Earthquake survival kit for everyone.

[Cleita]

Well, yesterday's earthquake taught me a thing or too about disaster survival. After the quake hit we were isolated from everyone because the cell phone towers were down. The electricity was knocked out. Our telephone was alive but the telephone itself wouldn't work. So this is what I found useful.

1. A cheap plastic phone that isn't plugged into electricity. A neighbor lent me an old phone that didn't need juice to operate late in the day. I could have used it hours earlier.

2. Although we get power outtages on a regular basis, here, all I had were kerosene lamps and candles but I was afraid to used them because of the possibility that aftershocks would knock them over and start a fire. I remembered that I had a Coleman fluorescent light lantern. It made a good light. I'm going to get some more for each room.

3. Bottled water. Even though we have our own well, we can't pump water without electricity.

4. Hand sanitizer if you need to do any nursing for anyone that requires sterile hands.

5. Canned goods and a manual hand held can opener.

6. An outdoor grill or hibachi and fuel to burn in it.

7. An AC/DC battery operated radio. If you are in an area that can pick up antenna signals, then an AC/DC battery operated TV too can keep you updated.

8. Back up batteries for everything.

9. A first aid kit.

10.If you can afford a cheap laptop, it's worth it. At first I was only able to get into contact with people by email so they wouldn't worry about us because I could operate the laptop with a battery and my modem was able to utilize the telephone line.

I think these ten things will get most people through any disasters that hit. If you have any more suggestions, please post.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. A transistor radio..battery operated

so you can hear emergency broadcasts if necessary

[Xithras]

11. I have a hand powered radio

http://www.ccrane.com/freeplay_plus.asp

It's a bit pricey, but unless you are willing to store several days worth of batteries, it's the best option.

[pmbryant]

2. Great advice

So how are you doing, a day later?

:hi:

--Peter

[Cleita]

3. Actually, we came out all right. The dog showed up several hours later.

Another DU'er unfortunately suffered a lot of damage from broken glass and stuff. It's really cold here too, (for California) so I should add warm blankets to that list.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. she's ok though?

glad you finally got her.

[Cleita]

5. Yes, she's good. She wasn't hurt.

I don't know how much she wants to share so maybe she will post her experiences for DU if she wants to.

[pmbryant]

6. Glad you came through all right

Sorry to hear about the damage for the other DUer.

--Peter

[GregW]

7. Don't forget shoes!

We spend so much time away from our houses that it's important to have an emergency kit in your car. Nothing worse than being at work during a quake (can you say, "Loma Prieta") ... being forced to walk home ... and then discovering your swank office shoes will kill you within the first kilometer. So ... make up a kit for your trunk and include some good walking shoes.

[BiggJawn]

8. Condoms.

Well, yeah, that too, but I was thinking you unroll one, put it inside a sock and you have a handy water container.

That's a good all-purpose list, Cleita, should get you through Tornado and Blizzard as well as an Earthquake...

Oh! I forgot! Pepto-Bismol to settle you down after Herr Gopenfuhrer comes to visit...:-)

[Cleita]

9. Haha!

DH had to restrain me from driving to Paso Robles today with a load of rotten tomatoes to fling at our esteemed Gropenator.

[GregW]

10. Couple more things ...

Not 'kit' related, but important ...

- Strap down your water heater.
- Attach all tall cabinets, entertainment units, etc to the wall.
- Keep a wrench tied to your gas meter and learn how to turn off the gas
- Organize in advance with a person OUTSIDE your area that you and family will all contact to pass on status of injury, damage, etc

Oh, and when things start rockin' ... DUCK, COVER, HOLD

[DBoon]

13. gas auto-shutoff

Devices now required that in the event of an earthquake automatically shut off gas to the home.

Unfortunately, wacking the gas meter by accident with a shovel also activates them. Not that I'd know...

[damnraddem]

12. Californians are supposed to have earthquake survival kits:

at home, at work, at school. It just makes sense.