Do you know what kind of foods you should have at hand for an emergency? Or what you should include in your first kid kit? What about the important documents you should have at the ready at all times? If you were unable to answer any of these with confidence, don't fret. Reliable outdoor enthusiast resource TheOutdoorLodge.com has put together a detailed guide that answers all of these questions and much more.
On what foods should comprise your emergency supply, the site recommends:
- Boxed or canned juices, soup, and milk
- Cereals
- High-energy foods such as granola bars, trail mix, and low-sodium crackers
- Instant coffee
- Powdered milk
- Ready-to-eat meats, vegetables, and fruits
Whichever foods you choose, aim for those you're familiar with, as well as those that don't require special preparation. Make it a point to replace your food supply items every six months to ensure freshness. Keeping your canned foods in cool, dry places and boxed foods in tightly closed containers can extend their shelf lives.
As to what should be included in your first aid kit, the site lists:
- Cleaning agents like soap and alcohol
- Cotton balls
- First aid manual
- Four to six pieces each of two-inch and four-inch sterile gauze pads
- Latex gloves
- Moist towelettes
- Safety pins of assorted sizes
- Scissors
- Sterile adhesive bandages
- Sunscreen
- Thermometers
- Three rolls each of two-inch and three-inch sterile roller bandages
- Three triangular bandages
- Tweezers
Disaster can strike at any place and at any time, so it's best for you to keep multiple first aid kits. You should have one for your home, one for your place of work, and one for every vehicle you own. This way you've always got a first aid kit on hand wherever you may be. And if you haven't yet, be sure to take first aid and CPR classes so that you're able to properly use what's in your first aid kit. There's no point in having one with you if you're unable to treat a bleeding wound or tie a tourniquet simply because you don't know how. (Related: How to create a natural first-aid kit for travel.)
Although frustrating to pore through, your important documents are exactly that: Important. You'll need these for when things return to normal after a crisis, so take the time to organize the following documents:
- Birth certificate
- Driver's license
- Household goods inventory
- Insurance papers
- Marriage certificate
- Passport
- Personal identification
- Social security cards
Once you've arranged your documents, take the time to to create hard and soft copies just in case you lose the originals. Store the originals in a safety deposit for added protection and the hard copies in sealed-waterproof pouches in your emergency kit just in case your home sustains damage.
Of course, this isn't all that the guide covers. You also have to take into consideration the needs of everyone in your family. If you have children, senior citizens, or disabled persons living with you, it's best to plan for them as well.
Those with special dietary needs need their own adequate supply of emergency food, while the mobility-impaired should have escape chairs in their homes or officers. Children and infants, meanwhile, are going to require entertainment and comfort items like stuffed animals, quiet toys, and books to help them get through a crisis. As much as possible, try to create a network of family and friends you know you can count on to assist you when an emergency arises. Remember that not everyone is an able-bodied adult who can run, climb, scavenge, fight, and keep their cool when society collapses in on itself.
The guide is incredibly extensive and you should definitely give it a look if you're a greenhorn in disaster preparedness. It can and will make a difference in your emergency planning, and will you give a much-needed advantage.
Take things a step further and read up on even more preparedness tips and tricks by visiting Preparedness.news today.
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