Pat Ingelse

Spring is rumored to be on its way, and that means college graduations, first apartments, the first time for some to be on their own. It’s the perfect time for a practical gift. Typically, the focus is on fun dishes, curtains, or furniture. But what about an emergency kit? It’s something a bird who’s just left the nest may not appreciate right away — but when they need it, boy, will it come in handy.

These kits can come in the form of a backpack, a five-gallon bucket, or anything in between. The key is to make sure the container holds practical items from primarily three different categories: general supplies, hygiene supplies, and first aid. General items should include a flashlight and batteries, an AM/FM radio, duct tape, a whistle, a blank notebook, and pencils. Hygiene supplies could include Kleenex, hand lotion, soap, and a washcloth. The first aid kit should include Band-Aids, towelettes, scissors, gauze pads, or rolls.

Add other items as needed, depending on the location or needs of the recipient. When you’re done, make a list of the items you’ve put in the emergency kit, date it, and include it in the kit! It will serve as a useful benchmark if things need to be updated.

A great website for reference is fivegallonideas.com.  It provides a very thorough list of items and how to build that perfect kit.