10/07/2001
And the good news is? Yesterday a bio-terror pundit on CNN said it is much, much more likely that a Southern Californian would experience a major earthquake than a biological attack. Well. My "earthquake kit" is 11 years old, that means the vienna sausages in it are 11 years old.
In 1990, I was assigned to come up with a kit checklist for publication in the newspaper where I worked. After talking to too many catastrophe experts, I got religion and ended up assembling The Kit. It sits in the backyard in a big sealed-up garbage can like some kind of weird time capsule. Especially weird to think that it would become my toolkit for living if the shaking got bad enough.
Figuring it is really time for a refresh, I dug up the checklist and added a few things.
I include it here for you. Think of it as an ongoing assemblage. (Please note: no gas masks listed.) With thanks to disasterrelief.org and the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Home Earthquake Kit shopping list:
All goods in supplies for 3 to 5 days
_ container -- large tough garbage can
Food/food preparation
_ Canned goods: meats, tuna, vienna sausages, spam
_ Canned goods: milk
_ Canned goods: soups, stews
_ Canned goods: fruit
_ Meal replacement bars
_ Instant coffee, gatorade
_ Pots/pans
_ Safety matches in waterproof container, disposable lighters
_ Disposable cups, plates, eating utensils
_ Cooking utensils, large spoons
_ Manual can opener
_ Bottled Water (gallon per day per person & pet; replace every 6 mos.)
_ Water purification tablets
_ Cognac
First aid/hyigene
_ Must-have prescription medications (insulin, etc.)
_ Extra eyeglasses First aid kit
_ Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
_ Assorted sizes of safety pins
_ Cleansing agent/soap
_ Latex gloves (2 pair)
_ 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
_ 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
_ 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
_ 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
_ Ace bandage
_ Bandaging tape
_ Non-prescription drugs (Benedryl)
_ Anti-bacterial ointment
_ Aprprin or non-asprin pain reliever
_ Anti-diarrhea medication
_ Antacid
_ Syrup of Ipecac
_ Laxative
_ Activated Charcoal
_ Eye Wash and Cup
_ Scissors
_ Tweezers
_ Razor blade or sharp knife
_ Needle
_ Moistened towelettes
_ Cotton Balls or swabs
_ Antiseptic, alcohol, peroxide
_ Thermometer
_ Tongue blades (2)
_ Tube of petroleum jelly
_ Irrigation syringe
Protection
_ Sunscreen
_ Insect repellant
Sanitation
_ Toilet paper
_ "Baby Wipes"
_ Anti-bacterial soap
_ Feminine supplies
_ Plastic garbage bags with ties
_ Plastic bucket with tight lid
_ Disinfectant
_ Chlorine bleach
Pets
_ Spare leash, with collar and id tag
_ Food & treats to help with control
_ Dishes
_ Medications
_ Flea control Tools and supplies
Tools
_ Monkey wrench (for gas turnoff)
_ Vice-Grip pliers
_ Heavy-duty work gloves
_ Rope, string
_ Radio (extra batteries)
_ Flashlight (extra batteries)
_ Small fire extinguisher (A-B-C type)
_ Duct tape
_ Compass
_ Clothespins
_ Aluminum foil
_ Paper towels
_ Plastic containers
_ Ziploc bags
_ Sharpie, pencil, paper
_ Needles. Thread
_ Plastic sheeting
_ Map of the area
_ Cash
_ Disposable camera
_ Battery operated clock
_ Tarp
_ backpack or duffle bag
_ Whistle
Clothing
_ Sturdy, tough-soled shoes
_ Socks
_ Complete change of clothes including long pants, short-sleeved shirt, long-sleeved shirt, underwear
_ hat for sun protection, hat for warmth
_ Gloves
_ Rain gear
_ Sunglasses
_ Long underwear
_ Sweatshirt or jacket Clothing
_ Blankets or sleeping bags
_ Bath towels
Documents
Keep copies of pertinent reference numbers for
_ Wills, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
_ Passports, social security cards, drivers liscence, immunization records (pets too)
_ Bank account numbers
_ Credit card numbers and companies
_ Household inventory
_ Family records (birth, death, marriage certificates, etc.
Car Earthquake Kit shopping list:
_ Backpack
_ Sturdy shoes, socks
_ Jacket, rain gear
_ "Solar" blanket, sleeping bag
_ Portable First Aid Kit (ibuprofen)
_ Water
_ Pre-moistened towelettes
_ Paper towels
_ Flashlight with batteries
_ Radio with batteries
_ Meal-replacement bars
_ Knife
_ Work gloves
_ Matches/lighter
_ Whistle
_ Map
_ Ziploc bags
_ Cash (small denominations and coins)
_ Sunscreen
_ Duct tape