Inventory

Originally posted on The ReadyStore Blog

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Inventory

Doing inventory can help you use your resources more effectively when you are preparing for emergencies through emergency preparedness and food storage. Do you buy the same things over and over while other sections of your preparation are lacking? Do you have a dozen emergency blankets, but not a first aid kit? Do you have a way to heat your home, but no plans for sanitation?

The best way to do an inventory is to sit down and pull everything out. I know this may seem like a daunting task, but if you don’t know what you have, you don’t know what you need. I did this recently with my sister and brother-in-law. While they were pleasantly surprised by the amount of things they had in their 72-hour kits, they found they were lacking in some areas. They had a portable potty lid and bags, but needed toilet chemicals. They had several tools, but no matches and no 115 hour Ready candles.

Once you know what you need, you can break it down into categories such as light and communication, food storage, first aid, etc. Then you can figure out what you need in each area and make a plan to acquire those items. With a little time and effort, you can make sure you are ready for whatever circumstances you may encounter in an emergency situation.