Are a variety of gloves on your list of basic preps? They should be. No one glove can provide the protection you need for every task. Have you ever had a small paper cut on a finger that was really painful? Even small cuts and scrapes can become life-threatening if not cared for properly.
In a disaster scenario, gloves become like gold. Healthy hands are critical for performing many necessary tasks. The added protection of the right pair of gloves protect hands from blisters, injury and even frostbite. Some gloves serve as a protective barrier and can prevent the spread of disease.
I have several types of gloves that I have chosen to stockpile for our family. Each has a unique job and I would hate to be without them. Your list may be different, but this is what works best for us.
Disposable exam gloves (small, medium, and large). These gloves fit well and are designed for performing small intricate tasks. They provide a protective barrier against contamination. We reserve these gloves for cleaning wounds, protection from toxic substances or glues, and when planting tiny seeds in the garden. I stock a variety of sizes that fit each member of our family. Keep a few protected in a Ziplock bag in each first aid kit.
Sterile gloves are more expensive than exam gloves so we only stock a few. These gloves would be used only during a sterile procedure.
Vinyl disposable gloves for everyday tasks such as cleaning, bottling or anytime I need to protect my hands. In this photo, I needed to run out and dig some carrots in early March for dinner. It only took a second to slip on a pair of these gloves and I came back in with clean hands. I love them. They are one size fits all, but for most daily tasks they work fine. They are much less expensive than exam gloves.
Nitrile coated gloves are my favorite work gloves. They are only about a dollar each when purchased in a ten pack. They made it to the top of my list because of price and functionality. When they get wet they still breath and quickly dry out. They can be tossed in the washing machine to clean. One pair will last for a few months of my intensive abuse. Once I tried these, I tossed all of my old canvas and fabric gardening gloves. They perform better, wash up nicely and are less expensive!
Leather gloves provide the maximum amount of protection for your hands. They are Jonathan’s glove of choice. Good leather gloves are quite expensive but worth the price. He always keeps a pair in each of the vehicles for emergencies.
Winter gloves in our climate are indispensable. At the end of every season when the winter gloves and hats go on clearance, I stock up again. We keep a set of winter gloves and hats in each survival kit and one for every passenger in each vehicle. A good pair of warm gloves can help prevent frostbite and keep you much more comfortable in cold weather.
Don’t underestimate the protection of the right pair of gloves. Some things are easy to manufacture at home. Gloves are not one of those items. I suggest realistically evaluating your supply of gloves and stocking up on the ones that you might need while they are available and relatively inexpensive.
Remember to stockpile gloves!
