You never know when disaster may strike, but you can help ensure your own survival. By having a survival kit, your odds of living through floods, storms, earthquakes, or other severe occurrences can significantly improve. Read through this guide to learn how to make your own survival kit.

You never know when disaster may strike, but you can help ensure your own survival. By having a survival kit, your odds of living through floods, storms, earthquakes, or other severe occurrences can significantly improve. Read through this guide to learn how to make your own survival kit.

• A survival kit should contain all of the food, water and tools that you will need to sustain yourself for at least a week in case of an emergency. By assembling your own kit, you will be able rest knowing that you are probably equipped to get through most disaster situations. Hopefully you will never have to use it, but at least you will not have to wonder whether or not you are prepared for the worst.

• Here is a comprehensive list of items to include in your kit. Also include any other goods that you feel you cannot live without.

(Creative Commons photo by marvinxsteadfast)

1. Enough canned and dry food to feed each person in your household for a week
2. 1 Gallon of water per person, per day
3. Extra prescription meds
4. Can opener
5. Flares
6. Whistle
7. Radio
8. Blankets
9. Kelly kettle or storm kettle, for boiling water and heating food
10. Camping stove
11. Fireproof matches
12. Lighter
13. Flashlight
14. Batteries
15. Knife
16. Tool kit
17. First-aid kit
18. Map
19. Compass
20. Pens, pencils, and paper

• You should keep one survival kit in your home, and another in your vehicle. The vehicle kit will probably be smaller than the one in your home, but make sure the basic necessities, like water and blankets, are still included. Store your kit in sturdy, waterproof bins, and make sure to seal them tightly.

• The kit in your home should be placed in an easily accessible area, such as in your garage or a hallway closet. You need to make sure you will be able to find it in a hurry. The trunk is a good place to store your vehicle kit.

• Food does not last forever, so check the expiration dates on all edibles and write that date on the package. Replace as needed. In general, canned and dry goods need to replaced every year. Bottled water will also need to replaced annually. Remember to replace batteries, pens, and medications, as well.

• Preparation can sometimes be the difference between life and death. This is why it is important to have a survival kit assembled in case disaster hits your area. Get your items together, and store in heavy-duty waterproof containers. Remember to check on your kit every six months or so, and replace any expired items.

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• Introduction
• Step 1: Assemble
• Step 2: Store
• Step 3: Update
• Conclusion