You can deal with the heat. Know your basic first-aid burns treatment

Summer is just around the corner and the sun is getting stronger. Whether we like it or not, during those hot summer months we have to deal with many types of skin burns. Some of us will only encounter sun burns and other minor irritations. But summer also brings excessive heat and wild fires, so we have to be ready. There are three types or degrees of burns:

•    First-degree burns are the least serious. Only the external layer of the skin is burned and becomes red and painful. First-degree burns usually take two or three days to heal and peel off.

•    Second-degree burns are more painful. You will be able to notice blisters and swelling due to damage to the second skin layer.

•    Third-degree burns are severe burns that damage all the skin layers. They are mostly painless because they destroy the nerves and cause permanent tissue damage. Skin my look charred or extremely white.

Minor burns, which usually include first and second degree burns can be treated at home, if they involve only a small part of the body, not larger than a couple of inches.

•    Remove all kinds of jewelry surrounding the wound.

•    Soak the burn area in cool water for a couple of minutes. Don’t use ice. Cold water will help remove the heat and ease the pain.

•    Though it is common to use butter as first-aid remedy, it is not recommended to do so as it could cause permanent damage to the skin.

•    After cleaning the area, you should apply antibiotic ointment, and cover the wound with a bandage.

•    Taking an over the counter pain reliever can also help to ease the pain.

First and second degree burns can happen around the house or outside. They usually heal in a few days but you should always watch for infection, swelling or fever. Remember to get medical help if any side effects occur or if the burn is in a sensitive area such as hands, feet, gentiles, or joints.

Third degree burns should be treated as an emergency. If it’s possible – go to a near hospital to get medical assistance or call 911 and ask for immediate help. Do not try to remove clothing that is stuck to the wound, do not apply any ointments and avoid using water as it may cause shock. Try and cover the area with water-soaked cloth or moist bandages and make sure that they are sterile.  

Remember that electrical burns and chemical burns should be treated immediately by medical staff. Go to the hospital right away as those types of injuries might cause serious internal damage.

Being prepared to an emergency is very important and can save lives when that time comes. Be ready at home or at work with a burn kit that offers different combinations of dressings, wrap/blankets and burn gels. Whether you are in the food business, welding or industry, Dixie EMS has the right kit for you. We carry a full line of quality Emergency Medical Service products for ambulance, industry, and facility care. For over 30 years, police officers, fire, rescue and EMS professionals have turned to Dixie EMS for their medical supplies. Log on to www.dixieems.com for all of your EMS medical supplies and emergency needs.

When we think of the items that should be kept in vehicle first aid kits, a few common wound care supplies come to mind:

Antiseptic cleansing wipes Plastic adhesive bandages Butterfly closure strips Antibiotic ointment Burn relief cream

Since the purpose of an automobile first aid kit is to be prepared for unexpected situations, you may want to ensure that your vehicle is stocked with these less obvious safety supplies to ensure preparedness in different types of emergencies:

First aid tape, cotton tipped applicators and gauze in a range of sizes: While the basic wound care supplies mentioned above are important to keep in any vehicle first aid kit, having gauze in a variety of sizes as well as other wound care supplies provides the ability to treat wounds of varying severity. Instant cold compresses: An instant cold compress is a small pack that becomes extremely cold and acts as an ice pack when activated. An instant ice pack can be used to alleviate swelling when ice is not available, as is usually the case in roadside emergencies. Emergency blanket: Emergency blankets use reflective foil to trap body heat and maintain optimal body temperature in cold environments. Emergency blankets can be life savers in the event that you get stranded with no heat in frigid winter temperatures. Disposable gloves: Disposable gloves such as latex gloves, vinyl exam gloves or disposable nitrile gloves protect against the spread of germs when administering or receiving first aid. Gloves help prevent the spread of germs from the hands to a wound and vice versa in an emergency situation.

A vehicle first aid kit may not be something you think about often, but having the right medical supplies on hand to deal with unpredictable circumstances is an important part of vehicle safety. While we recommend keeping a complete first aid kit in your vehicle to prepare for emergencies, we also hope you never have to use it!

Pet first aid kits are an essential part of the survival of pets during emergencies. The importance of preparing for calamities, not only for yourself and family, but also for your pets has been underscored after a lot of dead pets were found in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which hit several areas in the southern parts of the United States. A lot of dogs, cats and even other exotic animals were left in the streets on their own as humans evacuated because of the said hurricane. It was a sad story but truly, you and your animal will have a better chance of surviving big disasters and emergencies only if you plan ahead.

Assembling your pet first aid kit is one of the first things you should do to help ensure the survival and happiness of your pet during emergency situations. Remember that pets are more sensitive than humans when it comes to feeling catastrophes or natural disasters, so there is a big possibility that they will react violently or restlessly before, during and even after the calamity. Because of this, you need to include pet safety products such as lighted collars, possible motion activated dog tags, and even pet carriers. Of course, you also need to provide emergency survival pet food and water for your precious pooches, cats, or birds. It is important that you check the food and water supply of your pets regularly to ensure that they are good when disaster strikes. We would recommend that you keep at least a three day supply of emergency food and water for your pet, just like is recommended for your emergency kit.

Apart from food and water, your pet first aid kits should also contain blankets, chew sticks, and even playthings to help them cope during emergency situations. If you will be staying in evacuation centers, it is a good idea to bring along poop bags and/or WAG bags to maintain the sanitation of the place. In case your evacuation place does not allow animals inside for sanitary reasons, you need to make a back-up plan about where your animal can stay. An alternative shelter and/or pet carrier for your pet is essential for its survival, so do not forget about it.

A good pet first aid kit and a three day supply of food and water are really important if you treat your pet as a member of your family. You will be glad you prepared in advance.

Emergency kits are extremely important to have on hand in the event of an emergency. They provide you with the tools you need without having to try to find anything in the throws of a major emergency. With emergency kits, you can just grab the bag and have whatever you need at your fingertips – providing you have those things in your kit. Let’s take a look at the 10 items every emergency kit should have, whether it is in your car or your home.

1. First Aid Kit – a first aid kit has the medical supplies that you will need in the event of an emergency. Be sure that you purchase a good first aid kit that has more than just Band-Aids in it. It should have band-aids, gauze, tape, scissors, antiseptic, alcohol pads, and topical analgesic, just for starters. You can also ensure you have some splint material and a sling or two to fashion splints or slings. Be sure that if you use any items from the first aid kit that you replenish it right away.

2. Radio and batteries – a radio and batteries will provide you information if your power goes out. Leave the batteries out of the radio; just tape them to the radio so they don’t get lost.

3. Flashlight and batteries – in the event of an emergency, you may need light, whether it’s to change a flat tire or navigate bumpy terrain after a major emergency. Once again, don’t leave the batteries in the flashlight – tape them to the handle so you can easily find them when you need to install them.

4. Candles, waterproof matches and a lighter – candles provide more than just light – they can also warm up a small space, such as the cab of a vehicle or a small room.

5. Blanket – there are plenty of blankets for sale that wrap up into a nice, tight little bundle and are specifically for emergency kits. It’s a good idea to have a few on hand, in case there are extra people who require a blanket.

6. Bottled water – keeping a few bottles of water in your kit will ensure that you have something to drink if there is a catastrophe, or for other uses too; such as your car overheating and needing water to get the rest of the way home.

7. Energy bars and other non-perishable foods – keeping a few bars and some extra food that aren’t perishable are a good idea as well. Be sure that you use foods that are easy to open and don’t require a can opener. Energy bars are a good meal replacement if you can’t get to food for a few days. You can also include a small bottle or packets of vitamin supplements.

8. Cash – for both home and cars, it’s a good idea to have some emergency cash on hand. It’s your kit, so go with what you feel comfortable with. One hundred dollars is suitable – remember if there’s a major emergency, you may not be able to use your debit or credit cards.

9. Pencil and paper – keeping a pencil and paper in your kit is a good idea in case you need to write down important information that you hear on the radio. In a vehicle, you may need to write down information pertinent to your location, or information regarding the emergency, such as a major collision.

10. Cell phone – If you already have a cell phone, that should be fine, but you can invest in a pay-as-you-go plan if you don’t. A cell phone can come in handy regardless of the type of emergency – you should always have one with you in a vehicle in case of break down, collision or an emergency.

Being prepared for an emergency will make a big difference in how you react and act in the event. Having a proper emergency kit will help you have the tools you need and you will find that you are much calmer knowing that you are prepared to handle the event.

Knowing dog first aid skills are very important, just as with humans and knowing what to do in the event of an emergency may mean the difference between life and death for your dog. Dog emergencies or any other extreme medical situations require that you get your dog to the veterinarian as quickly as possible.

Of course, not every possible ailment will need professional treatment but better safe than sorry. If your dog ever receives any kind of injury it is always best that you be aware of what to do in advance (depending on what type of injury the dog has received). Different kinds of injuries require different kinds of treatments. Many kinds of injuries may require immediate medical assistance. It is a very good idea to know how to prevent any dog emergencies, treat various minor injuries with first aid and just when you need to seek immediate veterinary assistance and care.

In case an emergency ever were to happen it is easy to prepare for it in advance by creating your own dog first aid kit. It is very easy to create. Good ideas for containers could be a lunch box, a tackle box or some other shoe box sized plastic container. Water-proof and strong enough to withstand mild pressure is the best idea.

It would be a great idea to label the first aid kit on all sides with something such as “Dog First Aid Kit”. It’s also a very good idea to list a description of your dog(s) including it’s name, color, weight, any health issues, distinguishing characteristics with a recent photo labeled with the name of every pet that you own.

An index card with the numbers of your local veterinarian, poison control, and other canine emergency numbers for your dog (emergency vet, etc) is also a good thing to include in the dog first aid kit. Here is a list of several items you should put in your dog first aid kit with brief explanations as to what each item is for. Remember, your dog’s health may depend on it.

Dog First Aid Kit Basic Ingredients List:

Activated charcoal: for poisonings (1 gram per pound, mixed with water),

Antihistamine tablets: for insect stings and allergic reactions,

Betadine or Nolvasan: cleaning open wounds,

Blankets: several if possible, to help prevent against shock in the event of an accident or injury as well as a good way to transport an injured dog,

Blunt nosed scissors: to cut tape and clip. Keep these scissors with the kit.

Canine rectal thermometer: to take the dog or puppies temperature,

Cortisone ointment: Used as a topical anti-inflammatory,

Cotton balls and swabs: Used mainly to clean wounds,

Eyedropper or dosage syringe: to apply medications to your dog,

Eyewash: to irrigate the eyes of your dog,

First-aid cream: to sooth and protect wounds,

Gauze bandage: for wrapping wounds,

Gloves: both thin plastic to avoid contamination and thicker ones if you have a fear of being bitten,

Hand towels: to dry hands, for clean up, etc.,

Hydrogen peroxide (3%): has various uses, one of which is to induce vomiting,

Kaolin and pectin: to help diarrhea (1 teaspoon per 10 pounds),

Magnifying glass: to help locate any tiny objects

Muzzle: even the best dog may bite when in extreme pain. If you don’t have one you can also make one from strips of soft long fabric, tube socks, etc.,

Nail clippers: best case scenario, have both human and canine nail clippers,

Non-stick adhesive tape: to help tape bandages in place,

Non-stinging antiseptic spray: to help clean wounds,

Pepto-Bismol , Maalox or Kaopectate: to help relieve minor stomach upsets,

Petroleum jelly: for use with the rectal thermometer, also an aid in constipation (1/2 teaspoon per 10 pounds),

Saline solution: can be used for many things such as irrigating wounds,

Stretch bandages: for wound dressing,

Styptic pencil: to stop minor bleeding,

Syrup of Ipecac: used to induce vomiting (1 teaspoon per 20 pounds),

Tweezers or hemostat: use to pull our splinters or other small foreign objects,

Vegetable oil: for mild constipation (1 teaspoon per 5 pounds, mix it in with food)

If you can think of other items to add to your dog first aid kit, feel free to do so. This list is just a place to get you started in creating your own dog first aid kit.

Any of the following symptoms or injuries require IMMEDIATE medical action from your veterinarian. Contact your vet immediately if your dog or puppy has any of the following:

Been hit by a vehicle,

No pulse or heart beat,

Broken bones,

Puncture wounds to the abdomen or chest,

Spurting blood,

Bleeding from nose or mouth,

Bloated abdomen,

Repeated vomiting,

Pale gums,

Diarrhea for more than 18 hours,

Muscle tremors,

Problems with breathing or swallowing,

Refusal to eat for 48 hours,

Seizures or disorientation,

Unusual swellings (especially ones that are sudden, hard or fast growing)

In any emergency situation try and keep as calm as possible and to get your dog to the veterinarian as quickly as possible. If anything ever happens, call first to see if the office is open, and to let the vet know what has happened and that you and your dog are on your way.

If your veterinarians office is not open for whatever the reason, call your nearest emergency vet clinic. Always keep all emergency phone numbers, including those of your veterinarian and emergency veterinarian clinic, near your telephone.

CPR saves the lives of thousands of Americans every day, and the holiday season is no different. In fact, CPR certification is the top life saver during this time of year! Make sure that you are prepared for the holidays with training in CPR/AED and First Aid techniques!

It is especially important to know CPR during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s for a number of reasons. Primarily, weather conditions can quickly turn from good to bad, causing treacherous travel conditions. If one of your loved ones were to experience cardiac arrest, get the breath knocked out of them, or become injured, emergency medical assistance could be delayed. In winter weather, ambulances could take as long as three hours to reach you, leaving your loved one to struggle for life. However, if you have received CPR training, you could be a life saver! Instead of standing around, feeling helpless as your aunt, uncle, child, or spouse lays limp and breathless, you could literally take their lives into your own hands!

Second, people eat mass amounts of food at a fast pace during the holidays, especially around the family dinner table during the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. They may forget their manners, fail to adhere to proper chewing habits, or attempt to talk with their mouths full. For these and many other reasons, choking hazards are at a heightened level during this time of year. What would you do if someone got a piece of turkey lodged in their windpipe? How would you handle the emergency if your brother or sister failed to chew their stuffing adequately? By taking a course in CPR certification, you will know how to handle the situation, springing into action and saving their lives!

Finally, family gatherings tend to include physical activities, such as impromptu football games between middle-aged, out-of-shape men. Often, these well-meaning individuals wind up hurting themselves or others, creating a need for First Aid treatment. If one of the players gets knocked down too hard, they could get the breath knocked out of them, creating an emergency situation. By knowing CPR/AED or First Aid techniques, you can address the situation quickly and efficiently!

If you have considered taking a CPR course, or if you need to freshen up your skills, there is no better time to do so than now. With the holidays, family gatherings, and icy streets at your back door, it is important to be well prepared for an emergency.

The American Health Care Academy is an online, accredited, certified provider of CPR certification and First Aid courses. The CPR classes allow you to learn at your own pace, in the comfort of your own home with the ability to log in and out. The instructors are also available to speak with you by phone anytime you have questions or need clarification. Upon completion of the course, you will be able to print out your own CPR certification card!

To learn more about the American Health Care Academy, visit their website at:

www.CPRAEDCourse.com

With the holidays right around the corner you can never be too prepared. You want to make sure that you and your loved ones are safe and protected. One way to do this is to be CPR certified.

A first aid kit is not just a set of items that you store in your washroom and contains only band-aids, alcohol and analgesics, it is something more. There are various types of First Aid Kits, the most common is the one stored inside the house.

What do we mean if we have a complete set of first aid kit? What is that for and how or when to use it? What comprises each first aid kit? These are the questions we ask ourselves when we consider buying one for our home.

A first aid kit is a set of supplies and equipments for giving first aid, hence the name. A variety of equipments are in it like:

• Bandages – to control bleeding

• Regular strength pain medications

• Gauze

• Disinfectants – like alcohol and Povidone iodine

• Personal protective equipments – like gloves

• Breathing apparatus – to protect you from performing the expired air resuscitation, EAR and cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR

Moreover, the typical contents and most commonly used are the dressings which should be sterile. This comes in different types like sterile eye pads; adherent or non-adherent pads and burn dressings. These are sterile pad soaked in a cool gel. Bandages can be non-adhesive; examples are gauze roller, which should absorbent, breathable. The elastic type are the ones usually used for sprains and pressure bandages. Adhesive elastic roller types are very effective when it comes to applying pressure. They are also very durable and waterproof. Triangular bandages are commonly taught in Basic First Aid Course that was used as slings, tourniquets and to tie splints. Adhesive bandages are the straight adhesive type such as band-aids, sticking plasters. Butterfly bandage types are actually the two common examples as well.

Instruments that should be present in your First Aid bag are the hypoallergenic tape because you don’t want the patient to develop “Urticaria” or itchiness with reddish skin markings. Trauma shears can basically be used for cutting clothing and general use. An irrigation syringe can be used for cleaning wounds. Rubber suction bulbs are good for clearing the airways and can be applied to an unconscious patient.

Equipments like Personal protective Equipments or PPE are important. This is especially in emergency cases where in hazardous materials can even hurt the rescuer. An example would be in organophosphate or insecticide poisoning. Eyecups, gloves, CPR mask or a face shield, sterile eyewash, emergency blanket, thermometer, penlight and even instant acting cold packs.

Certain medications should be in your bag like antimicrobials. This would include antibiotic ointments and anti itch ointments. Examples would include Hydrocortisone cream, Antihistamine cream such as Benadryl and Calamine lotion among others. You also need pain killers or analgesics. These are essential for the fever to disappear. Examples are Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory drug, which is most of the time more valuable than the latter drug. Aspirin, for some, is also applicable. Diphenhydramine, which is anti-histamine, can lessen the allergic reaction seen in few patients. Aloe Vera gel can be used for a variety of injuries like burns, sunburns and dry skin.

Burn gels are water based gels, which acts as a cooling agent and often has mild anaesthetic components. A good example is Lidocaine with antiseptics components like that of tea tree oil. Epinephrine auto-injector is also commonly included in this first aid kit, especially if you are in wild nature trips such as summer camps. This epinephrine injector is used for anaphylactic shock, which is commonly known as severe allergic attacks. Thus, activated charcoal and syrup of ipecac are electively placed in first aid kits because it is for poison treatment. A haemostatic agent that is called QuikClot is sometimes included especially in military kits; this is mainly to control severe and profuse bleeding.

If ever you are trapped somewhere and you do not have anything else but your first aid kit you and you are wondering what you can do. Well, the first thing to do with your first aid kit would be to call help. It would also be helpful if you have a basic first aid manual, which can guide you in any type of situation. This is really necessary because in emergency cases, we get to panic easily. When this happens we cannot think straight. A manual will be able to help us go through it. It would also be advisable to list down the pages for specific cases. Just take note of the more possible accidents.

Moreover, keep a number of your family and friends, as well as emergency hotlines on your mobile or near your landline. Make sure the numbers are visible to your children as well. Just let them know the importance of these numbers and when to place a call to these numbers.

Thus, there are also some things you should know about the contents of your first aid kit. For an instance alcohol pads as well as ointments that are “petroleum-jelly based” can be utilized as a type of fire starter in an alarming emergency situation. It can also be utilized as a lubricant for adhesive tapes. Aside from this, for particular mechanical devices and bandages, it can also be utilized for repairs. These alternative uses of these things can help set your mind on the items you need and can only be used in the wilderness.

First Aid Kits are important in every household. There are also first aid kits for pets, children, travel, disaster and soft sided situations among others. Having one doesn’t mean that you are waiting for an accident to happen. Accidents are a fact of life, so whether we like it or not, it is always best to be prepared.

If you are cat owners, you may have to encounter emergency situations pertaining to your kitty. Your cat may fall ill anytime unexpectedly or meet an accident which would require you to act as her vet and treat her on urgent basis. In such emergency situations, mostly, you do not have the time to get across your vet.

For this reason, every cat owner needs to have the basic first aid knowledge and know-how to manage such situations. It is absolutely imperative to equip yourself with this knowledge because sometimes it may prove deadly for your cat if she is left untreated in emergencies. Here are some of the common emergency issues and their treatment.

Your kitty may break its bone while climbing, jumping or in a road accident. It is not recommend setting the broken bone yourself. All you need to do in this situation is to stop the bleeding if any with ice or cold water and take her to the vet for proper treatment.

Choking is also common issue amongst cats. If your cat gets choked, open her mouth gently and see if you can see the object. You must remember not to tilt her head backwards. You can remove the object if it is visible with the help of a tweezer or your own fingers. Make sure you do not push the object as it will aggravate the situation all the more. You should hold her upside down and press on her chest using your hands. In case you are able to remove the object, it is still advisable to take her to the vet to be on the safe side.

Getting an electric shock is also a serious issue. Some kitties bite electric wires while playing with them. It may produce burns on her tongue or palate of her mouth. It may cause breathing problem or pain in her mouth. You must remember that you should not touch your cat if it touching an exposed electric wire. You need to turn of the current first and then put your cat away from it with the help of a wooden stick. Take her to the vet.

If your cat encounters eye injury and the eye is bleeding, just wipe the blood with wet cloth. You must not let your cat go on rubbing her eyes. It is also advisable to not apply any medicine without consulting the vet.

ght (c) 2009 Jonathan Perez

There is absolutely no way of knowing when something tragic may come upon us. Regardless, what’s crucial is that we are prepared for these occurrences. When it comes to these happenings we need some assistance. But it’s not intelligent to try to get help then. When this happens, we can definitely look at them as being emergency situations.

The emergency situations should be supported by the emergency Supplies.So we can understand the importance of such emergency supplies.Because we can feel the benefit of having adequate Emergency Supplies.

Just like the Emergency Supplies , First Aid Kits have equal importance in our life.The fact that there is always the possibility for injuries and accidents that you wouldn’t have thought would happen.No matter the injury is serious or simple,we have to provide the immediate actions to save from the critical situation.For that we should have First Aid Kits with us.At critical situations we have to make use the First Aid Kits before calling a doctor.This will give sudden and partial relief to the injured people.It will help the doctor to make his duty easy.

Whether you think so or not, it’s fascinating to know how first aid kits and emergency supplies got there start.The First Aid Kits should be kept not only in home,but it should be there in office,vehicles and in any other public places.The emergency supplies can be medicines.We know urgent medicines are very important to a patient’s life.So we can consider it as a very important and emergency thing.We have to be prepared with the urgent medicines before the disaster strikes.

There may be some that are a little unsure about what exactly is in their first aid kits.What is the first aid kit consist of?The kit has different components in it for different type of injuries.And these types will depend on the person who assembled it and the actual purpose of the kit.Anyway these kits have some common components.Those are the items to control bleeding and some common medicines etc.We can say that it is a collection of emergency supplies.

Let us check out the different first aid kits available.Those are Home first aid kits,Car first aid kits,children first aid kits,sports first aid kits,business first aid kits etc.Even though the names are different all of these kits have unique objective.All of these are kept with an intention of providing safety.Let us know briefly about these first aid kits so that we have clear idea about its usage.

In daily life we have to be prepared for dealing with the every day cuts, burns, injuries and illness at home, work, or at play.It is very usual in home.So we need home first aid kits. Accidents at home should be treated soon otherwise it may lead to death.The items in a home first aid kit should be easily accessible.Because the common people in home may need to use at accidents,not the trained people.It should be accessible at any time.

Now let us check different emergency supplies.The emergency supplies are the things you may not even consider as important.But those are actually the emergency supplies.Those are water,food,first aid kits,personal items, clothing, communication, disinfectant, child care supplies, disabled related supplies etc. Keep these apart and classified as emergency supplies.Because no one predict the time of need.

There are other things that may be contained within an emergency kit, for example things such as the list of drugs that some has been prescribed by their physician to take and paperwork that’s extremely important and sensitive.Emergency reference materials should be kept.Fire extinguisher is very important in all the places.Fire starters and igniters, such as matches, must always be kept in something that won’t allow them to get wet.We have to remember one thing that the most safe thing is to avoid accidents rather than keeping all first aid kits and emergency supplies.

Most emergency survival kits you see in stores are designed for outdoor trips. While they would certainly do as well, they would nevertheless cost more than it should. Here are a few tips to make your own budget-friendly emergency home kit.

One Kit Per Person

To ensure that every person’s need is covered, it’s best to have one emergency kit per person.

For maximum safety and protection, consider basing your emergency home kit on a 72-hour period prior to receiving help. Lastly, every emergency home kit must be capable of meeting any type of disaster or emergency, whether it’s natural or man-made.

Food and Water

Medication can only go so far. To stay alive in any emergency, you’ll need sustenance. Include a sufficient amount of Aqua Blox water boxes – at least a gallon of water per person per day, but you may need more depending on climate conditions. Remember also that shelf life for Aqua Blox is five years. Bottled water, water purification tablets, and water storage bags should also be included.

As for food, carbohydrate-rich foods are your best bet because they’re effective in replenishing your energy. Canned goods are always useful as they require little to no preparation.

Clothing and Shelter

Instead of thermal blankets, you’ll be a lot dryer, warmer, and safer with 2 large-sized garbage bags per person. Wool blankets would be better while sleeping bags, albeit bulky, are the best. Include one set of working clothes and boots.

First Aid

Bandages of all types, adhesive tape, gauze pads, various kinds of antiseptics, analgesics, and antibiotic ointment are the basics of first aid. Be sure to take note of special medication needs of your loved ones such as diabetic medication or a spare pair of eyeglasses for those visually impaired.

Tools

Include flashlight, matches, camping stove with fuel or burner if possible. Forks, spoons, and various sizes and types of knives (not just for culinary use) would be handy. Swiss army knife sets, screwdrivers, and a hammer and pry bar would definitely be helpful.

Special Needs during Emergencies

Your emergency home kit will naturally differ in terms of content and size if you have an infant with you. Because their immune system is not as strong as those of adults, you need to be extra careful in choosing the right foods, medicine, and supplies to ensure their health and safety. Last but not the least, remember to have an emergency home kit ready for your pets, too!