Building Your Home Emergency Kit: Ready for Anything

Life in Canada, with its beautiful landscapes and distinct seasons, also comes with its share of unpredictable events: severe weather, power outages, natural disasters like floods or wildfires, or even localized emergencies that might require you to shelter in place or evacuate quickly. In these moments, relying solely on external help might not be enough or immediate. That’s where your home emergency kit, often called a "72-hour kit" or "grab-and-go bag," becomes your family's lifeline.

At Ready 4 Everything Training and Supplies, we champion personal preparedness as a cornerstone of community resilience. While our primary focus is on first aid training, a comprehensive emergency kit is the perfect complement to your skills, ensuring you’re truly "Ready 4 Everything" for any challenge that comes your way.

Why a 72-Hour Kit? The Power of Self-Sufficiency

The "72-hour" concept stems from the understanding that in a large-scale emergency, it could take professional responders up to three days or more to reach everyone in need. During this critical period, your family needs to be self-sufficient. A well-stocked emergency kit provides the essentials for survival, comfort, and communication, minimizing panic and enabling you to focus on safety and well-being.

The Essentials: What Goes Into Your Kit?

Your emergency kit should contain enough supplies for each family member (including pets!) for at least three days (72 hours). Store it in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers like backpacks, duffel bags, or clearly labelled bins, and keep it in an accessible location, such as a closet near an exit, or in your vehicle if you live in a high-risk area.

Here's a comprehensive breakdown of what to include:

1. Water: The Most Critical Element

• Quantity: At least 2 litres per person, per day, for drinking, plus additional water for hygiene. (So, 6 litres per person for 3 days).

• Storage: Store in sealed, unbreakable containers.

• Purification: Water purification tablets or a portable water filter (e.g., Sawyer mini) in case your stored water runs out.

2. Food: Non-Perishable and Comforting

• Selection: Non-perishable, high-energy foods that require no cooking or refrigeration.

• Canned goods (with a manual can opener).

• Protein bars, granola bars, dried fruit, nuts.

• Peanut butter, crackers.

• Ready-to-eat cereals.

• Comfort foods (chocolate, hard candy) for morale boost.

• Rotation: Check expiry dates and rotate food every 6-12 months.

3. First Aid & Sanitation: Health and Hygiene

• First Aid Kit: A well-stocked kit, including bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, specific medications (see below), gauze, medical tape, sterile gloves, scissors, tweezers. (You can build upon the basic kit from our Week 8 post).

• Personal Medications: At least a 7-day supply of prescription medications (with doctor's note for refills), over-the-counter medications (e.g., antacids, anti-diarrhea, antihistamines).

• Hygiene Items: Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, feminine hygiene products, garbage bags, toilet paper.

• N95 Masks: For airborne contaminants (e.g., smoke, dust).

4. Communication & Information: Staying Connected and Informed

• Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Radio: With extra batteries, to receive emergency broadcasts.

• Flashlight: With extra batteries (LED preferable for longer life).

• Whistle: To signal for help.

• Power Bank: For charging cell phones.

• Copies of Important Documents: (In a waterproof bag)

• Identification (passports, driver's licenses).

• Insurance policies (home, auto, health).

• Birth certificates, marriage certificates.

• Medical records, prescription lists.

• Bank account numbers, credit card numbers (keep secure, consider a separate location or encrypted digital copy).

• Family contact information (out-of-province contact, doctor, school).

• Cash: Small bills, as ATMs and electronic payments may not work.

• Maps: Local area map in case GPS is unavailable.

5. Personal Needs & Comfort: Making It Livable

• Change of Clothes: For each person, appropriate for your climate (rain gear, warm layers).

• Sleeping Bag or Warm Blanket: For each person.

• Basic Tools: Multi-tool, wrench (to turn off utilities), duct tape.

• Manual Can Opener: For canned goods.

• Knife/Utility Tool: For various tasks.

• Glow Sticks: Safer than candles for light.

• Matches/Lighter: In a waterproof container.

• Pen and Paper: For notes and communication.

• Books, Games, Toys: For entertainment, especially for children.

• Diapers, Formula, Wipes: If you have infants.

• Pet Supplies: Food, water, leash, carrier, medications, proof of vaccination.

6. Special Considerations for Canadian Winters:

• Extra Warm Layers: Thermal underwear, wool socks, hats, gloves/mittens.

• Chemical Hand/Foot Warmers.

• Emergency Reflective Blanket.

• Snow Shovel (collapsible) and Road Salt/Sand (for vehicle kit).

Where to Store Your Kit(s): Accessibility is Key

• Primary Kit: Keep one kit readily accessible in your home, near an exit.

• Vehicle Kit: A smaller, but comprehensive kit in your car, especially for long commutes or travel.

• Workplace Kit: Consider a small personal "go-bag" if your workplace is far from home.

Maintenance: Don't Let It Gather Dust!

Your emergency kit is not a "set it and forget it" item.

• Review and Replenish: At least once a year (e.g., during daylight saving time changes), check expiration dates on food, water, and medications. Replace anything expired or used.

• Assess Needs: As your family grows or changes (new baby, pet, medical needs), update your kit accordingly.

• Practice: Discuss your family emergency plan, where the kit is, and how to use key items.

Ready 4 Everything: More Than Just Supplies

While having the right supplies is critical, truly being "Ready 4 Everything" means having the skills and confidence to use them. Our first aid courses empower you to not only stock a kit but to understand how to use its contents effectively, whether it's managing a minor injury or responding to a more severe medical emergency. Combining knowledge with preparedness is the ultimate safeguard.

Your Action Item: Don't wait for an emergency to realize you're unprepared. Start building or updating your home emergency kit today! And to ensure you have the skills to use its contents effectively, sign up for first aid courses for your organization – because preparedness starts at home and extends to your community.