10 Essentials for Your Emergency Kit

Get Prepared for Emergencies

In the wake of the latest emergency test alert that sounded on mobile phones across the UK at the weekend, we thought we’d take the opportunity to review the current government guidelines on being prepared. September is also National Preparedness Month in the US, so now is a good time to think about 'what if..?'

While the UK is at low risk from the natural disasters that cause devastation elsewhere in the world - earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis etc. – that doesn’t mean we can’t be brought to a halt by extreme weather, localised power or water outages or any number of political or industrial issues that make our otherwise comfortable existence challenging or even hazardous.

So what does the UK Government suggest we have on hand to deal with an emergency?

Be in the Know

Much of what they recommend is around information and planning:

Discuss with your families how to escape your home in the event of a flood or a fire and where a safe place to muster would be
Know where the contact details of the power and water providers are kept and ensure your family, schools and place of work have your contact details
Store crucial documents - passports, birth certificates, insurance policies - in a safe place that is easy to grab if you need to evacuate quickly
Make a plan to check on neighbours if an emergency happens – especially if they are vulnerable

What would YOU actually need in an emergency?

Consider what you and your family would need if you were forced to leave your home quickly. It can be helpful to store what you’d need in one place in a ‘Grab Bag’ or ‘Go Bag’ – something ready to go quickly
Consider what you’d need if you were told not to leave your home for a number of days – potentially without power or water
And consider what you’d need if you were stranded in your car overnight due to wintery weather or a breakdown in a remote location; a blanket, a torch, jump leads, a snow shovel, high vis clothing, water and snacks!

Emergency Kit for Home

The government suggests a number of items to include in your Go Bag – all of which are easy to find online. No one expects you to rush out and get it all at once and your kit is likely to evolve as the needs of your family change over the years. The key is to review it regularly to check it will meet your needs at any given time.

So, what do they recommend?

Battery or wind-up torch – torches are safer than candles.
Prices start from around £10 on Amazon and many have solar power cells too so they can charge during the day.
Portable power bank for charging your mobile phone.
Always helpful but you’ll need to check it is fully charged at all times
Battery or wind-up radio to get updates during a power cut – a car radio can be used, however in severe weather it might be safer to stay inside.
There are a range of wind up radios with built in torches available – so just one purchase will cover many options
Spare batteries for torches and radio and a backup battery for any medical equipment you rely on.
(It’s best not to store these items with batteries already installed in case of leaks)
A first aid kit including items such as waterproof plasters, bandages, a thermometer, antiseptic, eyewash solution, sterile dressings and gloves, medical tape for dressings, and tweezers. Add simple pain relief suitable for all family members and some essential medicines for common ailments – like an upset tummy. Include a supply of prescription medications your family may need.
Hand sanitiser and wet wipes for hygiene purposes when the water is off. Sanitary supplies for women and toilet paper.
Bottled water – there is no standard figure for this as emergencies can vary in duration and people use different amounts.
A minimum of 2.5-3 litres of drinking water per person per day is recommended by the World Health Organisation for survival. 10 litres per person per day will make you more comfortable by also providing for basic cooking and hygiene needs. Additional water might be needed to make up baby formula, for medical devices and for pets.
Bottled water takes up a lot space and once it’s gone, it’s gone. You might want to consider one of LifeSaver’s Emergency Preparedness Packs for this. Supplied foil-wrapped to give a shelf life of ten years, you can choose from the Bottle – suitable for one person, the Cube – ideal for couples, and the Jerrycan, which will keep the whole family in safe drinking water for years if need be. Use them to purify contaminated tap water or fresh water from rivers, lakes and streams. And you don’t have to keep them for just emergencies – they’re the perfect addition to your camping equipment.
Non-perishable food that doesn’t need cooking, such as ready-to-eat tinned meat, fruit or vegetables (and a tin opener!). As with water, how much you need will vary based on your own circumstances. Don’t forget food for pets.
Baby supplies such as nappies and baby formula – ready-made or ‘ready-to-feed’ formula is best as you may not be able to boil water or sterilise bottles (although a LifeSaver water purifier will mean boiling water isn’t necessary).
Other items that appear on various lists include a fire lighter or matches, a pocket knife or Swiss Army knife, rope, cash, blankets, and even a pack of cards or board games.

Check your local Government recommendations

You’ll find similar plans on many countries’ government websites, and the suggestions will vary according to climate and what the local threats may be. You’ll find some of them here:

UK: https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk/get-prepared-for-emergencies/
US: https://www.ready.gov/kit
AU: https://esa.act.gov.au/be-emergency-ready/resources-plans/home-emergency-kit

Keep Calm and Carry On

Being prepared for an emergency and expecting an emergency are two different things. It’s up to individuals to decide how much risk they might be in and how much preparation they feel they need to keep them and their families safe.

Chances are, you’ll never need to evacuate your home or, if you do, there will be time to pack a case and make alternative arrangements. But, if a policeman knocked on your door tomorrow, telling you to leave immediately because of a local gas leak, or an unexploded WWII bomb found in your neighbour's back garden, would you be ready?

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by Kerry Sommers