Podcast Episode 20 — Creating a Basic Emergency Kit

Photo by Joshua Hanson on Unsplash

Do you have a basic emergency kit? Even if you live where there aren’t any natural disasters, it’s a good idea to have one. Your basic kit should include everything you need to ensure your survival for several days during an emergency or until help arrives.

Here’s what you should have in your basic kit:

• Drinking Water

One of the first things that will get you into trouble in any type of disaster or emergency is dehydration. Make sure you have safe drinking water for several days. The general rule of thumb is 1 gallon per person, per day. For a family of four, for four days, that would be 16 gallons. If anyone in your household is sick, or pregnant — or if you live in a warm climate, having extra over and above the 1 gallon per person per day is a good idea. Another thing you can look into is a small water filtration system you can use on unsafe water to make it safe to drink.

• Food and Accessories

It’s also good to have some emergency food rations. This is particularly important if you have small children, elderly relatives, pregnant or nursing women, or anyone with diabetes or low blood sugar in your family. Keep some easy, ready-to-eat food on hand like granola bars, nuts, protein bars, crackers, and canned foods. For the canned food, focus on things…