After B.C.’s south coast was shaken by a 4.3-magnitude earthquake late last night, many people were left wondering if they are sufficiently prepared in case of an emergency.
The conversation quickly turned to emergency preparedness kits and what resources are required to survive an earthquake.
The suggestion on getprepared.gc.ca is that you should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.
It is important to make sure the emergency preparedness kit is easy to find and everyone in the household knows where it is.
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WATCH: We break down the essential items for any earthquake preparedness kit – including some things you may have overlooked.
The basic supplies that must be in your kit should include at least two litres of water per person per day, food that won’t spoil, manual can-opener, crank or battery-powered flashlight, a crank or battery-powered radio, a first aid kit, extra keys to your car and house, some cash in smaller bills, a copy of your emergency plan and contact information.
Other items such as prescription medications, infant formula, equipment for people with disabilities, as well as food, water and medication for your pets or service animal are also recommended.
Finally, having little things like toilet paper, water purifying tablets, duct tape and a whistle could be of great use in an emergency situation.
READ MORE: Here’s a look at 5 of the largest earthquakes to strike B.C.
Here is a full list of suggested items:
- Two additional litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning
- Candles and matches or lighter (place candles in deep, sturdy containers and do not burn unattended)
- Change of clothing and footwear for each household member
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each household member
- Toiletries
- Hand sanitizer
- Utensils
- Garbage bags
- Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, work gloves, dust mask, pocket knife)
Emergency items to keep in your vehicle include:
- Blanket
- Candle in a deep can and matches
- Extra clothing and shoes
- First aid kit with seatbelt cutter
- Flashlight (crank or battery-powered, replace batteries once a year)
- Food that won’t spoil (such as energy bars)
- List of contact numbers
- Radio (crank or battery-powered, replace batteries once a year)
- Small shovel, scraper and snowbrush
- Warning light or road flares
- Water
- Whistle
For the list of items necessary for an emergency kit for pets, go here.
The Canadian Red Cross is selling pre-packaged emergency kits on their website at shop.redcross.ca.
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