Home Survival Supplies

FEMA, Red Cross, and various other disaster relief agencies recommend everyone have a variety of home survival supplies stockpiled in the event of a disaster. They further suggest having enough supplies to last at least a few days, if not a week or more. What home survival supplies should you have on hand?

The first critical need is potable water. There is an endless variety of disasters that could result in a lack of fresh, clean water flowing from your taps. At best, the human body can survive three days or so before expiring from dehydration If a person is reasonably active, as would likely be the case during a crisis, that time frame is dramatically reduced. The most common recommendation is to store one US gallon of water per person, per day. This will provide enough to drink and prepare food and not much else. A better figure is at least two gallons. While there are several different types of containers readily available for water storage, an inexpensive solution is to recycle pop bottles. The 2L size is ideal. Wash them thoroughly, then fill them to the top. Add a few drops of chlorinated bleach, then seal them tight. Rotate your water supplies about every six months, using the old water for your gardens and/or pets.

The next need would be food. Under ideal circumstances, the body can last about three weeks without food, though a distinct decrease in energy and body function will be noticed far earlier. Non-perishable food needing little to no preparation is ideal. Suggestions would include things like granola bars, protein bars, dried fruit and nuts, and crackers. There are many ways to cook without utilities, such as propane or charcoal grills, solar ovens, even just over a campfire. Having one or more of these options available allows you to expand your food storage considerably. However, don't rely on anything that must be refrigerated or frozen during storage as if the power is cut to those appliances, the contents will go bad quickly.

The means to stay warm during cold weather is crucial. Fireplaces are a very poor choice, but are certainly better than nothing. A wood stove is a vastly superior option. Ensure you have plenty of blankets and comforters as well.

Purchasing a pre-made first aid kit is a good start, but only a start. Add in plenty of bandages, gauze, and various over the counter remedies you normally use. Make sure there are plenty of medicines to cover stomach upset, as this is one of the most common ailments arising from eating unfamiliar food or questionable water.

Other home survival supplies include flashlights (with plenty of batteries), heavy duty work gloves, a gas-powered chainsaw for removing fallen trees and branches, and eye protection. A crank powered radio will be an excellent addition as it will allow you to receive news updates. An old fashioned land line telephone will often work even if the electricity to the home has been cut off. A generator will obviously provide emergency power but be sure to follow all instructions to the letter for safety.

The goal of having home survival supplies is to provide for the needs of the family during a crisis, until rebuilding and a return to normalcy can be achieved. It is relatively cheap insurance to purchase now and will provide a priceless benefit should the supplies ever be truly needed.