by Preparation | Mar 30, 2025 | Preparation Guide, Preparation Supplies, Preparedness
Imagine being stranded in the middle of nowhere, with no immediate help in sight. Sounds scary, right? Now, imagine having a bug-out bag in your car, equipped with all the essentials to survive such a situation. Suddenly, the scenario seems less daunting.
Creating a bug-out bag for your car is a simple yet crucial task that can be a lifesaver in emergencies. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive step-by-step process to prepare your own bug-out bag.
From selecting the right bag to choosing essential items, we’ll cover all bases to ensure your survival kit is up to the task. So, buckle up and get ready to dive into the world of emergency preparedness, where safety is just a well-packed bag away.
What is a bug-out bag?
A bug-out bag, also known as a 72-hour kit, is a portable pack containing all the essentials needed to survive for at least three days in case of an emergency. It’s a crucial part of any emergency preparedness plan, especially for those who frequently travel by car.
The contents of a bug-out bag can vary depending on individual needs, but typically include items such as:
- Food and Water: Non-perishable food items and water purification tablets or filters.
- First Aid Kit: Bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, and any necessary prescription medications.
- Shelter and Warmth: Emergency blanket, poncho, and a compact sleeping bag.
Other items might include a multi-tool, flashlight, portable charger, local maps, and cash. Remember, the goal is to equip yourself with the necessary tools to manage in the face of a disaster.
Creating a bug-out bag for your car ensures you’re always prepared, whether you’re on a routine commute or embarking on a long road trip. It’s not just about surviving, but thriving during unexpected situations. The key is to tailor your bug-out bag to your specific needs and circumstances, ensuring it’s lightweight yet comprehensive. This way, you’re always ready to bug-out when the situation calls for it.
Why should I have a bug-out bag in my car?
Having a bug-out bag in your car is a practical measure for unexpected situations. It serves as your survival kit, equipped with necessities that can sustain you for at least 72 hours. Imagine being stranded due to a car breakdown or natural disaster. A bug-out bag would come in handy, providing essential items like food, water, first-aid supplies, and tools for repair or navigation.
Moreover, a bug-out bag can be a literal lifesaver during emergency evacuations. In situations where you need to leave your home immediately, you may not have time to gather supplies. Having a bug-out bag in your car ensures you have immediate access to survival essentials.
Creating a bug-out bag for your car, however, requires careful planning. It’s crucial to pack items that are compact, lightweight, and serve multiple purposes.
- Food and Water: Non-perishable food items and water purification tablets can be a lifesaver.
- First-Aid Supplies: A basic kit should include bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, medical tape, and pain relievers.
- Tools: Include a multi-tool, flashlight, batteries, and a fire starter.
Remember, a bug-out bag is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Customize it based on your personal needs and the specific conditions of your region.
What items are essential for a car bug-out bag?
When it comes to emergency preparedness, a car bug-out bag is an essential tool. For a comprehensive bug-out bag, several items are crucial. First, water and food are vital, specifically non-perishable items and water purification tablets.
Next, you’ll need a first-aid kit. This should include bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, medical tape, and pain relievers.
Another critical item is a multi-tool. This versatile tool can serve multiple purposes, from opening cans to cutting rope. Speaking of rope, a paracord is another must-have. It is useful for tying items together, creating shelter, or even for first aid purposes.
- Emergency blanket
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries
These three items can provide warmth, light, and power in challenging situations.
Maps and a compass are also essential for navigation, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar area or if your phone’s battery dies.
Lastly, personal items such as medications, cash, and important documents should also be included in your bug-out bag. These items can help you in various scenarios, whether you need to buy supplies, prove your identity, or manage health conditions.
Remember, the goal is to be prepared for any situation. Each item in your car bug-out bag serves a specific purpose and can be a lifesaver in an emergency.
How to pack a bug-out bag efficiently?
Packing a bug-out bag for your car requires careful consideration and strategic planning. The first step involves identifying essential items that meet your survival needs. Water, non-perishable food, first aid kit, multi-tool, flashlight, and blankets are some of the essentials you should never skip.
Prioritize items based on their importance and pack them accordingly. Water and food should be easily accessible as they are needed frequently. Use vacuum-sealed bags to save space and keep items organized.
The size of your bug-out bag also matters. It should be compact enough to fit in your car but spacious enough to accommodate all necessary items.
Regularly check and update your bug-out bag. Replace expired food and water, and ensure all equipment is in good working condition.
Personalize your bug-out bag based on specific needs. If you have a medical condition, ensure you pack necessary medications.
Here’s a quick checklist to help you pack efficiently:
- Water
- Non-perishable food
- First Aid Kit
- Multi-tool
- Flashlight
- Blankets
Remember, the goal is to be prepared for any emergency. So, pack wisely and stay ready.
Can I use any bag for my bug-out bag?
In the context of creating a bug-out bag for your car, it’s crucial to understand that not just any bag will suffice. The bag you choose must be durable, spacious, and easy to carry. A backpack is often the preferred choice for many, given its practicality and convenience.
It’s also essential that the bag is made of high-quality, rugged material that can withstand harsh conditions. Look for bags with multiple compartments for better organization of your emergency supplies.
- Water-resistant properties are a significant feature to consider. This ensures your supplies stay dry, even in adverse weather conditions.
The size of the bag is another critical factor. It should be big enough to hold necessary items like food, water, first aid kit, clothing, and other essential survival gear, but not so large that it becomes cumbersome to transport.
Comfort should not be overlooked. A bag with padded straps and back support can make a significant difference, especially if you need to carry it for extended periods.
Remember, the goal is to have a bug-out bag that’s ready to grab and go in case of an emergency. Therefore, your choice of bag plays a pivotal role in your preparedness strategy.
How often should I update my car bug-out bag?
Regular updating of your car bug-out bag is crucial to ensure its effectiveness in case of emergencies. The frequency of updates typically depends on the items within your bag. For instance, perishable items like food and water should be replaced every six months. On the other hand, items such as first aid kits and emergency blankets may not require frequent updates, unless used or damaged.
Seasonal changes also warrant updates to your bug-out bag. For example, you might need to add extra warm clothes during winter or include sun protection items in summer.
It’s also a good practice to check and update your bag whenever you perform routine car maintenance. This way, you can ensure that all items are in good condition and ready for use when needed.
Here’s a quick guide on when to update certain items:
- Food and Water: Every six months
- Medications: As per expiry dates
- Seasonal items: At the change of each season
- Other items: During routine car maintenance
Remember, a well-maintained bug-out bag can be a lifesaver during unexpected situations. Regular updates ensure that your bag is always equipped with the necessary items, making your car a reliable refuge in emergencies.
What food should I pack in my bug-out bag?
When preparing your bug-out bag for your car, it’s crucial to consider the types of food that will provide sustenance and long-lasting energy. Non-perishable items are the best choice for a bug-out bag. These include canned goods, such as tuna, beans, and vegetables. However, remember to pack a can opener if necessary!
Dried foods are also excellent options, including jerky, dried fruits, and nuts. These provide a good source of protein and healthy fats. Similarly, energy bars, granola bars, and protein bars are compact and nutrient-dense.
Consider packing ready-to-eat meals (MREs). These are a staple in military rations and are designed to be lightweight, compact, and long-lasting. They offer a variety of meals, from pasta to stew, and only require water to prepare.
Don’t forget about hydration. Pack bottles of water, but also include water purification tablets or a LifeStraw for emergencies.
Instant coffee or tea bags can be a morale booster in stressful situations.
Lastly, remember to rotate your food stocks regularly to ensure they remain fresh and safe to eat. This way, you’ll be ready for any situation with a well-prepared bug-out bag in your car. Remember, the key is to prioritize long-lasting, nutrient-dense foods that require minimal preparation.
Are there ready-made car bug-out bags available?
Absolutely, there are numerous ready-made car bug-out bags available on the market. These bags come packed with essential survival items that you may need in case of an emergency. They are an excellent choice for those who prefer convenience or lack the time to assemble a bag themselves.
When choosing a ready-made bag, you should consider the quality of the items included, the bag’s durability, and whether it contains all the necessities you may need in a crisis. Some of the essential items to look for include:
– First Aid Kit
– Food and Water
– Warm Clothing
– Tools and Equipment
– Communication Devices
It’s crucial to note that while these bags are convenient, they may not be tailored to your specific needs. For instance, you may require specific medication or have dietary restrictions that ready-made bags do not consider.
Therefore, while ready-made car bug-out bags can be a good starting point, you might still need to customize them to suit your unique needs. Remember, the key to a successful bug-out bag is preparation and personalization.
Wrapping Up: How to Create a Bug-Out Bag for Your Car
In conclusion, the importance of having a bug-out bag in your car cannot be underestimated. This article has covered essential topics such as understanding what a bug-out bag is, why it’s necessary to have one in your car, and the crucial items required for an efficient car bug-out bag.
Packing a bug-out bag requires careful selection of items, and not just any bag can be used for this purpose. Regular updates to your bug-out bag are necessary to ensure its contents are always fresh and usable. The food packed should be non-perishable and easy to consume. For those not inclined to DIY, ready-made car bug-out bags are available.
The key takeaway is that a well-prepared bug-out bag can be a lifesaver in emergency situations. As the future unfolds, it’s likely that advancements in survival gear and emergency preparedness will continue to influence the contents and efficiency of bug-out bags. Therefore, it’s essential to stay informed and regularly update your knowledge on the subject. Remember, preparedness is not a one-time event, but a continuous process.
by Preparation | Mar 30, 2025 | Preparation Call, Preparation Supplies, Preparedness
Food Security and Traditional Wisdom: A Chat with Melvin York on Daddy Pete Gardening Podcast
On a recent episode of the Daddy Pete Gardening podcast, Melvin York delved into the art of emergency food preparation and storage, drawing on his childhood experiences and gardening wisdom.
Growing up, Melvin recalls, “We canned everything.” The basement, with its earthen floor, served as their storehouse. Despite having freezers, he pointed out the unreliability of power, suggesting, “with power allergies, we might want to go more of the canned method.”
For those who missed out on winter planting, Melvin recommends visiting local farmer’s markets. He emphasizes the importance of preparing for winter by maintaining a diary of the crops you’ve grown, thus ensuring a diverse supply. Given the unpredictability of weather events, like the approaching hurricane off Florida’s coast, Melvin suggests planning ahead. Procuring seeds, dry goods, and canned food in the colder months can safeguard against potential shortages.
Melvin highlighted the utility of versatile crops like potatoes, notably the Kenny Becks variety. While regular potatoes have their merit, sweet potatoes, with their later harvest time, are ideal for storage in basements or cellars. Beans, too, offer dual benefits. “You can let green beans, pole beans, and other beans dry, can what you may, and also save the seed,” he says, mentioning that similar methods can be used for vegetables like carrots, rutabagas, and turnips.
Highlighting the resilience of old-timey pumpkins, Melvin noted their longevity, provided they are kept ventilated and off the ground. These pumpkins not only provide a food source, but their seeds can also be preserved for future planting. For those who’ve cultivated beets, Melvin advises monitoring the plants to watch them sprout greens in spring. Though these roots become tougher, they remain edible with a bit more peeling.
He continued, singing praises for easy-to-grow peanuts that, once dried, can be stored for extended periods. Not to be overlooked, peppers, tomatoes, herbs, onions, and garlic are essential components of a winter-ready pantry. “Keep them in a cool, dry area, and you will have them all the way through the winter season,” he suggests.
If you’re new to the art of canning, Melvin advises starting with a three-month supply, gradually adding to it. Such preparedness ensures you remain unfazed during power outages or unexpected shortages.
For listeners eager to explore more gardening insights, he directs them to the Daddy Pete Gardening website, where a plethora of resources awaits. From potting mixes to soil amendments, everything a gardener might need is available. The site also features a newsletter offering free gardening tips. Melvin emphasizes the interactive aspect of their platform, saying, “We have a place there for you to ask questions or leave comments.” True to his commitment, he personally responds to all emails, ensuring that every query is addressed.
In Melvin’s words, “The main thing is we want to help you grow.” It’s a sentiment that not only speaks of cultivating plants but nurturing a community of well-prepared and informed gardeners.
Join us on our regular podcast.
by Preparation | Mar 28, 2025 | Preparation Supplies
There are a lot of world challenges we are seeing every day in the media. Whether you believe what you hear on news reports or not, the reality is we are in difficult times. In fact, it’s likely to get more perilous before it improves.
With that, it is important to consider ways to get better prepared in the event things become more difficult. Even if you don’t think things will get worse, you would be wise to at least prepare for potential natural disasters that could be a short-term disruption to your normal life pattern. We will start by considering some food storage. So, let’s take a look at exactly how to begin your emergency food storage.
Are you looking to begin developing an emergency food storage? This is a great means to plan for emergency situations like natural catastrophes or any type of reason you need to be home for extended periods of time as well as may not have the capacity to buy more food.
Below are some very easy pointers for progressively developing your emergency food storage:
Build Your Emergency Food Storage Slowly
It can be alluring to go out and invest thousands of dollars on food for emergencies, however this isn’t handy or functional. You intend to begin slow-moving, and build it up simply a little at a time. One of the most convenient means to begin working with your emergency situation food storage is simply to acquire a little extra of specific sorts of food or mineral water.
If you buy one package of ground beef for tacos one week, you may want to go ahead and get 2 packages instead. Grab an gallon or two of bottled water when it gets on sale, or slowly add more things to your kitchen that you understand will certainly last for a long period of time.
Make Water Your Top Priority
Having clean drinking water and distilled water that can be utilized for various other things ought to be your top concern when it concerns emergency situation food storage. Water is the best item you can have in your home, given that it can be found in useful in numerous various emergency situation circumstances. You can use it as clean drinking water, for cooking, brushing your teeth, bathing, cleaning, and so much more.
Try stockpiling bottled water either in the pantry or in other areas of your residence, like saving it in your garage or cellar. Just realize even bottled water has an expiration date, so you will need to develop a rotation system to use it when there is no emergency.
More Emergency Food Storage Tips
Here are a few more tips to follow when you are putting your emergency food storage together.
Stock up on more non-perishable food items.
Yes, even the processed ones! These are going to come in handy in an emergency. This should include canned and jarred foods, freeze-dried and dehydrated snacks, and anything that is pantry safe, like nut butters, granola bars, and other processed snacks.
Get vegetables in cans, not frozen.
While frozen vegetables are great for normal daily cooking, in emergencies, the power often goes out. Stocking up on frozen vegetables isn’t going to help you much in those situations. Get plenty of veggies and tuna in cans for emergencies.
Be smart about where food is stored.
For example, if there is a flood in your area, keeping all that food on the ground level of your home is only going to get it ruined. Make sure you choose an area higher up above the ground, and store it in containers that will protect it.
by Preparation | Mar 28, 2025 | Preparation Call, Preparation Supplies
Unless you have been living on a different planet, you are well-aware of the concerns with our food supply. The war in Europe has impacted our wheat and grain supplies – and many experts fear the worst is yet to come.
Some people prefer to not be informed of the challenges we face. After all, we’ve been through a tough few years with the Covid outbreak, terrible political mess, and recession that is making it difficult to get by. I don’t blame folks for wanting to avoid reading or watching the news because it’s exhausting to see what is going on in the world. But avoidance can’t stop what’s coming because you can’t control the things that affect the world’s food supply.
With the difficulties, this writing is about doing something to better prepare your family for the challenges. We are going to discuss the Importance of Having a Survival Seed Bank.
There’s an impending sense that a major food crisis is on the way and the government is trying to prepare right now for that crisis. But if you know anything about how the world is run, then you know that if you’re not the one in charge of your family’s food supply, you and your loved ones could very well end up standing in a ration line or worse – going hungry.
Far too many people have the mistaken belief that if something bad does happen that interrupts their access to food supplies, the government will have a backup plan to save their family.
When millions upon millions of people rely on the same belief that there will be enough to go around, they’re going to end up disillusioned. There won’t be. The government isn’t going to be prepared for any major food crisis.
Why? Because they simply can’t stockpile enough food to feed millions of people for a long term situation. You might think that the hope for relief from a food crisis lies at the base of Mount Plateau in the depths of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which houses the world’s biggest seed storage.
But the seeds in this vault aren’t coming to your rescue and you won’t be able to get to those seeds. Take a look in the mirror. You’re looking at the person who’s your best chance of survival.
It’s up to you to know what to do and to be prepared for any food emergency situation. That means that you’re going to need to know how you can live off the grid. When every method of getting food is suddenly stripped away from you, it can’t be the catalyst that rocks your world.
You have to have a way to replenish your food supply long term. Even if you have some canned goods socked away in the event of a food catastrophe, having goods that will last you a few years isn’t enough.
You have to be able to bring food back in. And if there’s no way to get food from a grocery store and the government’s hands are tied, then what are you going to do? You need to be able to have a survival garden that will take care of you and your family’s nutritional needs for many years to come.
You start this by having the seeds that you need to raise a survival garden – and you need to have enough of them to plant a few acres’ worth of food. This means that you need to have the kinds of seeds that have the ability to reproduce themselves.
They’ll keep on producing for you. And you also want to look for seeds that haven’t been modified. When you plant seeds from a seed bank, you can guarantee that you’ll have food year after year – regardless of what’s going on in the rest of the world.
By using seeds from the foods you grow (and replanting those once your crops come in), you’ll ensure that your food supply will continually produce. You want to make sure that you look for seeds that offer a lot of produce return as well as ones that are high in nutrition and are long lasting.
by Preparation | Mar 28, 2025 | Preparation Guide, Preparation Supplies
It seems that everywhere you go now there is a lot of discussion taking place about Preparation or the need to prepare. Years ago, you hardly heard anything about preparing, but now it is a common them on discussion boards, talk radio, and even in the government. People all over the planet are convinced that something of great magnitude is about to happen that will likely change life as we currently know it.
The simple reality is, regardless of the scale of change that may be coming – it is prudent that we get prepared. Depending on who you speak with or what site you visit, preparation takes on varying degrees of significance. Obviously, no-one really knows what (or when) changes will take place, but there is certainly a good argument that something is about to take place on a major scale. The economy is in shambles, the dollar is on the verge of collapse, wars and rumors of more war is all over the news, and our food supply is in peril. Basically, we seem to have a soup brewing of some pretty difficult ingredients.
Every day, more-and-more people begin the journey toward preparation. Like anything else, when a person first begins a journey there is a certain level of anxiety of the unknown. This “unknown” is pretty significant, so the stress level is definitely raised. After all, this isn’t just taking a walk along a new hiking trail. This is ultimate survival – and acquiring the skills and knowledge to keep your family safe.
With that, we have created this blog to help in your journey. We will start by offering some general information and tips for the newcomers who are embarking on the preparation journey. There are plenty of resources out there for further research, and we will recommend some places to gather more knowledge. This entry post is to introduce you and offer a starting guide for Newcomers to the Preparation Journey.
So, whether you are dwelling in an apartment in downtown New York or are living in a yurt in the desert of Utah, there will likely be some things we offer that you’ll want to acquire. Be sure to bookmark our site and stay with us on this journey. Welcome to the Preparation Call.
Without further delay, let’s get started.
Preparing the Family
The first discussion you will need to have, will likely be with your family. They need to join-in and help with this journey, otherwise it could become exponentially more difficult. I know my family thought I had lost my sanity when I first started talking about Preparation, but today they are well-aware of the needs – and are grateful for the new skills they have acquired.
Small Actions is far better than no action
Right now, it is impossible to really know what exactly we are preparing for. It could be economic collapse, drought, food shortages, earthquakes, terror attacks, or any number of other major disruptions. In fact, it could be a combination of events that completely alter our lives forever.
So, since we really do not have complete clarity on exactly what we may be preparing for, I contend that it is important to just begin. Begin with small action steps, and build your preparation muscle. Each day on the journey will teach you new things, and will likely impact your family’s lifestyle. I believe it will become a very rewarding experience for you, especially as you begin fully realizing the things that are really important in your life.
A few easy things you can begin with will be acquiring items that you can easily store. Rather than go out and spend a bundle of money right out of the gate, you may want to simply set a goal of picking-up a new item for your preparation each week when you do your grocery shopping. It will likely make it easier for you and your family, and will be taking small action steps that will give you a sense of confidence as you move forward.
Here are a few items that you likely will want to consider as part of your preparation strategy. Most of these can be easily acquired and stored. Some of these may seem too obvious, but remember, many new preppers are used to having things at their finger-tips – so they may not even consider what might happen with a potential disruption.
Water
Everyone needs water to survive, so you will need to have fresh water on hand. We just don’t know what might happen to our water supply, so it’s good to be prepared. As you get more advanced, you will want to consider other water acquisition and/or purification systems.
Whole Grains, Rice, Canned Goods, Dried Beans, Pasta
Stocking-up on whole grains, oats, rice, beans, etc., is important and obviously can sustain your family a long time during a disruption of food supplies. Many food items can be easily stored for long periods of time but they must be kept in a cool, dry place. Purchasing products in bulk for storage is a great solution, and gives you a price-break on larger quantities.
Another factor that is important would be to rotate your storage. In other words, once you get a good inventory of supplies – you may want to consume items from your storage and replace with fresh. That way, you have a good storage of fresh supply.
It is also vital that you store grains in in areas free of bugs and other pests. Finding good-quality storage containers is a vital part of the storage process, so be sure to consider that. Above all, you don’t want to spend a lot of money on food storage – only to find that it is ruined by varmints or weather. Not good.
The other important factor is the nutritional value of the food. You don’t want to just consume potatoes and rice because they are easy to store. Obviously, you can’t get all the nutrients you need from potatoes, so you’ll want to consider dried vegetables and fruits as a solution. Don’t assume that vitamin supplement will provide sufficient nutritional value.
Toilet Paper
Have you ever run out of toilet paper? Enough said.
Storage or Grain Buckets (Food Grade!) Various Sizes
Today, you may have the instant ability to purchase bulk food items (like rice, oats, popcorn, etc) at a great price. Obviously, as previously pointed out, you will need to carefully store those bulk items. If you aren’t careful, you can lose your supply. By storing grains in a mylar bag inside of a 5 or 6 gallon food-grade grain bucket, your supply can store well for years. Keep in mind, if a food crisis hits – prices for bulk foods (if you can even get them) will likely soar beyond what you are able to afford. Purchasing now, is a major investment – and may insure your survival. You want to make sure you protect your investment with a high-quality food-grade storage bucket.
It is important to note… many people try to save some money by purchasing a non food-grade container. That’s a bad idea. Sure, you can get a cheap construction bucket at Home Depot – but, those buckets are built for construction hauling and storage, and often have dangerous chemicals that can harm your health. Do you really want your family to eat food that has been stored (long-term) in a toxic bucket?
Lastly, having these buckets also provides other uses. After the food inside has been consumed, you can either reuse with food storage, or the buckets will provide a great solution for carrying or storing water, using for garden seedlings or protecting plants from cold, or hauling other food items like berries, fresh harvested vegetables, or fish.
Other items to consider (we will expound on later)…
- Pet Foods
- Batteries, Radios, and LED Flashlights
- Sun Oven
- Mylar Bags and Oxygen Absorbers
- Guns and Ammunition
- Watch Dog
- Fishing and Hunting Supplies
- Fire Starters
- Cast-Iron Skillets
- Life Saving Reference Guides
- Board Games
- Wood for burning
by Preparation | Mar 28, 2025 | Preparation Call, Preparation Supplies
When I first felt a Preparation Call, I had no idea what to expect or even how to begin. I knew there was a lot of information available but much of it seemed geared toward fear-mongering and wilderness survival. As I began to make plans one of the first things I considered was to ask the question: What Supplies And Tools Do I Need For Emergency Preparedness?
Every household should prepare in advance for emergencies. Recent surveys show that fewer than twenty percent (20%) of Americans feel they are “very prepared” should a natural disaster or emergency happen. In that same survey, sixty-seven percent (67%) of Americans acknowledge the importance of being prepared.
An emergency can be as simple as the electricity going out or something so catastrophic that you need to board-up your home and evacuate until the emergency is over. Most experts really express the need to have an family emergency plan and a disaster preparedness kit. Fortunately, sample plans are easy to find on the Internet. You also need to have the right supplies and tools on hand at all times.
You’ll need food and water to last your family at least three days as well as medications and a first-aid kit. Other emergency supplies include a battery-operated radio, blankets and extra clothes. Everyone in the family should have a flashlight with extra batteries.
There is a wide variety of flashlights available. The experts at manufacturers such as Vector and Husky say flashlight-radio combinations can be a good choice, as are flashlights with clips or cords so they can hang from a belt or loop.
Hand tools and fasteners are also important. Quality hand tools such as those made by Stanley and Husky should be part of your kit, as should a box of nails and screws. You should have wrenches and pliers to shut off utilities, hammers and saws to board up windows and a crowbar to take down the boards. Many manufacturers make all-in-one tool sets that are easy to carry and include most of the tools you’ll need.
Another good set of tools to have on hand is a cordless combo kit. Typical kits can include a drill, a circular saw, a reciprocating saw and a flashlight. Because these tools are cordless, they’ll keep running even if your power goes out. Also consider a portable AC/DC power system, which can run corded tools and battery chargers; jump-start a car; inflate a tire; power a TV or radio; and recharge your cell phone. Plus, the kids can plug their games into it for hours of entertainment while you wait for the lights to come back on. It is strongly advised that everyone in your household should have a flashlight and extra batteries.
Before an emergency strikes, it pays to make a plan, practice that plan and stock up on the right supplies. Don’t wait til the last minute where panic might create a bigger issue. Be mindful that the majority of families will be in a panic state because of their lack of preparedness, so you will want to be ready to help.
