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Frequently Asked Questions
Home » Home Health » Emergency Kits » Frequently Asked QuestionsShould I buy a prepackaged kit?
Prepackaged emergency kits are available for as little as twenty or thirty dollars or as much as hundreds of dollars. In general, you can prepare your own kit more cheaply and accurately if you prepare it yourself, but it might be worthwhile to invest in a travel emergency kit if you regularly camp and don’t want to make a new kit every time you pack. In any case, carefully review the contents of any prepackaged kit to make sure that it contains everything you need.
Do I really need an emergency kit?
In reality, an emergency kit that contains all of the recommended materials costs hundreds of dollars, is hard to store, and will hardly ever be used. In 1998 and 1999, for example, many individuals and families spent time and money stockpiling items in anticipation of “Y2K,” but it was all unnecessary, as there was no collapse of basic services on January 1, 2000. Many people, however, simply want the feeling of security they receive from possessing an emergency kit.
It is impossible to prepare for every potential emergency, but people who live in natural disaster danger zones or regularly camp are much more likely to need an emergency kit than are most city-dwellers, so these people might find it especially worthwhile to make a kit. In the end, you will need to make the decision for yourself whether to prepare a kit, but at the least, you should consider what you will do in the event of an emergency and how you will contact help.
How often should I inspect my kit?
If and when you make an emergency kit, look carefully at any items with expiration dates and make sure they will not expire any time soon. After you initially make your kit, check it once a year, especially if you take supplies from it for day-to-day use in your home. In addition, test battery-powered items to make sure they are still in working order. Finally, it’s a good idea to make and keep a list of what items are in your survival kit so that you can determine what, if anything, is missing.
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