Home Safety: How To Build A Home Earthquake Kit

If you live in an area prone to seismic activity, it'sa multi-purpose tool can be after an earthquake,
vitally important that you have an earthquake kitand you may even find uses for it that you've
in your house or in your car so that you'll havenever considered.
emergency supplies if you need them. Even if youAlso in your earthquake kit should be a
don't live in an area that is prone to earthquakes,fully-stocked first aid kit so that you can treat
you might want to create a basic disaster survivalany injuries that might have occurred during the
kit to be used in case of tornados or other typesearthquake. Make sure that you have common
of natural disasters.items such as blankets, toilet paper, and hand
Ideally, your earthquake kit should contain enoughsanitizer with your first aid kit so that you can
supplies for you and your family to survive for acover basic needs and provide warmth and
period of up to three days. Beyond the basicsanitation for anyone who is suffering from shock
considerations of food and water that areas well.
physically necessary for survival, you will alsoOther useful things to include in your earthquake
need a few additional items to help you make itkit include enough money or traveler's checks to
through the aftermath of an earthquake.be able to meet any monetary needs that you
One of the first things that you'll need is somemight have in case the banks are closed due to
sort of light source in case the electricity hasthe earthquake. You should also have a safe with
been knocked out in your area. Since you're goingcopies of any important documents that you
to want to make sure that your light will workdon't want to be lost or damaged in an
when needed, your best bet is to choose an LEDearthquake, as well as clean clothes for both
flashlight or lantern since they have a drasticallywarm and cold weather so that you and your
reduced energy usage and will keep a chargefamily won't be forced to wear the same clothes
longer in storage than most standard flashlights.for several days in a row.
Test any LED flashlight that you have every fewMake sure that you check the expiration dates on
months to make sure that it still works, and ifany food or medicine that you keep in your
you're using an LED lantern that has multipleearthquake kit, and change out any stored water
lighting modes then you should take the time tothat you have every few months. This will
test every one of its modes.prevent you or your family members from
Another essential piece of equipment is agetting sick due to expired food or stale water.
multi-purpose tool that has knife blades, pliers,Preparing an earthquake kit is an important
screwdrivers, and even saw blades and canactivity that should be done as a family to ensure
openers in it. Be sure to store your multi-purposethat everyone knows how to use the items inside
tool with your LED lantern or LED flashlights soand where to find it if an earthquake occurs.
that you can find it quickly once you've locatedBeing prepared for a disaster may very well save
your light source. You'd be amazed at how usefula person's life.