Do you still remember the big quake of 1990 which leveled so many houses and buildings, particularly in Baguio?
Well, it’s highly likely that another one will hit us at any minute. Scary, right? But it’s important to prepare our families when disaster strikes.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) predicts that a Big Manila Earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 could destroy 40% of the buildings and could kill about 30,000 – 40,000 people in Metro Manila.
While there is no way we can predict exactly what time it will hit, the dangers can be lessened through proper planning and preparedness.
Last year, there were various shake drills in various parts of Metro Manila in schools, offices, residential buildings, etc. But we need to keep ourselves prepared at all times, not just during these earthquake drills.
Here are important things you need to remember in order to prepare your family for the ‘Big One’.
Make a ‘Family Emergency Plan’
Minimize any potential hazards around the home such as loose drawers and heavy sculptures atop high shelves. Make sure to store hardbound books on low shelves or drawers.
Keep copies of important documents (passports, drivers licenses, SSS IDs, insurance forms, etc.) and store them in a separate location.
Know how to shut off water and electricity. You may need to shut these off to prevent further damage after a quake. You must also remember to shut off LPG tanks to avoid explosions and fires.
Set up designated meet-up points. If the quake hits when your family is at work or at school, it’s important to know where to go after the shaking dies down. Remember: not to leave while the quake is ongoing. The two separate meet-up points should be near your home, and outside Manila, in case the city needs to be evacuated.
Have a reliable out-of-town contact person. Choose this person wisely. They should be living in an area which is unlikely to be hit by the earthquake. All family members should have their contact details at all times.
Always keep an emergency plan card handy. Have a printout of all the things you need to remember and distribute copies to each member of the family. If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can install theEmergency Plan for iPhone to make sure these copies aren’t lost.
Put together a Family Emergency kit complete with all you need during the worst possible scenarios.
On the next page, find out how to assemble a Family Emergency Kit
What should be in your Family Emergency Kit?
According to preparemanila.org, there are three types of family emergency kits:
- Household Disaster Supplies which contains enough necessities for the family until you get rescued.
- The Go-Bag with everything you need in the event that you must evacuate your home
- The Get-Home bag which containst things that will help you get home during an emergency
Household disaster supplies
- Water. Around 4 Liters (1 gallon) per person per day to be used for drinking and sanitation.
- First Aid Kit. Don’t forget to have stock of medicines and equipment for family members who have diabetes, hypertension and the like.
- Ready-to-eat, dried and canned food, and vitamins
- A manual can opener, paper or plastic utensils and cooking supplies
- An easy-to-use portable or camping stove
- Generator and fuel
- Fully charged powerbanks
- Flashlights with spare batteries, glow-sticks, candles and matches
- A battery operated or wind-up radio
- Signaling devices such as mirrors, whistles, and flares
- Spare clothes, underwear, and rain wear for the entire family
- Garbage bags
- Toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo
- Duct tape and plastic sheets
- Mosquito net and insect repellent
- Utility knife
- Liquid household bleach (disinfection and water purification)
- Heavy work gloves and dust masks
- Maps of your neighborhood
- Paper, pencil and permanent markers
- Books, board games, and other forms of entertainment
- Extra cash
- Self-defense equipment such as pepper spray (but make sure to use these wisely)
Go-bag and get-home bag
You can have household disaster supplies in these bags, depending on what’s most important but make sure not to make the load too heavy.
The main thing you need to remember is that the go-bag must be ready at your home at all times. While the get-home bag should be with you when you’re out of the house. You can keep it in the trunk of your car or at your office.
You may also merge these two bags into one, just make sure to keep it with you at all times.
READ: Does your barangay fall on the earthquake fault line?
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