An earthquake is a very serious natural disaster and being prepared not only means stocking up on essential goods, it also means realizing that others in your immediate area probably lacked the foresight to do the same. It might sound like the premise for a natural disaster movie with a suspense sub-plot, but the simple fact is that not everyone takes the time and money necessary to prepare sufficiently for natural disasters. To that end, it would be wise to prepare for earthquake emergencies with an eye towards ensuring safety, security, and the ability to communicate.
Here’s what you should have in order to survive after an earthquake:
• A radio and a GPS device – A radio with police and military frequencies can help ensure that rescue is on the way. A GPS device will allow rescue teams to quickly and accurately locate individuals in an area that might have had all of its landmarks leveled by Mother Nature.
• At least one flashlight per family member – Flashlights are valuable tools for finding one another, helping to be found, and reducing risks of attacks by feral cats and hungry strangers. Additional flashlights are very valuable tools as are additional bulbs and batteries. On the subject of batteries…
• Batteries – Batteries can last a very long time in storage, especially if they are kept at temperatures under 70 degrees. The colder the better in most cases, but freezing batteries may not be a great idea.
• Weather resistant tents – The weather can be fiercer than people think it is, especially in the wake of an earthquake. The truth is that people may not realize how much damage exposure can do to them if they spend most of their time indoors.
• Sunscreen – Sunscreen can also be a valuable tool when exposed to the sun for extended durations.
• Bottled water – Water is essential to life as we know it, and thus it must be part of any earthquake emergency kit. At least one gallon per person per day is a good rule of thumb as this will allow enough water for drinking and basic sanitation.
• Portable pots and pans – In the event that bottled water does run out, it will be important to use pots and pans to boil collected water in order to ensure that it is safe to drink. Sprinkler systems and water mains may look safe to drink, but the microbial life abound in them does need to be eliminated by exposure to heat before they are safe to drink.
• Canned foods & at least two manual can openers – People need to eat to stay healthy, so pack plenty of hearty foods such as beans and vegetables.
• Matches & first aid kits – Matches prove very useful in so many situations that they cannot be discounted, and first aid kits should be part of any emergency kit.
• A gas/charcoal stove – A portable stove that can use gas, wood, or charcoal can enable basic meals and a source of heat/light. Remember that gas is pressurized and potential explosive and plan accordingly.
• Hand soap and a few towels/rags – Hand soap and towels could very well become essential sanitation tools.
• A hatchet – A small hand hatchet can prove useful when gathering wood from broken houses, freeing people trapped by structural members of properties, and in many more situations. They may also prove to be an effective theft/assault deterrent.
• A shovel – A shovel may also prove important for clearing wreckage to get to additional supplies or freeing people from the wreckage of an earthquake. Additionally, the ability to dig holes and trenches comes in quite handy in survival situations.
• Dry clothes – A few changes of clothes wrapped in waterproof bags would also be essential.
• Waterproof backpacks – Everything that needs to be moved around during an attempt to flee a destroyed city or region needs to be carried. Backpacks are particularly effective tools for moving plenty of items from Point A to Point B, but it is important to ensure that any backpacks used in a survival situation are sealed against the elements as rain can ruin many items in a survival kit.
Generally speaking, it would be a good idea to cache multiple earthquake survival kits around the property. The best places would be the attic and outside where buildings are unlikely to fall and cover the kits. Basements may also be good places