How to Assemble an Earthquake Survival Kit

Do you live in an area that is susceptible to earthquakes? If so, it is important to have an earthquake survival kit on hand. After a natural disaster, frequently there is no power or water service, and even stores may remain closed for days at a time. In order to ensure your and your family’s well-being, it is important to have an earthquake survival kit filled with everything you will need to get through at least three to four days. There are several things that are more important to have than others, so use this list as a guide in assembling your own.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   Store enough clean water for each member of your family to prevent dehydration and to ensure proper sanitation. Count on at least one gallon of water per person per day, as well as extra for any pets you may have. You may also want to keep a bit of plain household bleach on hand to disinfect it if it has been sitting for a while.

2. 
    

   Maintain a stock of non-perishable foods in your earthquake survival kit. Canned foods are especially good for this purpose because of their long shelf life and durable packaging. You will need to make sure that you have a variety of foods available to ensure proper nutrition. Vitamin supplements are important, also. If you have anyone in your family with special dietary or medical needs, be sure to take those into account. And don’t forget the pet food.

3. 
    

   Keep a well-stocked first aid kit. Depending on the strength of the disaster, you may need to treat a large number of cuts, bruises, and worse. Keep plenty of gauze, bandages, soap, disinfectant, and over the counter pain relievers in your earthquake survival kit.

4. 
    

   Make sure to include toiletries and basic grooming supplies such as: soap, toilet paper, and plastic garbage bags.

5. 
    

   Include basic cooking supplies and eating utensils in your earthquake survival kit. Include a propane camp stove, matches, aluminum foil, a few small pans, and silverware.

6. 
    

   Store extra clothes, blankets, and a tent in your earthquake survival kit to make sure that you stay warm and out of the rain.

7. 
    

   Keep a supply of basic tools. You will want to have a radio so you can keep up on the news, flashlights so you can see in the dark, and a selection of basic hand tools such as a hammer, a wrench, a good knife, and a crowbar. For electronic devices, choose options that are charged with a hand crank so you don’t have to worry about batteries.

8. 
    

   Stock up on anything that you need to attend to the special needs of anyone in your family, such as necessary medications.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t forget the can opener, or all the food in your earthquake survival kit will be useless.
• Remember that propane is stored under pressure and explosive. Store accordingly.
• Store everything in your earthquake survival kit in a sturdy plastic container to ensure that nothing is damaged.

[goldiec]

on 2/28/2009 Great article

[eliptica]

on 2/17/2009 Its always good to be prepared. Thanks

[wordstock]

on 2/6/2009 Good information, just one more thing. Have a little cash available. 5*

[blondehound]

on 2/6/2009 good info on survival kit, 5*