Earthquake Survival Kit Checklist

Major earthquakes cause devastation on a level few other events can match. Preparing an earthquake survival kit before disaster strikes is one of the best ways to give yourself a better chance of weathering through an earthquake and the aftermath that follows. After a major quake, utilities can be down for days or even weeks, making it critical for you to be prepared until emergency services can make it to the affected areas.

Water

• Pack lots of bottled water. Most people can go weeks without food, but only a few days without water. Ideally three days' worth of water should be stored with each earthquake preparation kit. One gallon per person per day usually works well. Water purification tablets are also a good idea in addition to the stored water, not in lieu of the bottled water.

Food

• Powdered drinks that can be mixed with water and have calories, like Gatorade, or whey protein powder can be an easy solution for needed calories. Honey never goes bad. The best survival kits will contain canned foods like tuna, beans or veggies. These foods will have to be checked and replaced as the expiration dates near. Expired canned food won't do any good in a survival kit. Peanut butter serves as an excellent food choice for earthquake survival kits because it's high in calories.

Gear

• Important gear and tools after an earthquake include thick work gloves to protect your hands, heavy-duty flashlights with extra batteries, dust masks for each family member, can opener, signal whistle and various tools like wrenches or pliers. In addition to these tools, emergency Mylar blankets will help for keeping warm or even in building temporary shelter, if needed. Moist towelettes or baby wipes, along with garbage bags, are important for sanitation if the water's out.

Personalize

• Consumers need to take the extra step to personalize their earthquake survival kits. Medicine should be included for any allergies, as well as prescription medication. Diabetics will want the necessary materials in their kits, while others will need spare prescription glasses. General first-aid kits are good, but you should also have any additional materials required to handle any particular medical issues you might have.