Emergencies are inevitable and unpredictable, which means you need to prepare upfront to cope with any kind of emergency. Here are six must-have essentials in your home emergency kit:

6. Water: Your Elixir of Life

Let’s kick off with the universal truth: water is essential. Not the “oh, I need to hydrate for glowing skin” essential (though that is true too.) But more like “without it, we are in real trouble” essential. Aim to store at least a gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of three days. This accounts for both drinking and sanitation needs.

If you have pets, remember to include their water needs too. Grab those water purification tablets while you are at it. Trust us when we say this: They are gold in emergencies.

RDNE / Pexels / We can survive without food for weeks. But without water, survival is impossibly difficult.

 Food: The Trusty Sidekick

After water, let’s chat about your belly's best friend – food. But hold up, we are not talking gourmet meals here. Think non-perishable, high-energy, and easy-to-prepare foods. Canned goods (with a manual can opener), granola bars, nuts, and dried fruits are your go-to.

Here is your quick reminder: Ensure you rotate your food supply to keep it fresh. No one wants to munch on stale almonds during an emergency.

Communication Tools: Stay Connected

If TV has taught us anything, it is that every hero needs to stay informed. In the real world, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio is a reliable source for updates during emergencies.

Also, a fully charged power bank for your mobile phone can be a lifesaver. For all you know, you might want to post an emergency selfie or, more importantly, contact loved ones. This will be another life-saving step that you can take.

Anete  / Pexels / To cope with any sort of emergency, make sure to have communication tools on hand.

Lighting: Because Stumbling in the Dark Is Not Fun

If you had a nickel for every time someone overlooked something this essential, you would well, have a lot of nickels. Right? Flashlights are your beacon in the darkness. Throw in some extra batteries, and you are golden.

Sure enough! Candles are great. But remember, safety first! Always supervise burning candles. Most importantly, do not forget to make sure you have waterproof matches or lighters.

First Aid Kit: Your Health Guardian

We can not emphasize this enough. From minor scrapes to more pressing medical needs, a well-stocked first aid kit is indispensable. Stock it with bandages, antiseptics, tweezers, scissors, pain relievers, and any personal medications.

Roger / Pexels / First aid kit is your ultimate health guardian. That is why every household should ensure to have access to it.

Familiarize yourself with the basics of first aid. Knowledge in action can prevent minor injuries from becoming major ones. Ideally, add a mini guidebook on first aid practices inside your kit. This will help you skim through the guide in real-time.

Personal Items and Docs: Because Every Hero Is Unique

Everyone's emergency kit will differ slightly based on personal needs. If you have babies, do not forget diapers and formula. Wear glasses? Toss in an extra pair, along with your critical documents (birth certificates, insurance policies, medical records), which should be safely stored in a waterproof pouch.

This way, you will ensure that not only you save yourself and your loved ones. But you also ensure the safety of everyone around you.