A good reminder from Caolyn Seitz:
The magnitude 9.0 Earthquake and the follow-on Tsunami has had a significant impact on not only Japan, but some of the coastal cities in California, Oregon and Hawaii.
No one is yet able to reliably predict when these kinds of catastrophic events will occur.
We live in Earthquake country. Please take some time now to check your emergency supplies to be sure they are still fresh enough to sustain you if we experience a massive earthquake or other catastrophic event here.
If you haven't yet taken time to put supplies together for yourself and your family, this is a good time to start.
While the information below recommends a 3 day supply, the guidelines for our area recommend a minimum 10 day supply per person, and please remember your pets. They'll need food, water, bedding, their medications, and medical supplies too.
Having emergency supplies on hand - at home, in your vehicle and at work can be the equivalent of cheap insurance. Insurance only seems expensive when you don't need it. It's invaluable when you do need it and having emergency supplies readily available will prove invaluable if it makes the difference between being able to sustain yourself and your family members or not.
You can check out the websites below for more information. I've also copied the text from some and included it in this email.
http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/
When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it's best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth.
Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:
Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers
Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:
Prescription medications and glasses
Infant formula and diapers
Pet food and extra water for your pet
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
Cash or traveler's checks and change
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire Extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
Paper and pencil
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
From the Los Angeles County Emergency Survival Program website - and note that on their website they have an emergency planning activity recommended for each month of the year, with preparation of an emergency kit the activity for March.
http://lacoa.org/PDF/ESP10/Mar10.pdf
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