Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Store at least one 72-hour emergency “grab-and-go” survival kit in or near your home, and con-
densed versions in your cars.
Determine a local meeting place with a large open area, such as a park or school, where your house-
hold can gather if you are separated and do not have access to your home during emergencies.
Make sure that all capable members of your family know how and where to shut off the water, gas,
and electricity for your home in the event of an emergency.
Stash spare keys to your vehicles somewhere on the vehicle and an additional supply of keys some-
where outside of your home (securely hidden).
Store at least a two-week supply of food for your household.
Store a combination of water, water-treatment chemicals, and water-purifying filters to provide for
your household for at least a week (see
chapter 8
for more information on filters and purification).
Keep a survival manual in each car with a first-aid kit, spare clothing, and a water filter, if not a full
72-hour kit.
Get proper first-aid and CPR training for all capable members of your family. See the American Red
Cross for first-aid training and assistance with local emergency planning.
Arrange for an out-of-state emergency contact to reach for coordination and communication. After
an emergency, it may be easier to call long distance than locally, or your family may be separated and
need an outside contact to communicate through.
Locate your nearest emergency shelter (call your local Red Cross for this information). Practice the
route to the shelter, if it's not conveniently located.
Make sure that you have smoke detectors in your home. Change their batteries at least once each
year.
Store your important papers in one easily accessible location, preferably in a waterproof and
flameproof box.
Discuss your emergency-preparedness plans with all members of your household. Keep the discus-
sion light and positive.
72-Hour “Grab-and-Go” Survival Kits
These short-term emergency kits should be readily accessible and cover the basic daily needs
of your family for a period of at least three days. Please note that three days is a minimal time
period (in Kobe, Japan, it was nine days before many survivors received food and water) and
that you should have at least a two-week supply of food stored in or around your home. You
may purchase ready-made, 72-hour kits from various survival supply outlets, or you can put to-
gether your own. Large families should probably divide up the stores between several easily
grabbed small backpacks or plastic containers. One advantage of building your own kits is that
you get to choose foods that you like. Remember that all foods have some kind of shelf life.
Rotate stores, and use them or lose them
. Bug-infested, rancid, or rotten food doesn't do any-
one any good. Consider placing all of the following items in your 72-hour survival kit.
