Preparedness for emergencies: Which tools you really need at home

Created: 11/21/2022, 7:30 p.m

The right tool can be crucial to being able to take care of yourself in an emergency.

Our checklist shows what things you should have at home.

A fallen tree that falls on the house, a long-lasting power failure or floods - such crisis scenarios can quickly put people in situations where they urgently need tools and supplies.

Then the right tools should be in the house.

After all, what use is a drill if the power goes out?

We show which tools you need to be well prepared for emergencies.

The right tools can be very helpful in emergencies.

A hammer and pliers are a must.

© Addictive Stock/Imago

Tools for emergencies: What situations do I need to prepare for?

If you want to prepare yourself optimally for crisis situations, good tools and work materials should be the top priority.

You need tools, for example, to make firewood for a fireplace, to carry out repairs on the house or, in the worst case, to build a weatherproof shelter for the family.

Checklist: Important tools for emergencies

Branded tools should be the first choice here so that you don't have to deal with inferior work materials in such stressful situations.

You should have the following in the house:

• hammer

• Combination pliers, water pump pliers

• a set of screwdrivers

• a set of wrenches

• a set of wrenches

• Watchmaker's screwdriver (flat and cross) for glasses, electronics

• scissors

• Axe

• saw

• Shovel (e.g. for digging up earth)

• spade

• Buckets (preferably several large ones)

• Fire steel, waterproof matches and lighters (to start a fire)

With a reasonable tool set, necessary repairs to pipes, the electrical system or other places in the house and garden can be carried out.

An ax and a hand saw are good tools when working with wood - think of firewood for cooking and as a replacement for heating (outdoors!).

In this context, of course, fire steel, matches, etc. should not be missing to kindle the fire.

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having a gas cooker ready.

Spades and shovels are ideal for filling sandbags or digging holes in the ground.

You can always use several buckets - be it for fetching water, as an emergency toilet or to remove the mud from a flooded basement.

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Important material for emergencies

In addition to the right emergency tool, the right material should not be missing:

• Adhesive tape (e.g. duct tape – very robust)

• Insulating tape (to insulate electrical cables)

• thicker rope

• Paracord (parachute cord made of nylon - very strong and easy to knot)

• nails (medium to large)

• screws

• Wooden boards, poles, etc. (e.g. nail up to the window, build shelter)

• Sturdy plastic tarpaulins (e.g. to cover windows, protection from the weather)

Duct tape is extremely robust and can also be removed without leaving any residue.

Insulating tape is used to secure open electrical lines.

In addition to a thicker, more stable rope, we also recommend storing paracord.

This thinner, but robust nylon rope is easy to knot and unknot - in any weather.

During storms, windows are often the first to be affected.

With a proper tarpaulin, boards and large nails, burst windows can be covered again and keep out further rain and cold wind.

What is included in disaster and crisis preparedness?

From emergency supplies to independent energy supply, the crisis prevention newsletter from Merkur.de provides many tips that everyone should know.

Subscribe here!

In addition to tools, it is also advisable to have an emergency supply of food and drinking water in the house for at least ten days in the event of a crisis.

The

provides a checklist that you can use for orientation.

For a blackout, you should also have other useful utensils ready, such as a camping stove.