THE SUPPLY LIST

You should have on hand enough emergency supplies to meet you family's need for at least three to five days.  After the quake there may be no public water, no power, no access to stores and no access to your home.  Now the question is "If you can't get into home, how do you get to your safety supplies?"

The key is to put your home supplies where they'll be accessible even if your home is not.  If you have an outside area, away from the walls of the house, that would be best.  If you're an apartment dweller with no outside, keep a backpack where you can reach it when you're leaving in a hurry.  Backpacks are great for supply kits, because they are easy to grab and carry.   Be careful, don't forget that closet shelves may come down burying what was on the floor.  Place a backpack in your vehicle and/or keep one at work.

For the outside supply kit a good size (approx. 33 gallon) plastic trash can with a fastenable, tight fitting lid works well.  You may want extra sealing, (foam rubber strips from the hardware store) and extra fastening (bungee cords) to keep the out bugs and animals.  Secure the can so it won't be knocked over or dig a hole up to half as deep as the can is tall and lower it in.  Remember as you fill it up with your supplies, where in the can you put something has everything to do with the size of the item and the order in which you are likely to need it.  Here's some suggestions of what supplies to have and where in the can to put them.

First put in:

• Bedding                                                                   

• Eating Utensils

• Clothes

• Personal Supplies

• Baby or kid stuff

• Equipment

• Fuel and Fire starting stuff

• A little cash (small bills)

• Copy of your ID's (in ziploc bag)

• Water Purification Items

Here's a more complete list for the bottom third of the can:

• Blankets

• Tarp or plastic sheeting

• Sleeping bag

• Can opener

• Cooking pan, paper plates, plastic utensils

• One change of clothes per person

• Shoes

• Gloves

• Warm coat or jacket

• Hat (for sun)

• Diapers

• Baby supplies

• Stuffed toys for little kids

• Game for diversion for everybody

• Book to read

• Writing paper

• Pencils

• Toilet kit

• Toilet paper

• Towel

• Plastic bags for sanitary disposal

• Axe

• Folding Shovel

• Bucket

• Candles

• Matches

• Sterno (canned heat)

• Fire extinguisher

• Eye dropper

• Liquid chlorine

• Bleach

• Water purification tables

Next put in food, water and can opener (2):

A minimum three to five days food supply for one person should contain at least 2100 calories per day, require no refrigeration, and no preparation.  Here's an example : One half pound of each of the following will do for one person for approx. three days:

• Canned fruit juice

• Canned tuna or pork and beans

• Dried fruit

• Graham crackers

• Nonfat dry milk

• Peanut butter

• Bottle of multi-vitamins (optional)

The minimum for water is one gallon per person per day (more in hot climates).  The water containers should be resealable.

On the top put:

• Flashlight

• Folding knife

• First aid kit

• Prescription medications

• Extra glasses or contacts

• Portable radio with extra batteries

• Whistle to attract attention

• Extra car keys, disguised in something else for security.

A tent or your car may be your only shelter for a while.  If you  have a tent, store it safely and accessibly near your supply can.  A larger family or more, extensive supplies may easily require more than one can.  But don't be daunted by the size of the list.  Even if you get only few of what you consider the most important things stashed in one can in the yard, you'll be away ahead of no preparation at all.