EmergencyCafe.com
Months ago I decided to compile my own emergency supply medical kit because I thought it would be cheaper than buying a pre-made kit. Guess what? I still don’t have one. Now I wish I had just bought one because I’m still not prepared.
Emergencycafe.com is one place to buy an emergency kit. Owner Cari emailed me and offered a special 10 percent off discount just for BargainBabe.com readers that is good through March 31, 2010. Use code BB10. First aid kits start at $5 and a one-person emergency kits is $65. Cari also sells bigger kits for families and huge kits for the workplace. There’s also random stuff like a fire ladder, hand crank radio, and glow sticks.
Cari’s site has a checklist of what to put in your disaster kit and she shared 13 tips in case of an emergency.
1. Remain calm.
2. Have an emergency kit that includes food, water, first aid, search and rescue equipment, lighting, comfort and sanitation products to sustain each person for at least 3 days.
3. Keep all your important documents such as insurance (including medical, home and car), birth certificates, doctor’s name, medical records and passport in one place for easy access.
4. Keep cash on hand in small bills.
5. Make an evacuation plan with your family. Discuss it and practice it once every 6 months to a year.
6. Never hang anything over a baby’s crib.
7. Have an emergency kit in your car.
8. If you feel an earthquake starting and you are in your house, get over in the corner of the room away from windows, large mirrors and shelves.
9. The recommended amount of water you should keep on hand is one gallon, per person, per day.
10. It is important to know where your home’s shut off valves are for your gas and water. Know how to turn the gas and water off at your home. Keep a gas shut off tool next to your gas line.
11. Know the evacuation plan at your child’s school.
12. Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
13. To sterilize water, bring to a rapid boil for 5 – 10 minutes. Let cool.
You can buy some of these supplies at the 99 Cents Only Store, which featured flashlights, batteries, hand sanitizer, and rubbing alcohol in a recent ad.
February 5th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
I started to create an emergency survival kit years back. I had most of the basic items you mentioned at one time, but I need to freshen up the band-aids, batteries and a few other things. One thing I was told was to have a good pair of closed-toed shoes available. Preferably a leather work boot with a steel reinforced toe if at all possible. When a serious disaster, such as an earthquake, strikes, we are likely to encounter wood splinters and glass fragments on the ground. Also, thick leather gloves are a good idea to protect your hands when clearing away stuff. Goggles for your eyes are not a bad idea either.
February 5th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Thanks for this post!! I’m in the same boat as you with wanting to assemble one myself and having nothing yet. Will definitely be hitting this site up
February 6th, 2010 at 11:11 am
The only things in my car are a flashlight, water, walking shoes, bandaids & HONEY. I keep the sealed packets I get when I order tea because Honey is not only a food, but can be used as an antiseptic to heal wounds. The packets weigh next to nothing, are “free” & since honey never goes bad, I don’t worry about it expiring. I keep telling my Marine that one day it’ll save our lives & he just laughs. Hah! I’d rather eat honey than bugs
After reading your posts, however, I will be adding a pair of leather gloves. Good idea!
February 6th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Thanks for the tip on HONEY – forgot about that one!
Another good resource for all your disaster needs is SOS Survival Products in Van Nuys, CA – website: http://www.SOSProducts.com (No, I do not work there!)
February 6th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
P.S. Just looked at the flyer I just got from SOS and they are less expensive on their emergency survival kit backpacks than the website Julia writes about!
March 16th, 2010 at 10:32 am
A few days ago I stumbled upon your site while searching bing for bowling tips/tricks. Your site wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, but it was packed with information otherwise. Now I find myself continuing to read more and more posts and I love it!