Earthquake Preparedness

Japan is arguable the best earthquake prepared country in the world. Even so, the devastation and personal suffering is massive in the recent 2011 quake. Ask yourself how you think YOUR country and local officials could respond to a similar disaster in your city or town.

Yes, that’s right! If it happens where you live, you and your loved ones could be faced with many days of looking after yourself – before help arrives. So … take a quick read of my earthquake preparedness list and start getting your own family plan together, not for “just in case”, but for when it happens!

• Create a written plan, (1 single page) post it on your kitchen wall or bulletin board, review it with family every six months. Update it yearly. (you can print this as your initial plan – see print button at bottom of page)
• First item in your disaster plan is a “contact” procedure for your family. Pick a relative or friend who lives at least several hours away from your home.
  • Ask them to agree to be the clearing point for your family
  • Make sure all family member’s have that person’s phone number in their cell phones or on a piece of paper in their wallets
  • Every person’s 1st job after assuring their own personal safety is to call the family contact number ASAP after a disaster.
• Build a disaster kit for you home
  • It should be a solid wood or metal box
  • It should be large enough to hold a week’s worth of dry food for your family
  • A 1st Aid Kit
  • Important items you’ll need (see list below)
• 1st Aid Kits
  • The most important items for your 1st kit are:
    • Large triangular bandages
    • Large wound dressings (throw in a dozen super absorbent individual wrapped feminine pads)
    • Tylenol or pain medication
    • Supply of prescription medications you need
• What Else You’ll Need in you Disaster Kit
  • Large package of plastic garbage bags (great for portable toilet. Easily disposable and sanitary. – Just line a bucket with a bag. Also plastic garbage bags make great rain protection. (wet and cold are your greatest enemies)
  • Bottle of bleach (can be used to sterilize water)
  • Matches and fire starter (barbecue solid starter blocks)
  • Folded (empty) plastic water jugs
• Food Items
  • All dried foods are good ( At least 1 week of food for your family)
    • Rice
    • Dried beans
    • Dried pasta
    • Protein powder
• Include warm dry clothes with your preparedness kit – coats, hats, gloves and boots)
• Review and replace (yearly) missing damaged or past dated items in your kits.

Important Links:

Canada Government – Disaster Info

BC Emergency Preparedness Program

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