Everybody needs a survival kit or emergency kit. If anything happens, you need to be prepared to live with the basics for at least 3 days. The American Red Cross recommends a 3 day supply for evacuations and a 14 day supply for the house. So what things are absolutely necessary to include in your survival kit? Here, I give you a list of 20 things you absolutely need to pack.
1. Water. This needs to be at the top of any survival or emergency kit. We can’t live without water. We need water. Plan to include 1 gallon of water per person per day. Remember, this water is needed not just to drink, but also to wash with.
2. Bleach. Plan to also include bleach. If you have stored your water any length of time or it has been exposed to the air, then adding just a little bit of bleach will make it safe to drink in an emergency. 1 gallon of water needs about 8 drops of pure bleach to make it safe to drink.
3. Food. We gotta eat. Again, plan for 3 days if you get evacuated and 14 days in general. Include foods that won’t spoil, that are easy to prepare. Many stores sell survival food where all you need to do to make it is add hot water.
4. Utensils. Don’t forget some forks, knives, and spoons.
5. Multi-utility tool. These are tools that include several tools in prepper food one. You’ll most often find these including a flat-head screwdriver, scissors, a knife, pliers, and sometimes a bottle opener.
6. Flashlight. Make sure you have a light. In an emergency, most likely the power will be out and you will need the flashlight to get around in the dark at night. If you can find one that is solar powered or crankable, then all the better. In addition to a flashlight you may also want to bring some portable lights. Solar power lights are ideal. If you can find waterproof ones all the better.
7. Radio. You need a radio so you can listen to news and/or send out help messages. If you, get one that is hand-cranked.
8. Batteries. If your flashlight or radio are battery powered then you need to have extra batteries on hand.
9. Medication. If you are taking any kind of medication, make sure to keep at least a 7 day supply of it.
10. First-aid kit. You never know what can happen. You can fall or scratch yourself on something. A first-aid kit will help you get bandaged up.
11. Toilet paper. I think toilet paper is so useful for so many things. Keep some in your survival kit too so you’ll have something to clean and wipe with.
12. Bathroom gear. This includes toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and whatever else you use to get clean.
13. Underwear. So you can stay clean.
14. Copies of important personal documents. You will want these documents handy if you find that you can’t go back to your house for whatever reason. These include passports, citizenship papers, driver’s licenses, medical information, birth certificates, and insurance information.