As our everyday lives proceed, people commonly fall into their daily routine and do not expect any sudden changes or unplanned events. Unfortunately, when disaster strikes, this means that most people are unprepared for the catastrophe’s repercussions. It is important that all families are prepared for any type of emergency or disaster. An excellent way to take precautions against the unexpected is to build one’s own personal survival kit. In the case of an emergency, these kits can help tide one over until help can arrive. The following is a list of necessary survival kit components for any person living in an urban or suburban area.
72 Hour Survival Kits – Preparedness For Your Family
Preparing 72 hour survival kits is a vital component of any family’s plan for surviving during and after a catastrophic event. Many things that are commonly taken for granted, like electricity and running water, may not be available in the wake of a disaster which makes preparedness even more important. Stashing away a few essential supplies is a great way to prepare the whole family for an unexpected event. Let each member of the family participate in the creation of a 72 hour survival kit. Discuss each component and how it would be useful in the event of an emergency and make certain the kit is located in a safe, easily accessible area.
Have You Prepared Your Home Survival Kits?
Have you prepared your home survival kits? Whether you own or rent a home, apartment, etc., it is essential to keep a current home survival kit in one or more safe places.
Consider where in the country you reside. Do you live in earthquake prone areas? Does your community get frequented by hurricanes or tornados? Do you live in a flood-prone area?
In the event of a major disaster, it can take days to receive help. It is important to plan to be self-sustaining while waiting for emergency help to arrive. This requires personal planning. There are disaster kits available through home improvement stores as well as on-line, however, these kits may not address personal needs for you and your family. How many people live with you? Does anyone in your family have special needs (medications, etc.)? Consider ages of family members. Are there children who will need formula and diapers? Do you have elderly members living with you? Do you have pets?
Always think of safety. Never take a fuel type lantern inside an enclosed structure. Never bring an outdoor cooking stove inside; people have died due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
When determining how to prepare your home survival kit, try to imagine yourself completely alone and what supplies you might need to stay alive.
Home survival kits should include at the minimum:
• Water: Consider 64 ounces per person per day times a minimum of two to three days – 7-10 days would even be better. Bottled water should be replaced every year. If storage space allows, consider investing in one and five gallon containers as well. Make notes on a yearly calendar to update water supplies. It is highly likely municipal water supplies will be unavailable; you will want a fresh water supply for drinking, washing, and cooking.
• Flashlights: Keep extra batteries; replace yearly. Lanterns or candles may be helpful. If there is a possibility of gas leaks, flashlights or even glow-in-dark type emergency lights would be safer to use.
• First aid: Injuries, both major and minor, often occur during disasters. Keep a fresh stock of bandages and gauze. Antiseptic ointments like Neosporin are extremely helpful in preventing infection.
• Medications: Keep a supply of any prescriptions necessary for survival. Will you need blood pressure medication? Portable oxygen? Will you need an EpiPen? (Epinephrine injections are used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions.)
Urban Survival Kits: What to Include and Why
An urban survival kit can help a family or individual live through the aftermath of a disaster. While a major city may receive a faster response than a rural region, there is no guarantee of aid or rescue immediately following a disaster. A survival kit will keep survivors alive until help can arrive. An urban survival kit can be divided into basic essentials and personal items.