If you live in a storm-prone region, one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family is to have a storm shelter to ride out the potentially devastating weather. But a storm shelter is only as good as the essentials that it’s equipped with. After establishing the shelter, stocking it is what’s going to ensure survival and give you peace of mind in the face of a disaster. In this guide, we’re going to go over what to put in a storm shelter so you’re ready for anything that comes your way.
1. Stock Water and Non-Perishable Food
Emergency food and water are two of the biggest storm shelter essentials. You may not have access to either, especially if the power goes out. You should keep at least a 3-day supply on hand. Food could include MREs, canned goods, dried foods, and dried fruit. For water, you can choose to keep bottled water in your shelter, fill up jugs of drinking water before the storm hits, or take it a step further and keep survival water filters in your shelter.
2. Maintain Communication with Emergency Radio
In the event of a natural disaster, access to cell service and the internet can cease, leaving you without any form of communication. This makes having a survival radio more important than ever. Powered by rechargeable battery, hand crank, or solar power, these radios ensure you’re in the loop with any updates about emergency situations.
3. Store a First Aid Kit
While you may not have to treat any injuries, it’s still essential to stock your storm shelter with medical supplies. These items could include bandages, tweezers, pain relievers, and antiseptic wipes or ointments. You could also save time with a pre-packed survival first aid kit, which will include crucial supplies for what to put in a storm shelter.
4. Prepare with Flashlights and Batteries
The power can go out at any time during a storm, which is why having lighting is essential in a storm shelter. Stock your shelter with emergency flashlights and extra batteries so you have enough light to figure out your next steps for survival. Try to have one flashlight for each family member, which will offer them more security in the dark shelter.
5. Stay Warm with Bedding/Sleeping Bag
Storm shelters can be cold and uncomfortable, especially if you need to hunker down for the night. Having bedding or emergency sleeping bags in your storm shelter is necessary for keeping you safe, warm, and dry.
6. Think About Your Personal Items
Among essentials to keep in storm shelters, you don’t want to forget personal items like toiletries, toilet paper, and sanitizer. Keeping spare clothing and personal documents like birth certificates, identification, emergency contact information, and insurance papers is also a good idea.
Storm Shelter Essentials
Natural disasters can happen at any time. Don’t wait until one is in the forecast to get prepared. Learn about what to put in a storm shelter and stock up your essential survival gear with Echo-Sigma, your one-stop survival shop!