When we think of natural disasters the first thing that comes to mind is usually an earthquake, flood, tornado or hurricane. But there’s one other type of disaster that poses a serious threat across a large portion of the country. Blizzards can be just as deadly and dangerous as other natural disasters, especially for those that aren’t ready to weather the storm.
Knowing basic survival skills is a must, but you also have to be prepared with essential tools and supplies. We’ve made things easy by breaking the blizzard disaster kit checklist into categories. Focus first on the category where you lack the most essentials and start building from there.
Security and Safety
During a natural disaster, we’re often most concerned about what Mother Nature could do to us. However, it’s foolhardy to fail to consider the dangers posed by other people and animals. During a disaster, people can get desperate and do things to survive that they wouldn’t normally do. Are you equipped to protect yourself and your family from harm?
Tools like the self defense pen by ABP Tactical are an investment every prepper should make. Not only does it have a serrated edge blade, but it also includes other essential tools like a flashlight, bottle opener and glass breaker. Other security and self defense items to put in your blizzard disaster kit include:
- Pocket knife
- Taser
- Baton
- Flares
- Whistle
- Fluorescent distress flag
- Fire extinguisher
If you own a gun and are comfortable using it make sure you have a stock of bullets at any given time. A firearm is one of the most effective self defense tools, and in a pinch it can be used for hunting.
Warmth
The next biggest threat during a blizzard is the freezing temperatures. Of course, the focus here is going to be on fire creation and clothing. Having the necessary tools to build a fire can also help you purify water and scare off animals in addition to providing warmth. Include these items for warmth:
- Heating fuel
- Flint
- Waterproof matches
- Dry firewood
- Insulated sleeping bags
- Fleece or wool blankets
- Fleece cap
- Wool socks
- Waterproof jackets
- Waterproof boots
- Waterproof gloves
- Backup generator
One of the most important things to remember is to stay dry. When clothes get wet they lose their insulation properties and transmit heat away from the body.
Food and Hydration
DisIn every disaster situation food and water become a top priority. There’s a good chance by the time the storm is over the stores will have been ransacked, and food and water are usually the first things to go.
You can go weeks without food, but the human body can only withstand about three days without water. The rule of thumb for any disaster is to have three gallons of water per person. However, if help can’t arrive within 3-4 days you could find yourself in a dire situation despite the fact there’s snow (frozen water) all around you. The disaster kit items below can help you stay nourished and hydrated:
- LifeStraw
- Water purification tablets
- Manual can opener
- Canned foods
- Ready-to-eat meal kits
- Protein bars
Health and Medical
In a natural disaster, a moderate injury can quickly turn into a life-threatening situation. Every prepper should have a first aid kit in their home, car and bug out bag. A few other medical items that can come in handy during a blizzard are:
- Prescription medications
- Personal hygiene supplies
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Extra bandages in various sizes
- Battery-operated carbon monoxide detector
Essential Survival Tools
There are also a number of essential survival tools that could prove to be invaluable during and after a snowstorm. These are the tools that can help you get out if you’re trapped and improve your odds of rescue. Your blizzard disaster kit should also include:
- Charged cell phone
- Snow shovel
- Bags of rock salt
- Bags of sand
- Battery-operated AM/FM radio
- Flashlight
- Windshield scraper
- Basic tool kit
- Jumper cables
- Road maps of the area
- Handheld GPS
- Extra tank of gasoline
- Unscented bleach
- Tow chain or rope
Don’t forget to include extra batteries for each tool that needs them. For the best protection create two blizzard disaster kits – one for your home and one for your vehicle.
For more information and guidance on what to do to survive a winter storm check the resources at Ready.gov.
