Thursday, 13 March 2014

Customized Emergency Kits For Your Specific Circumstances

By Eric Holm


Life often presents us with situations that we cannot control, whether they are man-made or natural. Natural disasters in particular have been in the headlines almost constantly in the last few years. While natural disasters will occur no matter what we do, there are measures we can take to limit the severity of the consequences. Preparation is the key determining factor for how well these measures will work. With that in mind, keeping an emergency kit nearby is a wise decision. Choosing the proper kit depends on geography and your personal situation. But, keep in mind that it will be too late to prepare and remain calm once the disaster has struck. Preparing ahead of time is essential to ensure success.

As it may take time for rescue units or local officials to arrive, such preparation can make all the difference during that crucial period. The majority of disaster kits contain critical components like preserved food, potable water, emergency lighting and tools to stay sanitary, an important consideration when things break down. Kits vary depending on the disaster they are created for, whether they are geared towards earthquakes, hurricanes or a pandemic outbreaks. Here are a few of the specialty kits commonly on offer in today's market:

Child Care Safety Kit: This specialty kit is comprised of emergency supplies and items for taking care of children after disasters hit. A child ID & records kit can be useful for keeping tabs on children and aiding local officials in finding them if they get lost during the disaster. Some kits also come stocked with water, food, games and light sticks made for children. Some kits even cover more mundane safety issues like household accidents. Corner bumpers smooth out sharp edges, all-purpose safety straps can keep young children in a safe zone and child safety latches can restrict access to cabinets and drawers. Kits that include an automatic night light can be a godsend when power failures happen, as these lights keep working during blackouts.

Earthquake Kit: People living in earthquake-prone areas should look into a disaster kit produced to reduce the impact of earthquakes on survivors. This type of emergency kit protects people and property from the damage an earthquake might inflict. Picture hooks, for example, help keep frames intact and non-toxic quake wax or adhesive fasteners can preserve antiques and other valuables during the shaking of a quake. Since falling and shifting furniture represents a real danger, many kits include furniture fastening straps to keep them in place. Power failure lights keep your surroundings visible, even in power lines have been cut or broken. A crow bar, a shovel and gloves may come in handy when dealing with debris. Finally, a survival guide, if studied carefully, can give users a good idea of how to best use the kit.

Hurricane kit: This kit includes supplemental emergency supplies with hurricane-specific problems in mind. Kits typically have a large roll of duct tape, polythene tarp to craft a shelter, a survival candle for lighting during blackouts. Non-toxic waterproof matches that ignite even when wet, an axe with a flattened head, safety goggles to protect eyes in disaster areas, a folding shovel and a survival guide are also common components. Keeping all of these emergency kits and supplies on hand would be impractical. So it is best to focus on the disaster kit that best fits your needs given your location, housing and family members.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment