3 Day Family Emergency or Evacuation Kits

Jul 20, 2019

3 Day Family Emergency or Evacuation Kits

It is important to be prepared for a disaster, but you should keep the danger in perspective. If you must live through a major quake, Japan is probably the best place to do it.  Even in Japan, however, some previous preparation and pro-active thinking will help your family and home in a disaster.

To start with, every family should have a 3-Day Family Emergency / Evacuation Kit on hand.  Building one, and periodically maintaining it, is not difficult or expensive, and it could pay tremendous dividends in safety and personal comfort for you and your family.

Most importantly, include:

•  Water: 1 gallon / 4 liters of water per person, per day for drinking and sanitation
•  Food: 3 days worth of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare foods (canned, shelf-stable)

Remember! Even non-perishable food and water has an expiry date, periodically check and rotate food and water in your kit to ensure freshness!

Additional Items to Include:

•  Plastic (saran) wrap, paper cups, and plates, utensils (wrap to avoid washing)
•  Manual can opener
•  First aid kit including essential medications, prescriptions
•  Flashlight with extra batteries
•  Portable radio with extra batteries
•  Filter mask
•  Whistle
•  A tool to turn off utilities (wrench, pliers, or multi-purpose tool)
•  Sanitation and personal hygiene items
•  Garbage bags & plastic ties for personal sanitation, garbage
•  Blankets (emergency)
•  Warm clothes, change of clothes
•  Copies of important documents, ID
•  Passport, 30,000 yen in cash
•  Family and emergency contact information
•  Map of the area (evacuation areas)

Include as Required:

•  7-day supply of prescriptions, medications, and medical items (syringes, etc…)
•  Baby care necessities (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
•  Eldercare necessities
•  Pet care necessities (collar, leash, ID, food, water, carrier, bowl)
•  Games and activities for kids

Related

• Printable PDF Checklist Version of this post.
• Amazon.co.jp has a selection of emergency goods and foods.
• Here is another selection of emergency goods and foods.
• Earthquake Preparedness in Japan.
• Disaster or Emergency Messaging: 171 System in Japan.

Photo: Wikipedia “Red Cross “ready to go” preparedness kit” (Public Domain) Modified