How to Prepare a Home Emergency Supplies

See the “What you need” section to see what the kit includes.

Prepare a first aid kit if you don’t already have one. In an emergency situation, injuries such as cuts to the skin, burns, or other types of trauma can happen to you, your loved one, or even a neighbor. Such basic supplies will make you ready to help people when they are unfortunately injured.

Identify hazards in your area. Contact your local emergency control agency to ask them. If there is no such agency in your area, contact your provincial or national emergency management office for assistance.

Make a plan based on possible hazards, then prepare a kit that matches the plan.

Buy “self-charging flashlight” and “self-charging radio”. In the event of a disaster, electricity will be cut off and batteries will not be available. The latest radio models can receive “weather/emergency channels” and are capable of charging cell phones . Thus, your cell phone will only lose its effectiveness if the cell phone tower is damaged or even destroyed in the event of a disaster. Satellite phones are also useful because they work by connecting to satellites in orbit instead of through towers.

Prepare a supply kit depending on the region. Depending on the area you live in, you may need different supplies, such as floods, storms, tornadoes. Of course there are some things you should be prepared for, no matter what region you are in.

Leave the map in the supply kit. This is especially useful when you have to evacuate, and emergency routes can be complicated.

Gather items in the list that are available in the house.

Keep additional categories. If you can’t get everything together at once, it’s a good idea to add an item or two every time you go shopping.

Prepare two first aid kits, one for emergency or disaster situations, and one for everyday use. First aid kit should include:

• At least two pairs of latex (natural rubber) gloves for the smallest first aid kit. Remember that you may need to help a stranger, and latex gloves will protect you from infection.
  • Use vinyl gloves if you or a family member is allergic to latex gloves. Allergies to natural rubber can be very serious.
  • Pack more gloves in your disaster first aid kit that you bring with you when you evacuate. You may have to use multiple pairs of gloves in an emergency situation.
  • Check the quality if the gloves are stored in erratic temperature conditions, as they can become brittle. Sometimes the gloves located deeper in the box can still be good, so don’t throw away the whole box because the ones above are damaged. Consider the glove box as well.
• Sterile gauze to stop bleeding. (Look for large gauze called surgical gauze available at the pharmacy.)
• Soap/detergent and antibacterial wet wipes for disinfection
  • Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection
• Burn ointment for pain relief
• Self-adhesive tapes of various sizes
• Bandage
• Medical paper tape
• Tweezers
• Drag
• An eyewash solution for rinsing the eye or a sterile saline solution for decontamination. Sterile saline is available in 1-liter bottles at pharmacies.
• Thermometer
• Prescription medications you are taking every day such as insulin, heart medications, and asthma inhalers
  • You should rotate your medications periodically to avoid expiration and have a plan to refrigerate your insulin.
• Over-the-counter medications (such as Tylenp and and Advil) and antihistamines (such as Benadryl)
• Prescription medical products such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring devices

Go to the store to buy items you don’t have.

Buy a waterproof case. You don’t have to buy an expensive one, just a big box with a lid and waterproof. Boxes like this are available at supermarkets and discount stores.

• The container shouldn’t be too big for you to quickly put it in your car, yard, or home in an emergency. Look for one with wheels and/or handles.
• Consider placing these first aid kits at home, in the car, and at work.
• You will never know where you are when disaster strikes.
• Use a backpack or toolbox to make it easy to carry on the go.
• Store everything separately in zippered plastic bags or bags with a capacity of 1 liter or 4 liters.
• Workers in large urban areas need to keep a backpack under their desks, which contains water, dry food, a flashlight, spare socks and good walking shoes in case traffic is interrupted.

Stay hydrated! Water is the most essential source of life. Keeping water (in clean water bottles) at home, in the trunk of your car, and at work will help you stay hydrated during times of stress.

• You may need to store more water if you have children, a nursing woman, the elderly, or you live in a warm climate.
• You can store extra electrolyte drinks (Gatorade or Powerade) to replenish minerals in hot or humid weather, or if you are an active person.

Store the items listed in the “Things you need” section (below) for at least 3 days.

Consider other items that may be needed – especially things like medicine, bandages, weapons, or others depending on your age, location, health condition.