and "Self Powered Radios".
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Step 7: Pack according to location.
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Step 8: Pack a map in your kit.
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Step 9: Gather together the items on the list that you already have at home.
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Step 10: Keep a running list.
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Step 11: Designate a first aid kit for emergency or disaster and one for everyday use.
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Step 12: Go to the store to buy the items you don't already have.
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Step 13: Obtain a waterproof box.
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Step 14: Stay hydrated!
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Step 15: Keep at least a three-day supply of the items listed in the "Things You'll Need" section (below) in the box.
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Step 16: Consider other things you might need--especially things such as medication
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Step 17: bandages
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Step 18: firearms
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Step 19: or other things according to age
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Step 20: location
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Step 21: or health.
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Step 22: Don't forget to pack nonperishable food into your kit.
Detailed Guide
In an emergency you, a loved one, or even a neighbour could be cut, burned or injured in some other way.
If you have these basic supplies you are better prepared to help people when they are hurt. , Contact your local emergency manager and ask.
If your location does not have an emergency manager, check with your county or state emergency management official for assistance. ,, In the event of a disaster, power will be out and batteries will be unavailable, sold out.
The latest models have the "Weatherband/Emergency Band" and will also charge your cell phone, thus if your cell phone fails in a disaster, it will be that the cell phone towers, their infrastructure will be damaged, even destroyed. it also doesn't hurt to have a satellite phone which can be used with out a cell tower it connects to orbiting satellites. , Depending on where you live, you might need different things in an emergency such as flood, hurricane, tornado.
Of course there are a few things that you should have regardless of location. , These are especially helpful if you must evacuate and emergency routes may involve detours. ,, If you can't pick up everything at once you should add an item or two to each shopping trip. , Your first aid kit should contain:
A minimum of two pairs of Latex gloves for the smallest kit.
Remember, it may be a stranger who needs your help and having a latex barrier will help prevent infection.
Use vinyl gloves if you or a family member is allergic to Latex.
Latex allergies can be severe.
Keep more pairs in your disaster kit that will evacuate with you.
You may go through several pairs in one emergency.
Check the integrity of the gloves if they've been stored in changing temperatures.
They may become brittle.
Sometimes gloves deeper in a box may still be good so don't toss the box because the first few pairs are bad.
Look through them all.
Sterile dressings to stop bleeding. (Look for bulky dressings called surgical pads in health supply stores) Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect.
Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
Burn ointment to relieve pain.
Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes Gauze pads Micropore tape Tweezers Scissors Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or sterile saline as general decontaminate.
Sterile saline is available in litter bottles in health supply stores.
Thermometer Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers.
You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates and have a plan for refrigerated insulin.
Over the counter pain medicine (Like Tylenol and Advil) and an antihistamine (Like Benadryl).
Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies. ,, This does not have to be expensive.
Just a large waterproof box with a lid.
These are available in the storage sections of most discount stores.
It should be small enough so that in an emergency, you can roll it into your car, yard, or home in just a few minutes.
Look for something with wheels and/or handles.
Consider placing kits in your home, car, and workplace.
You never know where you'll be when an emergency strikes.
Use backpacks or plastic tool boxes for jump and run bags.
Keep everything sorted with clear zip sandwich, quart or gallon bags.
For worker/s in large urban areas keep a backpack under your desk which contains water, energy bars, flashlight, spare socks and good walking shoes in case public transportation is disrupted. , Water is the most essential life sustaining resource.
Keeping water (in clean plastic bottles) in your home, car trunk, and workplace will keep you hydrated when you're under stress.
You may need more water for children, nursing mothers, the elderly or if you live in a warm climate.
You may need to add electrolyte replacement drinks (Gatorade or Powerade) to replace valuable minerals in warm or humid weather or if you will be very active. ,,, Buy ready-to- go meal kits that can feed multiples.
About the Author
Amanda Jones
Specializes in breaking down complex crafts topics into simple steps.
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