As the saying goes, hope for the best but prepare for the worst. And yet no one ever really wants to prepare for the worst-case scenarios because, well, they are worst-case scenarios. And that means danger, for you and your family. Many do the best they can to avoid disastrous situations. They choose where they live based on the low probability of disaster striking and opt for safer modes of transportation (from driving over flying to the make and model of a car or airline statistics). So when it comes down to traveling and vacation time with family it only makes sense to go at the least probable time of dangerous situations arising.
No one wants to visit a tropical island as hurricane season approaches or head to a mountainous area if a volcano is considered active. Yet, these situations (given, these are extreme situations) are usually when the prices of travel go down, which makes certain destinations all the more appealing to visit. You may not want to go during the rainy season but then again sometimes an off-season price tag is too good to resist. So, what do you do when you and your family are on vacation and, heaven forbid, the worst-case scenario does happen? You build an emergency bag.
An emergency bag is a simple, smart, and small way to safeguard you and your entire family from being unprepared when disaster strikes. And it’s actually a lot easier to build one than you think. Are you ready to start packing yours? Here are a few key items to carry.
Start with a few bottles of water
To avoid any sort of dehydration one gallon of water per day per person is ideal. So pack a few bottles of water to last for several days. This amount of water isn’t just for drinking, though. When the water supply shuts down the first thing you think of might be what will you drink, but what about how will you wash your hands? Keeping your hands clean during an emergency is the number one way to avoid any sort of infection getting into your system. Even a simple rinse can make the difference between a few germs and a handful of bacteria getting into your mouth.
Have protein bars on hand
When an emergency hits your mind will immediately go to food and water. But when it comes to carrying an emergency bag you also want to be weight conscious. Of course, you won’t prepare an entire meal in case of emergency, and canned goods, though a great option, still weighs a lot and is a lot to carry. So, to keep your emergency bag to a minimal weight pack nutrient-dense protein bars. This will ensure that you get the nutrients you need, your muscles won’t atrophy, you’ll have sugars for energy, and you’ll actually be fuller for longer.
In case of rain be sure to have a compact umbrella
A compact umbrella is an ideal item to have on you when a storm hits. It might seem like a small item to carry but it can actually make a difference. When you have a travel umbrella that’s small and compact, with a strong steel shaft, it’s built to last because its heavy-duty build is meant to last. Emergency umbrellas are wind resistant too, so they won’t break or fold like other cheap umbrellas—this is a result of rather than trying and hold up against the wind it actually has a double vented canopy so that the wind passes through it rather than go against it. In addition, this compact umbrella is good for more than just rain—it can withstand a ton of snow, sleet, hail, or even too much sunshine (for when the sun is really beating down on you and there’s no shade in sight). Plus, the size of it is perfect because it can literally fit anywhere—your backpack, car, purse, even pockets.
Grab a hand crank radio
You’ll want to be as informed as possible once that worst-case scenario hits. A good way to be prepared without electricity (TVs won’t work and you likely won’t be in a car) is to get a hand crank radio and an NOAA Weather Radio that both have tone alerts. This will ensure that you and your family are up to date on what happens, as it happens, and where to go for safety.
Keep a first aid kit handy
This one essentially goes without saying, but you’ll want all of the necessary tools a first aid kit has in order to clean, address, and bandage any wounds—alcohol wipes, antibiotics, band-aids, etc.
Make sure to have a flashlight with extra batteries or is solar powered
A flashlight is your best friend come nightfall, no matter where you are. But once the electricity is out you’ll want to feel confident that your flashlight will last at least a few days, so be sure to carry extra batteries that are long-lasting. The best batteries are solar-powered ones, so you’ll never have to worry about plugging or recharging them.
Conclusion
When an emergency situation hits you’ll want to be as prepared as possible to keep your family safe. These few items—along with a dust mask, whistle, and old-school map of the area you’re in—will safeguard you the best they can in the event you’re stuck in a disastrous event.