Prepare your toolbox for emergencies or disasters
After a disaster strikes, having the right tools in your toolbox will be critical to handle the challenges you may face. In this article, I’ll share with you what I keep in my toolbox. Everybody’s toolbox might be slightly different based on your skills and needs and I encourage feedback in the comment section if there’s tools you keep in your toolbox I didn’t cover you think are critical to have.
Gloves
Always good to have a solid pair of leather work gloves.
Tape measure
Hammer
You’ll want to pick up 2 in the event a couple of people need to work on something. Go for a basic, mid-weight hammer. The one thing to look for is a head that is made from deep-forged steel and a handle that feels comfortable when you swing the hammer.
Allen wrenches
Standard and Metric
Vise grips
Telescoping magnetic tool
Had to use this on many occasions to dig something out of the motor I dropped while working on it.
Double Drive Screwdriver
Plain old fashion screwdrivers
I’ve picked up a number of these over the years and lost quite a few as well. Having a lot of different options of Phillips and flat head screw drivers, long, medium and short with different size heads all come in hand. I don’t think you can have enough of these with various options.
Crescent wrench
Metal file
Graphite powder
Freeing up locks
Drill bits
Safety Goggles
Respirator mask
Duct tape.
WD-40
What problem can’t be fixed with a little WD-40?
Bungee cords
You never know when you’ll need these to secure something.
Rags
Great to clean up a spill or just clean off your hands.
Channel lock pliers
Having a couple of these comes in handy as well.
Gas wrench
Very handy to have in an emergency to shut off your gas line to your house.
Zip ties
Small socket wrench kit.
Hand saw
Wrenches
It’s a good investment to make as you’ll find yourself needing deep socket wrenches, box end wrenches and open ended wrenches as you work on vehicles and other miscellaneous items.
Box end wrenches
Open end wrenches
SAE and Metric
Socket wrenches
Crescent wrench
Hand drill
Assortment of screws, nails, nuts and bolts
You just never know what you’ll need to work on or secure requiring these items in your inventory.
So there you have it. That’s my basic setup.
Chamel Akl