I really don’t like to talk about earthquakes, but unfortunately, I live in California and this topic comes up often.
What if an earthquake hits and you are not prepared? What do I mean by not prepared? I mean being one of those people loading up on supplies when the disaster already hit! Sorry, sold out! Try again! You lose!
Lighting
Do you have extra candles, flashlights, batteries, lanterns, generator, camp stove and gas just in case you are left without electricity? What are you going to do if the earthquake hits at night and you can’t see anything? Not only have flashlights in your kit, but everyone should have a flashlight in their nightstands.
Water
You need one gallon of water per person per day. Buy one-two weeks supply of water or more. It’s better to be over prepared than under. Don’t forget about your pets! Change this water every six months. Store water in cool places such as closets.
Radio
Have a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio with three sets of replacement batteries. Stay connected to the outside world. You will want updates, especially if it’s so disastrous that you’re waiting to be rescued!
Warmth
Do you have a pair of underwear, socks, an old shirt or pants that you hardly ever wear? Put those into your kit. You will be thankful you’ll have an extra change of clothes just in case you are forced to leave your home. Purchase an emergency blanket as well. One for each person living with you.
Cash
Put no less than $100 in your kit. Or to be safe $100 per person. Credit cards can’t work in a disaster! There isn’t any electricity.
First aid kit
Packing, band-aids, antibiotic cream, wraps and even a sling for an arm could be useful. Whatever medications you are taking, be sure to ask your doctor for extra medication for preparation of your earthquake kit. They won’t mind. That’s what they do, prescribe medications!
Don’t forget soap, sunscreen, gauze, scissors, tweezers, needle, moistened towelettes, antiseptic, thermometer, tongue blades and a tub of petroleum jelly.
Tools and supplies
A crescent wrench is needed to turn off the gas and water to your home. Pack one! Also having a mini screwdriver kit with different heads might come in use as well.
Pack a canned food opener, tape matches in waterproof container, aluminum foil, signal flares, paper, pencil, pen, pencil sharpener, needles and thread, medicine dropper and paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils.
Storage Bin
This storage bin has to be big enough to hold everything. Have a storage bin dedicated per person and make sure it’s easily accessible for them to find in an emergency. Every person should be responsible for their own bin. Having enough room for more than one person in each bin will be more effective in emergency situations.
Fire extinguisher
Depending on how big your house is, having a fire extinguisher in every closet in your home might be a great idea. This helps with panic and gives everyone access to their own extinguisher. Get an extinguisher that must work on all types of fires.
Food
Here, my organic choices get slim. Make sure to have ready to eat fruits and vegetables, canned juices, soups, salt pepper, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix and foods that will not decrease thirst. Don’t forget comfort food! Pack some cookies, instant coffee, tea bags and remember to avoid foods like rice, pasta and dry beans that require water. There are a lot of companies that sell organic canned foods. Just check the expiration date and make sure to stock up! This is when meal planning is essential.
Documents
People tend to forget about their documents. Make sure to have all your documents in order. Have your will, insurance policies, contract deeds, stocks, bonds, passports, social security cards, immunization records, bank account numbers, credit card account numbers and companies, inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers and family records such as birth certificates, marriage license, death certificates. Place all documents in a waterproof plastic storage bag.
Checklist
Here’s list you can use to prepare your kits: Download Emergency prepared list
- candles,
- flashlights,
- batteries,
- lanterns,
- generator, (for houses)
- camp stove and gas,
- water 7-14 gallons handy per person,
- battery-powered or hand-cranked radio,
- underwear,
- socks,
- shirt,
- pants,
- blanket,
- $100 cash,
- band-aids,
- antibiotic cream,
- wraps,
- sling,
- gauze,
- soap,
- sunscreen,
- gauze,
- scissors,
- tweezers,
- needle,
- moistened towelettes,
- antiseptic,
- thermometer,
- tongue blades,
- tub of petroleum jelly,
- crescent wrench,
- screwdriver kit,
- canned food opener,
- tape,
- matches in waterproof container,
- aluminum foil,
- signal flares,
- paper,
- pencil,
- pen,
- pencil sharpener,
- needles and thread,
- medicine dropper,
- paper cups,
- plates,
- plastic utensils,
- storage bin for 2 people or for per person,
- mini fire extinguisher,
- ready to eat fruit,
- ready to eat vegetables,
- canned juices,
- soups,
- salt and pepper,
- peanut butter,
- jelly,
- crackers,
- granola bars,
- trail mix,
- family documents
Keep in mind
You also can have extra earthquake kits in your office, car, and one specifically for your pets. Make space in your closet, under your bed, under your nightstand or somewhere you know you can access it quickly and without having to think about it. I’m looking into getting a wheeled cart for my storage bin. Just in case I’ll need to lug it around with me someday. Be prepared! It’s going to happen, we just don’t know when!