1906 Earthquake Commemoration, Recent Seismic Activity Highlight Need For Home Emergency Kit
Source: City of Reno
Apr 17, 2008 - 11:55:05 AM
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Commemoration of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and recent local seismic activity highlight the need for residents to have a home emergency kit to cover basic survival needs for 72 hours to a week.
Posted Date: 4/17/2008
This week’s commemoration of the deadly and destructive San Francisco earthquake and fires that occurred on April 18, 1906, and the recent seismic activity in the Western Nevada area are reminders of the need for every home to have an emergency kit with supplies to meet the basic survival needs of the occupants for three days to a week, says Reno Fire Chief Paul Wagner.
“We all need to be able to shelter in our home for a minimum of 72 hours and possibly up to a week, whether the emergency is an earthquake, flood or other situation,” Wagner says. “The home emergency kit should be individually tailored to meet the basic survival needs or your family,” he says, “in the event that the emergency situation disrupts services and or creates situations in which food, water and other essential supplies are limited or unavailable.”
Emergency supplies can be stored in a large, clean trash can with a cover, plastic storage container, suitcase, duffle bag, backpack, footlocker or individual pack. Non-perishable food items such as ready-to-eat items in unbreakable containers, canned meats, juice, fruits and vegetables, powdered milk, infant care foods, crackers, peanut butter, freeze-dried and dehydrated goods are recommended. In addition, emergency supplies should include enough bottled water to provide a minimum of 1-gallon per person per day.
Other items recommended for emergency survival kits include:
• Battery-powered radio
• First aid kit and manual
• Sleeping bags and wool/thermal blankets
• Manual can opener
• Waterproof/wind-proof matches
• Flashlight and spare batteries
• Water purification tablets
• Utility knife
• Emergency candles
• Extra eyeglasses/contact lenses
• Essential medications
• Extra clothing
Wagner also suggests items for a sanitation kit should include:
• Plastic bucket with tight fitting lid
• Plastic bags and ties
• Disinfectant
• Improvised toilet set
• Paper cups and plates
• Personal toiletries and hygiene products
• Baby/infant supplies
• Aluminum foil
• Paper towels
• Plastic utensils
• Soap
• Work gloves
Wagner says families also need to provide for the care of pets during emergencies by making sure there is sufficient dry pet food kept in tightly sealed containers, having a large capacity self-feeder for food and one for water, as well as extra medications.
According to Wagner, preparations for emergencies should also include secured but accessible copies of marriage licenses, home mortgage, property and vehicle ownership papers, insurance documents, wills, jewelry or other appraisals, birth certificates, bank account information and any other document that may be needed following a catastrophic event.
For more information about emergency preparedness and fire prevention, Wagner suggests contacting the Reno Fire Department’s Division of Fire Prevention at (775) 334-2300.
For more information on disaster preparedness please go to: http://www.fema.gov/
For information on the 1906 San Francisco earthquake please go to: http://www.sfmuseum.org/1906/06.html
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