Prepare an Earthquake Emergency Kit

Survival Supplies to Protect Your Family During a Major Earthquake

May 1, 2009 Julia Wooldridge

Increase the chance of your family's survival and greatly decrease hardship in the first few days following a major earthquake by being well prepared in advance.

Following an earthquake you may be confined to your home if roads are blocked or hazardous and be left without utilities such as gas, electricity, fresh running water or emergency assistance for several days. Create a check list and gather supplies to prepare an earthquake emergency kit so that if the ‘big one’ hits, you will be ready.

Basic Earthquake Survival Supplies

According to the American Red Cross, the most important earthquake survival supplies you should have are; at least three days worth of water and food for each family member. Calculate one gallon of water per day per person, as your water supply may have been cut off or contaminated. If you live in a hot climate you may need more water per person, don’t forget to include pets in this calculation also.

Keep a supply of emergency food such as crackers, nuts, nutrition bars, peanut butter, powered milk, baby formula and dried fruit. Canned food such as fruit, vegetables, meat and fish can be stored for long periods of time and are a good choice for your emergency kit. Check your supplies frequently and replace food that has passed its expiry date.

A large First Aid kit is also a must have for your earthquake emergency kit; buy whatever size you need according to the size of your family. Include with your First Aid kit; a First Aid book, that will help you to diagnose and treat injuries, prescription medicines, rubbing alcohol and pain relief medication for all age groups in your family.

More Earthquake Survival Supplies

• Solar powered/hand crank flashlight and radio
• Tissues/wet wipes/paper towels/ toilet paper
• Water purification tablets
• Can opener
• Clothing and heavy shoes for all the family
• A list of out of state contact numbers and car cell phone charger
• Whistle
• Cash ~ have at least $100 in cash and small change
• Disposable gloves
• Matches
• Face masks
• Blankets/sleeping blankets
• Plastic sheeting/tent
• Duct tape
• Tools ~ wrench, hammer, crow bar, shovel
• Diapers and other personal hygiene products
• Fire extinguisher
• Camping stove
• Swiss army knife
• Family photos to help emergency workers locate missing loved ones
• Spare prescription glasses
• Large trash bags
• Sunscreen
• Toothbrushes/toothpaste
• Pen and paper
• Toys for children ~ activity books, crayons, paper, small toys,
• Bleach
• Copies of important paper work such as passports, earthquake insurance, medical papers

Package all of these items in a water proof container and store the supplies together in a readily accessible area. FEMA suggests preparing smaller earthquake emergency kits with just the basics in a backpack to keep in the car and at work; you never know where you will be when an earthquake hits.

Practice earthquake drills, so that each family member knows what to expect and what they should be doing when they are in an earthquake. By being prepared with an earthquake emergency kit, you will be able to reduce much hardship during the aftermath of a major earthquake and your supplies should be able to sustain you and your family’s immediate needs until emergency help arrives.

The copyright of the article Prepare an Earthquake Emergency Kit in Health Field is owned by Julia Wooldridge. Permission to republish Prepare an Earthquake Emergency Kit in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Major Earthquake