The Most Important Home Emergency Tools
Daily articles Monday through Friday.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, every American should have an emergency plan ready to go in case things take a turn for the worse. Being prepared means having enough food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours.
You and your family may encounter a range of emergencies in the future–and, no, we’re not talking about the zombie apocalypse or a hostile takeover of the federal government. We’re focusing on everyday emergencies, such as floods, wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, blackouts and even health emergencies like a global pandemic. You and your loved ones may have to hunker down for days on end until help arrives or it’s safe for you to leave your home. Be sure to have your under-the-seat storage ready to go with emergency essentials.
Statistics from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) suggest that America will be unprepared for the next emergency. Sixty percent of Americans are not practicing what they will do in the event of a disaster. Here are the most important tools to have on hand for any home emergency.
High winds, tornadoes and other violent storms could leave you and your family trapped inside your home. You may need help getting through or around certain obstacles when disaster strikes. That’s why it’s important to keep some kind of durable cutting tool on hand, such as an axe, saw or chainsaw.
If a tree smashes into the side of your house, you may need to saw your way out of a mess. If the power goes out, you may have to build a fire instead of cozying up to the heater.
Speaking of being trapped inside your home, keep a crowbar or pry bar on hand to make sure you can access hard-to-reach areas in the event of an emergency. You may even need what are known as the Jaws of Life to rescue someone from a vehicle that’s been totaled in an accident. First responders typically use these tools to bite through pieces of metal so they can rescue anyone who may be trapped inside. They tend to be on the more expensive side, so most people will find a crowbar to be the more reasonable buy.
You may need these tools to get through collapsed doorways or to get someone out of a confined space. Time will be of the essence so you’ll need to work fast. Oxygen may be scarce when you’re trapped inside your car or home.
Bolt cutters will also help you get past some otherwise difficult obstacles. Use them to cut through all types of wires, including fences, padlocks and anchor bolts. You may need to use bolt cutters to cut through obstructions when traditional controls prove ineffective.
You never know when a shovel may come in handy when you’re faced with a home emergency. Strong storms could leave you trapped inside your home, forcing you to dig yourself out. You may need to dig through snow, dirt and other debris to get out of a sticky situation.
It might be a long time since you’ve had a paper map, but these simple guides can come in handy when power is out and there is no GPS to depend on. Make sure you have an emergency exit plan and then come up with one or two back-ups. Downed trees, floods and fires can block roads in a flash, and a map can help you figure out alternate routes.
Don’t depend on your smartphone in the event of an emergency. You may lose access to a signal or the power could cut out at any moment, leaving you without a way to charge. Keep an old-fashioned wave radio on hand to stay connected to the authorities during times of crisis, especially if you live in a rural area with scattershot cellular coverage. You may need to find your way to a local safety zone or hospital for medical assistance.
Keep several backup sources of light on hand, including a flashlight and several lanterns and candles. Stock up on batteries to make sure you can see in the dark if you need to respond to an emergency in the middle of the night.
You’ll need enough food, water and medicine to last for several days in case local stores go dark when you need them most. Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit on hand to treat minor scrapes, burns and other wounds at home. Make sure your supplies have not expired, including over-the-counter medications.
If you or your loved one suffers from any preexisting medical conditions, make sure you have enough medication to last for the foreseeable future. You may not be able to visit your local pharmacy for days on end.
Your vehicle may be your last resort in the face of an emergency. If your house is no longer habitable or you need to move in search of safer ground, you may need to pack up your car at a moment’s notice. Make sure your vehicle is well-stocked for the road ahead. You should have all the tools to fix minor issues along the way, such as an extra tire, spare battery, electrical cables and a jack.
Floods, storms and other natural disasters may do a number on your vehicle. Do your best to protect your ride from further damage by installing all-weather floor mats. They’re made with durable rubber and fit the exact specifications of your vehicle so you don’t have to worry about the floor getting damaged beyond repair.
If you need to take off in your car in a flash, make sure you have room for all these essentials. Invest in some under seat storage to clear up some extra space in your vehicle. Keep your supplies organized so you can find what you need quickly when every second matters.
Preparing for a home disaster all depends on where you live and the kinds of dangers you may encounter. Come up with a contingency plan that works for you and your loved ones. Think about what you would do if you didn’t have access to electricity, running water and other luxuries you’ve come to depend on every day. It’s all about preparing for the worst-case scenario and hoping for the best.
I have NEVER posted a comment on an open forum like this,,until now. I simply couldn’t resist to the statement “We’re focusing on everyday emergencies”,,, Since when is a friggin’ Hurricane an “everyday emergency”!! Who writes for you people? And who’s the lamebrain who allowed this article to be posted! By far the most common threat to any Modern household across the entire globe is FIRE! But yet you don’t include a simple FIRE EXTINGUISHER as ‘ The Most Important Tools For Any Home Emergency’. Really people. Why don’t you amend this article with some actual research on how many unplanned fires occurred today, then tell me about people living through a disaster. BTW, been living in Florida since 1975 thanks to the U.S. Navy…I know hurricanes and I also know Fire. Learn it and be aware of it so you don’t Panic because of Fear if you should ever have to come face to face with a fire to save yourself or a loved one. After all your Brain is the “Most Important Tool For Any Home Emergency” ,,, always keep the Tools Sharp! Now post an article an how not to panic and get offended by being called a lamebrain, just own it like I do
Your incendiary tone isn’t likely to win you a lot of friends but you are right about fire. We had a house fire in 2014. There’s nothing like waking up at 3:00AM to the smell of something burning to get the adrenalin pumping. On top of it all it was a January morning and the water hose was frozen. Fortunately I caught it early and it was relatively small and easily put out by the Fire Department. Had I had a good extinguisher I’d have had it out before they got here.
Fifth Disciple
Yeah I’m not here to make friends, I’m here to glean information about “any home emergencies” that I may have not considered or overlooked. How about you staying on topic and not addressing my ‘tone’,, or is that your ADHD kicking in? I could easily say your opening statement was manipulative and controlling because I may seem to harsh for you for what needed to be said. Believe me, I held back from what I was tempted to say thinking the comment as it was wouldn’t get approved. You want tone, listen to the people who survived living in the Superdome in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina who trusted our government to take care of them during their “home emergency” . That “tone” will make your ears bleed. In most cases, (with regards to natural disasters this article was really about) , we’re given a fair amount of warning with the exception of earthquakes,,which is why I don’t live on the San Andreas fault or the New Madrid fault for that matter. Common sense says I don’t live on the side of an active volcano, I don’t live in tornado alley, I don’t live in a delta along the Mississippi river and I stay as healthy as I can to avoid a cold or the flu but to each their own in protecting themselves during a pandemic. So… I won’t have to deal with 5000 degree lava or a twister such as the one that decimated Joplin Missouri in 2011. Again ,I was here for home emergencies like falling from a ladder into an active fire ant colony while cleaning out the gutters,,trying to crawl away with a freshly broken leg unable to scream out because of some broken ribs or being attacked by the neighbors pit bull or stumbling over a in-ground yellow jacket nest in the early spring or how about an overflowing toilet during a house warming party. Hoped you learned your lesson of draining water hoses before freezing weather sets in
the most important gear you can have around for emergencies – negates all other emergency equipment you might have >>> personal protection gear
starting with a good pair of steel-toed work boots on up to a hard hat for the noggin – can’t have tooooo many pairs of work gloves – not a bad idea to have the specific tree trimming gear to go along with using a chain saw ….
Converting a 5.56 AR-15 to .300
Build a Concrete Block Raised Bed
List of Post-Apocalyptic Books
List of Post-Apocalyptic Movies
Prepper’s Guide to Freeze Dried Foods
We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking reviews to Amazon. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. SHTFblog.com also participates in various other affiliate programs, and we may get a commission through purchases made through our links. Please read our complete Disclosures and Privacy Policy for more information.
Copyright 20 – All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Prepper Press
The Most Important Home Emergency Tools
Research & References of The Most Important Home Emergency Tools|A&C Accounting And Tax Services
Source
0 Comments