The words “Emergency Preparedness” often evoke images of natural disasters and other types of large-scale calamities. It doesn’t always take such obvious situations, however, for emergency preparation to become appreciated. Occurrences such as losing a job, an illness, a family emergency, and other personal crises can also trigger a need to rely on previously prepared resources.
What is Emergency Preparedness?
There are many forms of emergency preparedness. These include – but are not limited to – saving up some ready cash, 72 hour kits and food storage.
Saving for a Rainy Day
“Saving for a rainy day” is an old adage, but the wisdom of it remains the same as when the phrase was first coined. Having a supply of ready cash saved up in the home can seem like a daunting prospect. Between bills, living expenses, investments, bank savings and other monetary outlets, it can often feel as though there isn’t another penny to spare.
The simplest, and possibly most effective, way of saving up some ready household cash is to store away loose change and the occasional dollar bills. Instead of collecting coins and five dollar bills in the wallet, consider putting them in a jar, can, or a safe dedicated to the purpose. It can be amazing how quickly these seemingly small amounts add up.
It is a good idea to have a goal of building and storing an amount of ready cash that is at least equal to a few months of the household salary.
72 Hour Kits
72 hour kits are small preparedness units like backpacks or small luggage that can be grabbed at a moment’s notice. It is a good idea to have a kit for each member of the family, with size and weight varying according to what they can carry. Even pets can have their own, although theirs would obviously need to be carried by their owners. These kits are meant to hold basic necessities; enough to last, as the name implies, for three days.
Important items for these kits will vary according to the need of each individual, but basics include food, water, a change of clothes and sanitation items. It is better to pack lighter food such as dried meat and fruit, granola bars and/ or cereal, instead of heavier things like cans. Adequate water is an absolute must.
It may be a good idea to have a kit in the car, as well.
Food and Water Storage
Food storage can seem like too great a challenge to many people, and arguments like “there’s not enough space,” “there isn’t enough money,” or “what’s the point, the grocery store is just around the corner,” are often heard. Having a ready supply of food does not need to take over the house or empty the wallet, and it isn’t only for large-scale crises (although if there was one, there’s a good chance that the grocery stores would quickly cease being sources for supplies.) Food storage comes in handy for everything from having a slashed salary due to being laid off, to occasions when, for whatever reason, a trip to the store cannot be accomplished.
Storing food items does not need to take up a huge amount of space. If space is an issue, consider storing various non-perishable items under couches, beds or tables. Sofas can be draped with couch covers, hiding what is underneath, and tables can likewise be covered by tablecloths.
Starting and building a food storage can be a simple process. Simply add an extra two or three items to the shopping cart during each trip to the grocery store. Non-perishables such as pastas and canned goods make great storage items and can last a while before needing to be rotated. It is important to remember not just to concentrate on food, but on water as well.
Other Forms of Emergency Preparedness
Emergency preparedness is not just about having a ready supply of money, food and other necessities. Other forms include having a home exit plan in case of fire and having emergency meet-up locations in case of being separated. It can also be extended to things like having a back-up generator to cover power-outages, or even having a couple of rain barrels to collect extra water for the garden in case of drought.
Like anything else, emergency preparedness requires planning and time to implement. Although items such as generators do pose a great expense, doing basic things like building a ready supply of cash, having a food storage and assembling a 72 hour kit does not need to require great energy or money to accomplish, and can be an invaluable asset in times of need.
Monica C. Webster - Monica C. Webster is a graduate of the University of Toronto, with a BA in Art and Art History and a minor in English. She also has a ...
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