Is It Time to Refill Your Emergency Kit?

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Do you have an emergency kit in your workplace or home? How about a roadside emergency kit in your car? If so, how long ago did you buy your kit and when was the last time you checked it? While your survival kit may contain non-perishable emergency supply items like a blanket, scissors, tape and bandages, a number of items do need to be replenished.

Emergency Kit Refill Supplies

Here's a rundown of common items found in emergency kits that need to be replaced every once in a while.

Food Rations & Bars: Emergency food rations and bars have a shelf life of five years. If yours have expired, go ahead and throw them out.

Drinking Water Packs: Like food rations, these too have a five-year shelf life.

Light Sticks: These light source sticks have a three-year shelf life.

Flashlight & Batteries: Place the batteries in the flashlight and ensure it turns on. Batteries last up to 10 years now, but it's always a good idea to test them. Another idea is to purchase a battery tester to check your batteries periodically.

Water in 55 Gallon Barrels: Water placed in a 55 gallon barrel can be preserved for up to five years with the use of water preserver concentrate. However, once five years have passed, it's best to replace the water.

First Aid Kit Supplies: It’s recommended to periodically check expiration dates of first aid kit items such as over-the-counter medication, antiseptic wipes, alcohol wipes, wet wipe towelettes, antibiotic ointment, and instant ice packs. Dispose of expired first aid items and replenish as needed.

It's also really important to make sure any prescription medication is up to date. If you or any member of your family has been prescribed medication, at any time, emergency or not, you should always make sure you have access to necessary medication.

Take Stock of Emergency Kit Items

In addition to these perishable items, you may need to refill items that have been used over the years.

Fortunately, SOS Survival Products carries a number of emergency refill packs. Each comes with emergency preparedness essentials like new food rations, water packs, wipes, batteries, and more. You can order various sizes from a 1-person kit to a 100-person kit. So if it's been a while since you last inspected your emergency first aid kit, disaster kit, or car emergency kit, take the time to see if items need to be replaced. You never know when a natural disaster or other emergency situation might happen, so you should always have a well stocked emergency preparedness kit.