No matter where you live, it is important that you are prepared for emergencies. You should have a fire evacuation plan that your whole family knows. You should have discussed the plans for any natural disaster or major weather event that is possible in your area with all the members of your family. 

Being prepared for an emergency is the best way to keep your family safe. We can never know exactly what is going to happen, but there are some things we can do to help stay safe.

Every Home Needs an Emergency Kit

You should have your essential emergency needs in one place in your home. In every emergency kit, there are some things you need.

1. Communications Device

This should include low tech and modern options. The low tech options should be things like emergency whistles and signaling mirrors. If you were to be trapped in your home after a tornado, earthquake, or flood, a whistle would allow you to call for help with much less fatigue.

In addition to your low tech options, you should have more modern communication devices. A weather radio will help you be prepared for additional weather that may follow an initial event, like tornados after a hurricane. 

Ideally, an emergency kit weather radio will operate without batteries, either through solar power, or a crank charge. This will let you use it no matter what happens. 

In addition to your weather radio, you should have charged battery back ups for your cell phone, so you can call for help if you are trapped in your home without power for an extended period of time. 

2. Water

A human can only survive two or three days without fresh water. In a disaster situation, water supplies can become tainted, and leave you with no running water.

You should have enough clean drinkable water for several days. This can be used for drinking or hygiene purposes. Water treatment solutions are also helpful additions to your emergency kit. 

3. Food

Food included in your emergency kit should be non-perishable, and calorically dense. You want as many nutrients as possible, without taking up a lot of space. 

Emergency kit foods should have long shelf lives. You should take an inventory of expiration dates at least once or twice a year, and replace food items as needed.

Food that goes in your emergency kit should not require cooking to be eaten. Military MREs (Meals, ready to eat) are a good option, since they are designed for soldiers in the field, and can be eaten at room temp, but often have a chemical warming packet that lets you heat them up without an outside heat source.

Other options for emergency food include canned goods like ravioli or compact nutrient bars. 

4. Regionally Specific Needs

Depending on what type of emergencies you expect to face in your area, you should pack for additional needs. 

If you expect to face severe winter weather, emergency heat, blankets, and perhaps gloves and socks are helpful. 

If you have to evacuate for floods and hurricanes, having your items in a waterproof carry bag may be helpful.

If you are in an area prone to tornadoes, you may want to put bicycle helmets in your kit for collapsing walls. 

Put Your Kit Together

Now that you have all these elements, put them together in a durable container in an accessible location. Make sure all the members of your family know where to find this kit, and keep it maintained.

One easy option is to purchase a ready made kit. Having a complete kit lets you know you have all the important items in one place. 

In summary, every home needs an emergency kit with all the essentials in one central location, in a readily identifiable container.