Equipment Guide for Home Disaster Survival Preparation
Every location in the United States is at risk of natural disasters. Severe weather events have had devastating effects on all parts of the country in recent years. Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, blizzards, and severe storms have all caused disruption of essential services, including electricity, water, sanitation, food supply, and medical services–in some cases for weeks at a time.
Less than half of American homes are prepared for natural disaster-related loss of essential services for any length of time. There is nothing we can do to stop disasters, but we can prepare. The most effective tool at your disposal is planning. Knowing what you need, how to get it, how to store it, and how to use it will get virtually any American family through an extended time without outside services or utilities while relying only on the supplies on hand at home.
Preparation for basic survival at home provides peace of mind and eases the stress related to the unknown chaos of a disaster emergency. There are people who plan for self-sufficient living at home for months or years at a time, and given the proper resources and real estate, that level of preparation can be very satisfying. The vast majority of U.S. residents and the disaster emergencies they face really require effective short-term planning.
The most important time to be prepared are the first few days of interrupted service, as most emergencies will be resolved in a short period of time. However, as the marginal cost of survival planning decreases rapidly per day once you have met the basic planning needs, there is no reason you cannot easily and effectively plan for up to a month of self-sufficient living at home for a reasonable cost.
In many emergencies, even if you are able to get out of the house and get around, store shelves will be empty for an extended time. Many emergencies will involve danger in traveling outside of your house for some period of time for any reason. Preparation means getting ready in advance. With many weather events, you may have a couple of days to get ready. Some weather events, such as flash floods, and man-made events like terrorist attacks will give you no time to prepare before trouble comes.
This site will take you through the basics of home disaster preparation planning. With the basic planning and equipment discussed in these pages, you will find the things you need beyond basic household goods you normally have on hand to get through disaster emergencies without undue stress. If you have the things that we will discuss and know how to use them, you will have the things you need on hand before disaster strikes.
We will address the major items you will need to survive at home without services or assistance for up to a month.
Best Full Meal Kits for Disaster Preparation
You will need a safe and stable supply of non-perishable full nutrition food that you can easily prepare without electricity as needed. Freeze-dried, dehydrated meals will safely store for up to twenty-five years. These survival meals are available in a wide variety, and most provide quality protein and energy from meats, rice, beans, and other staples.
Best Water Supply and Fuel Storage Solutions for Home Emergencies
Water is essential to life in any emergency situation. You must prepare a simple system to keep sufficient clean drinking water available. Food-grade containers and tanks will ensure a proper water supply when properly maintained. In emergency survival situations, water purification tablets can also protect your water supply.
Similar storage systems will ensure that you have the necessary fuel for your emergency generator to power your home’s appliances. Properly filled and maintained gasoline and propane containers and tanks are an essential part of your survival plan.
Best Ready-To-Eat Food for Emergencies and Disasters
You will need to prepare a supply of packaged and sealed ready to eat and nutritious supplementary foods. Surviving emergency conditions requires more food than normal times. Non-perishable and vacuum packed emergency food bars and trail mixes offer variety while supplementing your emergency calorie and nutritional needs.
Best Emergency Non-Electric Cooking Devices
With a simple portable cookstove, you will have available everything you need to properly cook food without electricity. A one burner cooking surface will let you easily prepare hot, satisfying meals. Small and safe indoor cookstoves are fueled with butane and propane.
Best First Aid Kits and Manuals for Emergency Use
In emergencies, it is essential that you have both the equipment, manuals, and training needed to provide medical care when professional help is not available. Minor to major accidents and illnesses are more likely to occur during disaster and emergency situations. Simple training for airway treatment, CPR, and other emergency assistance saves lives.
Best Indoor Heaters for Disaster Survival
In extreme cold, you will have a heating system prepared to keep you and your home warm without electricity. Small propane space heaters designed for safe indoor use will keep you alive in a cold-weather emergency.
Best Emergency Generators for Power Outages
You should prepare for the loss of electrical power with a small portable generator that will power your home’s appliances as needed. You will need to determine the number of watts your essential appliances will require when the power is out. Most modern generators are portable and are fueled with either gasoline or propane (or both).
Best AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radios for Disaster Information
In the event of any disaster emergency, you will need contact with the emergency authorities for instructions and reports on conditions. Preparation and information are your primary defense during a weather emergency or other natural disaster. You will need a durable radio that receives emergency NOAA weather bulletins and alerts. Your emergency radio will also need reliable back-up power from rechargeable batteries, solar power, or hand-crank wind-up power.
Best LED Emergency Lighting for Power Outages
With simple planning, you will have adequate lighting in your home. Modern LED lanterns and flashlights provide efficient and bright lighting in emergencies with minimum power and maintenance. Battery or solar powered lighting will make life much easier during a power outage.