Japan has one of the best infrastructure that could withstand earthquakes due to overwhelming experiences like the March 11, 2011 disaster. As most of us with families, safety and being ready is important. While we could rely on our state-of-the-art buildings, having an earthquake kit would give us more peace of mind when survival is on the line.
Must-Haves In Your Earthquake Kit
So what is an earthquake kit? An earthquake kit consists of supplies needed for the family to stay healthy and safe in case an earthquake hits. In most desperate situations, having an earthquake kit to grab on (preferably stored somewhere easy to access, like in the entrance) will sustain you and your family in a few days or weeks until help from the authorities comes. This is way better off than going panic buying when the calamity soon hits. We will list essential things needed for your earthquake kit.
1. Water
They say a man can survive without food for about three weeks but cannot last for four days without water. Water is the most essential of all in the emergency kit. Stock up at least two liters of water for each person per day and store at least two to three more for cleaning and cooking. Shelters may have water but we can never know when we will need it the most.
2. Food
There are instant foods that can be stored with a long shelf-life. Also, choose some food that doesn’t need cooking or heating. Chocolates, and snack bars are great options to keep hunger plus they easily make you full. There are also vacuum-packed rice, canned food and various other non-perishable foods like dried fruits, meats, nuts, candies and more. It’s better to prepare your own food even if there is food in the shelter, especially if someone in the family has dietary restrictions and food allergies.
3. Radio, Flashlights, Whistles, Fire Extinguishers, Shoes etc.
Okay so these are quite a lot so you might as well jot it down. Just as what’s stated above, those are essentials for the emergency kit. In case of being trapped or power outage, radio will help get information and advice from authorities outside. Flashlights and extra batteries are great in times of power outages, too. Due to destroyed buildings, there’s a possibility of fire breaking out so having a fire extinguisher and fire blanket will be a savior. Having a whistle in the kit can come in handy for you cannot shout for help for a long period of time. Also, whistles can easily be heard from afar. Compass? Yes, you need it, too, extra blankets and a Swiss Army Knife. Leave some extra cash as well. And lastly, pack up extra shoes in case you escaped in a building without one.
4. Medicine & Basic Utensils
Emergency kit isn’t complete without a first aid kit on it. Prepare pills for common ailments like headache, stomachaches or painkillers. Also, a basic medicine kit consists of items in case someone is wounded so gauges, band aids, roller gauze, tourniquet, rubbing alcohol, eye protection should be on it. Is there someone with a medical prescription in the family like asthma and some other chronic problems? It’s better to stock medicines for them, too. And if you wear glasses or contact lenses, store some extra in the emergency kit. Toiletries, toothbrushes, shampoos and soaps should be in there, too.
Conclusion
Being prepared assures us that we can have a higher survival rate in times of calamities. We will never know when this will occur but what’s important is that we know we have done the best of our capabilities for us and for our family. What’s inside your emergency kit?
References:
https://www.realestate-tokyo.com/living-in-tokyo/emergency-disaster/emergency-bag/
https://medium.com/@robintlewis/preparing-your-emergency-bag-in-japan-88135b106288
https://www.earthquakeauthority.com/Blog/2019/How-to-Make-an-Earthquake-Emergency-Kit