Many of us used to put off the duty of gathering an emergency supply of supplies. We know it needs to be done, but since it's not urgent, we'll put it off for the time being and do it later.
Yet, as we now know, ‘eventually’ may be sooner than anyone anticipated.
We are not saying that you should begin excavating an underground shelter right away, stocking it up with protein bars and soup cans. At least, not right away.
However, having a few things on hand before you need them will alleviate your mind, and may help you out in the future. You never know when you may need to use an emergency disaster kit.
So, what is an emergency disaster kit? What do you fill it with? Better yet, what are your best options for filling it up?
In this article, we will be looking at the best quality items that you will need for your disaster kit.
We have sorted each item into 10 lists, and picked out five of each that, we believe, will serve you well in the face of disaster.
So, let’s get started.
Essential Items For Any Disaster Kit
When creating a survival plan, there are certain items that you will need to have on hand immediately.
As human beings, our primary needs are to eat, drink, and rest. However, to survive, you will need much more than water, tinned food, and a sleeping bag.
Think about how many personal items you use on a daily basis, and how much you would struggle if you didn’t have them… e.g., toilet paper.
Below, we have created 10 separate lists filled with items that you will need to include in your disaster kit. The 10 lists are organized into the following categories:
Portable storage (e.g., backpacks)
First aid kits
Power banks and batteries
Radios
Multitools
Torches, lighters, and matches
Comfort (e.g., sleeping bags)
Hygiene (e.g., toilet paper)
Food and drink
Entertainment
We have listed 5 items in each category, providing you with links to each essential item.
It is up to you to read through each list, and work out which items you will need for your own disaster kit.
It may seem trivial, but imagine that you cut your finger while on the road.
In normal, everyday scenarios, this would not be an issue, but if you do not have easy access to professional medical help, that tiny cut could lead to a nasty infection.
You could buy an empty kit and fill it with supplies, or you can buy a readily-filled first aid kit.
These will provide you with plasters, bandages, antiseptic wipes, and everything else you will need in case of an emergency.
Additionally, your dental hygiene may not be something at the forefront of your mind, but it should definitely be considered, especially if you’re not brushing your teeth often.
These days, communication is instantaneous. Pretty much everyone has a cellphone, so it has never been easier to get in contact with another person, even if they’re on the other side of the world.
Now, imagine how much harder life would be if you couldn’t charge your phone.
Power banks are, pretty much, essential items. You never know when you will need to charge an electronic device.
Batteries are also important, and are even better if they are rechargeable.
They all provide light. You might not think so right now, but the power of light may just get you through the worst of scenarios.
A torch or flashlight is certainly essential, as you cannot rely on electricity during a disaster.
Additionally, lighters and matches will be super handy if you need to create warmth, e.g., lighting a fire. You will also need to create fires to cook food.
In disaster scenarios, you will need to get as much rest as you can, whenever you can.
These opportunities may not arise often, so it is up to you to ensure that you can do as much as you can to make yourself comfortable during these rare moments.
Sleeping bags are an obvious choice, but you may also want to grab a blanket too, and even a pillow.
If you don’t get a comfortable night’s rest, you won’t have enough strength to go on for long periods of time.
Hygiene is not all about keeping yourself smelling good, although this is a nice benefit to have. It is also a matter of keeping yourself healthy by keeping bacteria at bay.
Bleach and other cleaning supplies will make your life so much easier, trust us.
Also, if you find yourself going days (or even weeks) without a shower or bathe, these other cleaning supplies will keep you going for the time being.
So, there we have it: those were our 10 lists to help you create your very own disaster kit.
We listed 50 items in total, and while you don’t need to purchase every single item on each list, the variety will definitely help you make some decisions on what you need.
While most of us know that we will need the basics, such as food and water, you may forget about other essential items that will aid your survival, such as matches, power banks, and even some toys for entertainment.
Even if you think that prepping a survival kit may be a little extreme, as we mentioned earlier, you never know when disaster will strike.
It is much better to be prepared than to be left to scavenge when it is already too late.
We hope you found this article helpful and informative.
Hello, my name is Tim Roth and I have lived in Texas all of my life. I have seen it all - tornadoes, flash floods, and other natural disasters that have come our way.
I have kept a survival kit for all my family members in my basement since I was in my 20s. Every time a new member comes along, I make them a new kit. No one in my family will be caught out in a disaster - I make sure of it.
I teach a survival class at the local hall as well. It’s free for anyone who wants to learn about keeping themselves and their family safe, should the worst happen. We cover how to help children and the elderly, make your own evacuation and survival kits, and much more.
