Friday, April 17, 2015

The Importance Of A Disaster Survival Kit

By Stella Gay


Life is unpredictable and disasters can strike at any moment. There is no planning when the moment is now and the world is in a state of chaos even if it is a temporary one. There is usually only panic and fear. This is why a disaster survival kit is a necessity for individuals and groups who want to ensure that the odds are in their favor if the unthinkable happens.

These kits are necessary for use by individuals as well as groups. People who live alone need these kits as do families and other groups. For families, it is important that all family members be aware of the location of the kits and be able to access them.

There are some essential items that must be included in these kits. One of them is first aid items. This means items such as gauze that can be used to dress cuts and bruises, alcohol and pain relievers. When a catastrophe has struck, official aid may not arrive promptly for varying reasons such as the lack of access to the area. Until the ideal aid team arrives, the first aid items in kits like these may save lives.

Medicines such as pumps for asthmatic people must also form a part of the contents of any emergency care package. Families and individuals have to gauge their own unique needs in this regard. If for instance, a family member has been diagnosed with diabetes, then the it is wise to include the insulin required to control the diabetes in the kit.

Also important for these kits are food and water. These are necessary for survival after any disaster and they are usually scarce in these circumstances. In many cases, the suffering faced by victims of disasters is compounded by limited access to food and water. Many people who are caught off guard by the situation are sometimes driven to consume compromised or unsafe food and water. This in turn leads to health complications and even death in severe cases. This is why experts in emergency preparedness advise that people store enough water and food to sustain them for between a few days to a week.

Also important for inclusion in the kits are movement aiding items. One such item is a flashlight or battery powered bulbs or lamps, and of course, batteries. These are important in the event that power goes out and visibility is required at night. Mobility can be hampered at night when there is no electricity and this is where alternate lighting sources such as flashlights become necessary.

Life goes on after a catastrophe. With this in mind you should take steps to secure official documents such as passports and birth certificates. The should be sealed i casings that will keep them from damage before they are placed in a kit.

The importance of being prepared for the possibility of an unexpected traumatic even cannot be overemphasized. There are too many examples of people who were caught off guard by disasters. Don't join those masses. Start putting a kit together today in order to feel more secure tomorrow.




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