Be Prepared for the Big One…Here’s what you’ll need…
By 965koit on July 8, 2019
The recent Earthquakes in Southern California serve as a good reminder to make sure we have everything prepared here at home in the Bay Area should the “Big One” hit. Here’s a starter list of items to have at hand to be ready in your home and office.
First aid kit: A decent well-stocked kit, including band aids, gauze, hydrogen peroxide, a couple of weeks’ supply of any prescription medications you need.
Cash: Depending on circumstances, credit cards might not be useful. Consider having about $100-$200 and lots of ones in case you can’t make change. Rolls of quarters are helpful.
Cell Phone Chargers
Clothing: Layers and socks, shoes
Blankets and old pillows
Flashlights: Make sure batteries are good.
Whistle: Good for locating people in a crowd, at night or in low visibility conditions.
Crank style or battery operated radio: Broadcasters might be available, even if cellular networks fail.
Nonperishable food: Energy bars are good and take up little space.
Water: enough to last a week.
Food for the family pets
Big black trash bags: For use as a poncho, or cut open to make a tent.
Multi-use knife.
Dust masks (two per person) Best if they’re heavy-duty respirator-type masks.
Duct tape.
Plastic sheeting.
Copies of documents: Passport, driver’s license, insurance, and any other important documents.
Paper street map: GPS might go down.
Toiletries.
Copy of your ID.
Sticky pad, pen and pencil: In case you need to leave a note for family to let them know where you went or where to meet.
Antibacterial hand wash
Comfortable sturdy pair of shoes.
A pair of leather work gloves: Again, think rescue and retrieval.
Remember to make an escape route and a meeting place and keep the family informed.
