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Earthquakes happen--especially here.  Most of us are lulled into a false sense of security by the fact that we’ve lived here a year or a decade or a lifetime and have never felt anything worse than a little jolt.  

Our recent swarm of quakes in the Verdi/Mogul area is a wakeup call to everyone in Reno and Sparks to get ready on a very personal level.   

A large earthquake could disrupt our lives in ways we can only imagine.  How would you get to work if I-80 were blocked?  What if we had no electricity or gas for a week, or even a month or two? What would you do if there were a major interruption of the food and water supply?    

Worst of all, what if there were no TV?  Just kidding.  

Every family could essentially be on its own for days.  Think forced camping.   

So, how do you prepare?  You can find great detail at FEMA’s website at http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm.  However, most of us learn better by hearing the reasons why instead of just following a list, so I’ve started a more conversational list.  It’s largely paraphrased from the book Bird Flu What to Do:  Prepare to Survive, by Verona Fonté and other contributors.  (Whatever the disaster, if it isolates you from normal supply channels, it requires similar preparation.)  Over the next few days and weeks, I’ll add other steps, a few at a time.  

In fact, small steps may be the best way to prepare for possible disaster.  Few of us have the time or money to do it all at once.  If you do a little at a time, you will become as  ready as you can be, and you’ll find it easier to sleep through the night in the meantime.   

Keep in mind, though, we’re talking about emergency supplies only.  Visit the FEMA site above to learn how to keep your belongings from falling on your head in an earthquake—that’s important, too!

DISASTER SUPPLIES  

Expect the best, but always be prepared for the worst.  

What should you have on hand in case of emergency:  

Water  

Water is key to survival.  Earthquakes could easily interrupt the supply of safe water.  In as little as 36 hours you will begin to feel the effects of dehydration.  

In an emergency situation each person will need at least two gallons of water a day for the basics—drinking, cleaning, and cooking.  Count on it.

Prepare to store it if you can, but be aware that your stock must be rotated to minimize the chance of getting contaminated.  If storage isn’t practical, stock up on bladders that can be filled quickly.  At the very least, fill your bathtub, use ice cubes, tank reservoir of your toilet (not the bowl), water pipes, and water heater.  

 And, you need to have bleach on hand to kill any microorganisms that could be in the water.  

DO NOT USE WATER from toilet bowls, water beds, radiators, or swimming pools or spas. 

MINIMUM  

            Get water containers  

            Have Bleach in you home 

Food  

Part of emergency preparedness is mental.  You’ll feel more secure when you have at least the very basics and understand what to do.   You’ll also need to put some thought into storage so it isn’t wasted by heat, dirt, or infestation.  

Think variety, stability, and storage.  

Food should be stored in air-tight containers in a cool, dark and dry area.  Make sure it is off the ground and away from any household, garden, or automotive chemicals.  

Buy freeze dried, dehydrated, canned, and regular dry staples—beans, rice, pasta, etc.  Fresh foods may be in real short supply, but some fruits and vegetables like potatoes can be stored for weeks in the conditions.  

You should have enough food for everyone and everything in your house for 30-90 days.  If you can’t see the expiration date easily, use a magic marker to label it with the date of purchase.  

Choose foods that satisfy both your physical and some emotion needs.  In this case, comfort foods are a good thing.  Any emergency kit that includes Oreos, Snickers, and good coffee beans, goes a long way towards my personal survival.  

Everyone will need at least one balanced meal a day and two quarts of water just to maintain energy levels and normal body functions.   

Don’t forget pet food.  

MINIMUM  

Create a basic stock pile of NON-perishable foods now.