Survival Kits -
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Purchasing survival kits is the hassle-free, smart way to begin preparing your family for emergencies. We recommend placing one in your home and each
vehicle.
An additional one at work would also be a good idea.There are many to choose from, so here are some basic things to consider:
- A good kit should come in a backpack or other simple carrying case
- The number of people in your house will determine how large a kit you should buy
- Some of them include food and water with long shelf lives
- You should consider supplementing them with specific items to round out your needs
A copy of your emergency plan should also be placed inside a ziplock bag and thrown in each kit.
Generally speaking, after supplementing your kit it should include the following:
- Boxed water with a long shelf life
- Water purification tablets
- Food - either meals or bars with a long shelf life
- Basic First Aid Kit
- Radio
- Flashlight
- Emergency blanket or sleeping bag (made of a special thin material)
- Poncho
- Matches
- Whistle
- Batteries
If you do not already have the kits you need, you can purchase them here. Download a free copy of our Survival Kit Checklist! You will need Adobe Reader to open and read it. The reader is available for download here.
A homemade survival kit is another option. If you make your own survival kit you may be able to save some money. However, decide what items you want and how many kits you need before making any purchases. The reason is that it could be more cost effective to start with a pre-stocked home emergency kit and then add to it. This is actually what we recommend.
You may also want to develop a specialized kit if you have a particular hobby. For instance if you do a lot of camping or backpacking, then adding some wilderness survival gear would be appropriate. If you are a private pilot, then you should have a survival bag to take in the airplane.
The idea is to be prepared in all places and at all times. You need to plan to survive. The contents of your kits will vary depending on the setting they are designed for.
The most important one is a home emergency kit. Your office or school may already be equipped. But unless you prepare your own home, then you are not protected.
As mentioned above, we also highly recommend planning to survive roadside emergencies. An emergency car kit for each vehicle should be stocked with basic tools, survival gear, and a first aid kit. Small food and water supplies are also encouraged. And flares and other safety equipment are essential.
Finally, make sure that everyone in your family knows where to locate the kit. Children should be taught how to use all survival gear. The more planning and education that you do the better prepared you will be.
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