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Are you ready for an emergency?
Every July, many are urged to ask themselves this question in observance of National Disaster Consciousness Month.
According to the Philippine Red Cross, it is advisable for every family to be prepared for disasters and emergencies by having their very own go bag. This bag should serve as an emergency kit that could last at least 72 hours and be adequate for you and your family.
It is essential to be ready during the first 72 hours because, as the Red Cross noted, this is when electricity, water, and phone lines may be out of service. Furthermore, depending on the severity of the disaster, the police, paramedics, and other rescuers, may not immediately be available.
In case of an emergency, it’s best to be prepared. Here are the items you need to secure inside your go bag:
Food and water
The Red Cross said that individuals can survive without food for 5 days, as long as there is water intake.
It is recommended that one gallon or four liters of water are allocated to each person per day – one liter for drinking and three liters for washing. Water purification tablets are also recommended. One tablet is equal to one liter.
For your go-bag, you can prepare two liters of this Nature’s Spring bottled water and non-perishable food like canned goods sardines.
Emergency whistle
Phone signals are affected when floods, typhoons, and earthquakes occur. It might take longer to contact authorities. Your best bet to alert rescuers is to use an emergency whistle.
Waterproof and windproof match
You need fire to cook and create a source of warmth. In cases of emergency, you’ll never know when you need to start a fire. You can purchase this stormproof match designed to use outdoors and is resistant to wind and water.
Flashlight
Flashlights may be handy in case of an emergency. But to ease the burden of constantly carrying them, hands-free emergency lamps are recommended.
If your light is battery-operated, be sure to have extra batteries that could last you, preferably, 200 hours. But if you are considering buying a new light or lamp, self-powered lamps are most ideal.
Hygiene kit
It’s better to have the means of keeping clean even amidst a disaster. If possible, bring personal effects such as an extra set of clothes and underwear, as well as toothbrushes and toothpaste, soaps, and shampoo.
First-aid kit
No emergency bag is complete without a first-aid kit like this one from Betadine.
A standard kit should have: band-aids, gauze, medical tape, alcohol (or any other antiseptic), scissors, tweezers, a thermometer, and medicine for fever, diarrhea, pain relief.
Portable radio
Radios are dependable sources of information. Keep yourself up-to-date with news from authorities, evacuation orders, and other information pertinent to the situation.
Emergency blanket
Full sleeping bags may be too heavy to bring in times of emergency.
Choose bags and mats which are durable, thin, but enough to keep you warm. Store your items in a plastic bag to keep them from getting wet and dirty.
Waterproof envelope for documents
Important documents should be kept inside a waterproof envelope so that they will be safe and during evacuation. Your envelope should contain some cash, your ATM cards, passports and valid IDs.
It’s never too early to prepare. As cliche as it may sound, you never truly know when disaster will strike.
Last but not the least, remember to check your go bag from time to time. Replace materials that have expired and make sure to check if the electronic devices and batteries are in good condition. This way, you will be best prepared for emergencies. – Rappler.com
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