Kristin Stevens, Director of Climate and Disaster Resilience at Americares, recommends that an earthquake kit, which contains essential survival gear, should be stored on the main floor of one’s home in an easily accessible location. She further suggests that the kit should be within reach of adults, clearly visible in a closet or on a shelf. It is important to ensure that the kit is easily reachable on regular days, as it could become inaccessible in an emergency situation.
For individuals living in areas prone to earthquakes, it is important to maintain preparedness consistently due to the possibility of earthquakes occurring at any time. It is crucial to have an easily reachable earthquake survival kit which is regularly updated with new supplies. The kit should be spacious, strong, and kept in a secure spot at a lower temperature. Making a habit of replenishing your earthquake survival kit twice a year is recommended and can be aligned with memorable occasions such as holidays, birthdays, time changes, or any other easily recalled schedule. Furthermore, ensure that the kit includes the essential items mentioned.
Water is crucial for an earthquake survival kit, as it is necessary to have a one-week supply for all household members, including pets. It is generally recommended to have one gallon of water per day per person, which will suffice for drinking, cleaning, and basic hygiene in case of being stranded or without services following the earthquake.
It is essential to include a one-week’s supply of food in an earthquake survival kit. In the past, MREs, which stands for meals ready to eat, were only available for the military, but now they are widely accessible to the general public. MREs are a favorable choice for an earthquake survival kit due to their long shelf life, compact size, and nutritional value. By following the instructions on the package, MREs can typically stay edible for three to five years. Additionally, freeze-dried and dehydrated bulk food, along with common canned goods like peanut butter, tuna fish, canned vegetables, and sardines, are also suitable options for the kit.
Utensils and Home Supplies – Can openers, cooking supplies, mess kits, and Swiss Army knives should be included in every earthquake preparedness kit as they are crucial. Additionally, it is recommended to have a one-week stock of disposable utensils and paper goods, including:
- Knives, forks and spoons
- Napkins, toilet paper and paper towels
- Paper cups for hot and cold beverages
- Two kinds of wet wipes, those designed for personal use and those containing bleach for home-cleaning purposes
- Matches in a waterproof pouch or other fire starter such as a flint rod
- Garbage bags
- Personal hygiene items, such as sanitary napkins, tampons, diapers and soap
- Oral hygiene supplies, including toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss
- Dish soap, detergent and steel wool
In the event of an earthquake or if you choose to use water from an uncertain source like a river or lake, you can utilize water purifier tablets or chlorine bleach to ensure the water is safe to consume. Water purifier tablets can eliminate the majority of bacteria, although not necessarily all types. Alternatively, you can disinfect water by adding 16 drops of unscented chlorine bleach with no additional cleaners to one gallon.
When it comes to medications and medical supplies, it is advisable to store a week’s worth of prescription and over-the-counter drugs for each member of the household in sealed pouches that are waterproof. It is important to regularly check the expiration dates and replace any items that are close to their expiry.
It is important to have a variety of tools available, including wrenches for shutting off gas, water, and power lines, as well as rope, screwdrivers, hammers, a crowbar, and an ax. Additionally, it is advisable to store an extra fire extinguisher specifically for use during earthquakes.
It is crucial to have a flashlight and radio with additional batteries to ensure that there is adequate light and communication after an earthquake. It is possible for cell phone and internet service to become unreliable during or after earthquakes, regardless of their magnitude, making it necessary to have a backup source of information. To ensure this backup is readily available, it is important to store the appropriate-sized batteries in a cool, dry, and airtight location.
Our Top Picks
Redfora Complete Earthquake Bag
In our testing, the Redfora Complete Earthquake Bag emerged as the top choice due to its inclusion of a majority of the essential items required immediately after an earthquake. Notably, it incorporates items such as goggles, gloves, a whistle, and rope that align with the CDC’s recommendations. The only items that would enhance the completeness of this backpack-style earthquake kit are a foldable shovel and an ax; however, these are challenging to acquire in most pre-assembled alternatives.
It is surprising how compact this backpack-style option is while still being able to sustain two people for up to 72 hours. However, there is also a larger option available for up to six people. During testing, we were amazed by the excellent organization of this kit, making it easy to locate necessary items. It effectively separates survival essentials into waterproof pouches that can be resealed. These pouches are color-coded and specific to each category, which includes tools and first aid, shelter and warmth, food and water, and personal hygiene.
Ready America 70280 72-Hour Emergency Kit
Having a basic earthquake kit doesn’t have to be expensive. You can acquire the Ready America Emergency Kit, which may not be the most inclusive kit available, but it is compact, portable, and affordable. Unlike other kits that can be very heavy, this emergency bag is easy to carry around without straining your back. Although its capabilities were slightly limited during testing, we found it to be lightweight enough to quickly grab in case of a disaster.
This earthquake kit for two people addresses the most urgent requirements following an earthquake. The lightweight backpack contains high-caloric food bars, water pouches, two survival blankets, and ponchos for basic shelter essentials. Although a tube tent is not provided, there is ample space in the pack to personalize the kit according to individual needs. Consistent with standard earthquake preparedness recommendations, this option includes a first-aid kit, dust masks, and a whistle. While the nitrile gloves are useful for medical purposes, they do not fulfill the suggestion of including work gloves in an emergency kit.
Uncharted Supply Company The Seventy2 Survival System
If you want to spend money on a survival kit to feel more secure, the Seventy2 Survival System from Uncharted Supply Co is a great choice. We suggest this well-arranged pack as the top premium earthquake kit because it has a variety of tools, an informative insert, and a considerate design. By keeping this waterproof, 600D pack with a comfortable harness in your closet or car, you’ll be more ready for various survival situations, including an earthquake.
The canvas insert at the core of the Seventy2 Survival System contains pouches designed to fulfill crucial requirements like water, warmth, food, and air quality. These pouches comprise the necessary tools and equipment to satisfy the basic needs of both yourself and another person for 72 hours following a calamity. Notably, this survival kit stands out by including a versatile shovel and pickaxe, tools that are frequently recommended for earthquake survival.
Protect Life Emergency First-Aid Kit
The Protect Life Emergency First Aid Kit is an important component of any disaster preparedness plan. Although it does not contain all the recommended earthquake items by the CDC, it does have useful items like an emergency poncho, light sticks, and a compass. However, we do not recommend relying solely on this kit as your primary earthquake kit. Additionally, it does include some basic survival supplies that can be very helpful. The zippered case is compact and can easily fit into various spaces such as closets, desk drawers, glove boxes, or vehicle trunks. During testing, we appreciated its lightweight nature and compared it to the size of a typical toiletry bag.
The earthquake kit for first aid contains over 50 bandages, such as butterfly closure strips, adhesive bandages, and specialty bandages like a first-aid abdominal pad, elbow or knee bandage, and triangular bandage. Other essential items found included disposable gloves, wound prep pads and dressing, as well as antiseptic cleaning wipes. Along with handling basic medical issues, the Protect Life Emergency First Aid Kit also provides a poncho, heat-reflecting blanket, and a rescue whistle.
How We Tested the Kits
This list was created by combining insights from our testers’ hours of assessment of these kits, keeping in mind the CDC recommendations. Every item was thoroughly tested, from granola bars to flashlights, before rating each kit based on quality, utility, versatility, size, and overall value. Our writers’ and editors’ independent research was then incorporated to compile this list for you.
