Why Emergency Tools Should Be Included In Every Home Disaster Kit

By Eric Holm

Nobody is immune when it comes to accidents and emergencies. Tragedy can strike at any time and it pays to be prepared. People these days tend to take for granted the access available to supplies and services. Some people never stop to wonder what they will do if a natural disaster wipes out the infrastructure in their city or does damage to the home. Having access to the proper emergency tools when a crisis does occur can mean the difference between life and death. Stocking up on water and food is a good start but there are many other issues to consider when preparing for a disaster. Specific types of equipment, including power generators, may be needed depending on the nature of the crisis. Search and rescue tools are necessary if multiple victims are involved.

Do not assume that the ordinary equipment stored in the garage will be enough to get you through a disaster. Many different types of survival tools may be needed. Putting together a disaster kit for your family starts with stocking nonperishable food and plenty of water but you have to do much more than that. Think about all the things you will need if you are stranded without power or running water for an extended period of time. A variety of rescue tools can make all the difference when faced with emergencies of all kinds.

Something like an ordinary adjustable pipe wrench becomes a survival tool during a natural disaster. Water and gas pipes are vulnerable to leaks in the wake of an earthquake or hurricane. The wrench should be used to turn off the water and gas to the house until you can verify there are no breaches in either system. Leaks in a gas pipe can cause dangerous fumes to build up and there could be an explosion or fire. A leaky water pipe could flood a house and cause even further damage to the property. Add an assortment of screwdrivers to your kit. These will be handy for a variety of minor repairs. Search tools like axes, pry bars and saws will come in handy when there is a lot of debris to clear away. First responder gear kits will always contain these tools. If an accident occurs on a road or highway, traffic cones and flares are crucial for alerting oncoming traffic of danger.

Your family will have a better chance of surviving a crisis if you have prepared an emergency tool kit ahead of time. You will also be ready to assist friends and neighbors in need. Losing power is a common problem during a severe storm. Without power there is no way to cool or heat the home. Food in the refrigerator is susceptible to spoiling and getting anything done after dark becomes a major challenge. There is no need to worry about any of that if you have a generator. This alternative power source will allow you to turn the lights back on and keep the refrigerator cold enough to save the food. Construction workers will often use diesel or gas generators on a job site to run power tools and lights. Some are even powerful enough to run an entire house. A natural gas generator also has sufficient output to supply a household with emergency power. Using select circuit wiring allows the homeowner to supply a specific portion of the home or target certain appliances without powering the entire home.

The most important thing you can do for your family is make sure you are prepared for an emergency situation. It is important to inspect the items in your disaster kit occasionally and make sure everything is in good condition.

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