Why you need an Emergency Earthquake Kit

If you live in an area prone to earthquakes such as California, it is important you take the proper steps to keep you and your family safe. An earthquake may last minutes, but the after effects could last much longer.

After an earthquake hits, your home could be without electricity, water, and gas for days. Roads will be blocked around town, and stores will closed allowing you only access to the necessities you already have in your home. If it was a sudden hit you may not have any emergency food or water. Most likely any food you had in your refrigerator will go bad without electricity to power it. The only way to prevent being left in the dark, and hungry without any working utilities for days at a time, is to take the proper precautions before an earthquake strikes.

Preparing your home is all about safety. You should strap down big appliances such as water heaters. You should also secure all bookcases, filing cabinets, dressers, and hutches. Try to avoid hanging any pictures or heavy decorations over beds to prevent injuries in case of a nighttime quake. Try to anchor all small fragile items that sit on shelves and latch drawers and cabinets so their contents do not get thrown out and create more of an obstacle for you and your family. Other types of furniture and appliances that you should secure include televisions, computers, and stereos.

Another part of preparing for an earthquake is ensuring you have all the necessities for survival. You can ensure you and your family will have all the necessities to last days after an earthquake by purchasing an earthquake kit.

Our earthquake kits at More Prepared contain:

- 2400 Calorie Food Bars
- Water Boxes w/straws
- Thermal Blankets - retains body heat
- Ponchos with hoods
- Tissue Packs
- Dust Masks - Prevents dust and germ inhalation
- First Aid Kit - comprehensive first aid kit in plastic case
- Water Purification Tablets - to purify unsanitary water
- AM/FM Mini Radio
- 12 Hour Light Stick - bright green light at the snap of a finger
- Pump LED Flashlight
- Safety Whistle - Blow loud for immediate rescue attention
- Pair Vinyl Gloves - Protect hands from infection
- Sanitation/Toilet Bags

For more tips for preparing for an earthquake visit the More Prepared website!

Survival Kits Offer Hope during Alabama Shelter Shortage

Imagine hearing the most terrifying wind you’ve ever heard—roaring, whipping winds battering your house. Before you know it, a tornado has ripped through your town. Your home, your car—almost all of your belongings are gone. You and your loved ones survived, though. That’s all that matters. But now comes the hard part: finding shelter, regrouping, and rebuilding.

Unfortunately, though, a number of individuals in Alabama can’t regroup or rebuild because they can’t find shelter.

According to FEMA over 30,000 people, many of whom are struggling to find temporary housing, have registered for help. Even in more populated areas like Tuscaloosa, there aren’t enough existing structures and hotels to house the homeless. This has left a number of people stuck in their tornado-ravaged homes.

In response to the shortage of shelter, FEMA and the Red Cross are taking action. FEMA has reportedly approved about $9.5 million in grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and uninsured losses. The Red Cross has assisted victims of these deadly storms by distributing disaster kits and survival gear to victims. These survival kits contain everything from food and water to sanitation supplies and important family documents.

Over the past couple weeks, the public eye has darted from one staggering headline to the next. First the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, then the destructive tornadoes in the southern states, and now all eyes seem to be on the death of Osama Bin Laden. However, as our attention shifts from one headline to the next, it’s easy to forget the people left behind. With entire cities displaced and nuclear disaster looming over their heads, Japan has hardly begun to pick up the pieces. And while millions of Americans celebrate the death of Osama Bin Laden, thousands of others fight to regain control of their lives after massive tornadoes flipped them upside down. Luckily, though, this isn’t a fight that has to be won alone.