Why You Should Store Emergency Supplies at Work

Stockpiling emergency supplies in your home is a smart decision. But what if you’re at work and you suddenly find yourself in desperate need of a simple 72-hour kit? It won’t do you much good if it’s sitting in your kitchen pantry.

Most people spend a significant amount of time at work each weekday and some even do so on weekends, so there is a chance that emergencies could strike while you’re away from home.Here are a few situations that you should be prepared for at work:

Cut Off –What if an earthquake, flood, or other hard-to-predict natural disaster suddenly damages roads and cuts you off from your home? You’ll need enough supplies to make it through however long it will take for order to be restored and you may even need to treat injuries.A first-aid kit, water, food, and even blankets could come in handy in case the office starts to get cold and you’re stuck there overnight.

Power Outage – Most buildings are equipped with emergency lights and some even have backup generators. But it’s still a good idea to have a flashlight and other equipment nearby in case you need them.Don’t trust that you’ll have electrical power to microwave your food or keep yourself warm in the event of an emergency. Keep adequate supplies with you so you’ll be fine until power is restored.

Coworkers in Need –Your coworkers may not be as prepared as you, so you may want to be a Good Samaritan and keep some extra supplies with you to care for some of them if the need ever arises. You can encourage other people to be prepared, as well, so you won’t have to shoulder more burden than you’re able to. You can even pool your efforts with several coworkers so each of you gets one or two items. Pretty soon you’ll have an impressive bunch of resources on hand without anyone having to spend too much.

Quick Response – If a situation arises where you need to bring some supplies to a family member or someone else in a serious situation, wouldn’t you rather just go straight there from work than have to hurry home and grab those essential items? You never know when your preparation could pay off and how much of a difference a few minutes could make.

Casual Needs –Being prepared doesn’t have to be all about doom and gloom. Having a little extra food at work could save you a trip to the vending machine or the store when you get hungry in the afternoon. Keeping bandages and other simple medical supplies could ease your mind if the office runs out of those things when you get a cut or other minor injury. Nothing huge, but it’s just a nice little benefit of foresight.

There are many other situations that could require emergency food storage, medicine, or other emergency supplies at the office. The point is that you shouldn’t keep all your eggs in one basket. Have some of your stockpile in your car, at the office, and in other places that you frequently stay at for extended periods of time. That’s a good way to have peace of mind, no matter where you are.

Derek Smith is the owner of Acorn Supplies, an emergency preparedness company that helps people be prepared with emergency survival kits and food storage to sustain disasters.