Mt. Rainier blows WA residents unprepared

Andrew Garten

Copy Editor

That could be the headline in tommorow’s paper. They say that tragedy comes in threes, but the recent natural disasters seem to have lost count. We live in the shadow of Mt. Rainier, but it could erupt any time in our lifetimes. But we don’t have to get caught unprepared in the fireworks of an eruption without the essentials. It is recommended that each home and car contain a disaster supply kit. The home kit should be stored in a convenient location known to all family members. We’ve compiled a list of a few items that you should keep on hand should an emergency erupt right here in Seattle:

Food

• Store a three days supply of food that does not need mixing or cooking with water.
• The following foods are recommended: ready to eat meats, fruits, vegetables, canned juices, canned milk, peanut butter, jelly, granola bars, trail mix, infant foods. Other items may include salt, pepper, sugar, vitamins, cookies, candy, cereal, coffee, tea.
• Don’t forget to include food and water for family pets.

Water

• One gallon per person per day is recommended with a minimum of three days’ supply.
• Store in clean, sanitized containers with screw-on caps. Sanitize containers using one teaspoon of unscented household bleach in one gallon of water. Pour this solution into containers; let stand 2 minutes, drain, and then fill with tap water.
• Label containers and store in a cool, dark place. Replace water every 6 months.

Clothing

• Your supply kit should contain at least one change of clothes for each family member.
• Include blankets or sleeping bags
• You may wish to include, rain gear, sunglasses, work boots, hats and work gloves.
• Don’t forget special need items such as diapers, medication, glasses, baby food or baby formula, games or a few toys for children.

First Aid Kit

• If purchasing a kit, select one approved by the American Red Cross.
• If assembling a kit at home, the following items should be included: sterile bandages and gauze pads in assorted sizes, adhesive tape, triangular and roller bandages, scissors, tweezers, needles, safety pins, antibacterial towelettes, thermometer, tongue depressors, sunscreen, petroleum jelly or lubricant, soap, hand sanitizer, latex gloves, pain reliever, antacid, anti-diarrhea medication.

Tools and Supplies

• The following items should be placed in your emergency supply kit: battery operated radio/TV, flashlight, utility knife, area map, cash, checks or traveler’s checks in watertight container, fire extinguisher, pliers, heavy duty tape, shut-off wrench for utilities, matches (in watertight container), needles, thread, paper, pencils, aluminum foil, plastic storage containers, paper/plastic plates, plastic utensils and cups, toilet paper, personal hygiene products, dishwashing detergent, plastic garbage bags, plastic bucket with lid or portable potty, and household bleach for disinfecting(replace bleach every 6 months).
Our coat closet has two small duffel bags – one for each of us. In each bag are enough supplies to help us survive the first 3 days of a disaster. The duffels make them mobile if we have to evacuate quickly. We need to update them now to include diapers for the baby, and other baby things. We also have packed all our camping gear in a large plastic tub with wheels on one end. If it gets that bad, one of us alone can wheel the gear out the door and to the car easily enough to make the great escape a pretty slick operation.