Disaster Survival Gear
Thinking about natural disasters is not pleasant by any means. However, preparing for a natural disaster favors the odds of you surviving it successfully. A survival kit is a must-have essential for families faced with an approaching natural disaster. People tend to think of disaster survival gear only in terms of camping, hiking and outdoor activities.
But being in the midst of a natural disaster probably means you will not get to leave your home. If you are questioning the need for a survival kit, keep reading to find out why it is so important.
Putting together the right disaster survival gear to cover various natural disasters that may strike your neighborhood can mean the difference between life and death in some instances. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, a U.S. agency that covers natural disasters, recommends a survival kit that comprises basic necessities including three days’ supply of food (non-perishable), drinking water – three gallons per person, first aid kit and a battery powered radio.
Other items that need to be added to the kit include prescription medicines for individual family members, cell phones and spare battery packs, flashlights with spare batteries, spare clothing, hygiene items and comfort items.
Vehicles need to be regularly serviced and maintained for immediate escape when a natural disaster strikes. The gas tank needs to be at least three quarters full at all times. One survival kit should be placed in the vehicle. When traveling, it is important to have blankets and warm clothing in the kit together with non-perishable foods and plenty of drinking water. If you are within city limits, help is never far away in times of disaster. But for people who are traveling, when disaster strikes, immediate supplies are a must to survive being stuck miles from anywhere.
Camping or hiking in the wilderness brings its own share of dangers and problems. Wildfires can happen at any time in a forest area. Apart from the generic survival kit, a GPS receiver is an important tool to have. Add a compass for navigation to your list as well. Carry water purification tablets, preferably iodine based to serve as a disinfectant if required.
Making your survival kit too heavy to carry in an emergency will not serve the purpose. Make a disaster survival plan with your family and get each member to pack a small backpack with essentials.
Add a set of pocket tools to your pack. A small set of pocket multi-tools will come in handy in a variety of ways. A small pocket knife and miniature LED flashlight should be attached to each person’s key ring.
This has been just a guideline in helping you think about setting up your disaster survival gear kit. Please go to our Emergency Preparedness Category for more tips, information, and survival products to help make you and your family safer in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
