Emergency Blankets

Emergency blankets, often called space blankets or mylar blankets, are a crucial item for warmth and protection in your 72-hour kit. Their primary purpose is to reduce the loss of body heat, which is critical in preventing hypothermia. These blankets are made from a thin, heat-reflective material that reflects up to 90% of your body heat back to you. This is essential in a variety of scenarios, such as being stranded in your car during a winter storm, a power outage in cold weather, or if you need to evacuate your home suddenly and spend time outdoors. They are incredibly lightweight and compact, taking up almost no space in your kit.

When using an emergency blanket, it's important to wrap it snugly around your body, leaving a small opening for your face to breathe. They can also be used to create a makeshift shelter or as a reflective surface to signal for help. While they are waterproof and windproof, they are not very durable and can tear easily, so handle them with care. Because they are so inexpensive and small, it's a good idea to have several in your kit—one for each member of your family.

While a Sleeping Bags (one per person) provides more substantial warmth, an emergency blanket is an excellent, lightweight backup or supplement. It can be used to add an extra layer of insulation inside a sleeping bag or as immediate protection from the elements if you are caught in the open. The ability to maintain core body temperature is fundamental to survival. Hypothermia can set in quickly, even in moderately cool temperatures if you are wet or exposed to wind. Emergency Blankets are a simple, effective tool to combat this, making them an indispensable part of your shelter and warmth plan.