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August 31, 2005
Your Earthquake Kit
Alright, I'm a nag.
As I hear about and watch the horrors coming out of Louisiana and Mississippi and Alabama, I'm reminded to do two things: call the Red Cross to make a donation. And take a look at my earthquake kit to make sure it's in order. And of course, it's not.
Is yours?
Hearing stories about people struggling to get by in the days after the hurricane and the flooding reminds me of all the warnings the experts have told us about a major quake: don't expect a lot of major help during the first three days. Be prepared to take care of yourself.
And we were...right after the Northridge quake in 94. Remember when we made sure to fill up the tank BEFORE it got below a quarter tank...just in case there was no electricity? How much gas is in your tank today? And when was the last time you replaced that can of tuna in your emergency kit? Do you really want to eat that seven year old can of fish? Has the plastic water bottle leaked all over your trunk? Mine did.
Here's my nag: get your earthquake kit in order -- water, food, medications, cat food, can opener, tools, cash, etc. Too overwhelming? Here's a handy how-to article from the "San Francisco Chronicle":
http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/special/quakes/1.1.html
Go on. You'll feel better afterwards.
Posted by Kitty Felde at 5:45 PM
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Thanks for the link, Kitty. I'm new to this neck of the woods, and my father will be happier if he knows I'm prepared for any eventuality California may throw at me.
Posted by: Megan on August 31, 2005 10:19 PM
Thanks for the reminder.......Guilty as charged!
Posted by: Joanne Levy on September 6, 2005 6:13 AM
You're so right, Kitty! I'll put "Update Earthquake Kit" on my to-do list today. I've been thinking the same thing, but your reminder helped.
CC
Posted by: carol C on September 6, 2005 9:07 AM
That is only half of the prepareness you need to do.
Plan on NO electricty for a while. No power means no sales, no ATMs, no gas (pumps are electric), no AC, no heat.
Make sure you have matches (strike anywheres) along with your normal food stocks
have an extra propane tank for the house BBQ. These are less than 30 dollars filled and you would be able to cook for a few weeks with it.
Make SURE that the family has a PLAN of where and how to meet or what to do if members can not meet up at a common point. Contact info for cell, landline, email and postal. If you have the bucks, sat phone but that is for those with all the toys already :)
Keep some cash at the ready in each car, we keep a few hundred scattered around in a few places as in the Northridge quake, vendors would only take cash there werre not any credit cards working or ATMs.
Energy powders keep darn near forever and could help cover up the taste of pool water that you may be drinking.
Understand the principles of getting potable water from the pool and other sources, and keep some of the treatment tablets handy.
Keep a strong knife in each car, I use the "all in one" tools called a "Leatherman" but there are others. It has several handy tools built in.
A hand crank charging radio is a real plus. No batteries ever needed.
This should be enough to get you thinking about more than just the "kit"
Posted by: Wybnormal on September 10, 2005 10:06 AM
