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HOME EARTHQUAKE KIT
VALUE PRICELESS
CONSEQUENCES HUNGER, INJURY, DISCOMFORT
FIX NEEDED A LARGE WATERPROOF CONTAINER, LIKE A TRASH CAN WITH A LID, AND SUPPLIES LISTED BELOW
COST TO FIX $140 (Buy)
Having essentials on hand will make you less reliant on post-quake emergency services that may not be easily available. It will also mean you can stay in your home instead of seeking food, water and first aid out in the world.
You can buy a pre-packed earthquake kit online or at your local hardware store, or you can make a home earthquake kit yourself.
Get yourself a new trash can with a waterproof lid, or a sealable waterproof storage box to keep in your garage, basement or closet, and put in it things you will absolutely need in your home after an earthquake.
Essentials for a home earthquake kit:
Water (minimum one gallon a day for each person in your house – for at least 3 days and ideally for 2 weeks)
Canned and packaged foods for three days for each person in your house
Manual can opener
Working flashlight with extra batteries and light bulbs, or crank flashlight
Portable radio with extra batteries (or hand crank for charging)
Dust mask (you can use a bandana if you prefer)
Whistle (to alert rescuers to your location)
Emergency cash in small bills
Wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies
Medications
First aid kit and handbook
Copies of vital documents such as insurance policies, medical consent forms, list of emergency contact numbers, doctor’s name and contact information, prescription lists, personal identification (drivers license, work ID card, etc.) all stored in a water-resistant folder.
Pens and pad of paper for leaving notes.
Work gloves for each adult
Protective goggles for each member of the family
Heavy duty plastic bags for waste, and to serve as tarps, rain ponchos, and other uses
If you have a pet, also include:
Pet food and water for three days
Pet leash and water bowl
Pet carrier
You talkin’ to me?
Memorize the dialogue to your favorite movie to act out with your family when the power is out.
Optional Items:
Camp stove for outdoor cooking
Fuel for camp stove
Butane grill lighter
Cooking utensils
Road maps
Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses and cleaning solution
Additional flashlights for each member of the family
Light sticks
Personal hygiene supplies
Toiletries and special provisions you need for yourself and others in your family including elderly, disabled, small children, and animals
Toys
Comforts and extras:
Lanterns or camping lights
Your favorite snack foods, high in water and calories
Candles if you live in an area that does not use residential natural gas
Generator
Solar panel backpack to charge phone and laptop
Playing cards, and other small games
A good book
Crank charger for charging cell phone
Blankets or sleeping bags
Tent
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Comfortable, warm clothing including extra socks
You can also use a pre-packaged kit as a starting point to personalize a kit for your needs.
Optional items include special needs, items you may want if you are forced to leave your home, and maps and addresses.
You may already have all this stuff, but where is it?