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Emergency preparedness checklist and supply list.
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PrepareNow.org • Review this list when household needs change.
Core household supplies
- Safe drinking water and food-preparation water
- Food that suits household dietary needs
- Torch and spare batteries
- Battery or wind-up radio
- Charged power banks and cables
- First-aid supplies
- Current medicines and prescriptions information
- Warm layers, blankets and weather protection
- Hygiene and sanitation supplies
- Cash in useful small amounts
- Paper contact list and local map
- Supplies for babies, older adults, pets or assistance animals
Leave-home bag
- One-page household plan
- Identification and essential document copies
- Water and suitable food
- Medicines and medical information
- Phone, cable and power bank
- Torch
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Hygiene essentials
- Mobility, sensory and communication supports
- Keys, payment method and transport information
Before severe weather
- Official forecast and warning level checked
- Devices and backup batteries charged
- Outdoor objects secured or brought inside
- Safe water and no-cook food checked
- Medicines and essential equipment checked
- Travel changed or cancelled if advised
- People in support network contacted
- Pets and animals brought to safety
Earthquake hazard reduction
- Tall furniture anchored to structural wall members
- Water heater and major appliances properly restrained
- Qualified professional consulted about flexible utility connections
- Cabinets latched and heavy or breakable items stored low
- Heavy objects moved away from beds and seats
- Exits, stairs and mobility routes kept clear
- Sturdy shoes, torch, gloves and whistle beside each bed
- Drop, Cover and Hold On practised in each common location
- Accessible Lock, Cover and Hold method agreed
- Gas, electricity and water controls identified
- Tsunami or landslide route checked where relevant
- Meeting points chosen on both sides of likely route failures
Immediately after earthquake shaking
- Pause and check overhead hazards before standing
- Sturdy shoes, torch and head protection put on
- Injuries and immediate life threats checked
- Fire, gas, electrical and water hazards checked from safety
- Coastal evacuation started after strong or long shaking where required
- Damaged building left by a safe route without using lifts
- Household members accounted for at the meeting point
- Short status text sent to the out-of-area contact
- Official alerts or battery radio monitored
- Closed roads, bridges, tunnels and landslides avoided
- Drop, Cover and Hold On repeated for every aftershock
- No re-entry until the required safety inspection
Plan review
- Contact names and numbers still correct
- Meeting places still accessible
- Schools, workplaces and care plans checked
- Medicines and equipment list updated
- Transport options still available
- Local alert subscriptions working
- Stored supplies safe and in date
- Every person understands the plan