In an emergency situation you may be forced to rough it. You may be evacuated from your home, and the emergency shelters may be full. You may have to hike out of an area because the roads are impassable due to earthquakes or other disasters. Your emergency kits should be prepared to handle these situations. Here are five things to consider when stocking your emergency kit for these types of emergencies.
1) You will want to be able to provide some sort of shelter for your family. You may pack several tarps and rope and rig up a temporary tent or lean to. You may decide that you want to pack a lightweight tent or tents for your family. The shelter should have the ability to protect you from the wind and the rain.
2) You should consider the portability of your emergency kit. The portability may mean different things in different situations. If you are evacuating by car, you will want your family’s kits to be able to fit in the car. If you are evacuating by foot, you will want to be able to carry everything on your back. This may mean leaving a good deal of supplies at home, and prioritizing beforehand which ones are truly essential.
3) You should consider the special needs of your family when it comes to evacuation. There may be difficulty if one family member is confined to a wheelchair, or if you have several small children who cannot walk great distances. You will need to take these things into consideration as you plan what you will be able to carry with you.
4) You should store your emergency kit in easily portable containers. For many families this would be hiking backpacks. If you have small children you may want to consider something you can push or roll along, so that you can carry your children as well.
5) Make sure that you have portable cooking equipment. This may be as simple as a way to build a fire or a portable hiking stove. You should always include matches or a lighter so that you can start a campfire for warmth as well.