I’m really heartbroken for everyone affected by disasters like pandemics, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. These events have caused so much hardship.
Having grown up in a hurricane-prone area, I’m not unfamiliar with natural disasters. Some of my family members lost everything in Houston, Texas, and friends in Montana and California have faced threats from wildfires. One family story recounts how my great-great-grandmother survived a hurricane by tying herself to a tree. My husband, having grown up where ice storms and tornadoes were common, also experienced power outages frequently.
Because of our backgrounds, being ready for disasters is ingrained in both our families. I still recall helping relatives repair their home after a hurricane caused severe flooding. We’ve dealt with fire and water damage and have gone without electricity for extended periods throughout our lives.
Our personal experiences have taught us the importance of having an emergency kit at home. Recently, after some Facebook discussions, I decided to share our family’s kit details to help others potentially facing these situations.
September is National Preparedness Month, and it’s a good reminder from Mother Nature of why we all need to be ready for emergencies. When disasters occur, we might lose access to water, electricity, and transportation for days or even weeks. While we can’t foresee every situation, having some basic supplies is always wise.
The goal of creating an emergency plan isn’t to cause anxiety but to reduce stress if something does happen. Even a strong thunderstorm once left us without power for a day, and the items in our kit proved really useful during that time.
Feel free to drop questions or reach out on social media if there’s anything I or the community can do to assist. Stay safe and know you’re in our thoughts!
Last year, my husband, who loves the outdoors and was a Boy Scout, suggested buying camping and survival gear for our older kids. You never know when they might need it, whether for an unexpected outdoor adventure or a so-called “zombie apocalypse.” Although his emergency gear list is more extensive than mine, he came up with many great suggestions for our kids.
After this year’s storms, we revisited what our family should always have ready for emergencies. Here’s the list of items we now keep at home.
This is how we prepare for natural disasters. We also routinely check our non-perishable food supplies to ensure we have plenty of canned goods. While you might have some of these items already, others are less common and might need to be bought from a reliable source.
Water is crucial during disasters since supplies can get cut off or contaminated. It’s advised to keep at least three days’ worth of water per person (including pets) on hand.
Having food is not as immediate a need as water, but most of us lack even a few days’ supply of non-perishable food at home. If the power cuts out, refrigerated food may last only a day or two, depending on local advice. It’s wise to keep at least a week’s worth of non-perishable canned goods.
A company called Be Prepared offers a variety of long-lasting non-perishable food items. While they might not be gourmet, in an emergency, they’ll keep you going.
Don’t forget a manual can opener and perhaps a camp stove if you want to warm food.
In emergencies, your home might remain livable, providing shelter. Still, it’s smart to have a backup plan and know a safe evacuation spot. For power outages, especially depending on where you live, some supplies can help. If you’re at high risk from hurricanes or tornadoes, always evacuate if advised.
If you expect only power loss, consider these useful supplies:
During an emergency, power might be out for a long time. While cell towers may go down, if they’re functional, you’ll need ways to charge phones without electricity. Radios can also be vital for reaching emergency services.
For your emergency kit, remember these essentials:
A lot of these fit in a 72-hour or bug-out bag for each family member. Keep this bag packed and ready to go if you need to evacuate, along with a few changes of weather-appropriate clothes. There are guides on making these bags, including ones specifically for kids.
You can also buy pre-made emergency kits if you prefer not to put together your own.
Keep important documents in a waterproof bag within your safe, ready to grab if you ever need to leave quickly.
Assembling an emergency kit might seem like a daunting task with lots to purchase, but you can do it gradually. There’s a helpful 20-week plan by Kitchen Stewardship if you’re taking your time. If you’re in the path of a looming storm, just do what you can and prioritize safety.
Do you have a readiness plan and emergency supplies? Share your tips below!
