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Emergency Survival Kits

Emergency survival kits are available commercially, but you can create your own that's more specific to your location and situation, and probably for a cheaper price. Having an emergency survival kit on hand will make your life easier and more pleasant in the event of an emergency. It might even save your life.

For what sorts of emergencies is your household prepared? Too often, a sudden emergency prompts a panic-stricken search for essential items like matches, food, warm clothing, light, heat, and other things important, if not critical, to survival. Smart people prepare emergency survival kits in advance, and keep them where they can be easily and swiftly accessed in case of an emergency.

You can assemble your own emergency survival kits from items found in most homes. Pack the items in a cardboard box and label it "EMERGENCY SURVIVAL KIT" in large, brightly colored letters. Store the emergency survival kit in a closet near a door, or in a basement corner where you might take shelter during an emergency. Do not hide the emergency survival kit behind other boxes, the washing machine, or other obstructions. If possible, store the emergency survival kit on a waist-level shelf, where young children as well as adults can easily reach it.

Items that should be in an emergency survival kit include:

Blankets, compact mylar survival blankets. One for each member of the household.
Food: canned goods and freeze-dried meals, dried fruits, nuts, energy bars, etc.
Clothing: down jackets or vests; spare socks and underwear; sturdy jeans and boots
Heat: a folding camp stove and fuel such as Sterno; but don't use them indoors
Light: an energy-conserving, bright LED flashlight, preferably hand-cranked
Medical supplies: first aid kit, including bandages, painkillers, first aid manual, and medications
Duct tape: the most versatile substance on Earth
Sewing kit: needles, thread, awl, sinew, scissors, patch materials
Water bag: collapsible plastic container that can be filled from any water source
Multifunction knife: blade, saw, screwdrivers, file, pliers, etc.
Natural Disaster Guide: available from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Homeland Security Guide: available from the Dept. of Homeland Security
Emergency Radio: solar or hand crank powered, AM/FM, shortwave, and weather channels
Gun and ammunition: optional, but a prudent idea in case of civil unrest or need to hunt, and possible security

Emergency survival kits should be inspected every six months or so to ensure that food has not spoiled and other items have not been damaged by dampness. Replace damaged or spoiled goods promptly. Emergency survival kits are sold in outdoor equipment stores, survival centers, through nonprofit organizations such as the Red Cross, and on the internet, if you don't want to creat your own. There are many types of emergency survival kits, each tailored to meet a specific emergency scenario. A kit may contain one day's worth of survival essentials for one to four people. It may be designed for car emergencies, in which case it will probably include a tool that can be used to quickly break an opening in a windshield or slash stuck seat belts. Cigarette lighter adapters will be on all electricity-powered items. Emergency survival kits provide peace of mind, essential items everyone needs in case of emergency, and the means to protect yourself and your loved ones in case of flood, fire, nuclear or terrorist attacks, and other emergencies. Buy or prepare your own emergency survival kit today!