Be Ready!

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Disaster preparedness is critical, yet many of us put it off until it’s too late. “It won’t happen here,” “things won’t be that bad,” and “it’s so expensive, I just don’t have the money” are reasons people commonly cite for not being ready should a disaster occur today.

Here in the Antelope Valley, we sit on top of the largest known fault line in the state, the San Andreas fault (you can see it from Highway 14, just north of Avenue S, where the freeway cuts through it – look for the heavily swirled rock patterns). The section of the fault we live in, known as the “Big Bend,” is highly unusual and doesn’t move as freely as the rest of the fault. In addition, while the northern segment of the fault (San Francisco area) has had several large quakes in modern history, most recently the 1989 Loma Prieta quake, the southern segment is considered to be 150 years overdue. A major quake in Southern California will cut off utilities, disrupt transportation and supply lines, create several thousand structure fires, cause massive structural damage across the region, and separate families for weeks, if not months. Emergency personnel and supplies will be tapped to the max, without enough of either to go around.

However, earthquakes aren’t the only disasters we face. Windstorms and rainstorms, flooding, blizzards (like the one in December 2008), fire, terrorist attacks, heat waves…the list goes on. Some of these may be short-lived and pass quickly, and may not seem like “disasters,” but they can all have the same after-effects nonetheless: cut-off utilities, disrupted supply lines, impossible transportation, medical emergencies, major traffic collisions, property damage, injuries, and deaths.

Are you worried yet? Good. Now here’s the good news: it’s easier to get ready than you think.

A good earthquake supply kit will also work for just about any other type of disaster, no matter how small. A few basic supplies are all it takes to make the difference between helpless panic and confident security.

This list is broken down into two sections. Take your time reviewing it. Remember, doing just a little bit each month is far better than not doing anything at all.

Supplies

A disaster kit, if put together all at once, can seem expensive, especially for larger families. Add in the fact that you should have three kits - one each for home, car, and work - and the cost can seem overwhelming. However, just purchasing one to three items each month can break it down and make it manageable for your budget. We’ve suggested which items you should buy together to keep the monthly cost down. If you can afford to do so, make this a weekly guide rather than a monthly one, to be fully prepared that much sooner.

Month 1

Water – one gallon per person per day for 3-5 days (if you have a four-person family, 12-20 gallons)
Spare prescription medication – ask your doctor for samples or an extra prescription, and keep the extra in your kit; rotate it out every month with new medicine
Spare eyeglasses – when you get a new pair, put the old pair (in a hard case!) in your kit; the same goes for dentures if possible

Month 2

First aid kit
Utility wrench (for shutting off gas)

Month 3

Non-perishable food, preferably that doesn’t need cooking, such as canned foods, granola bars, jerky, “disaster food” bars, etc., as well as “comfort” foods such as cookies or candy – enough for 3-5 days
Hand-operated can opener

Month 4

Portable AM/FM radio (battery-operated, solar, or hand-crank)
Spare batteries if needed
Sunscreen
Bleach (for treating water from non-bottled sources)

Month 5

Flashlights – one for each family member (these don’t have to be fancy, and can often be picked up for as little as a dollar)
Spare batteries
Baby/toddler care items (if applicable), such as diapers, wipes, formula, etc.
Feminine supplies (if applicable)

Month 6

Change of clothes for each person – these can be older, worn-out items: instead of throwing them out or donating them, stick them in your kit (make sure you rotate them as your kids grow!); don’t forget socks and underwear
Comfortable walking shoes or sturdy boots – again, can be older items

Month 7

Fire extinguisher – we suggest getting an ABC-type extinguisher, and the biggest one you can afford AND reasonably manage (2A10BC lasts twice as long on both A and B type fires as 1A5BC, and 4A30BC lasts four times as long on type A fires and three times as long on type B fires)

Month 8

Blankets – solar blankets (these look like giant pieces of foil) can be picked up for under $2 apiece, and will keep you warm in the winter and protect you from the sun’s heat in the summer; they also take up very little space in a kit
Toilet paper and plastic bags for waste disposal (the bags newspapers come in work well for this purpose)
Pet food and care items, such as a water dish and spare leash (if applicable)

Month 9

Waterless hand sanitizer
Paper plates, plastic cups, plastic utensils, garbage bags
Comfort items, such as toys, books, stuffed animals, board games, etc.

Month 10

Storage totes to put it all together – should be water-resistant (a duffel bag won’t protect your kit in a flood) and shock-resistant in case it gets bounced around during the quake or an aftershock. Keep the items inside sealed in plastic bags to protect against bugs and condensation. Especially for larger families, several smaller totes may be easier to manage than one large tote.

Preparation

Each month, set aside one hour of time to review skills and decide on a plan should a disaster occur, and mark it on your calendar. Remember, disaster planning is a family activity, so get everyone involved.

Month 1

Begin putting your disaster kit together. Plan out the items you will need (using our list above as a minimal guideline) and make a list.
Determine where your kit will be kept. Your disaster kit should be in a readily accessible place where it’s not likely to be blocked by other items that could fall in front or on top of it (garages are a bad idea unless you have no other options). Consider keeping it under your bed or by the front door, for example.