Emergency Kit Essentials for Disaster Preparedness this 2023

Because of its geographic location near the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is highly prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The country is also located in the typhoon belt of the Pacific, making it perennially visited by no less than 20 typhoons every year, and has been the unfortunate recipient of some of the most powerful and strongest typhoons ever recorded, such as supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013, which claimed more than 6,000 lives.

Having said all this, disaster preparedness is extremely important in our calamity-prone country as a whole. As such, knowing what should contain our emergency kits is key to surviving the wrath of natural disasters and other accidents. In this article, we'll cover it all to help you come up with your own emergency kit essentials for optimal disaster preparedness.

List of disasters and emergencies to prepare emergency supplies for

What do we consider to be emergencies requiring preparedness? These are the following:

Typhoon

As mentioned, the Philippines is a frequent recipient of typhoons. Houses made of substandard materials often bore the brunt of a typhoon's wrath, destroying them in the process. Most, if not all, Filipinos get used to the typhoons and are known to be resilient. Still, disaster preparedness is a must to prevent casualties and property damage.

Earthquake

While utterly unpredictable and can only be measured by how strong after its attack, earthquakes are another natural disaster that befalls the country every year. The power of earthquakes can be best described by how they can ruin even the most sturdy churches and buildings. This makes following earthquake safety tips very important and necessary.

Fire

Fire incidents are not natural disasters, but they remain as massive emergencies that necessitate preparation, safety precaution, and deserving of an entire disaster supplies kit. In 2022 alone, the Bureau of Fire Protection recorded more than 13,000 fire incidents in the country.

Extreme heat

As a tropical country with only two seasons — dry and wet seasons — extreme summer heat can also be considered as an emergency situation that Filipinos must also prepare and take caution for. As such, there must also be an emergency kit intended to either beat the summer heat or survive it.

Power outage

Occidental Mindoro earned the moniker the Brownout Capital of the Philippines. The province only has four hours' worth of electricity daily. But other than Occidental Mindoro, power interruptions are also fairly common nationwide. Torrential rains and typhoons and other natural disasters also cause this incident.

Water shortage

Aside from power interruptions, water supply shortage is another problem in the Philippines. According to the National Water Resources Board, a total of 11 million Filipinos suffer from the lack of access to clean and improved water sources. This prompts many Filipinos to store and conserve water, especially during summer.

Emergency Preparedness Checklist: Basic Emergency Supply Kit

Irrespective of what kind of disaster, there are absolute must-haves in times of emergency situations. Among them are:

• Water. The recommended amount would be one gallon of water per individual per day, which shall cover both drinking and sanitation.

• Food. You must have a sufficient supply of non-perishable food items for several days.

• Batteries and flashlights. Minimize using your phone's flashlight and instead use an actual one with extra batteries.

• First aid kit. This ideally includes a first-aid manual, sterile gauze pads, adhesive and elastic bandages, medical tape, thermometer, over-the-counter drugs, antiseptic ointment, soap, nitrile gloves, needles, and tweezers.

• Whistle to ask for help. This can be immensely helpful if you are trapped in an earthquake and can't scream enough to draw attention.

• A box of disposable face masks. While COVID is no longer a global health emergency, face masks remain helpful to prevent respiratory-related illnesses.

• Duct tape, wrench, and pliers. Pliers and wrenches help in fixing damaged wires in your home during power interruptions.

• Can openers. Not all canned goods are easy to open. Include a can opener in your kit instead of knives.

• Cell phone with a fully-charged power bank. You need your phone primarily for communication and to contact emergency hotlines and notify your family and relatives of your present situation.

• Sleeping bag or warm blanket. This can help you have a decent night's sleep.

• Important family documents. These include birth certificates, land and house titles, valid IDs, and other papers that you think are important.

Personal hygiene items

Sanitation is very important in every emergency situation. Include the following for your personal hygiene items:

• Plastic bucket with a tight lid to store your kit

• Ziploc bags to store and protect your clean supplies

• Plastic garbage bags, plastic sheeting, and plastic ties

• Wet wipes

• Soap

• Shampoo

• Hand sanitizers

• Toilet paper

• Toothpaste and toothbrush

• Towels and washcloths

• Comb and hairbrush

• Sunscreen

• Razor and shaving cream

• Waterproof container

• Feminine supplies

• Mirror

Baby essentials

If you have a baby or a toddler, including baby and toddler essentials is a must. Among these are:

• Pre-mixed or powdered formula milk

• Purified drinking water

• Baby cereal and other baby food items

• Baby clothes

• Diapers

• Baby wipes

• Hand sanitizers

• Maintenance fluids

• Bottles and nipples

• Thermometer

• Medicines and other prescriptions

Pet essentials

Meanwhile, if you're a responsible pet owner, the safety of your furry friends is equally important. Prepare these items for your pet essentials kit:

• Leash, harness, and/or a carrier

• Cat and/or dog food

• Water

• Medications, if any, with their medical records

• Actual photo of your pet in case it goes missing

• Easily transportable dog toys and bedding

The rainy season is just around the corner in the Philippines, which means disaster preparedness couldn't be more important. Please stay safe and dry while having an emergency kit containing what we discussed above!

At Lumina Homes, we ensure that our present and future homeowners are sheltered in communities that are considered generally flood-free. All our Lumina developments are also conveniently located near essential establishments such as local government offices, which include emergency response teams to help during such times.

If you're eyeing an affordable house and lot for sale, Lumina Homes makes for a perfect home investment to protect you and your family from all kinds of disasters and emergencies. Our affordable house and lot provisions are matched with quality lifestyle perks and amenities, including a multipurpose hall, mini-gardens, a play area, a jogging path, gazebos, and a functional community center that can house different offices for everyone.

Claim your dream house and lot in the Philippines very soon and experience convenience and accessibility in a Lumina Homes community!