Emergencies occur every day, and although it may not be something you worry about in the back of your mind, it is worthwhile to be prepared for the unexpected if the time comes for its use. Hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, snowstorms, flooding, fire, and power outages are just a few of the possible scenarios one would benefit in keeping an emergency kit handy. Natural hazards can happen rather swiftly and can be unpredictable, usually wreaking havoc and leaving devastating consequences in its path. Be proactive in your approach to expect the unexpected!
Have a Sense of Control
Let’s face it, we can’t control everything, and Mother Nature sure does have a mind of her own. What we can do is prepare ourselves for the various possible weather scenarios that could occur in your area. If you live in a colder climate, you will likely have a different emergency kit than those who live in the warmer southern states. Both snowstorms and hurricane season are prominent situations in which one should have a plan and kit in place. Don’t let yourself become a victim to natural disasters – take control of the situation before it can even come to light.
Peace of Mind
Put your mind at ease and save yourself the hassle and panic of trying to prepare and pack items last minute in preparation for an emergency. Emergencies cause enough distress as it is no need to add to the already hectic moment. Preparing in advance pays off! Keep yourself, your family, your home, and pets safe by creating a disaster plan and packing an emergency kit.
Safety
An emergency kit is crucial in the event you will need to evacuate or hunker down, as it will provide you essential items required for short-term survival. In the event of an emergency, you may find yourself without many of the amenities we take for granted. Electricity, clean water, and accessibility to medical help may very well become unavailable or hard to come by. Nonperishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, medications, hygiene items, a battery-operated radio, and extra clothing are just a few items that will help you get through an emergency. A list of emergency contacts and important documents are also crucial to add to your kit. Make sure to review the kit from time to time to make sure all documents are up to date, food is not expired, and add anything else you may need. Once you’ve opted to create an emergency kit, it is best to store it in a handy place and ensure everyone in the household is aware of its location.
Why Not?
With an emergency kit, you will have the necessities at your fingertips and all in one place! After all, how many of us own a first aid kit? Most likely, most of us already have some type of crisis kit handy, so why not expand our existing kits to cover more catastrophic events? Even if you are lucky enough that you don’t need to use the kit, what damage is done by having it ready anyway? Exactly! There is really no downside to having an emergency kit ready to go. Alarmingly enough, over half of American families currently don’t have a plan in place in the event of an emergency. Be the proactive one in your family, friend group, or even workspace and inspire others for the need to be prepared for whatever may come our way. Sometimes disaster can strike in an instant, causing chaos and fear. Your emergency kit will act as the guide to overcome the crisis and keep you safe.