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Top 10 Emergency Supplies
When it comes to emergency preparedness supplies, there are always rumors floatingaround about which supplies are more important for people to have; one year people thinkthey need clean water, the next, everyone is into generators and alternative heat sources.And while getting all of these supplies could very well help someone in a disaster, things canget pricey. There are ten emergency supplies, however, that no one should go without.1. WaterWater, as usual, takes first place when it comes to necessary emergency supplies. In anydisaster—fires, hurricanes, winter storms, or any other emergency—there is a very realpossibility that running water could stop or could become contaminated. People need tomake sure that they have enough water for every member of their family for at least threedays (more if possible.)But what constitutes enough? According to FEMA, each person needs half a gallon of waterdaily, and that’s just for drinking. In a recent study done, scientists found that the averageperson uses 123 gallons of water every day. Now, a lot of that water comes from showers,dishwashers, and doing laundry. However, other activities, like cooking food, cleaningdishes (even by hand), brushing teeth, and bathing all mean that if people want to live fairlycomfortably during and after a disaster, they should store a lot more than half a gallon perperson per day.The above amount is a great place to start—and of course some water is better than nowater. But people should be constantly adding to that collection of water as often as theycan to prevent tragedies. As everyone knows, the human body can go without food for threeweeks, but can only go without water for three days. Because it is so vital, water should beeveryone’s number one priority when it comes to emergency preparedness.2. Medication and other life-saving devicesMany people would assume that food would be next in line when it comes to emergencysupplies. However, food isn’t going to help people if they are simply too sick to eat or drink,and it certainly isn’t going to help people who may be disabled and can’t reach theirstorage.This is why it is so vital that people have a good supply of any medications that they needto survive. Some medications—like treatments for mild depression, for example—canprobably be skipped without too many negative repercussions. But medications for patientswith AIDS or cancer (even if it is in remission) will have a much more difficult time survivingin a house without electricity or phone service if they do not have enough medication.And while it is unlikely that anyone will be left stranded for long enough to run out of theirmedicine, it is not completely unheard of for people to be cut off for several weeks after asevere storm or earthquake. Sometimes, the damage is so bad to the surrounding areasthat emergency officials just can’t reach everyone in time.Therefore, people need to make sure they have a good amount of any vital medications(about a month’s worth should be okay), as well as extra batteries for wheelchairs,emergency calling devices, or other devices that could save someone’s life if they havelimited mobility or are cut off from the outside world. A dialysis machine is a good exampleof this, and people should have alternative power sources as well as extra medication whenit comes to this.3. Nonperishable foodAlthough it is often seen as expensive and even paranoid, having food storage is one of thebest things people can do to prepare for an emergency. The food in their fridge or freezercan go bad within 12-24 hours of the power failing, and food in the pantry could run out orgo bad as well. If damage is severe, people might not be able to even reach their kitchen.Store a good amount (at least three days’ worth per person) of nonperishable foodin the room the family will go to in case of an emergency. That way,everyone has a great chance of survival, and no one has to risk their life by venturing out
 
into what could be very dangerous territory (i.e. collapsing structure, loose electrical wires,diseases in unclean water, etc.).4. Sources of lightMore important supplies to have arewaterproof matches,flashlights,glowsticks, and any other safe forms of alternative light. Even in very small emergencies, like snow storms, the power is usually the first thing to go.While this is likely not a matter of life or death, it can save people from having to look forother supplies or even family members in the dark, thus lowering the risk of injury.If people have children, this should be one of their top priorities, since they want theirchildren to come out of the emergency unscathed—physically and psychologically speaking.If kids don’t have to live three days in total darkness, they will be much more likely to viewthe power outage as a kind of camping and less as a frightening experience.5. Sources of heatSince the power is usually the first thing to run out, people should also be concerned abouthow they are going to keep warm.Emergency blanketsandsleeping bagsare both great ideas, as are the matches mentioned above.People living in cold areas may also want to have afire starterin case the matches don’t work or are insufficient to start a good size fire. Thereis also the option of usinghand and feet warmers, just in case other options aren’t viable or just aren’t enough.6. First aid kitThere is nothing like a goodfirst-aid kitto help in an emergency. In a real disaster, it could be hours, days, or evenweeks until help arrives. So in order to ensure that everyone stays as healthy as possible,it’s important to have a comprehensive first aid kit handy.First aid kits should include the following in order to be complete: sterile gloves, a variety of Band-Aids and bandages, sterile dressings, antibiotic and burn ointment, eyewash solution,a thermometer, and any prescription medications. And even then, this is just the beginningof first aid. People must decide for themselves what supplies they and their family needs.Comprehensive first aid kits that are already assembled, along with many other emergencysupplies can be found atThe Ready Storeand other emergency preparedness businesses.7. Radio and batteriesHaving a small emergency radio (with an alternative power source, of course) is a greatidea. Often, news channels are continuously broadcasting warnings and updates on theemergency to anyone who will listen. By having this radio in their home, people will be thefirst to know when they need to evacuate or shelter-in-place; conversely, they will also bethe first to know when it’s safe to come out.Radiosare fairly inexpensive and can offer a lot of vital information, besides what ismentioned above. Updates on the storm or disaster can tell a household when the worst of it is coming, and staying informed is always a good idea in any emergency.8. Fire ExtinguisherIt’s so obvious, and many people already have one in their home. But if they don’t they’llneed to get one as soon as possible. Fire extinguishers are helpful at all times, for anyaccidental fires. However, it is very likely that a home could be set on fire by loose electricalcords or other damage that the storm causes.People must also know how to use it, even children. Obviously the smaller ones should notbe burdened with that, but if kids are trained in how to use a fire extinguisher, they will feelcalmer about disasters and will possibly be able to help in emergencies. Having a fireextinguisher nearby will mean greater peace of mind for everyone in the family.9. Emergency gas shut off tool
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