We’re in fall storm season, the time of year when thunder and lighting take over the sky and remind us of nature’s unrivaled powers. It’s the kind of weather that stops you from whatever you are doing and make you check your battery supply and make sure you have a flashlight that works. Well, do you?
Don’t be caught off guard. Hurricane season is no joke, imagine how you’d survive in case a storm took down the power to your apartment for any duration of time.
Self-sufficient emergency preparation is important, so make ready an apartment survival kit. Depending on the region where you live (visited by hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes) you might need to consider adding a few dedicated items to the survival kit starter pack we’ve compiled below.
- Non-perishable food. Protein bars work wonders in times of distress, so stash a few boxes in your kit, but make sure you put it somewhere far away from the place where snacks usually go, so that no one is tempted to grab one. Or a few.
- Bottled water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 1 gallon of water per person per day in a disaster kit, for at least three days. Even though your 500-square-foot studio doesn’t have room for a doomsday cellar, do your best to stash away as much bottled water as possible. You can even collaborate with everyone in your building and store the wat6er supply in a basement or anywhere there is room.
- A flashlight, make it rechargeable. If you get one that plugs into the wall, put it into an outlet where you can leave it 24/7. When the power goes out, the flashlight will come on, fully charged. Let there be light!
- Candles & matches. Indeed, this is a backup plan for the flashlight. In case the power outage extends over a longer period of time, candles will be your savior. Plus, they have that romantic feel to them. We’d recommend the big 22-ounce jar candles—they protect the flame, burn for 100+ hours, and keep the melted wax under control.
- A spare phone battery. Smartphones are the only phones we have in our houses these days, so investing in an external battery is vital.
- Things to keep you busy. Books, game boards, whatever makes the time pass by easier.
- Blanket, pillows, and warm clothes. Because tornadoes like to throw stuff all around and pillows can keep you covered.
- Medicine. Your first aid kit should be ready at all times; if you know you’re suffering from a specific illness and take the appropriate treatment, make sure you have that too put aside for unfortunate events.
- Extra pet supplies. If you own a pet, make sure you have everything they need to get through the stormy period. Food, water and toys will keep your buddy in shape.
Preparing the survival kit in advance will help you remain calm and collected when disaster strikes. Once you’ve prepared your kit, don’t let it sit around and gather dust until, if, and when you might need it. Go through the kit at least twice a year and replace the expired items (food, water, medicine, and batteries). Stay safe!
