Make Your Own Emergency Survival Kit

If they gave you a notice there was a tornado spotted in your neighborhood, and that you only had a few minutes to leave your home and get to safety, would you be able to gather the important papers and things that you needed to in that short time frame? To ensure that you could gather everything in a few short minutes you should prepare a kit that would contain everything that you need.

If there is a tornado warning and you have to take cover quickly you want to hope for the funnel to miss your home, but you need to be prepared for the worse. Making a kit that you can grab on the way to safety is easy to make and if everyone in the family knows where it is located and can be found it can save you allot of headaches if your home is destroyed. Here are some suggestions of what you want to have in your kit. What I use for my kit is an ordinary backpack. This is hung by the door and easy to reach in case of an emergency. I have one for each member of the family. You can just make one if you need to.

1. Recent photos of all members of your family, and pets. This way if you get separated it's easier to show a photo of someone then to describe what they look like. Try to get these in 5x7 so that you can show them quickly. You can write on the back of these photos if they are allergic to anything, and contact information.

2. Copies of all important paperwork. Make copies of birth certificates, driver's licenses, and credit card information. Also keep a list of all medication and medical issues in this kit. Place these documents in a waterproof Ziploc bag.

3. Medication that is needed daily can be stored in one place that you are able to grab them on the way to safety.

4. Having spare keys and cash is always a good idea. You never know when you will need it.

5. Battery operated radio with fresh batteries, candles and matches that are kept in a waterproof container.

6. Keeping snacks and bottled water will make little kids feel calmer and adding some coloring books and crayons will keep them amused for awhile.

7. Duct tape, pocket knives and string can be added for the 'just incase"

8. Band-aids and other medical supplies for simple scrapes and scratches.

9. Flashlight with fresh batteries

10. Anything else that your family may need incase you have to leave in an emergency.

While this list isn't the complete list for everyone, it gives you a good idea of what to pack in your bag incase you have to leave your residence due to a natural disaster. Many times, especially with a tornado, you don't have much of a warning. Every minute you spend looking for something may be putting your life in danger. Having everything you need already packed and ready can save precious time when you need it most.