How to Stock Disaster Survival Supplies
Since you never know when something unexpected can happen, like a wildfire, ice storm or hurricane, it's a good idea to have some disaster supplies on hand that can help you-- and your family-- if you're bound to your home for a significant period of time. It's also good to keep a disaster survival kit in your car for emergencies on the road or for if you need to leave your home without preparation in the event that disaster strikes. Leave one at the office too in case an emergency happens while you're at work.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Waterproof containers
- Food
- Water
- Flashlight and batteries
- Emergency radio
- First aid kit
- Space blankets
- Medication and hygiene items
- Matches
- Identification
Instructions
-
-
1
Find a waterproof container to store your supplies in, such as a GoreTex backpack or a rubber bin. You don't want your kit to get ruined in a natural disaster before you have a chance to use the items inside it. A container that is waterproof and fireproof is even better, but a fireproof safe can be heavy, making it hard to carry when you're rushing out of the house.
-
2
Buy your disaster supplies. The federal government recommends that you have at least three days' worth of food and water on hand per family member. This equates to about a gallon of water (or three standard bottles) per person. All of the food should be nonperishable, such as unsalted crackers, soup or canned tuna. Cater the amount of food to how much each member of your family will eat, and include baby food if you have any infants. Also add a high powered flashlight with extra batteries, an emergency radio (preferably solar or crank powered), a first aid kit, required prescription medicines and hygiene items, space blankets (made of a metallic material meant to withstand extreme cold), matches and identification. Don't forget supplies for any pets.
-
-
3
Put all of your supplies in your waterproof container. If you have a lot of supplies, don't try to fit them into one pack or bin. Instead, separate them into multiple containers so that they will be easy to carry if you need to make a quick exit. Place each container in an area that is cool and as dark as possible. In the home, this would be the basement or bottom of a closet. In your car, of course, store the items in the trunk. In your office, either a desk drawer or storage closet is a good bet.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Replace food and water with new supplies after six months so it doesn't have a chance to go bad. If your canned food doesn't have pop tops, include a can opener in your kit. Sit down with your family and put together a disaster response plan. Assign each person a task to do in case of emergencies. Even young children can help by locating pets or calling 911.
