Earthquake Preparedness Supplies and Checklist

The Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989 left 12,000 Bay Area residents temporarily homeless. Many were also without water, electricity and phone service. And the Loma Prieta wasn't even The Big One.

Here is a list of what the Red Cross suggests you have on hand so you can be earthquake ready. I have to confess, I have none of it, but when I think and remember how it felt in October of 1989, I'm inclined to get it together and buy a couple of big plastic storage cartons so I can get started.

WATER

Water is a biggie-- #1 along with food on Maslows ladder of needs. FEMA suggests you have a three-day supply of food and water. General recommendations are bottled water in their original containers. If you don't like plastic you can get food-grade containers at a camping store, but it's then recommended you change the water out every six months. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more.

Store one gallon of water per person per day. This will leave you two quarts for drinking and two quarts for food preparation and sanitation. To keep the water safe, use household liquid bleach with 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Add 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water, stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water does not have a slight bleach odor, repeat the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes.

The only agent used to treat water should be household liquid bleach. Other chemicals, such as iodine or water treatment products sold in camping or surplus stores that do not contain 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite as the only active ingredient, are not recommended and should not be used. I don't know why. . .

FOODSTUFFS

Keep it simple-- go for ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables (don't forget the can opener!). Single servings in plastic pouches like those Indian foods at Trader Joes also have a long shelf life.

• Canned juices, milk, soup
• Sugar, salt, pepper
• Energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars and trail mix. When choosing these items, stay away from high sodium: it will increase your thirst.
• Comfort/stress foods like cookies, hard candy, chewing gum and lollipops. Pudding cups are also good.
• Pet food-- at least one ounce per animal pound per day.

Avoid foods like rice, pasta and dry beans that require a great deal of water to prepare. Remember to restock your food once a year if they have shorter perishable dates.

COOKING STUFF

To prepare food you will need:

• Camp stove or barbecue to cook outdoors (with necessary fuel)
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Plastic storage containers
• Aluminum foil
• Utility knife
• Disposable plates, cups and utensils

BEDTIME STUFF

• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Warm clothing
• Battery Operated Radio
• Paper and Pencil
• Needles and thread
• Flashlight

FIRST AID STUFF

This list for a first aid kit is long. I think I'd just as soon buy one from the Red Cross. Make sure to include a three-day supply of medications.

MANLY STUFF

This could also be called 'miscellaneous', but lots of it is tool-related:

• Small fire extinguisher
• Pliers
• Tape
• Signal flare
• Crescent and pipe wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies
• Heavy duty plastic garbage bags for wasted disposal

PERSONAL STUFF

This list borders on depressing, but you never know. It's also recommended that these items go in a plastic bag to prevent water damage:

• Copies of: will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds
• Copies of passports, immunization records
• Copies of family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
• Inventory of valuable household goods
• Cash!

CLEANING STUFF

Because cleanliness is next to Godliness:

• Toilet paper
• Soap, liquid detergent
• Feminine supplies
• Plastic bucket with tight lid
• Disinfectant
• Poop bags and scooper for pet waste
  
  

Funny, but these lists were all developed in pre-PDA days. I would probably add a charger in here. Not that electricity is a guaranteed thing-- but solar chargers seem to be in the works. Once the technology is fine tuned, I'd probably include one of those as well.