Contents of a 'Disaster Prevention Pouch' to Survive a Few Hours to an Overnight Stay 2024
The other day, I reviewed my disaster prevention goods by stage once again. The stages are as follows.
Level 0 Disaster Prevention: Items to keep in the bag you always carry"Disaster Prevention Pouch"
Level 1 Disaster Prevention: Items to take when evacuating from home"Disaster Prevention Backpack"
Level 2 Disaster Prevention: Items for spending several days or more at home or in an evacuation center"Disaster Prevention Container"
This time, I will introduce what I put in my disaster prevention pouch. Many of these were bought at physical stores, but I will add Amazon links if there are similar items available. Please feel free to use this as a reference.
Pouch
I chose one that has a zipper where I can attach a whistle and allows for sorting. A Ziploc bag is also sufficient. If you are not confident in your ability to review it regularly, it might be good to choose one that is transparent so that the contents are always visible.
Whistle
I chose this because I wanted to see the "Major Earthquake Response Manual" that came with the set. It is said that 80% of the victims of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake died from suffocation or being crushed. I included it so I can call for help as quickly as possible.
Aluminum Thermal Blanket
I chose a compact type for the disaster prevention pouch. I have larger, more durable ones at home and in my car. It is said that the rustling sound of aluminum sheets can sometimes make it impossible to sleep, so be sure to check that when choosing one.
Disinfecting Wet Wipes
Wet wipes tend to dry out easily, so I included ones that can be stored for 5 years. I bought a pack with many in it and am distributing them to my family and friends.
Emergency Contact List (Self-made)
I put the contact list for family and friends that I created the other day into a pack so it wouldn't get wet.
Major Earthquake Response Manual
I put the "Major Earthquake Response Manual" that came with the whistle into a pack along with the "Emergency Contact List." It clearly explains the action flow during a disaster, how to perform life-saving procedures, and how to use the disaster message dial and disaster message board. There was also a section to write down the sunrise and sunset times for each season, so I looked them up online and filled them in.
Overnight Stay Set
I thought it would be stressful not to be able to remove my makeup if I had to stay somewhere for a few hours or overnight, so I included an 'overnight stay set' often sold at drugstores and convenience stores. It also contains small amounts of toner and lotion. If you have long hair, it's a good idea to include hair ties, hairpins, and a headband as well.
Sanitary Set
I included napkins, Synchro Fit, and painkillers, and wrote the expiration date on the painkillers. I found a cute sanitary pouch at Seria; it's convenient because it hides the contents and has odor-blocking properties. (By the way, recent Seria stores have a great selection of sanitary-related products, which is a big help!)
Writing Utensils
I included an oil-based ballpoint pen, an oil-based permanent marker, and memo paper. I heard from someone who has lived in an evacuation center that oil-based pens are more useful than water-based ones, so I chose oil-based. Since a notebook would be heavy, I only included 5 sheets of paper.
Flashlight with Whistle
This is a mini-sized flashlight that runs on one AAA battery, and the tip functions as a whistle. I have experienced a power outage during an earthquake, and it was terrifying when the entire area went pitch black, especially when you are in an area without commercial facilities or office buildings, so I included this.
Cash
Since I live a 90% cashless life, I included 2,000 yen, mostly in 10-yen coins for public phones. If transportation IC cards like Suica become unusable, I want to ensure I have enough money to get home from work or school, or to reach a place where I can meet up with my family.
By the way, you can check the locations of public telephones on the website below!
https://publictelephone.ntt-east.co.jp/ptd/map/
Snacks
I included 'Imuraya Yokan (Chocolate Flavor),' which has been talked about for being delicious. It can be stored for 5 years, and one bar provides 197kcal of energy. I also included 'Propolis Candy' and 'Tankiri Throat Lozenges,' which I love using when my throat hurts or I have a cough.
First Aid Kit
A bottle of disinfectant would be heavy, but there are 'single-use alcohol disinfectant wipes.' You might sustain a major injury during a disaster, so I also included large-sized adhesive bandages.
Hand Warmers
I included 'regular hand warmers' and 'sock-type hand warmers.' Hand warmers also have expiration dates, so they need to be checked periodically. If you have never used the type that goes inside your shoes or sticks to your socks, I highly recommend trying them!
Masks
I included two individually wrapped masks for protection against infectious diseases and for keeping warm.
Tissues
If you carry a little extra of things you use often, you might be able to share them with people around you, so I included them in my disaster prevention pouch. It might also be a good idea to include a slightly higher-quality one like 'Hana Celeb'.
Other items I carry with me daily
Mobile battery
Towel
Tissues
Wet wipes
Eco-bag
Wallet
Smartphone
Lip balm
Hand cream
Items I did not put in the disaster prevention pouch
Although I thought an 'emergency toilet' would be necessary, I couldn't imagine using it when I'm far from home, so I didn't include it. I also didn't include a 'privacy poncho' for the same reason. I have both prepared at home and in my car, but I will consider adding them depending on where I am going.
Customize your own disaster prevention pouch!
For those who think 'it's a hassle to buy everything yourself,' it might be easier to start by buying a pre-made set and then customizing it by adding contact lens care products if you wear contacts, or medication if you have a chronic condition.
Customize based on your environment and the season!
In my case, I basically work from home and rely on my car on weekends, so I rarely have the opportunity to take a train to go far away alone. When I am alone, I am usually just shopping around my nearest station, so if something were to happen, there is a high possibility I could walk home.
Therefore, the contents of this disaster prevention pouch are based on the assumption that I am going somewhere where I cannot walk home alone.
As the hot season approaches, I plan to add items like 'ice packs,' 'cooling rings,' 'sweat wipes,' and a 'handheld fan,' and change the contents accordingly.
Let's prepare for 'someday' by customizing our pouches to survive a few hours to an overnight stay, tailored to our individual work styles, lifestyles, budgets, and family situations!
I have also written various other articles about disaster prevention, so please take a look if you'd like 💫