Be Prepared!

Living in California, you become familiar with the occasional earthquake, but lately there has been a lot of activity down below.  On Friday, there was a huge 5.3 (and really long) earthquake centered in La Habra, CA, but experts say that is just the start of it.  I personally have slept through every single earthquake since I moved to California, so a 5.3 being my first one has got me thinking about the 'what ifs'.  I read today that there is an expected 7.5 (cue freakout) which could be disastrous in the near future for all of us living in 'paradise'....just kidding!  That article turned out to be a hoax, but nevertheless we should all be prepared anyway because earthquakes, fires, tornados, and floods are always a threat.

Everyone I know keeps telling me to get an emergency kit and I thought to myself, 'I have some canned food, matches, and candles...what else do I need'. There are some necessities I didn't think of, or don't have yet, and I figure you might not either.  So, Groove Girls, we are all going to stay calm and survive, because it's time to make your very own Groove Girl Survival Kit! Now...bedazzling, glitter application, monograming and crafting will have to wait until you have every single one of these items checked off.

Emergency Candles

I'm not talking about your yummy scented Yankee candle, these candles are specifically for emergency situations where there is no power.  They range in how long they last for and some even last for hours plus provide warmth.  

Nonperishable Food

Don't just think about the food you have in your pantry right now...you bought it for a reason and will probably end up eating it.  You need to go shopping just for your emergency kit.  There are so many different options between the canned variety and also dry foods (like granola bars and cereal).  When shopping for emergency food, focus on high calorie options (meal/protein bars) and high water options (like soup).

 Manual Can Opener 

Don't roll your eyes at me!  It might sound like an obvious item following the giant stack of canned food items I just discussed, but in the case of an emergency would you think of it?  They are super cheap and you can buy one at the dollar store, so don't check this off just because you have one in your kitchen.  I use an electric can opener at home, what if there was a flood or it broke?  No food for me!

Emergency Documents

Did you think of this?  My mom always had copies of everything, but living on my own, I have not done this yet...have you?  Keeping the copies (laminated) in a bright organizer folder will help you find it easy and keep all of the documents safe from water.  'What do I need', you say?  Emergency documents include insurance policies, medical consent forms, list of emergency contact numbers, doctor's name and contact info, prescription lists, and some type of personal identification with a picture.  Hide this at the bottom of your survival kit and don't tell anyone it's there to keep your info safe.  There is a great Financial Emergency First Aid Kit you can download from the Federal Emergency Management Agency website too. 

Flashlight

Another obvious one, I know, but very much needed in this list.  Again, having one around the house somewhere in the back of that one closet doesn't count!  You need to have a special one just for your box...more than one if you have roomies or family members.  Make. Sure. It. WORKS!  I will never forget one time the power went out and I had to try 3 flashlights to find one that worked.  In an emergency that just won't cut it. 

Extra Batteries 

That brings me to the next item on your list...extra batteries! For all of the items in your soon to be bedazzled box for all of this, make a list of the size battery it uses.  You'll be kicking yourself if you only have AA batteries, but you desperately need AAA or those random big ones.  

Duct Tape

Duct tape, as everyone knows, can be used for anything like prom dresses, drinking cups, wallets, making a shelter, and fixing leaks. The uses are endless, and therefore making this item a necessity! 

First Aid Kit 

First Aid kits come in all shapes and sizes.  You can get a little one that fits in your purse, or a giant one that makes you look like you just jumped out of an ambulance.  I would recommend getting one that is about a lunchbox size and contains antibiotic ointments, antiseptic wipes, bandages, instant cold compress, scissors, oral thermometer, tweezers, and space blanket. You can get these at CVS, Target, Costco, Walmart and many other stores. 

Lighter/Matches

 I would say either-or, but given the fact that you cannot predict when, or what type, of emergency you'll have to deal with you should have both.  Lighters are great, but when they get wet it's no good. There are special matches just for that and can be purchased at camping stores...you could just keep the matches and lighter in a waterproof container.

Local Maps

 I hardly ever use a paper map anymore (thanks Siri!), but what happens when your phone got wet, or died, and you are needing to get to safer grounds?  It's always good to have a local map in your car in case of emergencies, but lets pay an extra 10 cents to put in the box!

Dust Mask

Ew. I know, so tacky, but when there is smoke, or debris dust, everywhere you'll be glad you can breath...(whipping out the glue gun) you can make it as stylish as you'd like.  

 Emergency Cash 

You never know what you will have time to grab in the case of an emergency, so in the off chance that you couldn't find your wallet in time, you'll have some extra cash ready in your emergency kit.  It doesn't have to be dollar bills, you could also stash a travelers check.  

Notepad & Pen

I don't know what to say about this other than how many uses can you think of?  Leave a note stating where you went for safety, note telling rescuers where you're hiding in the house, keeping yourself sane with hangman and tic-tac-toe, etc. 

Emergency Radio

Be sure to have a battery powered or hand crank radio.  The NOAA Weather Radio is ideal, because it has a tone alert, all 7 NOAA weather band stations, and alert system.  A simple Google search will show all of the different types and models of NOAA radios out there. 

Solar Charger

I know for a fact that this item was not in your emergency kit growing up...but how cool is it!  You can easily pick up a solar charger phone case, backpack, roll up mat, window suction charger, and universal ones with tons of adapter cords.  Those spare charger sticks are cool and work great, but when it dies and you can't charge it, then what?  Keep that for your Friday nights and get a solar charger for your emergency box. 

Personal Items

Mother nature already isn't kind enough to just send us a text every month (hooray! You're not pregnant), so the chances that you'll need some extra protection during a natural disaster are pretty high.  o.b. makes a cute little carrier case to conceal these little guys, or you can make your own little pack.  Also, think about hitting up the travel section at Bed Bath and Beyond, or Target, because hey, I'll want some mouthwash and toilet paper right? 

Trash Bags

 Ok, this one is kinda gross, but just as needed in the case of a disaster.  In all of my emergency kit research, everyone has these items listed to "preserve personal sanitation".  I don't think I need to go into any more detail, other than remember the Carnival cruise who was powerless for days with no working toilets? Yeah. Let's not ever deal with that.  The trash bags can also be used to build a shelter, hold clean water, and other survival uses too.

Gallon of Water

It is recommended that each person included in the survival kit gets 1 gallon of water to last them around 3 days.  I know at my house when there is a water bottle around...chances are it wont last a week without being gulped down at the gym.  Store your emergency water in the basement/garage/closet and away from your subconscious who will fight with you 'just drink it, you can buy another tomorrow for "emergencies" right?' but don't cave, turn on your faucet. 

Whistle 

 This item I did not immediately come to mind when I first started thinking about my emergency kit.  A whistle is a great way to signal where you are and that you need help.  Even if someone doesn't know what happened to you or where you are, they will be curious as to where the sound is coming from and find you. Bet those hikers wished they had packed a whistle, huh?

Mess Kit

 These are great little kits usually used for camping, but could come in handy during an emergency.  In these little mess kits are trays, a bowl, small Fold-A-Cup, stainless steel knife/fork/spoon, and other nifty kitchen items you won't have if you have to leave your house.

Sanitizing Wipes

 This is one of those items that you probably don't think twice about using during the day, but when you have been cut off from the luxuries of home, these will be very appreciated.

Emergency Tool

This emergency tool is used to turn off all utilities in the case of an emergency.  It was designed and tested by professional firefighters...I trust it!  I also read that you can use a normal wrench to do all of this too, but I'm gonna listen to the firefighters and run over to Target, or Walmart to get me one of these bad boys! 

There you have it!  The most necessary items to have in your emergency kit listed out for you to go get right now! Then when you come home you can bedazzle and personalize everything, because...well...do you need a reason?


XoXo,