From a simple flat tire that leaves you stranded far from home to disasters that have the potential to impact the entire globe, it always pays to be prepared. Stocking up on some basic items and keeping a bug-out bag, or 72-hour survival kit, handy can make all the difference should you be faced with an emergency situation. Failing to take stock of your supplies from time to time could find you dealing with expired food, broken equipment, and other resources that may no longer be able to meet your needs.
Inspecting and Replacing Your Water Supplies
Aside from basic shelter to protect you from the elements, ensuring proper hydration is the single most pressing issue when it comes to ensuring your short term survival in an emergency situation. Bottled water that has been stored for too long, purification tablets that may have been damaged and other issues that might limit your access to drinkable water are never concerns that should be left overlooked. A simple visual inspection of your supplies will allow you to address any situations that might put your access to sufficient quantities of drinking water at greater risk.
Keeping Medications Up to Date
From a basic first-aid kit needed to treat minor injuries to life-saving medications that you may require on a daily basis, your medical supplies can be a critical asset in the event of an emergency. Inspecting your supplies to ensure your bandaging materials remain sterile and your stock of first aid supplies are being kept up to date to would be well worth your time and effort. Discovering, too late, that improper storage or other issues have compromised your first-aid supplies and other resources could find you faced with far more serious concerns should you or someone close to you suffer from an injury.
Stocking Food for an Emergency
Whether your supplies consist of a few canned items kept on hand for more mundane emergencies or enough pre-packaged meals to last a season or more, regular inspection and replacement of expired items is of the utmost concern. Not all food storage options will be able to keep your supplies safe indefinitely; finding that your stores are well past their expiration date could quickly become a very serious issue. Using your stored food for a camping trip or even as part of your everyday diet before it expires offers a frugal solution that will help ensure you are able to keep your supplies up to date.
Dealing With Expired Medications
Access to the right medication can make a life-saving difference in the event of an emergency or widespread disaster, especially for those who depend on medication in order to manage a potentially serious medical condition. Writing a list of your medications that includes their expiration date and displaying it on the outside of your bag or supply storage area is an easy way to keep tabs on the situation. Overlooking an expiration date or finding yourself left with medicines that are no longer as potent or even viable could become a real issue. Making an extra effort to keep any prescription medications in stock and up to date can be even more important, as replacements can often require a little extra time and effort in order to arrange.
The Importance of Being Prepared
No one knows what the future will bring, but having even rudimentary emergency supplies on hand can make a critical difference should you be faced with a crisis. Simply packing and storing your supplies is not always sufficient to ensure that you will have the resources you need to deal with an emergency situation or other crisis. Regular inspection of your food, water and other emergency equipment will allow you to address any issues that have the potential to grow into more serious problems. Keeping your supplies stocked, organized, and up to date is never a consideration that should be left to chance.