5 DIY MINI EMERGENCY KITS

 

 

I am that person who usually ends up in some sort of unexpected “situation” almost everywhere I go. I guess that’s why I carry a big tote filled with anything and everything I might need “in case of an emergency.” I really do need to downsize. That’s why I fell in love with these MINI emergency kits that Britta came up with…and I just know you will too!

Britta writes………

In the world of photography, they say that the best camera is the one you carry with you. Even the best-quality camera becomes worthless if you aren’t taking pictures with it! The same idea applies to emergency kits; you can have emergency kits in your home that are well-stocked, but those kits aren’t going to do you any good if you’re faced with an emergency away from home!

But none of us wants to carry around a big ol’ emergency kit, full of things you might not actually need. So imagine if you had an emergency kit so compact that you could carry it around in the pocket of your jeans if you wanted to? AND that kit would have exactly the things you might need, with nothing extraneous. You’d be way more likely to carry that around with you, right?

That’s where this comes in – the humble mint tin. Small, reusable, and durable, these mint tins make the perfect container for emergency kits. While at first glance they appear to be too small to hold anything useful, by the end of this post you’ll see just how much these tins are capable of holding!

Kit #1 – First Aid

No matter where you roam, a first aid kit can always come in handy. Keeping this kit with you will have you handling minor aches and injuries such as headaches, bruises, blisters, scrapes, and cuts with no sweat.

Contents:

• Bandaids
• Moleskin patches
• Butterfly closures
• Ibuprofen
• Bacitracin ointment
• Gauze pads
• Alcohol prep wipes
• Hand cleansing wipes

Kit #2 – Sewing Kit

As we all know, wardrobe malfunctions happen. Especially before or during significant events, like important business meetings and first dates. This small sewing kit has everything you’ll need to quickly repair or secure small tears or holes.

Contents:

• Seam ripper
• Needle threader
• Thimble
• Scissors
• Needles
• Safety pins
• Various colors of thread

Kit #3 – Emergency Candle

Maybe this isn’t quite a “kit”, but having a candle around can be extremely useful! Especially if you’re stranded overnight in your car, home, or office with no power. This little candle will burn for several hours, providing light and heat when you need it most. (For full instructions on making a candle, see my post about making your own citronella candles.)

Quick note: Keeping matches next to a lit candle is a hazard, which is why I detached the lid from the tin. That way, you can keep the matches away from the candle when it is lit. After the wax cools and solidifies, you can replace the lid and secure it with a couple of rubber bands.

Contents:

• Candle
• Matches
• Match strikers

Kit #4 – Wilderness Survival

If you participate in outdoor activities like trail running, mountain biking, or hiking, keeping a few wilderness survival items with you makes good sense! These basic items can help you navigate your way, signal for help, or even start a fire for warmth should you become lost or stranded outdoors.

Contents:

• Water purification tablets
• Flashlight
• Signaling mirror
• Whistle
• Ibuprofen
• Swiss Army Knife
• Compass
• Firestarter
• Dryer lint (for fire-starting)
• Rubber bands

Kit #5 – “Urban Survival”

This kit is certainly the most practical of the bunch. It probably won’t do you much good in a real emergency like the candle or the Wilderness Survival kit, but it well help you navigate the day-to-day of city/suburban life! Whether you need a bit of extra cash, some essential oils to calm your nerves, or a way to save an important file, this kit has you covered.

Contents:

• Quarters
• Ibuprofen
• Lens cleaning wipe
• Mini bottle of LXR essential oil blend
• Chapstick
• USB drive
• Safety pins
• Cash
• Rubber bands