This weekend, we were reminded to be prepared for an emergency.
I'm a veteran in these matters. My family experienced many earthquakes in California, and a couple of tsunami warnings here in Oregon.
What I have in my backback, one per person, are standard supplies. If I am away from home, at work, at the grocery store, at a party, and I am stranded, my backpack will support me for a couple of days. It is portable, in case I need to abandon the car.
Here is my top ten:
1. medications
2. water
3.first aid kit
4.flashlight with extra batteries
5. blankets and tarps
6. radio and extra batteries
7. whistle
8.deodorant/toothbrush/chapstick
9.change/money in small denomination
10. snacks
You can see from the pile on the sofa, all these items will fit easily in a backpack. You can stuff the backpack; just be sure you can carry it easily if you have to walk out of danger.
We have been stuck outside, in the cold, during the January 1994 Northridge Earthquake, and what we needed most, after blankets, was a bottle of Mylanta. The local drug store didn't take checks.
If you are trapped or injured, a whistle will help you signal for help. Water is more important than snacks; and prescription medications should be the first thing on your list.
While you are assembling your car kit, double up and make a kit for an elderly relative or neighbor.
I hope you'll never have to use this kit.
