Here’s Some Things You Would Want To Have At Home In Case Of An Emergency

Emergencies can arise rapidly and seemingly out of nowhere, so being prepared is a great way to mitigate the problems that may arise during one. While it may seem like a no-brainer that you'll need food and water, there are some other items that may be less obvious but also very important. For instance, whistles can make all the difference when trying to attract help. Also, what's the good of canned food if you don't have a can opener? Small details like hand warmers and matches can become significant in a state of emergency. Read on to see what other items can increase your preparedness.

Water Is Vital To Life

Leslie Anneliese/Pixabay
Leslie Anneliese/Pixabay

It seems obvious that you need water to live, but in the event of an emergency, your Brita won't cut it. You'll want to have one gallon of water per person in your household for each day that the emergency lasts.

When counting the people in your household, don't forget to count pets! The last thing anyone wants is to have a pet who got sick from drinking non-treated water. You won't want to carry a million little bottles either, so the bigger the container the better.

ADVERTISEMENT

Non-Perishable Food Will Keep You Going

ADVERTISEMENT
Joenomias/Pixabay
Joenomias/Pixabay
ADVERTISEMENT

Canned food is a must during an emergency since it lasts for extended periods of time and doesn't require refrigeration. Remember that whatever food you keep around won't only need to last, but will also need to be able to survive in varying temperatures.

ADVERTISEMENT

This also includes pet food, which is generally non-perishable anyways. If you're someone who only makes their pet food, be sure that you have some canned or dry pet food when worst-case-scenario planning.

ADVERTISEMENT

Batteries May Be Your Only Source Of Power

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Willfried Wende/Pixabay
Willfried Wende/Pixabay
ADVERTISEMENT

During an emergency, you may experience a power outage for an unknown amount of time. There are multiple things on this list that will require power, all of which should be battery-operated so that you can use them regardless of the electricity situation.

ADVERTISEMENT

That being said, an extra pack of AA batteries may not be enough. You'll want to take inventory of the battery size requirements of everything in your emergency kit and make sure that you have enough to last even longer than your other items, like food, so that you can communicate if you're in need of help.

ADVERTISEMENT

A Cordless Radio Can Be Vital For Communication

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Rayan Almuslem/Unsplash
Rayan Almuslem/Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT

As cheesy as it may sound, what do people in the movies often do when all else fails? They try to radio for help. While we have a few other items on this list to help ensure your access to a phone, when lines are down radios are the ultimate backup plan.

ADVERTISEMENT

Many cordless radios are battery-powered, but some have additional powering options like solar panels and hand cranks. When you're without things like a television or internet access, a radio will also keep you apprised of vital news updates.

ADVERTISEMENT

If Problems Arise, A First Aid Kit Is Your Best Friend

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
first-aid
Steve Buissinne/Pixabay
Steve Buissinne/Pixabay
ADVERTISEMENT

During an emergency, tiny problems can become exacerbated without the proper tools to squash them immediately. No one wants to deal with an infected cut when basic needs are hard enough to cover.

ADVERTISEMENT

A first aid kit should be equipped with things like gauze, ointments, bandages, and more to ensure that everyday nuisances don't become all-out travesties in the case of an emergency. It also should have some handy tools like tweezers, sticky tape, and sterile gloves that may come in handy in more ways than one.

ADVERTISEMENT

Medications Can Make A Huge Difference

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
medicine
Pexels/Pixabay
Pexels/Pixabay
ADVERTISEMENT

Modern medicine has made a huge impact on human longevity and quality of life, and you don't want that to change the moment a crisis hits. Having over-the-counter medicine on hand like pain relievers or antidiarrheals can help you push through a difficult situation.

ADVERTISEMENT

Additionally, prescription medications like insulin or an inhaler should be a top priority when experiencing an emergency. Having these sorts of medications on hand can help to mitigate the problems that may arise.

ADVERTISEMENT

A Flashlight Can Help Minimize Danger

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
man-holding-a-flashlight
Andreas Dress/Unsplash
Andreas Dress/Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT

While candles can be helpful during a momentary blackout, they aren't as realistic when it comes to an emergency. They are added weight, don't last as long, emit little light, and are rendered useless with a simple gust of wind.

ADVERTISEMENT

In an emergency, a flashlight may end up being one of your only light sources. This is vital since you are far more vulnerable in the dark. Even menial tasks like opening up a can of food can become dangerous if you can't see what you're doing.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cash May Be The Only Allotted Tender

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Sharon McCutcheon/Unsplash
Sharon McCutcheon/Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT

During an emergency, stores may become unable to accept credit cards due to the system being down, a power outage, issues with the bank, and a variety of other reasons. This is why having cash on hand is crucial.

ADVERTISEMENT

It's best to consistently keep some cash around in case something goes awry. Whether it's an extra $20 bill in your wallet or a wad of cash kept in a safe, having a form of payment during an emergency can provide you with things you may have forgotten or run out of.

ADVERTISEMENT

Whistles And Flares Can Signal For Help

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Thomas Starke/Getty Images
Thomas Starke/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

In case of an emergency, you'll want to have a way to alert others that you need assistance. Flares are great for getting attention to faraway places, but you only have one opportunity per flare.

ADVERTISEMENT

Whistles are great because they are ever-lasting so long as you or someone else can must up the breath, but they can't reach the distance that a flare can as they require someone to be within earshot. That's why having both forms of signals can be an ideal combination.

ADVERTISEMENT

Plastic Sheeting Can Help Block Air Contamination

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Mike St Maur Sheil/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images
Mike St Maur Sheil/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

If you find yourself in the kind of emergency where you need to shelter-in-place, plastic sheeting and duct tape may help. The material can be used to seal airways like windows, air vents, and door jambs when the air is contaminated outside.

ADVERTISEMENT

The material can even be used to block electrical outlets from allowing in potentially harmful contaminants. According to Emergency Ready, it can also offer protection against hazardous materials, bad weather, fire, and biological, chemical, and radiological attacks.

ADVERTISEMENT

Portable Cell Phone Chargers Are A Huge Help

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Simon Lees/Tap Magazine via Getty Images
Simon Lees/Tap Magazine via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

While you can't guarantee that you'll have service during an emergency, it would be wise to keep your cell phone as an option for as long as possible. Especially if you have a smartphone, you never know when you'll find a connection.

ADVERTISEMENT

To ensure that you can use your mobile for as long as possible, be sure to have portable cell phone chargers that are already powered up. Battery-powered or solar chargers offer an additional line of defense in an emergency.

ADVERTISEMENT

Moist Towelettes Can Keep You Clean

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Gordon Chibroski/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images
Gordon Chibroski/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

For anyone who has ever been camping, you know how much moist towelettes matter after even just a couple of days without a shower. During an emergency, it's important to have several on hand since you may not have access to a bathroom.

ADVERTISEMENT

These towelettes will also help you cut down on how many items you bring with you as they can act as a basic supplement for your hygiene needs. They are especially handy since they don't require water, and the last thing you want to do is waste your supply on bathing.

ADVERTISEMENT

Keep Warm With Blankets

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Jose de la Cruz/Unsplash
Jose de la Cruz/Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT

During an emergency, it's important to consolidate by grabbing only the most necessary items. Blankets are absolutely on that list, more so than sheets or a pillow, since blankets provide not only comfort but also safety.

ADVERTISEMENT

Particularly in colder climates, you'll need the warmth of a good blanket or sleeping bag just to survive a night away from home. Use your best judgment, starting with one blanket per person in warmer climates.

ADVERTISEMENT

Important Documents Can Help Get You From A To B

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Helloquence/Unsplash
Helloquence/Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT

Many of us have experienced the frustration of not having a needed document at the doctor's office or the DMV. During an emergency especially, you'll want to have all the important documents you may need to minimize any confusion or complications.

ADVERTISEMENT

Keep copies of insurance policies, identification, bank records, etc. in a waterproof bag as an added backup to what you have in your wallet. This precaution will help to ensure that you can prove who you are at any given time.

ADVERTISEMENT

Matches Can Provide A Heat Source

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Devin Avery/Unsplash
Devin Avery/Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT

Getting a fire started is challenging enough without lighter fluid and ideal conditions, let alone when you don't have a fire source to get things going. During an emergency, fire is one of the most important commodities as it can provide warmth and a way to cook.

ADVERTISEMENT

That's why matches can be such a useful resource. Ensure that you not only have them on hand in case of an emergency but also that you keep them in a waterproof container so you can use them when you need them.

ADVERTISEMENT

A Fire Extinguisher Can Keep Things Under Control

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
chitsu san/Pixabay
chitsu san/Pixabay
ADVERTISEMENT

It's always good to have a fire extinguisher on hand just in case, but especially during an emergency. Whether its a fire that caused the emergency or not, a fire extinguisher could help mitigate future problems that may arise during trying times.

ADVERTISEMENT

If you have a large portion of the public-facing a dilemma together, it will likely be more difficult to receive help from the authorities if they are busy with several other problems. The more self-sufficient you can be during an emergency, the better.

ADVERTISEMENT

One Change Of Clothing Is All You Need

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
folding-clothes
Sarah Brown/Unsplash
Sarah Brown/Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT

If you have to leave your home due to an emergency, you may be tempted to either race out the door or grab your entire closet. A happy medium is to throw one change of clothing into a bag to take with you.

ADVERTISEMENT

The reason one change of clothing is the ideal number is that it enables you to wash one outfit while you're wearing the other. Any more clothes will just take up that much more space in your bag.

ADVERTISEMENT

If Your Town Floods, Get A Life Raft

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
life-raft
imordaf/Pixabay
imordaf/Pixabay
ADVERTISEMENT

When you think of life rafts, you probably imagine boats and cruise ships. Particularly in an emergency, sinking ships aren't the only places you may need a life raft.

ADVERTISEMENT

If you've seen the news lately, then you know that it's possible for homes to become overrun by water, to the point that the streets turn into rivers. If you live in an area that is at risk for extreme flooding, a life raft could save you and your belongings from becoming completely submerged.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hand Warmers Are A Must In Freezing Weather

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
hand-warmer
David Caudery/PhotoPlus Magazine/Future via Getty Images
David Caudery/PhotoPlus Magazine/Future via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

If you live in an area that reaches freezing temperatures, hand warmers can make a tremendous difference in the cold. These are little packets that contain substances, such as iron and activated carbon, that have a chemical reaction that produces heat.

ADVERTISEMENT

To activate the hand warmers, all you need to do is remove them from their packaging and give them a good shake. Slip them into a glove or mitten and they will keep your hands warm for much longer than your body could do on its own.

ADVERTISEMENT

Order Ready Emergency Preparedness Publications

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Ready.gov/Getty Images
Ready.gov/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Ready.gov has a variety of free publications that you can order online. These forms are broken down into the categories "General Preparedness," "Community Emergency Response Team Materials," "Financial Preparedness," and "Youth Preparedness."

ADVERTISEMENT

The pamphlets are full of checklists and advice that may be helpful to review prior to an emergency or to at least have on hand in the event of one. Uncertainty can make difficult times feel worse, so being as prepared as possible is your best defense.