Emergencies, whether natural disasters or technical problems, can strike at any time and generally, catch you when you least expect it. While there is no way to control that, you can surely prepare yourself for emergencies so that you survive them with minimal discomfort. Here are some do-it-yourself (DIY) ideas that you can use at home to be prepared for emergency situations.
Be Prepared for Emergencies
Extended Power Loss
We cannot imagine life without electricity today, and even an hour without it can throw our lives completely out of gear. So what do you do when there is a prolonged power outage? Here are some tips:
Prepare a survival kit. It should include:
- Water – the calculation is one gallon per day for each person and each pet
- A first-aid kit
- Ready to eat food items or things that require minimal water to prepare plus cooking supplies (like basic utensils)
- Flashlight, candles, and batteries
- Medications
- Personal hygiene items
- Appropriate clothing
- Board games or other such items that can keep you busy and entertained without requiring power.
Purchase glow sticks:
Chemical glow sticks can help when you need emergency help as they provide a decent amount of light. Moreover, these are safer than candles.
Keep emergency contacts reachable:
During a power outage, your cell phones may not last for days, so jot down all numbers and other details of important people in a diary and keep it close. Also, discuss ways to stay warm with your family in advance.
Natural Disasters
It is a good idea to have different emergency survival kits for different purposes, and the one that you should have ready and within reach at all times is the kit to use during a natural disaster.
- Emergency kit: Along with the items in the survival kit, you need to include a few more things:
- All important documents and food supplies for an extended period
- A whistle and basic tool kit to help if you are stuck
- Medicines and supplies for pets if you have any
- Local maps
- Cash
- A self-powered radio to keep yourself updated about the disaster situation
- Plastic garbage bags
Car safety kit:
Keep a similar emergency kit in your car as you never know when a natural disaster may occur. It can also help make a quick getaway to a safer place and act as a backup kit in case you cannot reach the first one.
Alternative Resources for Heating, Food, and Water during Emergencies
Whether it is a natural disaster or extended power loss, things like food, water, and heating become a major issue after a while. Here are some alternative resources that can help you in such cases:
Camping stove or a gas grill:
These are handy items, but remember to stock up on extra propane canisters (or whichever fuel you need for your alternative cooking method). You can also build a rocket stove or a fire pit—not only is it a fuel-efficient way of cooking, but can also keep you warm.
Be smart with your food choices:
Stock up on canned and ready-to-eat foods that will last for a considerable time. If you have any perishable foods, use those first.
Look for drinking water resources:
If you are facing an emergency in the winter, melt snow and purify it by boiling or using a water purifier before drinking. Rainwater, drained liquids from canned foods, and your home’s hot water heater are some other emergency water sources.
Get a good generator:
Investing in a small emergency portable generator is a good idea for when you need home heating during an emergency.
When disaster strikes, you need to do your best with whatever you have. And these DIY survival hacks can put you in good stead when it comes to emergency preparedness.
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Will you try some of these DIY Ideas to Be Prepared for Emergencies? Let us know in the comment section below.
