Key insights:
- The key to managing at-home injuries and natural disasters is planning. Organize an emergency kit today to prepare your family for the unexpected.
- Clearly mark your emergency kit and store it in a convenient location to ensure everyone has access during a crisis.
- Supplemental emergency kits may be helpful. Consider creating an extra kit for wintertime or to stash in your car while you’re on the go.
As a homeowner, it’s smart to prepare for unforeseeable circumstances that may leave your home without power or resources. Whether you’re dealing with a full-on power outage following a storm or you’re looking for a flashlight when you blow a fuse, your future self will thank you for organizing an emergency home kit now. Here’s everything you need to consider buying and packing as you create an emergency kit.
What do you need in a home emergency kit?
To curate an emergency kit for your household, start by purchasing a designated emergency bag with a zipper or a tote box. The kit should be brightly colored and clearly labeled so it’s easy to spot in an emergency.
Next, fill your emergency kit with equipment. Supplies can be thrifted or purchased, and you may already own some items on the list! Here’s what you need for your basic home emergency kit:
Electronics
- Flashlight with fresh batteries
- Phone charger or battery pack that works without electricity
- Battery-operated or wind-up radio (NOAA Emergency Weather Radio is a reliable option)
- Extra batteries
Food
- Water
- Protein drinks or electrolyte-rich beverages
- Snacks (canned food, protein bars, dried fruit and other nonperishables)
- Favorite comfort foods
Health
- Important medications
- First aid supplies (bandages, gauze, antibacterial ointment and rubbing alcohol)
- Hygiene products (toothpaste and menstrual supplies)
- Extra contacts or glasses
More
- Blankets
- Extra clothes
- Whistles
- Multi-purpose tool
- Matches
- Cash
- Emergency contact information (family and local crisis numbers)
- Copies of important documents (insurance cards, passports, etc.)
- Copies of house and car keys
- Entertainment items (games, puzzles and coloring books)
If you’re responsible for dependents, add extra items that they may need. For infants, include diapers, wipes, formula and clothes. If you have a pet, they’ll need food, a leash and a kennel.
Once your emergency home kit is assembled, be sure to store it in a convenient spot, not in the very back of your closet or a dusty basement corner. By staying organized now, you can rest easy knowing that you have quick access to bandages and flashlights — and you’ll avoid scrambling around your home during a potential accident or natural disaster.
What do you need in a winter weather kit?
Homeowners in the Midwest are fortunate to enjoy all four seasons. But, there’s a tradeoff to colorful Octobers and lakeside summers: our snowy winters. To prepare for winter-related events, from blizzards to frozen pipes, you’ll want to stock up on items that make your home more comfortable and safe.
In addition to the basic emergency kit, here’s what to include in your winter home emergency kit:
- Warm winter clothes (coats, hats, mittens, thick socks, etc.)
- Thick blankets
- Emergency heating plan (fireplace stocked with wood or space heater with extra fuel)
- Hand warmers
- Shovel or snowblower
- Jumper cables and windshield scraper for your car
Stay safe in your space
Your emergency home kit will help save the day during an unforeseen storm, sudden injury or winter emergency — and it will also foster a sense of safety for everyone in your home.
For more homeowner tips, reach out to Edina Realty or your agent today.
