It’s crucial to have an earthquake kit in your home or car if you live in an area that has frequent earthquakes so that you have emergency supplies on hand. Even if you don’t live in an earthquake-prone location, you should still put together a basic survival kit to help you in case of a natural disaster.
Your earthquake pack should ideally have everything you and your family need to survive for up to three days. Beyond the physical needs of food and water for survival, you will also need a few other things to help you get through an earthquake right away.
If the electricity has been cut off in your region, one of the first things you’ll need is a light source of some kind. Since you’ll want to ensure that your light will function when you need it, an LED flashlight or lantern is your best option because they keep their charge longer and use less energy than most flashlights. Any LED flashlight you own should be tested every few months to ensure that it is still functional. If you use an LED lantern with various lighting settings, you should also take the time to test each mode.
A multipurpose tool with knife blades, pliers, screwdrivers, even saw blades and can openers is another crucial piece of gear. If you want to use your multipurpose tool right away after finding your light source, place it near your LED lantern or LED flashlight. After an earthquake, you’d be surprised at how handy a multipurpose tool can be. You might even discover uses for it that you hadn’t thought of.
A first aid kit that is fully packed should also be included in your earthquake kit so that you can treat any wounds that may have developed during the quake. Make sure your first aid box includes everyday supplies like toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and blankets so that you can offer warmth and sanitation to anyone who is experiencing shock and take care of basic needs.
In your earthquake kit, include enough cash or traveler’s checks to cover any financial needs you might have if the banks close because of the earthquake. Additionally, you should have clean clothes for both warm and cold weather so that you and your family won’t have to wear the same clothes for several days in a row. You should also have a safe with copies of any critical documents that you don’t want to lose or damage in an earthquake.
The dates of any food or medications you have in your earthquake pack should be checked. Every few months, you should replace any stored water. By doing this, you can avoid becoming sick from drinking stale water or eating food that has gone bad.
As a family, you should prepare an earthquake kit to make sure that everyone knows where to find it in case of an earthquake and how to use it. A person’s life could very well be saved by being prepared for a tragedy.
