Are we prepared?
The Philippines is a tropical country frequently visited by typhoons especially in the monsoon months. It is also located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, putting us at greater risk for earthquakes and tsunamis.
During the past years, there are noticeable improvements with the way our government disseminates information regarding typhoons and calamities. And early this year, aggressive campaigns for the potential earthquake of the West Valley Fault are made. According to PHILVOCS, this fault is ‘ripe’ and may move anytime creating, in a worst-case scenario, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake. With the fault stretching from Bulacan all the way down to Laguna, Metro Manila and nearby provinces will surely take the hit.
While we can’t do anything to stop these natural disasters from happening, we can keep our families safe and protected by preparing for these kinds of emergencies. Although there’s no perfect formula for safety, here are some guidelines to help you get started:
1. Prepare a Family Emergency Plan
- Disseminate Information. Know where’s the appropriate emergency exit route inside your house. If you live in a building or condo, know where the fire exits are and disseminate information in your household. Orient everyone of the “Drop-Cover-Hold” position. Also, buy everyone a whistle and flashlight. They may become very handy during emergencies.
- Inspect your house. If it’s already an old house, have it assessed by a structural engineer if it can withstand a high impact earthquake. Minimize potential hazards by securing furniture and large appliances inside the house.
- Make copies of important documents. Keep them safe and in a different location (if possible).
- Set meeting points. At Kiel's school, they were asked to fill out an NDRRMC unification form. It includes information on where to pick up the child in emergency cases and the contact person(s) as well as phone numbers of contact person(s) allowed to pick-up the child.
- Have copies of important contact numbers. Make copies of the contact numbers of your entire household. Also, keep copies of emergency hotline numbers (Barangay, Police, Hospital, etc.).
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| photo credit from: newsinfo.inquirer.net |
2. Prepare your Emergency Kits
Yes, you read it right. Kits. According to preparemanila.org, there are three types of kits: A. Household Disaster Kit (or Lifeline Kit, according to Phil. Red Cross), B. Go-Bag and C. Get-Home bag.
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| photo credit from: http://www.redcross.org.ph/ |
- Lifeline Kit. As per the Philippine Red Cross, we have to prepare a 72-hour lifeline kit, as this is the most crucial hours after a disaster. Here are some things you need to pack for your lifeline kit:
Water. Prepare 1 gallon per person per day.
Food. Non-perishable. Your supply must be sufficient for 3 days for all family members.
Emergency tools and gears. Includes emergency numbers, whistle, flashlight, extra batteries, multi-purpose knife, radio transmitter, ropes, etc
Hygiene Kit.
Important documents and money.
Special medications (if any).
First Aid Kit.
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| Our rechargeable light and AM/FM radio |
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| Our emergency tool kit |
For complete list of what your lifeline kit must contain, please click here.
- Go-Bag. This bag must be accessible in your house and can be used for quick evacuation. The contents of the bag must be a subset of the items in your lifeline kit.
- Get-Home Bag. This bag is kept in places where you’re outside the house such as place of work or trunk of your car. The contents of the bag must be a subset too of the items in your lifeline kit.
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