Our houses are meant to be safe havens, but try as we might to avoid them, disasters and other emergencies can happen anytime! This is why it’s essential to be prepared for an emergency in your home and have the necessary supplies available!
From fires to earthquakes and other dangerous situations, there are plenty of things you can keep on hand to prepare you for dealing with an emergency in your home. Hopefully, you never have to use your emergency supplies, but knowing they’re there gives you and your family peace of mind, and it could save your life!
Here are five things you should have in your home to help you prepare for an emergency:
- Water – According to the Red Cross, your home should be stocked with a 14-day supply of water at all times, as well as a three-day supply available for evacuations. This adds up to about one gallon of water per person, per day. So, for a three-person family, you’d want 42 gallons (plus nine gallons for evacuations) of water stored in case of emergency.
- Non-perishable food – A three-day supply of non-perishable food (per person) is recommended to have on hand at all times.
- Medications – If you’re stuck in your home due to an emergency, having a supply of your necessary medications on hand can save your life. The recommended quantities you should have stored are a week’s worth of each medication.
- Pet supplies – Just like you should have certain supplies of food, water, and medication for yourself, you should do the same for your pet.
- First aid kit – A stocked first aid kit with bandages, dressings, and other medical supplies can prove very useful in an emergency!
It’s also wise to stock up on items like flashlights, batteries, tools, important documents, and personal hygiene supplies. Be sure to store items in a waterproof container to protect them in the event of a flood whenever you can! Make sure everyone in your house knows where your emergency kit is stored, and keep it in a handy location.