While we hope you'll never have to use them, here are seven emergency hacks that utilize household items to help you and your family be better prepared for in an emergency.
Emergency hack #1: Purify water with bleach. If boiling water isn't an option, bleach can be used to purify water that can then be used for drinking or cooking. Just be sure to use caution and follow directions closely. Click here for instructions.
Emergency hack #2: Stop bleeding with black pepper. When other solutions are not possible, black pepper can be used to stop the bleeding of minor cuts. Click here for instructions.
Emergency hack #3: Use shortening or crayons for candles. They might not smell as good, but certain household objects can be used as a candle in a pinch. Click here for instructions.
Emergency hack #4: Filter water with a clean sock. Not only can socks be used to warm your hands in an emergency situation, but they can be used to filter debris from water. Click here for instructions.
Emergency hack #5: Use a headrest to break a car window. Hopefully you'll never be trapped in a car with a need to break a window to escape, but if you are, and don't have a hammer on hand, you can use your car seat's headrest to break the glass. Click here for instructions.
Emergency hack #6: Use a cotton ball as a fire starter. Cotton balls are very inexpensive and can be used for many things in an emergency, including to start a fire. According to offgridsurvival.com, if you soak the cotton ball in alcohol or vaseline, it will burn long enough to get a fire started.
Emergency hack #7: Use trash bags to heat water. In an emergency, trash bags are useful for a variety of functions, including heating water.Click here for instructions.
Bonus: 6 items every family should have in case of emergency
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