The first thing you need to consider is if there are any disaster situations [...]]]> The ability to survive an emergency disaster situation does not depend as much on luck, as it does on being prepared. There are several simple steps that you can take immediately to increase your preparedness for an emergency disaster situation.

The first thing you need to consider is if there are any disaster situations that may be specific to where you live. Do you live in a flood plain, an earthquake zone, or a region that is prone to hurricanes or tornados? Each of these events will require you to customize your basic emergency survival kit.

Your basic emergency survival kit should contain the following items:

• Water – At least 1 gallon per person, per day, for at least 3 days. This will be for both drinking and sanitation
• Food – At least a 3 day supply per person of non-perishable food
• A can opener, if your emergency supply contains canned food
• A battery powered radio or weather radio with extra batteries
• A flashlight or lantern with extra batteries (or fuel)
• A first aid kit
• A whistle to signal for help
• A dust mask, to filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting (like a painters tarp) and duct tape to create a shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for sanitation
• A suitably sized wrench and /or pliers to shut off utilities
• Local maps

It is important to remember that this is not an all inclusive survival kit, but more of a basic emergency preparedness kit. You will also need to account for unique family needs such as prescription medication, eye glasses (or contact lenses), infant formula and diapers, and pet food, just to name a few.

To insure you have the ability to evacuate at a moments notice, your emergency disaster survival kit should be stored in a portable container, and its contents should be reviewed yearly as your family’s needs change.

Your emergency disaster survival plan should not be based on luck. It is important to be prepared, and a little advanced planning can go a long way to improving your chances for survival.