What to Prepare

Prepare for an Emergency

Keep copies of important papers outside your home
Include your passport, driver’s license, social security card, health insurance cards, prescriptions, list of your valuables, will, deeds and financial records.

Choose a person to be your contact
Choose someone outside the Bay Area. Give this person the names and telephone numbers of people to keep informed. After a disaster, ask your contact person to call those people.

Develop emergency plans for home, school and work
Pick exit routes and meeting points. Get familiar with emergency procedures for different situations described in this booklet. Practice your plan!

Make emergency kits for home, work and car

Put smoke detectors in your home
Change the batteries twice a year.

Secure your appliances particularly your water heater.

Learn how to turn off utilities (see What to Do).

Earthquake Preparedness Supplies for Family of Four

First Aid Supplies

• 8 absorbent compress dressings, 100 adhesive bandages, 4 roller bandages, 8 triangular bandages, 40 sterile gauze pads, and 4 rolls adhesive cloth tape
• 20 antibiotic ointment packets
• 20 antiseptic wipe packets
• Personal medications and over-the-counter medications for adults and/or children as indicated or recommended
• 4 blankets (Mylar) and/or Mylar sleeping bags
• 4 breathing barriers or face masks
• 4 instant cold compresses
• 8 pairs of non-latex gloves
• 8 hydrocortisone ointment packets
• Scissors
• Oral thermometer (non-mercury/non-glass)
• Tweezers
• First aid instruction booklet
• Prescription medications (replace on yearly basis)
• Spare eyeglasses
• First-aid handbook

Food and Water (Replace on a yearly basis)

• Nonperishable food including energy bars (preferably Metrx or other bars containing protein), canned soup or peanut butter (recommended: 2,400 calorie ER Food Bars)
• 12 gallons of water, one gallon of water per person per day for three days (more if you have pets)
• Water purification tablets
• Can opener if storing canned foods
• Alternate way to cook: camp stove, grill
  

Supplies

• Two fire extinguishers (Type 3A; 40 BC) Check gage for full charge once per year.
• Battery-operated or crank radio
• Emergency charger or power source for charging cell phones
• Dust masks
• Whistle to alert rescuers
• Flashlight(s) (Batteries, preferably 20-year shelf life batteries)
• 50 Waterproof matches
• Money – small bills, quarters
• Swiss army knife
• Twelve-hour light sticks (+ 30 Minute High Intensity Light Stick)
• Maps
• Batteries (*Replace on Yearly Basis)
• Tools including wrench to shut off gas in case of a leak, screwdriver, hammer, pliers, knife, duct tape, garbage bags, manual can opener, work gloves, protective goggles, 50 feet nylon rope, 5 function army Swiss army knife
• Paper towels, toilet paper, hygiene supplies (soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes)
• Plastic/Sanitation/toilet bags (+five-gallon buckets and toilet chemicals)
• Clothing, extra socks, sturdy shoes, ponchos with hoods
• Mylar blanket/sleeping bag
• Comfort items for children
  

Personal/Financial

• Cash in small denominations, including change
• Important documents
• Emergency contact information
• Important phone numbers
• Spare Keys

Go Bag

• Water – one gallon per person per day
• Food – ready to eat or requiring minimal water
• Manual can opener, cooking supplies, plates and utensils
• First Aid kit & instructions
• A copy of important documents, list of point of contact phone numbers
• Warm clothes, rain gear, blankets or sleeping bag for each family member.
• Heavy work gloves, disposable camera
• Unscented liquid household bleach and an eyedropper for water purification
• Personal hygiene items: toilet paper, feminine supplies, hand sanitizer, soap, toothpaste and toothbrush
• Plastic sheeting, duct tape and utility/pocket knife to cover broken windows
• Tools: crowbar, hammer, nails, adjustable wrench and bungee cords
• Large heavy duty plastic bags, plastic bucket for waste/sanitation, permanent marker, paper & tape, flashlights, portable radio, batteries, whistle, dust mask, local map
• Emergency cash in small denominations
• Photo of family members and pets, extra house and vehicle keys
• Copy of health insurance and identification cards, prescription medications, list of allergies to any drugs (especially antibiotics) or food, extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items

Check underlined items every six months to be sure they are current/have not expired/in working order.

If you evacuate your home be sure to bring your go bag.

Car – Store Items in Car

• Walking shoes, gloves
• Food – non-perishable
• Water – 1 gallon
• First Aid Kit and Handbook
• Radio, flashlight, batteries
• Backpack for supplies
• Car cell phone charger