7 Household Items to Have on Hand for Emergency Situations
Emergency Preparedness Tips
When it comes to emergency situations, it's important to be prepared. While you're probably already familiar with emergency supplies like flashlights, bottled water, blankets and first aid kits, there are some everyday items you might want to make sure you have on hand. Let's take a look at some common household items that could come in handy during an emergency:
1. Bleach.
While bleach is commonly used to disinfect countertops, bathrooms and clothes, it can also be used to disinfect your water. Often times in emergency situations, the water becomes unsafe to drink. According the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you can add roughly 1/8 teaspoon of unscented household bleach to a gallon of water. Allow the water to stand for 30 minutes before drinking and make sure you follow the instructions to not add too much bleach. You also want to make sure your bleach is less than 6 months old to ensure its effectiveness.
2. Trash Bags.
Whether it's collecting water, acting as a rain poncho or creating a makeshift tent, trash bags can be used for a variety of purposes. Trash bags can also be used to heat water. Simply fill them up and set them outside in the sun until the water is warm. While it won't be as nice as a typical hot shower, it will work in an emergency situation where hot water is not readily available.
3. Zip-Lock Bags.
Zip top plastic bags can be pretty useful in all sorts of dilemmas. Just like trash bags you can collect water or you can use them to keep water out, protecting important documents. You can also use them to store food items, such as crackers or cereal once opened.
4. Aluminum Foil.
While aluminum foil can be used for food purposes, as can the plastic bags. Aluminum foil an also be used to turn AAA batteries into AA batteries. Insert a ball of foil between the negative end of the AAA battery and the device to generate power.
5. Duct Tape.
It's common knowledge that duct tape can fix just about anything. With so many uses, this is one item you should definitely have on your emergency supplies checklist. You can mend a tear or create a seal in just about anything from a broken window to a hole in your tent fabric.
6. Socks.
In some emergency situations, the power goes out. Socks can obviously be used to keep your feet warm, but can also be used as makeshift gloves if needed. In addition, they can serve as water filters to help remove debris.
7. Sheets.
A sheet's main purpose is to cover your bed and yourself while sleeping. However, this common household item can certainly come in handy during an emergency situation. Keep old bed sheets handy to use in a variety of ways: cut into strips for bandages, to create a sling for a broken arm, used as a face mask to protect from smoke or to make a privacy screen if you're sheltering with others.
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If you have an immediate need for our systems, or have any questions for us, please Call us Toll Free at 1-800-337-0537 or visit www.BigBagsUSA.com.
If you have an immediate need for our systems, or have any questions for us, please Call us Toll Free at 1-800-337-0537 or visit www.BigBagsUSA.com.
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