Emergency Essentials Every House Should Have

Did you know that it is a good idea to have a stockpile of emergency essentials available in your home? If you do not have these essential items and something goes wrong, you could end up struggling to survive.

It is better to be prepared for what could happen, even if a disaster or other type of emergency does not occur. 

There are specific emergency supplies (essentials) that every household should have to protect themselves and keep themselves as comfortable as possible when emergencies occur. If you are not sure which essentials you will need to add to your stockpile, check out this list of must-have items to purchase.

Non-Perishable Foods

The non-perishable foods are vital to have in any area of your home, such as the basement or attic. You want to collect foods that are not going to expire because you might end up needing them.

For example, if there is a harsh winter storm that prevents your family from getting out to the grocery store, you would have plenty of food available to survive off of until things get better.

You can start buying non-perishable foods as soon as possible. Some of the best foods to purchase include freeze-dried meals, canned meats, peanut butter, canned beans, and canned fruits and vegetables.

You do not need to purchase all your non-perishable foods at once. Instead, you can start gathering a few at a time, eventually building an impressive stockpile that will feed you and your family if an emergency does occur.

What to Stock Up on Each Month

Flashlights With Extra Batteries

It is always a good idea to have plenty of flashlights available for each household to use. If the electricity goes out, the only way you will see what is going on around you is by using flashlights when walking from one room to the next.

You can purchase flashlights of all different sizes, including larger options that will provide you with more light when you need it the most. 

Besides having assorted flashlights available to use if an emergency occurs, it is just as important to have plenty of extra batteries available to use. There is nothing more annoying than not being able to use the flashlight because the batteries died. If you have backups, you will not have to worry about that.

Non Food Items to Stockpile

Gallons of Water

Start collecting gallons of water that you can store in your basement or other areas of the home. You need to have water to survive, and it is not something that you want to run out of during difficult times. 

If the water does not work for days or weeks, you want to have plenty of water available for each person in the household to drink. Running out of water could quickly cause individuals in the home to suffer from dehydration, putting them at risk of passing out and even dying.

It is not worth the risk! If you collect water and keep it in a safe spot, it will not go bad.

How to Start Storing Water

Heavy Blankets

Purchase a few heavy blankets that you could use if an emergency occurs. If the utilities go out in the middle of winter and there is no way to get everything working again for several days or weeks, you do not want everyone in the household to feel cold. 

If anyone is too cold, it could quickly lead to hypothermia, which is life-threatening. Investing in high-quality blankets with extra insulation will make you feel more comfortable dealing with those more frigid temperatures.

There are also solar blankets available that are commonly used to keep people warm when they are stuck outside to deal with the elements.

First-Aid Kit

Make sure you purchase a first-aid kit to have at home. You never know when the equipment will come in handy. The first-aid kit should come with hydrogen peroxide, scissors, gauze, antibacterial wipes, burn cream, bandages, and other essentials that you could use if someone gets hurt at home.

Even if you think the risk of getting hurt at home is low, it is still better to be safe than sorry by having a sizable first-aid kit full of essential medical supplies available.

First Aid Skills and Supplies
& Stockpiling Medications

Matches and Lighters

Collect boxes of matches and a few lighters to use if the electricity does not work during an emergency. You can use the matches and lighters to heat food, start a small fire, or even boil water.

You might also need the matches or lighters to light candles to add brightness to a room when you cannot use lights inside the property to see where you are going.

Pocket Multi-Tool

A multi-tool is a convenient device that includes a small knife, little scissors, and a file you might need to use in an emergency. Having a multi-tool will allow you to open cans and packages and cut into things if you need to.

There are pocket versions of the multi-tool that you can easily carry around with you because you do not know when you might need to use one of the small tools attached to the device.

Large Candles

Always have some large candles available to use if the lights go out and they do not come back on for quite a while. Although you can use flashlights to get around the home, it helps to have candles on a flat surface that can add more light to a room.

Not only do the candles offer a bit of extra brightness in the dark, but they can also contribute to adding some heat to the home.

DIY Mason Jar Candles

Be Prepared with Emergency Essentials

If you want to start gathering emergency essentials for your home, these are the items to begin purchasing. You should have a stockpile of emergency essentials that you and your loved ones can use if something happens. 

Whether there is an electrical outage, natural disaster, or some other serious issue that occurs, you will find comfort in knowing that you have prepared for the unexpected.

Gather these essentials little by little until you feel comfortable with the stockpile of items you have accumulated. You never know when you might need to use these emergency essentials.

More on Emergency Preparedness

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How to Freeze Milk For Later Use
DIY Emergency Car Kit
12 Reasons Why You Should Prep