Earthquakes and Emergency Supplies.

Here in Southern CA we get earthquakes all the time, but most of them are too small to feel. In the past couple of weeks we have had some good size shakers, but not nearly as hard as the 8.1 one that shook Chile on April 1, 2014.

Just since March 28th we have had ten that measured 3.0 or higher. (You can see the list of quakes for Los Angeles county and surrounding areas here.)

I have been working on a Post-apocalyptic novel titled, “Alexiah” which is the first book of my series titled, “The Reincarnations of A.M.B.E.R.”  And have been doing quite a bit of research on emergency supplies.

Everyone should have an emergency supply kit, but what should you have in it? Of course you need the basics; food, water, and an extra set of clothes, but what else and how much?

I have 3 dogs so I know dog food has to be in mine and everyone should have batteries and flashlights.

Here’s a few of the basics;

• First aid kit
• Medications
• Multipurpose tool (e.g., Swiss army knife)
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (e.g., proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, and insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Map(s) of the area
• Extra set of car keys and house keys
• Manual can opener

You can find a more detailed list here.

But what if your house isn’t safe to be inside of? And what if it’s raining and cold? And what happens when there are no utilities? No gas, no electric, and no running water?

Okay, so here are a few of my own suggestions and extras you might want to have on your list.

• Tent
• solar powered charger for your cell phone
• solar powered lights with extra rechargeable batteries
• Toilet Paper (Can’t go wrong here)
• Paper Plates and cups and plastic utensils
• Hand sanitizer
• Baby wipes
• Alcohol
• Peroxide
• A small portable bar-be-que
• A 12″ x 12″ concrete stepping stone, or a brick, or flat rock. (For use with the two heaters below.)

 Heat a room with tealights and flower pots?

Yes! I tried this one and yes it does put out heat.

I suggest placing it on the stepping stone for stability and safety.

 

 I haven’t tried the Canned Heat!, but I imagine it is like Sterno or Gel-fuel.

Beer can stove!  Now this is awesome! And no I haven’t made one yet, but I will!

    I suggest investing in a small storage shed to hold your emergency supplies outside and away from the house.  These are just a few things that we normally don’t think of. And if you are wondering if I’m prepared for an emergency, (Hangs head in shame) Nope, not at all.  

     I had just finished writing a rough draft of the blurb for the back cover, and had gone into the kitchen for a cup of coffee when the windows began to rattle and the floors shook. Looking it up online, I found it was a 2.9 centered just three miles from downtown. Talk about Freeeaky!

• Posted in: A to Z Challenge ♦ challenges ♦ Uncategorized
• Tagged: beer can stove, canned heat, earthquakes, emergengy, excerpt, flowerpot heater, solar lights, storage shed, supplies, tent