Disasters are common to us Filipinos, almost every year we experience a fatal and life-seeking disaster. Philippines is one of the disaster-prone countries in Asia. Almost every year we got hit by one or even more disasters may it be typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. But what is common to us Filipinos is we know how to prepare for the things that we might need and even those that we don’t. What we don’t realize is we must set first the priorities needed by the family.
Disaster hazards are still present so we always have to be prepared. One good practice of a family is having a good disaster management plan which includes plotting routes to the evacuation center and most importantly, having a 3-day Disaster Kit which can be used by the family when scarcity is present.
Clothing is part of our personal hygiene, we have to change our clothes daily in order to feel more comfortable and we can also use clothes to cover up or can serve as protection against the adverse climate conditions.
Water, Canned Goods, Noodles and Biscuits best suit as food supplies for is can be easily cooked or ready to eat. We can live without food but we can’t live without water so it is very important to prepare gallons of water that can sustain the thirstiness of each member of the family. Noodles is an easy to cook food so it is suggested to included in our disaster kit but it’s not good for our health to prepare noodles regularly. Most of the canned goods can be eaten even without cooking it so it will be easy for us to eat it because we don’t have to cook and specially that most of the canned goods are in easy open can. Food is the most important set of things we have to prepare in our disaster kit.
First aid kit is needed in treating a wound or assisting to someone that is injured or needs help. Alcohol, Cotton Buds, Agua Oxegenada, Betadine, Flammazine are the primary items found inside your first aid kit in treating a wound. It would be better if we have more things to include in our kit just in case. We may include medicines in it if someone doesn’t feel good. It is also better if each member of the family know how to do bandaging or the proper carries when someone is badly injured.
Mobile phones or devices, power bank, and connector is also needed not just foods, clothes and first aid kit. Power banks are very important specially during disaster because more likely all sources of electricity will shut down and there would be a major black out in the area. You can use your phones to receive information from other places specifically news or update of what’s happening. Power bank, mobile phones and connector is a set that should be complete. If your phone has a low power you can charge them to your power bank by using the connector.
Emergency lamps, solar lamp, flashlight, rechargeable fan has a lot of uses during and after disasters not just during disasters but also anytime that the source of power or electricity is cut off for it commonly happens when there is a disaster. It is needed especially during night time. These things has a lot of uses so you must not forget to include these items in your kit.
Disasters can be really traumatizing for everyone especially for the children. Board games, puzzles or any recreational games that kids can play with can also serve as distraction during and after the said disaster it can also give you time to focus on what you will do or doing. You may give your children play cards so that they can be busy and they won’t bother you while you’re taking action for the disaster.
Important documents – Documents that can serve as proof of your properties (e.g. land title) also it serves as identification (life birth) so it is necessary to pack it in the disaster kit just in case. You’ll never know when are you going to need these important documents so better keep it a sealed kit so it wont get soak.
Don’t forget your extra money. Stores usually closes when and after a disaster happens but you’ll never know when you’re gonna need it. Keep an amount you think is enough to sustain the needs of every member of the family.
The things mentioned above are the things that can help you during at risk. Planning can also be a good disaster preparedness nature to your family. Always replace the stock inside you kit and always remind all the family members what to do during and after the disaster.
‘Prevention is better than cure’ a very famous and known line. Being prepared in any situation is the best way for prevention. Learn from the experience of others so it wont happen to you and your family. You want to live? Have faith in God and by planning and practicing with your family about what you will do and where you will go in case of a natural disaster or other emergency in that way you will increase your chances of safety. Its good thing to learn and have knowledge about what to do when a disaster comes because having more learning will put us into safety. Remember when it comes to disaster be prepared, being active and being wise will prevent on losing something. Think wisely and pick the things you need the most.
Disaster Preparedness Kit 