Emergency preparedness through proper planning can help prevent difficult situations from quickly spiraling beyond our control. It’s true that emergency preparedness is more than just being stocked with an adequate supply of provisions such as food, water and a 72-hour kit. In addition to buying supplies, people should also look to acquire basic skills that will allow them to help themselves and others when a situation demands it. Whether that means performing first aid to treat an injury, creating a way to boil water and produce heat when there is no access to gas, or knowing how to utilize a back-up power source if there’s no electricity, basic emergency preparedness skills are an integral part of being prepared.

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