Earthquake: How to make an Emergency Supply Kit

Jul 09, 2019

Earthquakes have startled the World, which reminds us to be prepared for natural disasters. Kidzworld wants you to know some of the basic safety procedures just in case you ever find yourself in the middle of an Earthquake. An earthquake is what happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another. The surface where they slip is called the fault or fault plane. The location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake starts is called the hypocenter, and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the epicenter.

Courtesy of Tes

Proper Procedure

The most important thing to remember during an earthquake is to DROP, COVER and HOLD ON. So remember to DROP to the floor and get under something for COVER and HOLD ON during the shaking.

Drop, Cover and Hold on in an Earthquake

Courtesy of Southern California Earthquake Center

Kit Collaboration

After the earthquake has happened, it is possible that vital services like water, heat, Internet / TV, will be shut down for many days. If you prepare yourself an Emergency Supply Kit, you may be able to save your family from serious complications.

Here’s how to make your own kit:

Water – one gallon per person per day (Store in 2-litre pop bottles are the best!)
Food – ready to eat without cooking
Manual can opener and some cooking utensils
First Aid kit & instructions
A copy of important documents & phone numbers
Warm clothes and rain gear for each family member
Heavy work gloves
Disposable camera
Unscented liquid household bleach and an eyedropper for water purification
Personal hygiene items including toilet paper, feminine supplies, hand sanitizer and soap
Plastic sheeting, duct tape and utility knife for covering broken windows
Tools such as a crowbar, hammer & nails, staple gun, adjustable wrench and bungee cords.
Blanket or sleeping bag
Large heavy duty plastic bags and a plastic bucket for waste and sanitation
Don’t forget water and supplies for your pets.

One-Person Standard Survival KitCourtesy of Disaster Supply Center

Washing the Water

It is a great idea for you to learn how to disinfect water. There is a chance that many people will be without water for days and if you know how to purify dirty water, you may save someone’s life. Here’s how you do it:

Strain the water through a t-shirt or some type of cloth
Boil the water for 5 minutes
Add oxygen back to the water by pouring the water back and forth between two containers
If the water is clear add 8 drops of bleach. If the water is cloudy add 16 drops. (Make sure this is regular bleach by checking the label for 5.25% sodium hypochlorite)
Shake and let it sit for at least 30 minutes

Water Purification

Have Your Say

If you have your own Earthquake story, please make a comment about any tips you might know about that helped you get through that time…