How to create an emergency kit for your home

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Are you prepared for a natural disaster?

There were around 400 natural disasters worldwide in 2024 including earthquakes, floods and fires. Unfortunately, nearly 34% of Australians don’t have an emergency kit and only 5% of Americans have a kit fully stocked and ready to go.

Natural disasters can take place anywhere and at any time, causing devastation and massive disruptions. Having an emergency kit at home ensures you have everything you need ready to go in an instant.

But what should you be included in your emergency kit?

In this blog, we’ll step through what to consider, must have items, and what to be mindful of with batteries.

Key considerations when creating an emergency kit

Every household is different and what you need in your emergency kit will vary according to location and your family or home members.

Before you start to put together your emergency kit, ask yourself:

Who lives with me or is often at the house?
Are there any special needs?
For instance, an elderly grandparent or a family member with a disability?
What prescription medications and equipment does the household need on hand?
Do any of the equipment require batteries? If so, what sizes?
Where will the emergency kit be stored?

What to include in your emergency kit

To get you started, here are a few essential items:

Non-perishable food and water
First aid kit
Important documents like photo ID, proof of address and insurance
Essentials that can help you get away quickly (cash, maps and spare keys)
Portable power equipment like torches and rechargeable batteries
Medicines and other health and wellbeing items
Personal items that can help you get by for a couple of days, such as spare clothing, toiletries, sleeping bag and other small comforts

You may be surprised to find rechargeable batteries on the list. The truth is, they are a lot more reliable than single-use batteries.

Pitfalls to avoid when including batteries for emergency kits

An emergency kit is something to put together and keep on hand. You may not need it straight away or (hopefully) not at all.

However, batteries are an important part of an emergency kit and need to be ready to go. Since we never know when a natural disaster may hit, thinking about the type of batteries that will serve you best in an emergency situation is key.

If your first thought is to turn to single-use batteries, we have news for you. They could be more of a risk than rechargeable batteries.

Even when they’re not being used, single-use batteries discharge power dramatically over time. When you’re relying on battery power in an emergency, they may not be the best option – given you may end up with dead batteries when they are eventually used.

Rechargeable batteries are a better alternative for emergency kits. They retain power much longer than single-use batteries. While single-use batteries lose 70% of their power over 12 months, USYNC rechargeable batteries only lose 13% and can be recharged for even more of a longer life.

Other battery considerations for your emergency kit

When it comes batteries in an emergency kit, think about:

Battery size: never assume battery sizes as it’s easy to get mixed up. Consciously check the requirements for each equipment in your kit.
Number of batteries: make sure you have enough batteries for all your equipment to be used at once. In an emergency, the last thing you want is the stress of switching batteries just to use something you need.
Rechargeable battery chargers: a beauty of rechargeable batteries is their reusability. And at times of uncertainty, this is a back up that may serve you well.
Other power options: Don’t rely on batteries alone, even if they are rechargeable. Ensure you include other power sources as well like USYNC powerbanks.

How often should you audit and review your emergency kit?

Emergency kits are not a set and forget thing. Similarly, your batteries also need to be checked regularly. With USYNC rechargeable batteries, you can check their levels and recharge where necessary to keep your kit on hand and ready for any natural disaster.

Ready to explore rechargeable batteries? Check out the selection at USYNC and get your emergency kit together with confidence.

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