DIY: Emergency toolkits

Earthquake, Nepal, The Telegraph

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You never know when a disaster will strike. Best to be prepared. Many agencies have webpages with advice on how to prepare for and withstand the conditions of an emergency. Often these pages deal specifically with natural disasters likely to occur in your area. Here in Anchorage we have the Emergency Management pages, published by the municipality.

Being prepared often means having supplies and a toolkit set aside, 'just in case'. Ready.gov's Basic Disaster Supplies lists some essentials. The site offers a wealth of information on other topics related to preparedness, as well. And you may want to take a moment to reflect on what you would sorely miss (that can be included) if disaster strikes.

DMV.org and Edmunds list emergency supplies for your car. It's surprising how long these lists are. Edmunds notes

Granted, all these items practically necessitate a Ford Excursion to haul them down the road, but a basic version with two roadside flares, a quart of oil, small first aid kit, extra fuses, flashlight, Leatherman Tool (or any other multipurpose tool commonly containing pliers, wire cutters, knife, saw, bottle opener, screwdrivers, files and an awl), tire inflator, rags, pocket knife, pen and paper and a help sign will take up a minimal amount of trunk space.

For your home there's a list at The Family Handyman that makes for interesting reading. As the article says:

A disaster can make you a victim or victor. Luck plays a part, and so does knowing what to do. But nothing matters more than preparation. And that means having the right stuff in your emergency arsenal. Here are our suggestions to help you overcome disasters big and small.

-- Marge