By guest contributor Katherine Oakes
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via Modernize[/caption]
At
Modernize, we believe your home is your sanctuary and your shelter. In the chance that a natural disaster or unforeseen emergency should occur, it is important to know that your home is still that safe space. Even though imagining those worst-case scenarios can be difficult at first, knowing that you and your family will be safe despite the extreme circumstances will be enough to give you peace of mind.
Making sure that you and your loved ones are prepared for any sort of situation can seem like an overwhelming task. Where do you even begin? Start by narrowing it down and consider what items would be necessary to have stored in your home in case of an emergency. Since many of the incidents that occur and leave people stranded are due to natural disasters like hurricanes, storms, floods, earthquakes, or tornadoes, it’s more likely that you may be stuck in your home without power or access to clean water. Think about what kind of items and products you use on a daily basis and then make it more specific by asking yourself what you would actually need in order to
survive?
To help you get started, we’ve outlined some of the most important things to consider storing in your home in case of an emergency.
Water
At least half of the human body is comprised of water, and since dehydration can easily be one of the first things to seriously affect you when you are without it, it’s extremely important for keeping your area and yourself clean and hydrated. So as you are creating your plans, make sure that
water is at the top of your list. FEMA recommends storing at least one gallon per person per day for two weeks at minimum, and it will be even better if you have the space to store more.
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via The Emergency Food Assistance Program[/caption]
Food
If you are following the two week rule, then you’ll want to include enough
food in your emergency storage to adequately sustain you and the other members of your household for that amount of time. It is, of course, wise to store non-perishable items like canned food or packages that require water and to consider how many calories they will provide per person per day. However, if you have the means to store food that needs to be slightly cooked, you can use cooking equipment that doesn’t need electricity and is battery-powered to do so.
First Aid Kit
Having a well-stocked
first aid kit can make all the difference. There are plenty of kits for sale that come with all the essentials you might need. However, you can always create your own first aid kit by buying products individually and customizing it to your liking. Keep it nearby your food and water for convenience.
Other Functional Necessities
Add things like several flashlights, batteries, and matches, and candles to your storage as well. It’s also important to keep a hand-crank or battery-powered radio in your collection so that you can stay well informed throughout the process and know how to safely move forward with your loved ones. Also consider what daily medications you or others might need to have in case you cannot get more. Do your best to stock up and keep them in your first aid kit or in a safe place.
What are some other home necessities you have on hand for an emergency? Let us know in the comments!
via The Emergency Food Assistance Program[/caption]
Food
If you are following the two week rule, then you’ll want to include enough food in your emergency storage to adequately sustain you and the other members of your household for that amount of time. It is, of course, wise to store non-perishable items like canned food or packages that require water and to consider how many calories they will provide per person per day. However, if you have the means to store food that needs to be slightly cooked, you can use cooking equipment that doesn’t need electricity and is battery-powered to do so.
First Aid Kit
Having a well-stocked first aid kit can make all the difference. There are plenty of kits for sale that come with all the essentials you might need. However, you can always create your own first aid kit by buying products individually and customizing it to your liking. Keep it nearby your food and water for convenience.
Other Functional Necessities
Add things like several flashlights, batteries, and matches, and candles to your storage as well. It’s also important to keep a hand-crank or battery-powered radio in your collection so that you can stay well informed throughout the process and know how to safely move forward with your loved ones. Also consider what daily medications you or others might need to have in case you cannot get more. Do your best to stock up and keep them in your first aid kit or in a safe place.
What are some other home necessities you have on hand for an emergency? Let us know in the comments!
