A few weeks ago, we talked about the importance of an emergency preparedness kit and the things you should include in it. However, there is so much more that you need to know about an emergency preparedness kit to ensure you are adequately prepared for whatever life throws at you. When preparing your emergency preparedness kit, you may have more questions about them that should be answered to ensure you get the most out of this investment.
At Liberty Restoration, we want everyone across Utah to be as safe as possible in the event of a disaster. The last thing you want to deal with in the event of an emergency is a scramble to gather your most important belongings. If you want to learn more about your emergency preparedness kit and everything our team recommends, keep reading.
What Should You Include in Your Emergency Preparedness Kit?
When preparing your emergency preparedness kit, there are a lot of items you will want to include to ensure you are safe and comfortable throughout the emergency. Some of the items you will need to include in an emergency kit are:
- Food and Water
- Flashlights and Batteries
- First Aid Kits and Medicine
- Emergency Contact Information
- Copies of Personal Documents
- Duct Tape, Tarps, and Dust Masks
- Hand-Crank Radios
How Often Should You Go Through Your Emergency Preparedness Kit?
While putting together your emergency preparedness kit is important, the work doesn’t end when the kit is put together. You should go through your kit at least once every six months to ensure everything is working properly. At this point, you should also double-check the expiration dates on any food and medication included in your kit.
You may also want to ensure that you have all of your personal documents. If you’ve gotten new documents, like new leases or identification, make sure to make copies of these to include in your kit. By checking your kit every six months, you can protect yourself from dealing with expired goods or malfunctioning tools when an emergency occurs.
Where Should You Store Your Kit?
Once you’ve put together your emergency preparedness kit, you should ensure it is stored in a safe place. Not only do you want your kit to be easily accessible, but you also want to ensure it is safe from potential flooding, exposure to the elements, and out of direct sunlight. When trying to choose a place, it is best to store your kit in a location where you may shelter in place.
Some of the most common places to store an emergency preparedness kit include basements, closets, interior rooms (rooms in your home without windows), or garages. By storing your emergency preparedness kit in a place that is easily accessible, you can ensure your safety when you inevitably need to grab it.
Should You Have an Emergency Plan?
Having an emergency preparedness kit is a great way to protect yourself in the event of an unexpected disaster. But there is more to preparing for these kinds of events than the kit itself. If you want to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones, it may also be a good idea to consider creating an emergency plan.
Your emergency plan can include a meeting place to find your family members if you are separated during the emergency, a plan for who will collect children and pets, and ways you’ll try to get in contact with each other should you fail to meet up. By having an emergency plan in addition to your emergency preparedness kit, you can protect yourself from the panic that may occur immediately after a disaster.
What Items Should You Include for Children and Pets?
If you have children and pets, there are a few extra items you may want to include in your emergency preparedness kit to ensure they are safe and comfortable throughout the disaster. For pets, you should remember to include food, toys, leashes, harnesses, and any medications they use regularly.
You may also want to include additional first-aid materials for them and current photos if they get lost. When packing your emergency preparedness kit for children, you should remember to add additional food to accommodate your family size, toys or puzzles to keep them occupied, medications, identification information, and current photos in case you get separated.
Recover from Disaster with Liberty Restoration
Recovering from a natural disaster on your own can be incredibly daunting and frustrating. If you are looking for a home restoration to help you through this recovery process, turn to our team at Liberty Restoration. For years, our team has provided homeowners across Utah with reliable restoration services, ensuring they can return to enjoying their homes once again.
When you need restoration, turn to us for support. Whether you’re dealing with a home fire, flooding, biohazard cleanup, or a combination of these services, our team is here to help. If you would like to schedule home restoration services or if you have any questions about our services, don’t hesitate to contact us today.