Storms, fires, floods, and power outages all have the power to disrupt your life. You can't stop emergencies from happening, but you can gather all the things you'll need to be prepared should a crisis arise.
If you have a messy closet or basement storage area in need of attention, your home improvement project can serve a dual purpose. Remove the junk, add inexpensive shelving, and stock them with emergency provisions. Add a tight-sealing storage container to protect your food from water and contaminants. In no time, you'll have a home emergency resource center that would make any survivalist proud.
Here are ten things to include:
Water
Even if you have a reliable water system, storms, animals, and bacteria can contaminate your supply. Water in bottles or pouches is an easy fix for water potability issues. You should also keep water purification tablets to treat water from questionable sources.
Food
Even if a fire or storm doesn't destroy your home, it might still contaminate your food. So you don't go hungry, stock up on cans or pouches of fruits, veggies, tuna, chicken, and other items. For variety, add granola and protein bars, peanut butter, dried beans, rice, and beef jerky. And don't forget the coffee and the can opener.
Paper Goods
So don't forget to add toilet paper and paper towels to your list. Store them in a waterproof container.
Light Source
Fortunately, there are several alternatives to battery-operated flashlights. One cool flashlight has water-powered cells. Another option available lets you hand-crank the flashlight. If you prefer the old-fashioned kind, don't forget the batteries.
Waterproof Matches
If the power is out, you'll still need to cook. That might mean firing up your grill or making a campfire. Either way, you'll need a waterproof lighter or waterproof matches. Both will light up even if they get wet.
First-aid Kit
Minor cuts and abrasions can be a real pain. Be sure to store an emergency kit to care for minor dings.
Fire Extinguisher
A fire extinguisher can keep a minor emergency from becoming a major catastrophe. Keep one upstairs and downstairs to manage not-so-friendly flames before they burn out of control.
Extra Clothes
You never know how long an emergency will last. Store extra clothes in a waterproof container, just in case.
Basic Tools
Add a few tools to your emergency stash: a hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, and a small hatchet so you can cut wood for a campfire. You might also want to add an extra set of house and car keys.
Personal Documents
The thing about emergencies is that you never know what might happen. Make copies of documents (driver's license, birth certificates, marriage license, passports) and store them in a waterproof container. You'll have backup copies if you lose the originals.
No homeowner wants to see an emergency situation in their home. But with the right prep, you can ensure your family and belongings will be safe in the event of a potentially serious emergency.
