"Do I really need one…."

A backpack survival kit is easy to store and keep handy for when you need it.  It’s like a small insurance policy that hopefully, you won’t use.  Throw it in your hall closet near the front door or in the trunk of your car.  But you may be asking yourself “do I really need this kit”?

Think about these events.  You’re at your dentist’s office for a late afternoon appointment.  It’s a small office with a staff of four and near a freeway.  Silently, while no one is watching, snow begins to fall and the temperature drops to 30 outside.  A sudden coating of black ice on the freeway results in several accidents at the exit leading to your dentist’s office as well as others that have slid off the pavement on both sides of the highway.  Emergency crews are taxed to their limits.

It continues to snow heavily and soon the electricity goes out either from lines being downed by the snow or a traffic accident.  You’re likely to be trapped along with the dental staff in the dark office as it begins to get colder and colder inside. 

Does the office have an office survival kit or do you have one in your car?  These small and basic kits will contain emergency lighting sources, emergency food and water, and other important items.  Even when the plows have made the roads passable to leave the office, are the secondary roads that lead to your home plowed? 

Even a safe arrival at home could result in your being “snowed in” or somewhat confined for a few days.  Have a personal three day supply of essentials at your home and in your car as it might happen anytime that you need it.  Include your prescription medicines and other special needs items.  Know where they are and be ready.  If you live in a rural or mountainous area, go beyond the minimum recommended 72 hour supply to a week’s worth of supplies.

Last winter, in Park County, Colorado, on the west side of Kenosha Pass, the snows accumulated for several days.  The county road crews were diligently plowing and working to keep main roads open but some secondary roads couldn’t be cleared for several days.  Some residents were, in fact, trapped in their homes for several days.  Even groceries in the stores became minimal.

A few years ago, an unusually heavy snow blanketed Conifer, Colorado and even Denver with several feet of snow.  It took the county as much as a week to get some roads and streets passable.  Some folks had to be rescued, but those who were prepared to survive were much more comfortable than their neighbors.

So why not consider an emergency survival kit like an insurance policy.  You need it but we hope you don’t ever have to use it.  Go ahead; get prepared now.