Yesterday we had a reminder that we live in earthquake country. Today, I am reassessing my preparedness.

In a hall linen closet I have the following:

•  First Aid kit by Johnson and Johnson. I have written CPR steps in large letters and enclosed it in the kit.
•  Portable potty, extra bags, tissue and paper towels.
•  Assortment of candles: from tea lights to very large, long- lasting candles with strong holders, also a box of matches in a plastic bag
•  Two Eveready  floating utility lanterns with shatterproof lens:  One has the super heavy duty battery in it ready to use, and the other lantern has the battery attached. (To keep batteries from depleting while not being used, reverse them in the flashlight. Naturally you have to have your wits about you to put them in properly when needed.)  Available at many stores including Home Depot.
• a wrench to turn off the gas, (use only if there is a leak, which you will be able to smell)
• Oh, oh. . . I discover that the eyeglasses I have stored are much too old, so they must be replaced. 
• Do I have extra canned goods that could sustain me for a few days?
• I see a leash, but where is there extra dog food for Ralphie?
• Along with these in-house supplies, I have an emergency bag with many of the same items, ready to take if I am forced to leave the house, including emergency "space" blankets.  I have a similar kit in the car with additional jackets, shoes, blankets, water, etc.
• In the garage is a container on wheels filled with sleeping blanket, tent, pump, canned food with opener.  I have a five gallon container of water to use for emergency washing, etc. I try to always keep six or seven gallons of bottled water which I regularly use and replace.

I won't continue with all I have stored, but you can see that I take it seriously.  The problem with yesterday was that I wasn't at home, wasn't near my car.  My cell phone stopped working for a while and I was with an elderly friend with health problems.  SO, even though I am prepared in some ways, I have much to do in preparing for other eventualities. 

How about you? Are you prepared?  What does your family need? See other posts I've written on the subject and look for more in the future. 

The Schoolmarm