When it comes to natural disasters, there’s only so much you can do to stay safe. If there’s a tornado, gather everyone in a safe room with no windows such as a basement or storm cellar. If there’s a forest fire, evacuate if you must. If there’s an earthquake, drop down, take cover, and don’t move until the shaking stops.
Because disasters can be unpredictable and may come with devastating aftermath, how you prepare and respond in times of disaster can mean the difference between life and death for your family. Here’s a list of essentials that you should pack in your disaster emergency kit:
- Water
Water is already a valuable resource, and it becomes even more so after a disaster. Water lines are one of the main utilities that are shut down after a disaster to protect water sources from contamination.
Each person should have at least one gallon of water in their kit; this should last you at least three days.
- Battery-Powered Headlamp
Flashlights will also do; however, a headlamp allows you to keep your hands free to carry gear, safely wade through water, or help someone who is injured.
- Extra Batteries
Electricity is another utility that is first to go in times of a natural disaster. Therefore, extra batteries to ensure your headlamp has enough juice to last through the night is essential.
- Whistle
A whistle is vital for signaling for help, particularly in the dark or if you’re trapped under rubble and debris. If you don’t have time to put the whistle on a lanyard around your neck, ensure each member of the family has one tucked in an accessible pocket in their emergency kit.
- First Aid Kit
Make sure your first aid kit is equipped with essentials such as plasters, gauze dressings, safety pins, scissors, tape, antiseptic cream, and distilled water.
Be prepared to tend to a small injury such as an open cut and prevent a potentially life-threatening infection. Cleaning a wound with distilled water, applying antiseptic cream, and wrapping it with sterile gauze can stop a small injury from becoming a bigger problem.
- Waste Bags
With no electricity and running water, there’s no sense to risk your life looking for a toilet in the dark. They may be flooded with water or under rubble. Waste bags provide a sanitary solution to your bathroom needs when there are no facilities available. Waste Bag is an industry standard term that stands for ‘Waste Alleviation and Gelling’ Bag.
After a disaster, communities will be rebuilt, and the flood waters will recede. If everyone started urinating and defecating anywhere, they would only slow down clean-up efforts and may even cause weakened survivors to become sick.
RESTOP has two types of waste bags; one for urine and another for both liquid and solid wastes. All RESTOP waste bags have a sturdy, puncture-resistant, spill-proof design. They are also odor-free and land-fill safe.
