Come illness, injury or natural disaster, emergency essentials should be stocked and readily available. While not every emergency can be preventable, having the necessary emergency supplies could literally mean the difference between life and death. Whether it’s a record-breaking snowstorm or a widespread power outage, with these 7 emergency essentials for the home, you’ll be prepared for the worst.
1 An Emergency Radio
American Red Cross FRX3 Portable Radio
When it comes to storms, natural disasters or a serious threat to national security, having up-to-the-minute information is crucial. But if you lose electricity, you also lose access to important information. With this American Red Cross emergency portable radio, you’ll have several emergency essentials in one. This battery operated radio has a manually powered hand crank, a flash light and a cell phone charger. In times of emergency, this handy device will definitely come in handy. You can find the FRX3 portable radio at Target.com.
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The FRX3 also boasts of receiving AM/FM radio signals and all seven NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather band stations, making it a reliable source for comprehensive weather updates. Its built-in LED flashlight and emergency beacon are essential for power outages or nighttime emergencies. More than just a standard radio, this multipurpose gadget is a must-have for any emergency preparedness kit. Its versatility and durability mean you can stay informed and connected even when the grid isn't available. Plus, its compact size allows for easy storage in your home, car, or even your backpack when on the go.
Frequently asked questions
2 A List of Important Contacts and Personal Information
If you have an injured family member, a missing child or other sudden emergency, you’re going to enter panic mode. But after you call for paramedics or police for your emergency, your next step should be to gather all necessary information quickly. Having a readymade list of emergency contacts and important personal info will save you time when you need it the most. On this list be sure to include: immediate family members’ cell phone and work numbers, names and numbers of doctors, utility provider’s phone numbers, the poison control hotline, any food or medical allergies for members of the household and a list of prescriptions taken. Have this list in a visible and accessible place for you, your babysitters and anyone staying at your home.
3 Canned, Jarred and Dried Food
You don’t need to stock your kitchen from floor to ceiling with an emergency supply of non-perishable foods. If there’s an impending storm that could affect you picking up groceries or grocery stores having food available, you may want to consider having enough food for three-to-five days, depending on the scenario. Or let’s say that you fall ill and you’re simply not able to get to the store. At least you’ll know you have a few cans of soup to tide you over.
4 A Medical Supply Kit
This American Red Cross Emergency Preparedness First Aid Kit has 106 pieces of assorted bandages, gauze, disinfectant, antibiotic ointment, vinyl gloves and more. Everything from splinters and scrapes to sprains and fevers can be treated until you’re able to visit a doctor. Keeping one of these in your home is essential, especially when there’s children in the household. You might consider even keeping one in the trunk of your car. At home or on the road, you’ll be ready. You can find this first aid kit and others more customized to your needs from RedCrossStore.org.
5 Bottled Water
While environmentalists express concern over the amount of plastic bottles produced each year, emergency preparedness should include bottled water. If your water supply becomes contaminated or inaccessible due to an emergency, having a case of bottled water in your home could save you a lot of distress. While we should strive to lesson our carbon footprint, we need water for survival. And during an emergency situation, bottled water is essential.
6 A Fire Extinguisher
Keeping a fire extinguisher in the home can save lives and prevent serious property damage. Be sure all occupants of the home have exited before attempting to use the the fire extinguisher. If a small fire breaks in a contained area, you can use the extinguisher until the fire department arrives. However, if there is thick smoke, flammable materials nearby or the fire is not contained to a small area, your top priority is to escape. You can purchase a fire extinguisher from any home improvement store, including Lowe’s and Home Depot. For more tips on extinguisher use and fire safety, visit Nfpa.org.
7 A Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Detector
In a large percentage of fire fatalities in the United States, a working smoke alarm was not present in the home. If there is one emergency essential to purchase for your home, make it this First Alert Smoke/Fire Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Combination Detector. When a fire erupts, you have moments to escape before the structure of your home could collapse or you could suffocate from smoke inhalation. Please don’t neglect your safety and the safety of your family. Install a working alarm in every room of your home and test those alarms for working batteries every month. This combination detector can be purchased from Walmart.com.
It can be terrifying to think of all the terrible disasters or emergencies that could happen in life. But if your home is stocked with adequate food, water, medical supplies, fire safety tools, contacts and information, you’ll be one step closer to safety. How do you prepare your home for potential emergencies?
