If you have not yet started an emergency kit now is a good time to start. You do not have to go into anything crazy or expensive to start but if you gather the follow and put them in a backpack or a crisis box, you have a edge and can move on from there!
Here are some $5-or-less emergency prep items to get you started on your way to self-sufficiency.
• Small Bottle Of Bleach
In an emergency, you can use tiny amounts of bleach to purify water. A small bottle of bleach can disinfect hundreds of gallons of drinking water. It can also be used to sterilize equipment and food preparation areas, as well as for general cleaning. For drinking water, add 2 to 4 drops of plain Clorox per quart of water (2 drops if clear, 4 drops if cold or muddy).• A Lighter
A $1.39 lighter is worth its weight in gold, no matter how injured you are – if you have a working thumb and a lighter, you have fire. And at that low price, you can afford to stock up.• Stick Matches
Lighters should be carried as well for redundancy, but don’t forget about matches for a real emergency kit. A case of 10 or a dozen boxes of stick match will usually run you less than $2, and provide you with 300 or more matches.• Duct Tape
Make emergency repairs on, tents, gear, bags, tarps, packs, sleeping bags, clothing, rain gear, etc. It can also be used for wrapping sprained ankles in an emergency.• Bandanas
There are literally dozens of uses for these versatile pieces of cloth. Bandage for a wound, fire starter (soak it in oil or Vaseline), trail marker (rip pieces to show where you’ve been), neck and head covering to prevent heatstroke or sunburn, sling for an injured arm, tourniquet for snake bites or wounds where you need to cut circulation.• Sports Tape
This first-aid box staple is great at keeping your dressings and bandages in place. It’s also strong and sticky enough to be used to hold things together, or to make improvised butterfly sutures.• Activated Charcoal
If your digestive system is turned upside-down while stranded, without access to a store, pharmacy or medical facility, activated charcoal can be your best friend. Activated charcoal is used in hospitals worldwide for patients who ingest drugs or chemicals and has saved countless lives.• A Compass
If you know how to use a compass, it is an invaluable tool. It is a good idea for everyone to learn at least the basics of using a compass, and to have a good idea of basic directional orientation.• Survival Blanket
A reflective emergency blanket could be the best $2 you ever spend if you’re lost in the wild. It will help keep you warm (if reflects body heat back to you,) and it’s also great for signaling, as it will reflect a lot of sunlight. This can also be used to waterproof your shelter, and to collect rainwater• Heavy Cord or Light Rope
Use it for shelter, whether for tying frame pieces together, or for stringing up a tarp between trees. Also use it for splints, traps, etc.• Dental Floss
Aside from dental hygiene, it is incredibly strong and can be used to sew buttons or any material. It is sterile so you can stitch a wound. You can tie down a tent or tarp as long as you don’t wrap it over a sharp edge. You can even fish with it.
Original Image Source: Phil! Gold
The above are just a few important supplies. If you would like to see more suggestions please go to One Good Thing.
Preparation is always important. You never know when a patch of Mother Nature will cause an all-out disaster for weeks on end. Honestly, don’t want to be one of those people who has to run to the grocery store, or worse yet, a warehouse store when an emergency hits!
Plan now!