Why Being Prepared Matters

Be prepared, is our motto! First and foremost, emergencies often happen quickly, leaving little time to gather essentials. For this reason, preparing ahead of time ensures you’ll have the resources you need without the stress of last-minute scrambling. Moreover, being organized not only helps during the emergency but also makes recovery much smoother afterward.

Create an Emergency Plan

Before assembling your emergency supplies, start with a plan. It’s essential to know what to do, where to go, and how to communicate during a crisis.

Communication is Key

Decide how you’ll contact family members if cell service goes down. Walkie-talkies or a solar or hand cranked radio can be useful alternatives.

Escape Routes: Identify exits from your home and safe spots in your neighborhood.

Meeting Points: Establish a place where your family can reunite if you get separated.

Prepare a Go Bag

Once your plan is in place, the next step to getting prepared is to gather supplies. A well-stocked emergency kit should include essentials to help you survive for at least 72 hours. You’ll also want to assemble a go bag with clothing, medication + irreplaceable items.

Let’s Start with the Basics

Start with these must-haves.

Water: At least one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation. A water filtration system like the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is also a smart addition.

Non-Perishable Food: Stock up on high-energy options like granola bars, canned goods, and freeze-dried meals. We love putting instant coffee + travel creamers. It’s nice to have stuff that is of comfort and routine.

First Aid Kit: Include bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any personal medications. 

Beyond the basics, don’t forget these essentials:

Flashlights and Batteries: A reliable flashlight like this LED lantern can make a big difference during power outages and don’t forget to have extra batteries as well. A solar power bank can also be a geat addition.

Multi-Tool: A multi-purpose tool can help with everything from opening cans to fixing small issues.

Emergency Blankets: Lightweight thermal blankets are perfect for staying warm in extreme conditions.

Prepare Your Home

Now that you’ve created a plan and assembled a kit, it’s time to organize your home for emergencies.

Designate a Storage Area: Keep your emergency kit in an easily accessible location. A weathertight bin is ideal.

Secure Heavy Items: For earthquake preparedness, anchor bookshelves, TVs, and other heavy furniture to the wall.

Know How to Shut Off Utilities: Familiarize yourself with your home’s gas, water, and electricity shut-off valves. A wrench like the Ready America Emergency Gas Shut-Off Wrench is a useful addition to your kit.

Staying Informed

It’s equally important to be prepared on how to stay updated during an emergency. So, we suggest to sign up for local alert systems or apps like Watch Duty, that provide real-time updates. Also, a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio, so you can stay informed even if cell service is down.

Practice + Review

Though you have done everything to get prepared, it isn’t a one-and-done task. Instead, it’s something you should revisit regularly.

Test your plan with family drills at least twice a year.

Likewise, check your emergency kit for expired items or dead batteries twice a year.

Also, stay informed about potential risks in your area, because things can change quickly. Meanwhile, think about the time of year it is and adjust your plan as needed.

Additional Items to Consider

While the essentials are non-negotiable, there are still a few more items to take your preparedness to the next level:

Portable Power Bank: Keep your devices charged with a solar-powered bank.

Fire Extinguisher: A compact fire extinguisher like the First Alert Home Fire Extinguisher can be a lifesaver.

Pet Supplies: Don’t forget food, water, and comfort items for your furry friends.

Some Final Thoughts

Lastly, being prepared for an emergency might seem overwhelming at first, but taking it step by step makes it manageable. By creating a plan, organizing your supplies, and staying informed, you’ll certainly be ready for whatever challenges come your way. Furthermore, these small actions can make a big difference in keeping you and your loved ones safe.

We also have a blog about Building your Emergency Kit with some more insights!