The scouts have a motto, “Be Prepared,” underscoring the need to carry some life essentials everywhere you go. What do you carry in your purse or bag when you leave the house? While you will probably find some junk like old gum wrappers, some are useful stuff like a wallet full of essential documents and keys.
Life is unpredictable, with unexpected events and misfortunes happening all the time. If you are unprepared, you may end up stranded with no way out (sometimes even literally!).
This guide will show essential things you should not fail to carry when you leave for a safari or head downtown for a good time with friends. When you are prepared, you can cushion your loved ones from the shock of life’s uncertainties.
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This guide does not encourage carrying the entire house wherever you go! We know that is not plausible, but some easy-to-carry essentials can make a huge difference in your life in case of eventualities. Some people call these items everyday carry (EDC). Without further ado, let’s get into it.
- A wallet
We cannot overemphasize the value of a wallet in a person’s life. Besides carrying cash, a wallet can hold necessary items and documents such as ID, credit cards, library cards, business cards, and medical insurance.
You can organize these essential items in your wallet and carry them. If the police want an identification card, you know where to get it. If you want to buy something at a general store and you have no cash, you can always reach for a credit card in your wallet to make the purchase.
However, there are certain things you should not put in a wallet. Some people carry their social security number, birth certificate, and key in a wallet, but they are too heavy and large to keep in your wallet. Keys could damage the wallet and other essential documents.
- Cellphone and portable charger
A cellphone is an essential part of our daily lives; you cannot afford to leave it behind. A smartphone is used for communication with your loved ones in case of emergencies. You can also use a smartphone as a substitute for a camera, allowing you to take Insta-worthy photos to add to your memory.
Additionally, smartphones can help you take notes, pay for goods and services, act as a road map, and provide a flashlight in the dark. A smartphone is an all-rounded item many people often remember whenever they are out of the house.
However, smartphones rarely stay powered for a long time, especially if your data is on. Therefore, a portable charger can come in handy to help power your phone; otherwise, you will be in the dark after a few hours.
If all else fails, it’s handy to have something that can entertain you with learning, books, games, Vegas casino online, or whatever else when you end up stuck waiting in line and want to use your time rather than stare at a wall.
- Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes
Hand sanitizer and disinfectants rose to fame during the Covid-19 pandemic as governments made it mandatory for their citizens to sanitize. However, hand sanitizers and disinfecting wipes have been here longer than the pandemic and form part of the essential items you should carry everywhere you go.
Germs are everywhere you go, and hand sanitizer and disinfectants can protect against diseases. You can use them to disinfect your hands before taking a bite in areas with no clean water for handwashing. If you are injured, these items can help keep the wound clean and germs-free, thus facilitating healing.
If you travel with your loved ones, especially young children, you will need wipes to help you clean them. You will keep your households safe with alcohol-based sanitizers since the world is not out of the woods from Covid-19.
- Toiletries
Toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrush, and bathing soap can be kept in your car or traveling bag. If you find yourself away from home, you can book a hotel room and wake up the next day fresh. There is nothing so uncomfortable as spending the night with unbrushed teeth.
Your plan determines the type of toiletries you carry. If you are headed to sunny beaches, remember to include sunscreens, shower gels, and lotions to protect your skin. Pack these toiletries in a portable bag and keep them where you are unlikely to forget them.
- Medicine
Those under medication know that medicine is the number one thing they carry. If you take prescribed medicine, ensure you carry them to maintain regularity with your drugs. Your health is very important, and you should take practical steps to protect it.
- Pocket knife
A pocket is one of the coolest things you want to have everywhere you go. You can use it to eat some wild fruits when camping or as a tool to cut through thick twine. A pocket knife is a versatile tool to help you open mail or repair broken items.
If you drive, a pocket knife can come in handy to cut the seatbelt in case of a crash. A pocket knife can save your life, enabling you to escape from the crash. If you are doing a barbecue with friends and family, a pocket knife can be useful for cutting meat.
- Notebook and a pen
A pen and a notebook help you take notes or jot down important things you want to remember. If you are forgetful like most of us are, commit your plan in writing, and you may experience the truthfulness of the saying “there is power in writing.”
We mentioned that smartphones could act as a notebook, but writing in a real notebook adds more value to what you want to remember. Traveling is often enriched by memorable experiences you capture on camera, but taking notes on a diary edge the experience in your heart.
- Multitool
Carrying a toolbox everywhere you go can be tedious, but it is easier to carry a multitool. A multitool can carry dozens of tools such as pliers, knives, scissors, screwdrivers, etc. In the event of emergency repairs, you can pull out your multitool and fix your car or bike before proceeding with the journey.
End Notes
Everybody has their unique daily needs. We cannot all carry similar items wherever we go. Common sense comes into play here when determining what is essential for you. If you are headed for a vacation, you could leave behind things you will find in your hotel room. Otherwise, most items we have discussed in this article apply to all forms of travel.
One last thing to remember is that not everything you would like to carry might be legal to carry. For instance, pocket knives are a great tool to have, but it is important to check local laws before you carry something that could get you thrown in prison.
