By Lisa Ng
I have long wanted to put together a home emergency kit; it was the lousy weather that finally pushed me to do it. Here’s what’s there.
I know that putting together a home emergency kit can feel like paranoia, but I also know that I didn’t want to be that person who goes, “Damn! I was planning on buying one of those emergency radios!” when an emergency arises.
So, at the start of the new year, I decided to put together my own basic personal emergency kit for home. I picked up a few valuable items here and there around the house and ordered some more online. Here is my basic kit:
A zippered bag for important documents. I lived in a condominium in Toronto where a leaking pipe flooded the top seven floors in an empty apartment. My husband and I evacuated the building as water began to flood the hallway. Like panicked idiots, we took our computers, smartphones, wallets and wedding rings but forgot our passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates and insurance policies. You know, everything that’s important. After this event, I started storing all my important documents in a giant zip-top plastic bag to take them all if something similar happened again. Any piece of paper that might be difficult to replace finds its place here. Also, consider making copies of your important documents and storing them online.
A solar-crank radio with a charger. I have always wanted one of these magical devices and was able to find a solar-powered, hand-crank emergency radio with a cell phone charger online for $40. The radio is excellent for getting information, and I like its built-in flashlight, which is one less thing to worry about. You can charge the device with the hand crank, in the sun, or with a USB stick if you have access to electricity somewhere else, like in your car.
Bottled water. I haven’t done this yet, but the next time I go to a warehouse store, I’ll buy two cases of water, which I’ll store in the garage. You should hold two litres per person per day and for up to three days if you need to support a siege. Remember to drink and replace the water before its expiration date. (Yes, bottled water has an expiration date.)
Plastic chest of various provisions. I bought a medium-sized plastic chest and either purchased or found around the house the following things, which I keep in this chest:
Flashlight with extra batteries (replace batteries once a year)
Glow sticks (which last 12 hours or more)
First aid kit
Protein and energy bars (replace once a year)
Loud whistle to call for help
Dust or medical mask if the air is contaminated
Moistened hand towels and garbage bags
Emergency phone numbers (if your phone is damaged and its memory lost)
Manual Radio
See, it’s not that hard? After all the power outages and extreme cold in Toronto this winter (and last summer’s flood), I’m glad I finally made my emergency kit.
Since the above are just ideas that I’ve practised myself, check out what the pros are saying before heading to the store or online. I recommend that you have at least the basic things listed above and check out the Government of Canada Basic Kit site to complete your kit.
