Tag Archive | "kit"

Don’t Forget these Supplies in your Vehicle’s First Aid Kit

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,


first aid kit


When we think of the items that should be kept in vehicle first aid kits, a few common wound care supplies come to mind:

Antiseptic cleansing wipes Plastic adhesive bandages Butterfly closure strips Antibiotic ointment Burn relief cream

Since the purpose of an automobile first aid kit is to be prepared for unexpected situations, you may want to ensure that your vehicle is stocked with these less obvious safety supplies to ensure preparedness in different types of emergencies:

First aid tape, cotton tipped applicators and gauze in a range of sizes: While the basic wound care supplies mentioned above are important to keep in any vehicle first aid kit, having gauze in a variety of sizes as well as other wound care supplies provides the ability to treat wounds of varying severity. Instant cold compresses: An instant cold compress is a small pack that becomes extremely cold and acts as an ice pack when activated. An instant ice pack can be used to alleviate swelling when ice is not available, as is usually the case in roadside emergencies. Emergency blanket: Emergency blankets use reflective foil to trap body heat and maintain optimal body temperature in cold environments. Emergency blankets can be life savers in the event that you get stranded with no heat in frigid winter temperatures. Disposable gloves: Disposable gloves such as latex gloves, vinyl exam gloves or disposable nitrile gloves protect against the spread of germs when administering or receiving first aid. Gloves help prevent the spread of germs from the hands to a wound and vice versa in an emergency situation.

A vehicle first aid kit may not be something you think about often, but having the right medical supplies on hand to deal with unpredictable circumstances is an important part of vehicle safety. While we recommend keeping a complete first aid kit in your vehicle to prepare for emergencies, we also hope you never have to use it!



Never Travel Without your Pet’s First Aid Kit

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,


first aid kit


As traveling with pets becomes increasingly more frequent a practice, the number of pets injured while away from home is steadily escalating. When a cat or dog is unfamiliar with its surroundings, the animal may be more prone to various types of injuries, especially if the animal is particularly curious and overly inquisitive. Common pet travel injuries and illnesses include: insect stings, motion sickness, pet allergies, cuts, scrapes, and swallowing foreign objects. More serious injuries such as poisoning, infection, and broken bones may also occur.

Pet travel will become a much safer and more rewarding experience once pet owners are better equipped to handle emergency situations. Both knowledge of first aid, and the equipment available to facilitate such care are essential to ensure the best possible outcome for an injured pet. It is best to keep in mind the goals of administering pet first aid: first, to prevent further injury, and second, to minimize discomfort until the animal can be safely transported to a veterinarian.

These objectives determine much of what should be included inside a pet first aid kit. A dog or cat with a preexisting condition or illness may require the presence of additional items. The pet owner should decide what tools, medicines, and equipment to add depending upon their pet’s specific needs. All items should be stored in a waterproof container that can be closed securely.

Sample items in a pet first aid kit may include:

- Pet information card with pet’s current health information, veterinarian’s address and telephone number. Also include poison control hotline number.

- Latex gloves, cotton swabs, and hand wipes

- Rectal thermometer, and lubricating jelly pack

- Scissors, tweezers, nail clippers, oral syringe

- Triple antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream

- Sterile eye flush, eyedropper

- Old necktie (for making a muzzle)

- Bandaging materials (gauze squares and bandage tape)

- Clean towel

- Spare collar and leash

- Pet first aid booklet

Remember to package spillable items in leak-proof plastic bags, and rotate items so that medications and ointments do not expire. Store the pet first aid kit safely away from children and pets.

In a perfect world there would be no use for a pet first aid kit, but do not procrastinate. Having the necessary tools and equipment on hand during a critical situation can make a difference in the health and safety of your pet.



Home First Aid Kit: A Must Have!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,


first aid burns


A first aid kit is not just a set of items that you store in your washroom and contains only band-aids, alcohol and analgesics, it is something more. There are various types of First Aid Kits, the most common is the one stored inside the house.

What do we mean if we have a complete set of first aid kit? What is that for and how or when to use it? What comprises each first aid kit? These are the questions we ask ourselves when we consider buying one for our home.

A first aid kit is a set of supplies and equipments for giving first aid, hence the name. A variety of equipments are in it like:

• Bandages – to control bleeding

• Regular strength pain medications

• Gauze

• Disinfectants – like alcohol and Povidone iodine

• Personal protective equipments – like gloves

• Breathing apparatus – to protect you from performing the expired air resuscitation, EAR and cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR

Moreover, the typical contents and most commonly used are the dressings which should be sterile. This comes in different types like sterile eye pads; adherent or non-adherent pads and burn dressings. These are sterile pad soaked in a cool gel. Bandages can be non-adhesive; examples are gauze roller, which should absorbent, breathable. The elastic type are the ones usually used for sprains and pressure bandages. Adhesive elastic roller types are very effective when it comes to applying pressure. They are also very durable and waterproof. Triangular bandages are commonly taught in Basic First Aid Course that was used as slings, tourniquets and to tie splints. Adhesive bandages are the straight adhesive type such as band-aids, sticking plasters. Butterfly bandage types are actually the two common examples as well.

Instruments that should be present in your First Aid bag are the hypoallergenic tape because you don’t want the patient to develop “Urticaria” or itchiness with reddish skin markings. Trauma shears can basically be used for cutting clothing and general use. An irrigation syringe can be used for cleaning wounds. Rubber suction bulbs are good for clearing the airways and can be applied to an unconscious patient.

Equipments like Personal protective Equipments or PPE are important. This is especially in emergency cases where in hazardous materials can even hurt the rescuer. An example would be in organophosphate or insecticide poisoning. Eyecups, gloves, CPR mask or a face shield, sterile eyewash, emergency blanket, thermometer, penlight and even instant acting cold packs.

Certain medications should be in your bag like antimicrobials. This would include antibiotic ointments and anti itch ointments. Examples would include Hydrocortisone cream, Antihistamine cream such as Benadryl and Calamine lotion among others. You also need pain killers or analgesics. These are essential for the fever to disappear. Examples are Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory drug, which is most of the time more valuable than the latter drug. Aspirin, for some, is also applicable. Diphenhydramine, which is anti-histamine, can lessen the allergic reaction seen in few patients. Aloe Vera gel can be used for a variety of injuries like burns, sunburns and dry skin.

Burn gels are water based gels, which acts as a cooling agent and often has mild anaesthetic components. A good example is Lidocaine with antiseptics components like that of tea tree oil. Epinephrine auto-injector is also commonly included in this first aid kit, especially if you are in wild nature trips such as summer camps. This epinephrine injector is used for anaphylactic shock, which is commonly known as severe allergic attacks. Thus, activated charcoal and syrup of ipecac are electively placed in first aid kits because it is for poison treatment. A haemostatic agent that is called QuikClot is sometimes included especially in military kits; this is mainly to control severe and profuse bleeding.

If ever you are trapped somewhere and you do not have anything else but your first aid kit you and you are wondering what you can do. Well, the first thing to do with your first aid kit would be to call help. It would also be helpful if you have a basic first aid manual, which can guide you in any type of situation. This is really necessary because in emergency cases, we get to panic easily. When this happens we cannot think straight. A manual will be able to help us go through it. It would also be advisable to list down the pages for specific cases. Just take note of the more possible accidents.

Moreover, keep a number of your family and friends, as well as emergency hotlines on your mobile or near your landline. Make sure the numbers are visible to your children as well. Just let them know the importance of these numbers and when to place a call to these numbers.

Thus, there are also some things you should know about the contents of your first aid kit. For an instance alcohol pads as well as ointments that are “petroleum-jelly based” can be utilized as a type of fire starter in an alarming emergency situation. It can also be utilized as a lubricant for adhesive tapes. Aside from this, for particular mechanical devices and bandages, it can also be utilized for repairs. These alternative uses of these things can help set your mind on the items you need and can only be used in the wilderness.

First Aid Kits are important in every household. There are also first aid kits for pets, children, travel, disaster and soft sided situations among others. Having one doesn’t mean that you are waiting for an accident to happen. Accidents are a fact of life, so whether we like it or not, it is always best to be prepared.



Natural Disasters and Emergencies: is Your Family Ready?

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,


first aid gauze


Thanks – or No thanks – to the 24-hour News Channels, we are constantly bombarded with tragic events occurring around the world.  Natural disasters – tsunamis, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, floods – or man-made disasters – such as home invasions, accidents or terroristic activity – are front and center on the news everyday.  It is not a question of “if,” but more than likely, “when” an accident or emergency is going to strike you or your loved ones.  Will your family be prepared in the event of a worst-case scenario?  There are four things that you can do right now to begin the journey to emergency preparedness.

 

There is an old adage, “Hope for the best and prepare for the worst”- this is a wise motto to embrace.  If we can be ready for worst case scenario disasters, then a week long power outage due to an ice storm will be a piece of cake! But are we prepared? A recent survey showed that a majority of American homes do not even have a bandaid, much less a first aid kit in case of emergencies -  not only are they not ready for a natural disaster, they can’t even bandage a child’s scrapped knee! 

 

There are thousands of books on Disaster -proofing your family, but the odds that a family that doesn’t own a bandaid would read one of them, are slim!  Therefore, here are the top four things you can do to prepare your family for natural or man- made disasters:

 





1. Have a well stocked First Aid Kit:  When an injury occurs, the last thing you want to do is wish you had the proper equipment to give medical care to your loved ones.  We all need a first line of defense in our homes to be prepared for an emergency situation – a well stocked First Aid Kit is the answer.  At a minimum, it should include assorted bandages, gauze, rubbing alcohol, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, thermometer, cotton balls and adhesive tape.  The size of your first aid kit and its contents will depend on the size of your family, their needs and their lifestyle.  Pre-packaged first aid kits are economical and will contain the essential items that you need – you can then customize it by adding things that are tailored to suit your family’s individual needs.(If Dad is a diabetic, include some hard candy in the event of diabetic shock, and don’t forget your prescription medications and an extra pair of eyeglasses).  Now that you have a well-stocked kit, you should familiarize yourself with all the items in it and know when and how to use them properly.  It would be a good idea to have a complete kit for your home and smaller kits for your cars, purses or your child’s locker at school – you should always have the proper first aid essential on hand.

 





2. Have batteries, flashlights and weather radios readily accessible:  Unfortunately, power outages usually go hand in hand with weather related emergencies, so be sure you have an adequate supply of fresh batteries at home.  Keep a working flashlight on every nightstand (you don’t want to be fumbling around in the dark- that’s an accident waiting to happen!) and have a weather radio nearby to keep your family informed of any watches or warnings in your area so you can take shelter accordingly.  Having a radio, flashlights or battery-powered lanterns ready ahead of time (we don’t recommend candles because of the obvious fire hazard) and your family can remain safe, informed and relatively calm during any storm.

 





3. Have a supply of ready to eat food and water on hand:  This is just good old common sense – our grandparent use to call it “putting away” for winter.  I’m afraid many families today only buy enough groceries to last until the next week’s shopping trip – there is no back up provisions in case of emergency.  Well, there are all kinds of emergencies – a trucker strike as well as weather emergencies could shut down grocery stores, halting the food supply.  As we saw with Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, because of the nature of the storms and their aftermath, help was impeded and people were without food and water for days.  Be prepared in advance.  We should all have enough rations on hand to get us comfortably by until help arrives – plan on at least 14 days worth (most will tell you 72 hours, but in most cases, it takes on average about 5 days to a week to get back to ‘normal’.  Do your part and be prepared so you don’t get in the way of first responders or those who were not prepared and must run to an under stocked grocery store) To accomplish this, just add a few more cans of soup, some familiar foods( not army dehydrated food) and some bottles of water every time you go shopping, and you will build up a nice emergency food supply.  Store your food and water in a cool dark place, rotating the food every six months – keep an eye on the expiration dates.

 





4 Have copies of important documents in one place:    Where are all of your important documents?  Could you recreate your life in the case of a fire?  You should have all original documents in a safe deposit box in an out of town bank or fire resistant safe.  Make copies of vital papers – all title deeds, insurance policies, warranties, driver’s license, Social Security cards, bank statements, investment papers, passport and any other papers that would be key in re- building your life after a disaster. It might also help if you send a second package of copy to an out of town family along with copies of your precious pictures to them as well.  Once you have made copies of all of these, keep them in a water and fireproof container that you can easily grab and go in a worst-case scenario (fire or flood).  These papers will be essential in establishing any insurance claim in the aftermath of any catastrophic event.

 

Keep in mind, the government is not your Mom; they do not keep all of your vital information stored in one place!

 

This article is not intended to scare anyone – but with a little advance preparation, our families can have a greater sense of security and peace of mind. Make sure to follow the government and the first responder’s directions so you do not become part of the problem.  Again, “hope for the best, and be prepared for the worst” –   Be smart.  Be prepared.

 

 



How to Maintain a Good First Aid Kit

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,


kids first aid


Having a first aid kit in any home or business is absolutely essential. From small cuts to larger medical issues, a first aid kit can solve a range of medical problems. Here are some tips on how to properly stock a kit for your home or facility.

• Utilize an information guide for information what to include: Because it can be difficult for the average person to know exactly what to include in a home emergency kit, utilizing a first aid guide of sorts can really help you determine exactly what you need. A well-rounded guide will not only list materials, but also give you an idea of the amounts of medicine you will need to disseminate, depending on the ailment.

• Separate your first aid kit from your medicine cabinet: For most, the first aid kit is simply part of their overall medicine cabinet. However, your medicine cabinet is not usually a good place for kids and young adults to get to. In fact, it is recommended that you keep your first aid kit separate from your medicine cabinet so that they can get supplies, like band-aids or creams, without being privy to any hard-core pharmaceutical drugs.

• Group your medicines and supplies together: This will keep your kit organized, therefore making easy to find the items you need in times of a medical emergency. Keep everything labeled, with dosage information. You don’t necessary have to keep brand names of everything, either. It is perfectly acceptable to purchase generic band-aids or bandages and certain topical creams. You don’t want to spend an arm and a leg stocking your first aid kit; it is far more important that it is stocked at all, regardless of the brands in which you stock it.

• Keep it well-stocked with extra supplies at all times: You never know when a disaster or crisis will hit. Because of this, it’s important that you keep your first aid kit stocked with the proper supplies at all times. Moreover, if you are in a situation where your access to these types of supplies may be limited, think a hurricane or other significant weather event, the go ahead and stock your home emergency kit with extra supplies to be sure you are covered for the long haul.

These important tips will help you to maintain a well-stocked first aid kit for your home. Keep in mind that having a home emergency kit is important because in the event of a medical situation, it will take time to receive professional medical attention. Therefore, it’s important that you have the right types of supplies and medicines to get the process started much more quickly.



Do It Yourself Survival Kits

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,


first aid gauze


wilderness survival kits have first aid items, ways to make fire, a blade of some sort, and some water purification tablets. That’s the minimum in any case, and there are certainly other items in almost any kit that you buy. But of course not everyone is going into the same kind of terrain during the same seasons and engaging in the same activities. In other words, you might not find a kit that has just what you need in it. The solution? Build your own.To start with, you need a good nylon pouch or zippered bag to hold everything. You can start stocking it with the usual items. These should include matches, some other form of fire starter (lighter or magnesium stick), a signal reflector, whistle (also for signaling), water purification tablets, a compass, a knife, some cord, duct tape, paper, a pencil, needle and thread, safety pins, bandages, aspirin, gauze pads, sun block, antibiotic ointment, medical tape, tweezers, and moleskin.

 

Next, consider the types of environment you are normally going to be in. If you often hike in the desert, for example, a large garbage bag or piece of plastic might be a good idea. It can be used to make a solar still if you need water.

If you canoe to isolated locations far from civilization, fishing gear might be a good addition. A few rolls of line and a half-dozen hooks and split-shot sinkers will add only an ounce or so to the weight of the kit. This better prepares you to feed yourself should your other supplies get washed away.

If you do a lot of cold-weather backpacking you might include an emergency “survival blanket.” One of the metallic-plastic ones might weigh only a few ounces, yet work to warm you as well as keep the rain off of you.

If you hike in the mountains and are prone to twisted ankles or knee problems, add an ace bandage. If the metal hooks snag on things in your kit, you can leave them behind and just tuck the wrap into itself. I also sometimes carry an elastic knee-brace that weighs just a few ounces.

If you travel very far from roads or civilization in general, food can be a great addition as well. Find some granola bars or something else that has an expiration date a year away or more. That way you can leave the emergency food in your survival kit between trips, so you don’t forget it.

If you travel in cold wet places, add a good fire tinder that will light when wet. This could be cotton balls soaked with petroleum jelly, cardboard soaked in wax, or something similar. Alcohol-based gel hand sanitizer can help wet things burn as well (and can be used as a disinfectant).

Finally, consider making small survival kits for your pocket. Losing gear is not that uncommon, but you rarely lose the clothes you are wearing. This kind of kit should have aspirin, waterproof matches, a bandage, and a small amount of duct tape. You can add other items, but keep the whole thing small enough and light enough to comfortably carry in a pocket.



Basic First Aid Kits

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,


first aid kit


First aid or medical kits should be found in every household and automobile. Accidents happen when we least expect them and being prepared can sometimes mean the difference between life and death. The most common types of accidents include cuts, scrapes, burns, and insect bites. A large percentage of accidents happen in and around the home, then out in the great outdoors, and final in and around vehicles.

A kit should be readily available both inside the home and when the family is outdoors. It is also important to keep a kit in your garage for outside emergencies and in your vehicle for emergencies that may occur when you are traveling. A kit should also be a part of every emergency preparedness plan. When preparing for a natural disaster, most experts believe everyone should have emergency supplies for at least the first 72 hours. It is a good idea to include at least a 72 hour supply of any prescription medications as well. First aid or medical kits are a must in households that have children. Children can be very accident prone and it is better to be prepared than caught unaware. It is important that each member of the family be familiar with the contents of your kit and knows how to use them.

Your kit should consider the needs of each individual family member. It is very important to change the medications in the first aid kit periodically. Most medications have an expiration date, which can be written down on a piece of paper and kept inside the first aid kit. Also, include items such as glucose monitors and blood pressure monitors for family members that have diabetes and/or high blood pressure.

Every kit should include the following basic items, a assortment of gauze pads, adhesive tape, various bandages, antibiotic ointment, cotton swabs, eye drops, latex gloves, a tweezer, bottled water for cleaning wounds, and a first aid handbook. All kits should include prescription medications as well as non-prescription medications such as syrup of ipecac used to induce vomiting if instructed by a poison control center, medicines for treating bee stings, antihistamines for itching and allergic reactions, and pain medications such as aspirin.

If you had an emergency in your home or vehicle today, would you be prepared? Most people don’t like to think about emergencies and this often results in not being prepared for household accidents. Don’t leave your family’s safety to chance. Be sure your home and vehicle are properly equipped with a first aid or medical emergency kit today!



First Aid Kit Guide

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,


first aid kit


First Aid Kits

First aid kits are collections of equipments and supplies used in providing initial medication to the patient. It could vary by section due to legislation between organizations or governments. Its usual contents are items to avoid bleeding like breathing barriers when performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR bandages. It could also contain different kinds of medicines. It can be organized on mostly any kind of container be it commercially produced or personally arranged.

Standard First Aid Kits are usually kept in wall mounted cabinets, plastic boxes or durable fabric pouches. All pharmacies, groceries and stores sell first aid kits that already have the essential medicines and materials for common health problems.

A basic kit can be placed inside your bag or held in a separate container. It contains some band aids, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointments and some small medicines for usual illnesses such as headaches or diarrhea.

The advanced first aid kits can contain items like bag valve masks, Oropharyngeal airways, nasopharyngeal airways and suction units or manual aspirators. Such items need a little know-how to be used and applied correctly to a patient.

Summer first aid kits contain items specific to the common sicknesses acquired during summer. Examples are sunburns, heatstroke, rashes, headaches, allergies and bruises.

People would normally include in their kits items like aloe vera gels, antibiotic ointments, bandages as well as cold packs for cuts, scrapes and bug bites. They also carry along insect repellants, sunblocks for sunburn prevention and treatment. These are all brought along in any camping trip, trekking, excursion or any outdoor activity.

Making Your Own First Aid Kit

You could pack your own kit rather than buying because this will be more personalized to your specific needs. Assemble some stuff sacks to categorize factors as well as kit items like blister kits, wound management, trauma, over-the counter medication, tropical medications and the prescription medications. You can also assemble items in blister kits like adhesive bandages, athletic tapes, gauze pads, second skin, molefoams, duct tapes, benzoin tinctures and scissors.

Consider items for trauma kits like latex gloves, epinephrine syringe, micro-shield, scissors, airways, cravats, extractors, ace bandages, chemical heat packs, chemical cold packs, trash bags rectal thermometers, thermometers, extra lighters, signal mirrors and wilderness first aid boos. You can also consider tropical medications such as calamine lotions, hydrocortisones, antibiotic ointments, aloe vera gels, suncreams, antifungal crèmes and insect repellents.

Assemble the items for wound management. This would include 10 percent povidone-iodine, irrigation syringe, antibiotic ointment and athletic tape, gauze pads, adhesive bandages as well as rolled gauze, butterfly bandage, tweezers and iodine medicines for disinfecting water. You can also consider items for over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antihistamines and antacids, decongestants along with decongestant spray, oral rehydration, diarrhea medication and medication for motion sickness.

Ask a doctor for some prescribed antibiotics that can treat infections in the urinary tract, skin, gastro-intestines, ear, sinus, eyes and respiratory tissues. You can also ask the doctor again for other prescribed medications like anti-inflammatory medications, pain-killers, steroid crèmes and “altitude” illness medications.

Camping First Aid Kits

A camping first aid kit gives relief for numerous uncomfortable situations and outdoor emergencies. Some of the uncomfortable situations include sunburns or insect bites that could simply be treated by insect relief pads or gel packs. Emergency situations refer to deep cuts or sprains that require instant attention wherein the victims are facing serious bodily damages.



What You Need in Your Car First Aid Kit

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,


first aid burns


All we are faced with accidents in the road. An important factor is to provide timely first aid. This requires a responsible approach to buy first aid kit in your car. First aid is something that can save a life in the nick of time.

Auto First Aid Kit is designed for use on the road with accident report form, call police flag, and a variety of first aid items arranged in compartmental organizers. You will find below a list of 22 items easily obtainable which can save life your friend in times of emergencies.

1. Call police distress flag

2. Accident report form

3. Cotton tipped applicators

4. Exam quality vinyl gloves

5. Antiseptic cleansing wipes (sting free)

6. Alcohol cleansing pads

7. First aid/burn cream packs

8. Insect sting relief pads

9. Ibuprofen (tablets)

10. Motion sickness tablets

11. Adhesive plastic bandages 3/4″ x 3″

12. Junior adhesive plastic bandages 3/8″ x 1-1/2″

13. Fingertip fabric bandages

14. Knuckle fabric bandages

15. Elbow & knee plastic bandages 2″ x 4″

16. Butterfly wound closures , medium

17. 2″ x 2″ Moleskin squares

18. Finger splint 6″ x 3/4″

19. 1/2″ x 5 yd. First aid tape roll

20. Gauze dressing pads 2″ x 2″

21. Trauma pads 5″ x 9″

22. Sterile eye pads

Compose a well-equipped first aid kit is not so expensive and does not require much effort. Traveling to online shops you can compare prices and completeness of kits. When you buy medications, it is important to know where the shelf life expires. If you do not have all the medicine needed from the proposed kit, you can save buying first aid kit for two with a friend.

If you have all these tools in your auto first aid kit, you can always provide first aid in emergency situations.



How To Build The Ideal Home Emergency Kit

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,


first aid bandages


Most emergency survival kits you see in stores are designed for outdoor trips. While they would certainly do as well, they would nevertheless cost more than it should. Here are a few tips to make your own budget-friendly emergency home kit.

One Kit Per Person

To ensure that every person’s need is covered, it’s best to have one emergency kit per person.

For maximum safety and protection, consider basing your emergency home kit on a 72-hour period prior to receiving help. Lastly, every emergency home kit must be capable of meeting any type of disaster or emergency, whether it’s natural or man-made.

Food and Water

Medication can only go so far. To stay alive in any emergency, you’ll need sustenance. Include a sufficient amount of Aqua Blox water boxes – at least a gallon of water per person per day, but you may need more depending on climate conditions. Remember also that shelf life for Aqua Blox is five years. Bottled water, water purification tablets, and water storage bags should also be included.

As for food, carbohydrate-rich foods are your best bet because they’re effective in replenishing your energy. Canned goods are always useful as they require little to no preparation.

Clothing and Shelter

Instead of thermal blankets, you’ll be a lot dryer, warmer, and safer with 2 large-sized garbage bags per person. Wool blankets would be better while sleeping bags, albeit bulky, are the best. Include one set of working clothes and boots.

First Aid

Bandages of all types, adhesive tape, gauze pads, various kinds of antiseptics, analgesics, and antibiotic ointment are the basics of first aid. Be sure to take note of special medication needs of your loved ones such as diabetic medication or a spare pair of eyeglasses for those visually impaired.

Tools

Include flashlight, matches, camping stove with fuel or burner if possible. Forks, spoons, and various sizes and types of knives (not just for culinary use) would be handy. Swiss army knife sets, screwdrivers, and a hammer and pry bar would definitely be helpful.

Special Needs during Emergencies

Your emergency home kit will naturally differ in terms of content and size if you have an infant with you. Because their immune system is not as strong as those of adults, you need to be extra careful in choosing the right foods, medicine, and supplies to ensure their health and safety. Last but not the least, remember to have an emergency home kit ready for your pets, too!