The Terror of Lifeline Shutdown, the Reality I Saw in Kobe Vol. 4

[Part 4]
The Option of Sheltering at Home -
Preparedness and Survival Skills to Apply the Lessons of Kobe

In the previous installments of this series, I have shared the harsh conditions when lifelines are cut off by a major earthquake, incorporating my own experiences from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Fortunately, my apartment in Iwaya, Nada Ward, Kobe City, escaped major damage, but living without electricity, gas, water, and sewage was beyond imagination.
At that time, if one's home was safe, many people would have chosen to "shelter at home." This time, I will delve into the specific preparations and life hacks that make sheltering at home possible, as well as the disaster prevention items I keenly felt "I wish I had..." because I experienced that earthquake.

Why "Shelter at Home"? From My Experience in Kobe

Immediately after the earthquake, many of the residents in my apartment building stayed at home because, fortunately, the building was intact. Evacuation centers were overflowing with people who had lost their homes, and there were limits to how many they could accept. Being able to live in a familiar place while maintaining at least some privacy was one of the few comforts amidst the chaos.

Privacy and Peace of Mind
Living with strangers was avoided, and the mental burden was reduced.
Reduced risk of infectious diseases: At the time, infectious disease control was not as emphasized as it is now, but in the end, avoiding crowds might have been significant.
Utilization of Remaining Household Goods
We were able to make the most of what we had on hand, such as small amounts of food and clothing.
However, this is only under the major premise that "the home is safe." And I keenly felt that to continue living in a home where lifelines have stopped, more preparation and ingenuity than one might imagine are necessary. Honestly, my preparations back then were insufficient.
If you are prepared, the future will change
That was the moment I thought so

Checklist for "Preparedness" for Sheltering at Home -
From the Lessons of Kobe

Amidst the anxiety of not knowing when lifelines would be restored, I will list specific preparations based on what I really struggled with in Kobe and what I regretted "I should have done this."
I am also posting this as a reminder to myself

Food and Drinking Water
Stockpile at least one week's worth, preferably more. At the time, it was said to be 3 days' worth, but that was naive. Restoration takes time.
A portable gas stove and gas canisters are essential. At that time, I only had a few, and I felt really helpless. Now I stockpile plenty.
It is said that 3 liters of drinking water per person per day is needed, but considering water for daily life (toilets, etc.), even more is necessary. It would be better to have a plastic tank as well.
I should have increased the variety of retort foods and canned goods that can be eaten without heating and are easy to prepare.
Since it is a waste to use water for washing dishes,a style of eating by putting a plastic bag over the disheswas born.

Toilet Countermeasures
This is truly, truly the most important thing!
Not having portable toilets or emergency toilets might have been the biggest problem I faced in Kobe. The apartment toilet could not be used, and the struggle to dispose of waste was indescribable. Now, I always stockpile enough for the whole family to use for over a week.
Coagulants, deodorizing bags, toilet paper (it is consumed more than you imagine), and wet wipes are also needed in large quantities.
In reality, I went to tent villages or used station toilets.
I have never been so concerned about the location of a toilet.

Securing Means of Information Gathering
A battery-powered radio is essential. How anxious I was at that time because there was no information. Spare batteries are necessary.
It would be even better if it were a radio or flashlight that can be used regardless of the battery type.
Now we have smartphones, but they are useless if they cannot be charged. Multiple large-capacity mobile batteries, and if possible,a solar chargeras well.
Solar charging is better to have!!

Securing Light
I had a flashlight, but the batteries ran out quickly. I keenly felt the importance of something that can be used for a long time like an LED lantern, and a headlamp (leaving both hands free).
Recently, light bulbs with built-in batteries have appeared.
They are revolutionary light bulbs
Recommended

Hygiene Products
Since water is precious,wet wipes, alcohol disinfectant, and dry shampooare really useful.
They were not very widespread back then, but now I would definitely stockpile them.
Garbage bags in large quantities too. They are essential for disposing of raw garbage and waste.

Cold and Heat Countermeasures
January in Kobe was cold. When electricity and gas stop, there is no means of heating. Pocket warmers, blankets, sleeping bags, and aluminum blankets are essential. Ingenuity to block cold air from windows was also necessary.
Nowadays, I recommend a portable battery and an electric blanket.
A small electric kotatsu is also convenient to have for sheltering at home.

[Featured Item]
I want this from my experience in Kobe!
Solar-charging 2000W portable battery & hot water cooking

Now, speaking of disaster preparedness,
it's a portable gas stove, but
there is a warning about portable gas stoves
Although it is a convenient and indispensable portable gas stove for sheltering at home,
a few years ago, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency conducted experiments regarding aftershocks.
Everyone living in Tokyo must see this!!

Obtained from vibration experiments
Combustion phenomena, etc., that should be noted for fire and disaster prevention regarding portable gas stoves, etc.

Although it is a convenient and reliable portable gas stove,
please handle it with sufficient caution.

You have to think when you see this experiment video from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
So the answer I arrived at is this.

If, at that time,"a 2000W portable battery capable of solar charging"had existed... When I think about that, I am truly grateful for the progress of technology today.

Possibilities of a 2000W Solar-Charging Portable Battery
If you have one of these, you might have been able to use LED lighting, a radio, and small electric cooking appliances (such as a hot water pot), not to mention charging your smartphone. Gathering information and securing at least a warm drink would have been a mental support.
I don't know if the apartment's water supply pump could have been operated, but if it could, the toilet problem might have been alleviated a little (however, this requires confirmation from an expert).
If it can be charged by solar power, there is hope even during a long-term power outage.

Effectiveness of Hot Water Cooking
If you have a portable battery and a small IH heater, you can heat retort foods in hot water while saving gas canisters for the portable gas stove. I think about how much strength it would have given me if I could have eaten warm rice instead of just cold canned food at that time.
It also results in less dishwashing, saving precious water.

Of course, these are expensive items, but
through my experience in Kobe, I strongly feel that they are a very effective investment for maintaining QOL (quality of life) and mental stability when lifelines are cut off.

Next time is the final installment.
I will discuss "evacuation center life" in the event that living at home becomes difficult, and as a summary of this entire series, I will reconsider what we can do now based on my experience in Kobe.

Next Episode Preview
[Part 5]

What if you can't return home... The reality of life in an evacuation center and what I want to convey from Kobe

Stay tuned