Top 10 Disaster Relief Items to Have Shipped
Climate change increases the chances of severe weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and earthquakes. Families need to prepare in case they need to evacuate or shelter in place during a natural disaster. However, businesses of all types also need to consider stocking up on essential supplies before any severe weather season. Customers will appreciate businesses that have their best interests in mind, including when emergency events unfold.
Many essential items are considered “disaster relief supplies,” but these ten categories of items are especially important for any natural disaster event:
1. Water
Having access to clean water is extremely important when disaster strikes. Once an area is hit, water lines may be shut off, making finding water difficult. Ready.gov recommends having a gallon of water per person daily and several days’ worth on hand. You might also want to put non-drinking water aside to run toilets and bathtubs. Businesses may also consider stocking up on water purification tablets and portable water filters to help families who can’t access clean water.
2. Food
Non-perishable food like canned goods is a no-brainer for natural disaster prep, though ready-to-eat meals like MREs and freeze-dried foods are also good standbys in an emergency. Baby food and infant formula are also necessary for younger family members. Remember to accommodate any special dietary needs, including allergies, and to have several days’ worth of food saved up.
3. Shelter and Housing Supplies
If your home is damaged or unlivable, or you don’t have an emergency shelter nearby, you and your family may need to create a temporary one. Tents, tarps, and emergency blankets are great items to keep in stock. Sleeping gear like bags, mats, and cots are also essential if you need to rough it out outside for whatever reason.
4. Medical Supplies and First Aid
It’s important to assemble a first aid kit or purchase one from a pharmacy or retailer like Walmart for future emergencies. Some first-aid kit essentials include bandages, gauze, antibiotic creams, dust masks, and pain medicine. Also, prescription medications for family members who need them should be ready beforehand. Businesses should consider supplying special medical equipment, like mobility aids and oxygen supplies, for people who may need it.
5. Hygiene and Sanitation Products
Here’s an unexpected fact: according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), disease outbreaks aren’t always high following natural disasters. However, they can occur due to a lack of clean water and sanitation, population displacement, and poor healthcare availability after a natural disaster. It’s important to maintain proper hygiene even during a severe weather event. Create a hygiene kit filled with toiletries like soap, toilet paper, hair care products, and diapers for younger family members. Businesses should also consider purchasing hygiene or travel kits and disinfectant products like wipes or sprays.
6. Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
If you and your family know you’ll be evacuating during a natural disaster, then make sure to pack enough clothes to last for several days without washing. Consider packing layers for various climates and weather conditions. Depending on the type of natural disaster incoming, businesses could offer personal protective equipment (PPE). These are normally used for workplace injury prevention or hazard protection but may be useful for natural disasters like flooding.OSHA has full PPE guidelines, including what clothing counts as PPE.
7. Communication and Lighting Equipment
Electricity and power lines are among the first essentials to fail during a natural disaster. This affects communication devices like smartphones and computers, so be sure to have alternate power sources available, like generators, portable power stations, or solar chargers. Hand crank or battery-powered radios are a must-have during emergencies as well. Flashlights are also necessary if you cannot use your cell phone for light, as are extra batteries to power them. Businesses should also keep these items in their inventory since they are essential commodities during power outages.
8. Tools and Repair Kits
The most important tools for a natural disaster are wrenches or pliers. You can use these to turn off utilities in your home or fix any immediate issues. However, having a small tool kit on standby for rebuilding or repairing your home during or after a disaster is not a bad idea. Essential tools include hammers, saws, screwdrivers, nails, duct tape, and plastic sheeting. Mini travel tool kits can be purchased online or at hardware stores, though you can also get multi-purpose tools.
9. Extra Money and Personal Documents
These items are paired because they are personal items that must be properly stored in an emergency. Make copies of family members’ personal documents like driver’s licenses and passports. Keep extra cash on hand as well. Both of these should be stored in a secure, waterproof/fireproof case or safe, in a safe area only family members know the location of. Businesses should also do this for their own important documents. You can supply personal safes or cases in your inventory as well.
10. Emotional and Psychological Support Materials
This may not seem as essential as other items on this list, but that is far from the truth. Natural disasters take a toll on everyone’s mental health. Children, especially, are vulnerable to the stress and tension a natural disaster can bring. It’s best to keep toys, games, books, and other distractions around for both children and adults to indulge for emotional and psychological support. It doesn’t replace counseling services but will give everyone peace of mind while waiting for a natural disaster to settle down.
Be Ready For Natural Disasters With FreightCenter
No matter who you are or where you are, a natural disaster can strike at any time. That’s why having an emergency disaster plan and stockpiling emergency supplies is crucial. Businesses should also use disaster preparations as an opportunity to satisfy critical customer needs. Offering some of these items to your customers during peak severe weather seasons will generate positive reactions towards your business, making you a reliable, generous organization.
Are you considering including emergency supplies in your inventories and needing someone to freight ship your orders? Look no further than FreightCenter! Our team of knowledgeable shipping experts has shipped disaster relief supplies before, so we’re prepared to assist you. Our network of carriers is available to you at affordable, competitive rates for national and international shipping, and we offer tailored solutions for every shipping need and services like expedited and hazmat shipping.
Try our free online quote tool or call (800) 716-7608 to start preparing your disaster relief shipment today!
Need more help with prepping for emergencies and natural disasters? Here are a few resources for more information:
FEMA’s 10 Items To Include in Your Emergency Kit
American Red Cross’s Survival Kit Supplies
FreightCenter’s Disaster Relief Shipping
