How to make an earthquake emergency kit
Published on Mon Dec 10 2018 in Family
New Zealanders are used to feeling the ground shake beneath their feet—over 15,000 earthquakes hit the country every year. Whilst most of these are small tremors, it’s still smart to be prepared for when bigger quakes do hit. An earthquake emergency kit is one way to help prepare your family for this, or any other natural disaster that might happen.
What to put in your earthquake emergency kit
The NZ government advises all Kiwis to have an earthquake plan, including keeping an emergency kit in their home. This kit should contain items to help you stay in your home for at least three days or more (if it’s safe to do so).
What to include in your kit:
- Torch – either battery powered or self-charging
- Battery powered radio
- Extra batteries
- Blankets and sleeping bags
- Suitable clothing – think wind and waterproof jackets, strong outdoor shoes, hats and sunglasses
- Face and dust mask
- Emergency toilet – a large rubbish bags will do!
- Toilet paper
- Non-perishable food – canned or dried
- Food, formula and drinks for babies or small children
- Drinking water – you’ll need about 3 litres per person, per day
- Can opener
- A small camp stove, primus or gas barbecue
- Pet supplies – don’t forget your furry friends! Include enough canned food and water for them, along with spare tags, a collar and lead.
Store these items (and any others your family might need) in a sturdy, water-resistant container. Ideally, it should be portable. That way, you can easily move it around the house or taken with you if you must evacuate.
What to put in your first aid kit
A well-stocked first aid kit should also be a part of your family’s emergency set up. Treating minor injuries at home can help reserve emergency services for those with more urgent needs. You may also need to dress more serious wounds whilst waiting for professional medical assistance.
Some items you may need in your first aid kit:
- Medicines – pain killers, plus any essential medications you or another family member may need
- Bandages – triangular (2) and roller (2)
- Sterile gauze
- Wound dressings – adhesive (1 strip) and plaster (1 packet), plus sterile non-adhesive pads (small and large)
- Adhesive medical tape
- Sterile eye pad
- Eye wash solution
- Antiseptic solution
- Hand sanitiser
- Scissors
- Safety pins
- Splinter forceps or tweezers
- Disposable gloves (2-3 pairs)
- First aid manual
You can buy ready-made first aid kits or put together your own. It may also be a good idea for you, your partner and any teenage children to complete a first aid course and attend regular refresher sessions.
What to put in your getaway bags
It’s generally recommended that you remain in your home following an emergency, but there may be times when you need to evacuate in a hurry. Getaway kits for each member of the family could help you get out fast with important items that could make your time away from home safer and easier.
What to include in your getaway bags:
- Emergency water and food rations
- Special needs items – things like medications, a spare pair of glasses, or hearing aids. Anything that someone in your family might need to go about their day.
- Essential baby items – formula, food, nappies and a favourite toy or small book
- A small first aid kit
- Change of clothing
- Toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, towel, sanitary items and toilet paper
- Face and dust masks
- Pet supplies
- Torch with spare batteries
- Important documents – ID (like birth certificates and passports), financial documents (like insurance policies and mortgage info)
- Portable hard drive – regularly back up important computer documents and family photos
- Spare phone chargers
Pack your getaway items in a durable backpack and store them someplace they can be easily accessed. They could be placed under beds, in a downstairs closet, or hung on the garage wall.
If you’re able to grab your larger emergency kit, it may be smart to take it with you. However, your getaway bags should cover everyone’s basic needs in case the main kit must be left behind.
Emergency kit maintenance
Hopefully, your emergency kit and getaway bags won’t get much use! However, this could mean that some of the items you pack might expire before they’re used. Regularly checking your kits and refreshing supplies could help insure that everything is there when you do need it.
Check your emergency supplies every three months. Remove any expired batteries, food or medication, and replace with new ones. Once a year, replace all the food and water you’ve packed, whether it’s expired or not.
Run through a list of everything that should be in your kits. Have you raided your emergency supplies for toilet paper, toothpaste or bandages in a pinch? Replace any “borrowed” supplies and buy new ones for everyday use so you’re not tempted to dip into emergency reserves!
Be prepared
You may never need to use your earthquake emergency kit, but having one ready could be a smart move for your family. Until scientists can predict earthquakes, it’s probably better to be overprepared than caught completely off guard.
About Author: Momentum Life is a leading provider of Life insurance and Funeral insurance in New Zealand.
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