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Equipped with everything you need to survive the first 72 hours of a major disaster, this is a great overall choice.
Equipped with everything you need to survive the first 72 hours of a major disaster, this is a great overall choice.
Complete with gear, food, and water, this kit has everything you need and more. Includes a water supply, first aid kit, and light sources. All-inclusive emergency pack offers the basic supplies you need to survive. All gear and supplies pack into an easy-to-grab backpack for immediate emergencies.
Some items had been swapped out for different brands of the same type of product.
A great option with everything you need for first aid emergencies on a budget.
A great option with everything you need for first aid emergencies on a budget.
Comes with over 100 first aid items, including a knife and paracord bracelet. Inner compartments are labeled so that you know exactly how to find the items you are looking for. The material of the case is durable for extreme situations. Great for keeping your car or with your camping supplies.
The bag is not waterproof, which can be a problem in certain scenarios.
U.S. Coast Guard-approved, this pack is compact, affordable, and has what you need in basic supplies.
U.S. Coast Guard-approved, this pack is compact, affordable, and has what you need in basic supplies.
This pack is ideal for earthquakes and provides emergency food, water, and a blanket. Offering 3 days of emergency rations, this kit comes packaged in a medium-sized box, making it perfect to stash in a car for emergency situations. Fairly affordable for the included items.
Some buyers thought this was better suited for 2 days of survival rather than 3.
Add this comprehensive kit to your emergency supplies and you'll be prepared for whatever comes.
Add this comprehensive kit to your emergency supplies and you'll be prepared for whatever comes.
Whether you take this camping or keep it in your car, this first-aid kit has everything you need to treat injuries from cuts and scrapes to more involved issues. It also includes a number of tactical items like a high-powered flashlight, glass-breaking tool, and fire starter. Compact.
Some reports of the flashlight not working upon arrival.
The adequate daypack is filled with bare-bones essentials that users will have to supplement to be a true survival kit.
The adequate daypack is filled with bare-bones essentials that users will have to supplement to be a true survival kit.
Owners feel the kit is adequate for a short-term survival situation. Decent quality pack, with some extra room for additional items, which we recommend you add in case of a major disaster. This 2-person kit comes with enough food for 72 hours and is a good starter pack.
Many users noted that you might need to add extra items to the first-aid kit.
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If tragedy strikes, a survival kit can keep you and your family safe for days. Whether your area is prone to tornadoes, forest fires, hurricanes, or winter storms, disaster preparedness is crucial for any household.
Survival kits vary in their components, the number of people they can support, and how long they will last in an emergency. Many kits boast the number of components they include, but the quality and type of products are more important than the number, especially when considering the needs of your family and the disasters you are most likely to face. However, there are some staples every kit should include, such as water, food, and first aid supplies.
No matter what disasters or emergencies you and your family may face, a survival kit is an essential tool that offers peace of mind and can potentially save lives.
Choosing the right survival kit means considering your region and its potential natural disasters, how long you might not have access to food, water, or other necessities, and the number of people your kit needs to support.
While disaster conditions vary greatly — a major snowstorm can trap you in your home while a flood can force you to relocate — there is some overlap in the items you need to make it through most of these events.
The most important reason to have a survival kit ready is time. You might not have time to spare when disaster strikes, and the likelihood is slim that you can rapidly gather everything you’ll need to survive for days away from your home, that is if you even have everything you need in your home. With a prepackaged survival kit, you can spend your valuable time making sure that your loved ones are safe and ready to go instead of finding and gathering supplies.
Know what disasters can potentially force you and your family to shelter in place or evacuate so you can find a kit with the appropriate components.
House fires can happen anywhere and can often force you and your family to shelter away from your home for days.
Wildfires can force you out of your home, or you might be instructed to shelter in place. It’s crucial that you have adequate supplies and access to a radio for updates.
Hurricanes can force people to evacuate their homes, sometimes for weeks. Alternatively, you might be instructed by local authorities to shelter in place.
Floods can force you out of your home, so you’ll need enough supplies for several days.
Winter storms can leave your home without utilities, and access to food could be limited.
Earthquakes strike with little or no warning and can happen at any time, which means you might need multiple kits for home, vehicle, and workplace.
Most survival kits include supplies for up to three days, but how long they last depends on the number of people and pets in your home. Always check that the kit you purchase has enough supplies for your whole household.
If you expect to need your survival kit for longer than three or four days, you can find some kits with more supplies or purchase more than one kit. Either way, consider the size and weight of the kit and how easy it will be to transport during an emergency.
While a kit with more than 150 pieces is likely to have the basics, you should check the components carefully before you buy one.
There are some key items that every survival kit should contain.
Water: The first essential is enough drinking water for each person and animal for three days. This means you need a gallon for each person each day. Kits might include water pouches or equipment you can use to purify water.
Food: Just like water, you need at least a three-day supply of food for everyone in your home. Food comes in the form of canned goods, protein bars, or cereal. Include a variety of items that can be eaten cold or heated.
Radio: A crank-powered or battery-powered emergency radio is essential for keeping you up to date on news and instructions from authorities.
First aid supplies: No matter the emergency, a first aid kit is crucial. Even minor cuts can be dangerous if not disinfected.
Flashlight and batteries: Whether you lose power or you’re sheltering outside your home, having a flashlight for every member of your family is important.
Whistle: You might need a whistle to draw the attention of rescuers or other survivors.
Tools: While a can opener is one of the most important tools to have on hand, you’ll also need scissors, knives, and eating utensils.
Dust masks: A dust mask can protect you from smoke or dangerous fumes. N95 masks are also important if you need to shelter in a crowded place during a pandemic.
Hygiene items. These include items like moist towelettes, garbage bags for disposing of waste, and toilet paper.
There are several essential items that won’t come in a survival kit.
Local maps: Your phone might lose charge or reception, and the power could be out. Having paper maps of your area can help you navigate safely. You should use your radio to stay up to date on any road closures or other hazards.
Medications: If possible, keep any essential medications for you or your loved ones in the same place so you can gather them quickly.
Money: Keep some cash with your survival kit so you can buy supplies even if the internet or power is out in your area. Consider putting your money in a resealable plastic bag so the bills stay dry.
Important documents: These might include photo IDs, insurance documents, and banking information. Keep them in a resealable plastic bag or another container that will prevent water damage.
Candles: While flashlights can run out of batteries, a dry survival candle provides light in sheltered conditions, but make sure the kit also includes matches or a flint.
Emergency water supplies have a shelf life. Be sure to check the expiration date every few years.
In addition to items unique to your area and your family’s medical needs, consider a few extras that won’t come standard in most kits.
Improvising cat or dog food is difficult, especially when you have a limited supply of human food to work with. Keep a few days of pet food near or in your survival kit so you can keep your animals safe and healthy too.
If you have an infant, diapers are essential. Include some garbage bags so you can dispose of used diapers safely.
Entertainment might not be the first thing on your mind in an emergency, but if you have to take shelter for an extended period away from home, there will be downtime. Card games are easy to carry and a great way to keep everyone busy. Plus, they can help take your mind off the situation at hand.
You want to keep your group together, but if you have to split up, a set of two-way radios ensures you can stay in touch even without smartphones.
Affordable kits that cost $30 to $80 give you some of what you need, but they might leave out crucial components like water and food. These often tell you their total number of pieces, but take note of whether they include enough components for the number of people in your family. In addition, the quality of the included tools might not be the highest.
Survival kits that cost $80 to $150 often come in a convenient backpack and include a variety of tools and rations. While you might need to add a few items to be completely covered, most kits in this range are reliable and have durable components.
For the prepper enthusiast, kits that cost $150 to $300 have robust components made of high-grade materials. While this type of kit isn’t necessary for most people, it can work well for large households.
Pets are not permitted in many public evacuation shelters for safety reasons, so make sure you have a disaster plan for your pets if you need to evacuate to a shelter that doesn’t allow pets.
A. Have a designated meeting place and a backup meeting place. Your primary meeting place can be your home, and your backup can be another family member’s home or a public place like a designated shelter.
A. Have a sheet of paper with phone numbers of any family member you might need to contact. (Remember, your contact list in your smartphone might not be available if it loses charge and the power is out.) In addition to making plans and checking in on them, you should also let your family members know that you’re okay.
A. The tools will probably outlast you and your family, but items like canned goods will expire after about five years, depending on the type of food. Bottled water lasts about two years, while bagged water can last up to five years. Fortunately, you can purchase these items separately rather than replace the whole kit.
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