With the current state of the world, worry seems to be high no matter where you live. A lot of people are taking more precautions to keep their families safe if a disaster were to occur. There are many things to keep in mind if you’re worried about war, a natural disaster, or if you just want to be cautious. These ten ideas will help you prepare for anything that might come your way, so you can feel as much relief as possible without spending a small fortune.

1. Gather Important Documents
Your important documents are going to be an asset when you are faced with an emergency. You need to make sure you have passports, social security cards, birth certificates, marriage licenses, and documentation of your insurance policy stored away in a fireproof safe that can easily be grabbed in an emergency. You should also have any deeds or titles in your possession there. Anything else that feels important to you should also be added to the mix. If you can, back your files up digitally as well, so you have access to the items. Having the documents with you in an emergency is incredibly important though, so don’t rely completely on your digital backups.

2. Keep a Full Tank of Gas
A full tank of gas can help you deal with an emergency, may it be sudden or one that you have had to deal with for some time. Often, when an emergency arises, gas stations are going to be packed with people. Having a full tank of gas will allow you to get out of the area faster since you won’t have to wait around to get what you need. This is especially important if you do need to leave quickly. If there are gas shortages for whatever reason, you will also be set for a little while, as long as you conserve your gas. It doesn’t hurt to have a full gas can on hand either, especially if you may need to use a generator. Keeping a full gas tank can help your vehicle out in the long run anyway, as dipping too low will cause your vehicle problems.

3. Cash
Cash can be life-changing when it comes to emergencies. More often than not, if you find yourself in an emergency then you’re not going to be able to pull cash out of an ATM or visit a bank right away. So, having cash on hand can really help you if you’re in a tough spot. If power is down, then cards might not be accepted in your area either. Thus, cash will be able to help you purchase the things you need right away. You don’t have to empty your savings account but having enough money to get you where you need to go or the supplies you need can help bring some relief to you. When you pull out your money, make sure you place it in a secure place, like a safe to ensure you’ll know exactly where it is and that it won’t be tampered with.

4. Emergency Food and Water
No matter what you prepare for, you should always have emergency food and water on hand to make sure you are able to get through the emergency with as little as a possible risk to your health. Canned goods are always wise to keep in your emergency kit, but there are also many amazing, dehydrated foods that you can try. These tend to have an incredibly long shelf life, so you should not have to worry about them for a bit after you add them to your emergency kit. Water is also a necessity. You should account for one gallon of water per person for at least three days to be safe. However, keeping a water filtering straw or pitcher on hand can also do you a world of good. You should take your pets into consideration too, especially if they have specific diets.

5. Radio
When dealing with any kind of emergency, radio is great to have on hand. Although we live in the days of advanced technology, like smartphones, these devices might be knocked out during an emergency. A radio will help you keep track of a storm you are sheltering from, or let you know where you can go if you are in need of assistance. It can also allow you to know when it is okay to come out of your shelter. Radios are a great asset for so many and if you find yourself traveling due to an emergency, they can keep you up to date even as you move. You should also keep extra batteries on hand for these devices, so you are connected for some time.

6. First Aid
Another crucial thing to have on hand is a first aid kid. You should keep one of these kits in your home and in your vehicle no matter what. This can help bring peace of mind to your life while also allowing you to feel confident that your emergency kit can truly help you. Your emergency kit should have the basics in it, like bandaids, ointments, and even salts to help with those that have fainted. However, you might consider more advanced items as well to help stop bleeding and so on. If you can, keep some medications in your kit, or have a bag filled with medications that you can grab in a few seconds’ notice. This is especially important if medication is crucial to life.

7. Emergency Plan
An emergency plan can actually take you very far when it comes to an actual emergency. For many, they have no idea what to do if a tragedy strikes. So, when you can, sit down and come up with some escape routes to ensure your family can get out of the area if they need to. You might talk to family and friends to see if they can be your emergency destination, so you will know exactly where to go in a moment of crisis. You should also have a plan for weather-related problems, which might leave you trapped in your home. Everyone should know where to go if a tornado or hurricane were to strike or how to get out of the home if there is a fire. You should even have drills for intruders. Although anxiety can cause plans to fail, having one on hand is one of the best things you can do to ensure safety.

8. Flashlights
Light can be a huge asset if an emergency were to occur, which is why you should always have a flashlight available. This should not only be a part of your emergency kit, but you might add them to various places in the home, such as your bedrooms, bathrooms, and even your vehicle. Having a flashlight on hand can help to keep you safer if you find yourself in danger and need to get out of the home when there is no light to be had. Try to find flashlights that suit your needs, such as strength and weight. You should also keep batteries on hand in an easy-to-reach place so you can keep the light going. Even if you have other forms of light available, such as a fire-starting kit or a lantern, a flashlight can still be one of the most efficient tools.

9. Wilderness/Go Pack
Sometimes, an emergency might lead us into places that require basic survival skills. That is why having a wilderness or go pack is crucial for your emergency kit. This kit should have items to start a fire, create shelter, and stay warm. You should also consider things that might help you fish or hunt if the need were to arise. Weather-appropriate gear is also crucial to have in these packs, as you want to be able to withstand the elements. As mentioned before, the pack should have a first aid kit, as well as things like a tin opener, flashlight, fire starting kit, and so on. The bag you choose for these items should be waterproof and durable. It should also have a spot for your legal documents.

10. Car Supplies
In an emergency, your vehicle might become your new home. That is why it is so important to keep emergency supplies readily available. It is also important to have supplies available in case you must deal with an emergency with your vehicle, even if it is just changing a flat tire. Jumper cables and other basic tools can take you far as well. You might also consider keeping a gas tin in case you run out of gas. Keeping emergency supplies in your vehicle takes very little effort though. You should always have a spare tire on hand, and tools to change it. You should also have items like flares, reflective gear, basic first aid, and so on. Ponchos and other gear are always nice to have if you have the space. You might also consider keeping blankets if you have the space as well.

These ideas won’t help prevent an emergency, but they can help you deal with the problem when it comes. Of course, there are many other ways to help with an emergency. You should also keep up with your local news and listen to instructions as you prepare to protect your family from emergencies.