Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the emergency, the first important decision is whether you stay where you are or evacuate. You should understand and plan for both possibilities. Use common sense and available information, including what you are learning here, to determine if there is an immediate danger. In any emergency, local authorities may or may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet often for information or official instruction as it becomes available.
In a disaster, first responders will be so overwhelmed we each need to be prepared to save our selves and our families. All of these are survivable, if you and your family plan ahead.
The Grab & Go bag is essential to your safety when the earthquake or tsunami occurs. If you must leave your house or are stuck somewhere in your car, you will need these items to get you through the hours or days before you find a safe haven. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could have a bag for each person or one bag could be packed for two people. Ideally, a Go Bag will be easy to carry, and contain enough to keep you warm, dry, fed and hydrated for up to three days. Each family or individual’s kit should be customized to meet specific needs, such as medications and infant formula. You will need to keep a Grab & Go bag in your house and one in each of your vehicles at all times.
Below is a list of suggested contents for your Grab & Go bag:
- Backpack to carry items comfortably
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation and/or
- Drinking water purification tablets or water filtration system since water is plentiful
- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Manual can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
- Whistle to signal for help
- Medications (rotate each time you get refills)
- Eyeglasses (spare prescription or reading glasses)
- Hand sanitizer and moist towelettes
- First-aid kit
- Tin cup, mess kit and eating utensils
- Cocoa mix, tea, coffee
- Snack bars
- Jelly beans (don’t spoil; provide a quick energy boost and calories)
- Small roll of duct tape
- Facial tissues (4 small packs) and Toilet Paper
- Aluminum foil
- Rubber gloves
- Study gloves
- Fire starters/tinder
- Storm-proof matches
- Metal match
- Cigarette lighter
- Rope and/or Dental floss (for cordage)
- Space blankets
- Poncho
- Large plastic garbage bags
- Flashlights – several small, and lantern, headlamp or key chain type
- Extra batteries for all equipment that requires them – be sure of sizes AA, AAA
- Small, battery powered radio or hand-cranked radio and/or NOAA weather radio
- Pencil and paper in a zip-lock bag.
- List of financial information
- Pocket knife, pliers and other small tools
- Cash (particularly for your automobile Grab & Go bags)
- Sturdy Shoes
- Folding shovel
- Compass
- One complete change of warm clothing and shoes per person
- You might consider a small tent and sleeping bag