Going deeper

You’ve got your little bag ready, but there is always more you can do.

First, let’s expand the idea of readiness. You have individual readiness covered. But you can also be digital ready, car ready, house ready, and evacuation ready.

And if you get really into it, you can pack a complete first aid kit, or a full-fledged go bag. (Note: these are links that take you to another website.)

DIGITAL READY

• At least once a year, take photos or videos of your home, garage, closets, landscaping.
• Open drawers and cabinets and photograph them.
  Store pictures/video in the cloud for future inventory records.
• Back-up your everyday pictures to cloud.
• Keep cell phone batteries charged.
• Store copies of your critical documents in the cloud.
• Upload computer/laptop contents to the cloud on a regular basis.

CAR READY

• Maintain at least ½ tank of gas in your car at all times.
• Know how to manually release your garage door and open it if the power is out.
• Pack a second little bag and keep in it in your car.
• Know your evacuation routes out of the neighborhoods.

HOUSE READY

• Pick safe places in each room of your home to go in case of an earthquake. A safe place could be under a sturdy table, far away from windows, bookcases, or tall furniture that could fall on you.
• Purchase a battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
• Keep a flashlight and any low-heeled shoes by each person’s bed.
• Don’t hang heavy items near beds, couches or anywhere people sleep or sit.
• Bolt or latch cabinets/shelving/high hanging TVs.
• Locate and learn how to turn off gas with a wrench. Keep a wrench nearby.
• Store enough shelf stable food and water for 3-7 days per person. 1 gallon per person per day is recommended. Double-check your food supplies every 6 months to make sure stored food is not expired.

  EVACUATION READY

• Designate a safe meeting spot away from the house during an evacuation in case of separation.
• Map out evacuation routes.
• Identify an out-of-town friend or relative as your “emergency family check-in contact” for everyone to call if the family gets separated. It is often easier to call out-of-town during an emergency than within the affected area.
• Make sure all family members have the correct phone numbers written out (not just stored in their phones).
• Install a lockbox with an extra house key; this will allow a trusted neighbor to access your home if you are away and have pets or seniors in the house that might need assistance.

FIRST AID KIT LINK: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html

GO-BAG KIT LINK: https://www.ready.gov/kit