My Survival Kit Tips
There are countless places on line to get a list of must haves in your survival kit
This is a list of just a few places you can go to get a list.
I just went through my first hurricane (Irma). Which made me really look at my survival kit. To see my list. click here
I was very fortunate that my house was OK and that we did not loose power. I did have food, water and other supply’s just incase.
When disaster hits, the store shelves are empty immediately.
What will “you” do?
This list is from ready.gov/build-a-kit
• Water – one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Water
For me the most important thing is water. And not just to drink. What about cooking, cleaning, brushing your teeth, and flushing the toilet (if it is available)…
I also have some life straws just incase.
I had bottled water and gallon jugs, for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and hygiene. I also filled up the bath tub, sinks, and a 30 gallon clean trash can, so we could have water for flushing the toilet.
You don’t have to go out and by water, you can fill up pots and pans, old milk jugs (washed). Use what ever clean containers you have. And they don’t need to be clean if you are using it to flush the toilet.
Food
Food is next on my list. I can’t tell you what to eat. I can tell you what I have in my survival kit.
I have protein bars for quick snacks. I have caned food (and a can opener) because it will be OK even if it gets wet from flood waters. If your cans do get wet with flood water be sure to clean/sanitize the cans before opening them. Here’s one way to do that.
I have added MRE’s to my kit. MRE = Meals Ready to Eat. See more.
I filled all the open space in my freezer with water bottles. This will help keep the food cold longer if power goes out, and also give me cold water to drink.
You can, and I have, eaten right out of a can. But I do have a propane camp stove so I don’t have to. I also have paper plates and plastic silverware (in ziplock bags), so I don’t have to wash dishes.
Communication
One thing that was very important to me was my phone. If power goes out how can I charge it. I know cell towers may be down, but if they are not, I want to be able to be in contact with family, and emergency personnel.
I do have walkie talkies in my survival kit, but that is only good for a few miles.
After reading the reviews on many different weather radios I bought one that the Red Cross recommends. The FRX3 by Eton.
I bought the FRX3 because it not only has the NOAA weather band alerts, and can be charged with a hand crank, or solar charging if the power goes out. I bought it because it can charge a smart phone. Other devices do not have the amps to charge a smart phone.
Miscellaneous
Keep your gas tank full
I don’t let mine get below 1/2 a tank. It was a mad house at the few gas stations that did have gas as hurricane Irma headed our way. Many gas stations did not have gas for several days after Irma was gone.
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Water jugs only las about 6 months. You don’t want to find out that you don’t have water when you need it.
Medication
Don’t forget your medication, and any other special needs you have.
Pets
Have food, toys, medicine, blankets… What does your pet need?
