Published by Audra Taylor, Office Oracle
Dear Humans,
You probably don’t know this about me, but I tend to be quite the cautious cat. Some may even go so far as to call me skittish. This means that I spend an inordinate amount of time frantically running around the house, and I always disappear when the Taylor family has visitors. In fact, most visitors believe that the Taylor family only has one cat, hence my nickname, The Master of Stealth!
I also have a very long list of Bad Things that I make sure to always avoid, such as: vacuums, crates, strangers, nail clippers, large bodies of water, and fire (Bobby Taylor needs to stop putting tortillas in the toaster)!
Now I know what you’re thinking, “Audra, why are you so skittish when you have nine lives?” The answer is simple! I am cautious because I want to make my nine lives last as long as possible! Unlike some house cats, I believe in always being prepared and keeping my survival skills (and claws) sharp. Furthermore, I encourage my favorite humans, the Taylor family, to do the same by being prepared for emergency situations.
Preparing for an emergency situation begins with a survival kit, and it is my firm belief that every home should have an organized collection of gear that can be utilized in the event of a disaster. According to Kiplinger, here are 5 essential items that you should have in your emergency kit.
- Personal Documents and Cash
In the event of an emergency, you will want to have proof of your identity. Therefore, you should keep copies of personal documents such as passports, birth certificates, and SSN cards in the event of any survival scenario. Other important documents include: home and property records, auto records, health records, financial records, and personal records. Additionally, cash can be useful in emergency situations.
- First Aid Kit
Every emergency kit needs a well-stocked first aid kit to help with injuries that may occur. The American Red Cross offers a Deluxe Family First Aid Kit ($35) that contains essential first-aid supplies to help treat most common injuries, including cuts, scrapes, swelling, sprains, strains and more.
- Emergency Radio
If cellular networks are down due to a disaster scenario, an emergency hand crank radio can give you access to critical information without internet connection.
- Portable Water Filter
The human body cannot go for more than 3 days without water and drinking dirty water can cause many illnesses. If an emergency occurs and you do not have access to clean drinking water, a portable water filter is critical.
- Portable Light
A portable light/lantern can be very useful in emergency situations, both for safety and signaling others.
In conclusion, simply gathering these essential items will be incredibly helpful if you are faced with an emergency situation. As Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
Till next time,
Audra Taylor, Office Oracle
