You have likely seen pictures and videos on the news of the aftermath of natural disasters. The shelves of the grocery store are empty, gas lines are long, and resources are scarce. 

There’s no question being in a situation like this yourself can be scary. While this is true, if you prepare, you can reduce the impact of the disaster on yourself and your family. One of the best ways to prepare is by creating an emergency kit. 

Keep reading to learn more about making an emergency kit and what you should include. 

Getting Started with Your Emergency Supply Kit

When building an emergency kit, there are two questions to consider:

• Who is the kit being designed for?
• What type of emergencies do you need to prepare for?

The first consideration is how many people and animals will rely on the emergency kit you create. An emergency kit for a young, single man will be much different from an older couple or family with small children. 

You also have to think about what type of emergency you may encounter. If you live in Florida, hurricanes are the biggest concern. 

Will the emergency require you to stay at home, or will you need to evacuate? If there is a possibility of evacuating, you need to create a kit you can easily take on the go. 

You should start putting it together now that you know what to consider when creating an emergency kit. Some must-have items for any emergency kit include:

Water

In any disaster situation, you need water. Many things can impact your water supply, and ensuring you have access to clean water is a must. 

You need a minimum of one gallon of clean water, per person, per day. You can purchase purified water at the store or specialty containers to keep your water in. In either case, make sure to have a way to keep water on hand. 

Food

If an emergency shuts the power grid down, most restaurants and stores will shut down, too. Because of this, you should ensure you have food in your emergency kit. Be sure to include things like dried fruit, nuts, beef jerky, and energy bars. Make sure you plan food options for pets and babies, too. 

Light and Communication

Most people rely on cell phones, the internet, and local news to remain in touch with what is happening. However, after a disaster occurs, these types of communication get less reliable. In emergencies, knowing what’s going on nearby is a must. Purchasing an NOAA weather radio is smart to stay informed. 

Getting Ready for an Emergency

As you can see, there are more than a few tips you can use to help you prepare for an emergency. Keep this information in mind to ensure that you are prepared for any type of disaster or emergency that may occur. When you are prepared, you will have peace of mind that no matter what happens, you are prepared.