According to the American Red Cross, a family that has an earthquake preparedness kit is in a much better position to survive a disaster. Even though it’s possible that an earthquake won’t occur in your area, it’s still highly recommended that you take measures to get you and your family prepared, just in case. The safety of the members of your household should always be your first priority. Here is a general guide for constructing a Family Earthquake Kit, sorted by category.
First Aid Supplies
First aid supplies are extremely important in any type of emergency kit. Many people purchase pre-constructed first aid kits, and believe that the supplies in these kits are sufficient. However, this is not the case. Many commercial “first aid” kits contain tools for dealing with small, non life-threatening injuries. In order to be fully prepared for an earthquake, it’s recommended that your earthquake kit at least contain the following items:
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Butterfly Closures
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Particulate Respirator Face Masks
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Heavy-Duty Gloves (Latex-Free)
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Gauze Roll Bandages
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Gauze Pad Bandages
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Medical Tape
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Alcohol Prep Pads
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Antibiotic Ointment
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Finger Splints
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Heavy-Duty Medical Scissors
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Burn Cream
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Ace Bandages
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Celox (To Stop Bleeding)
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Adhesive Bandages
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Lidocaine (Mild Local Anesthetic)
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Ibuprofen
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Acetaminophen
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Hydrogen Peroxide
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Iodine
Water
Something that many people often overlook as being an important part of an emergency earthquake kit is water. However, fresh water is heavy to carry, and may not be able to be transported in large quantities during an evacuation. Because of this, it’s suggested that your emergency earthquake kit contain:
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A reliable, hand-operated water filtration Device
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Extra Filters
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Cleaning solution for the filter
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Bottled Water (Several bottles in the kit, and a large amount for your home)
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Water Purification Solution
Food
Emergency food is another very important component of your family earthquake kit. It’s best to choose high-calorie foods that are lightweight and very nutrient dense. For food, you can choose to add the following items to your earthquake kit:
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MRE Rations
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Freeze-Dried Meals
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Emergency Survival Bars
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High-Energy Granola Bars
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Canned Food
Light/Communication
It’s also important that your earthquake kit contain tools to be used in case of a power outage, as well as a reliable method to keep tabs on any changes in the situation. It’s recommended that your family’s earthquake survival kit contain:
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A Battery/Solar/Hand Operated Radio
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A Hand-Crank Flashlight
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Emergency Candles
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Matches
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Emergency Lightsticks
First-Aid Classes
Though this list covers a lot of the basic items for your kit, they won’t be helpful if you don’t know how to use them. During a natural disaster, it’s human nature to panic. If you aren’t aware of how to properly use the medical supplies in your kit, for example, they aren’t of much use to you or your family.
There are basic first-aid classes offered by many reputable organizations, such as the American Red Cross. In the event of an earthquake, even a small amount of training could save your life, or the life of someone close to you. You can find a list of classes offered in your area by using this link:
The Red Cross also offers you many ways to help out during an earthquake. You can volunteer, give donations towards earthquake victims, donate blood, or even become an employee. If it’s something you’re interested in, it’s highly recommended that you contact them through their website.
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