I’ve always been one of those paranoid, OC moms.  When staying in hotels, the first things I look for are the emergency exits, I then memorize its location (e.g. how many doors from mine, right or left side).   I also don’t like staying in floors higher than the 12^th (coz the fire truck ladder won’t be able to reach the higher floors, although this precaution is useless if the whole structure pancakes during a quake) and if I can have it my way, I would choose street view (coz fire trucks can’t drive thru the pool right?), although my husband always insists on pool or sea view.  The next thing I do is wipe down the switches and TV remote control with alcohol, as some research has shown that these are usually the dirtiest things in a hotel room. Yuck!

At home, we have our family first aid kit and I’ve also given our househelp their own kits.  My 10 year old also has her own kit in her school locker (which includes water, canned goods, flashlight, batteries, tissue, meds and a blanket).   We also have a “panic bag” where I have flashlights, canned goods, meds, batteries, betadine and first aid stuff.  But these are just some simple precautions I do.  After the Japan quake last week, I have taken stock on what I have and can do in times of emergencies.  Needless to say, I have beefed up our Safety and Survival kits and would like to share them with you.

Personal Safety Kit

• Small flashlight w/ extra batteries
• Aqua tabs
• matches
• Lighter
• Mirror
• whistle
• Bandages
• Safety pin
• Small betadine
• Meds
• Notepad
• Pen
• Hard candy
• Swiss knife
• compass
• orange garbage bag
• alcohol
• tissue paper
• sanitary napkin
• family picture with list of family members

Family Safety Kit

• Wheelie Bin
• Whistle
• Mirror
• 5 Blankets – Wool Mix
• Alcohol
• 1 pair Gloves -Leather
• 10x Dust Masks single
• First aid kit
• Toilet rolls single
• Sanitary pads
• Latex Gloves
• Saw- Multi purpose
• Hammer Carpenters
• Orange garbage bag (1 roll)
• Swiss knife
• compass
• Pliers
• Screw driver
• Aquatabs
• Duct Tape
• Rope General Purpose 10 meters
• Plastics Bucket
• 2 Heavy duty flashlights w/ extra batteries
• Radio FM/AM
• Torch LED (with batteries)
• Emergency lamp with electric fan
• 3 big gallons of water
• Crackers
• Dried Fruits & nuts mix
• Canned goods
• candies
• Face towels
• Some cash
• Milk & juices
• Extra shirts, underwear, toothbrush & toothpaste
• Candle
• Diapers (if u have a baby)
• Digital thermometer
• Cold pack
• Mosquito repellant
• Photocopies of passports also family picture with list of family members
• Soup Packets

For perishable items, check expiration dates and change to new stocks once in awhile. Now I wonder where can I buy those dehydrated food packs… If u have other suggestions on what we can add to this, pls feel free to share them in the comment box.

Going back to the topic of earthquakes, we all know that we are also situated in the “Ring of Fire” and we should all be ready if and when the big one comes… CNN released a report last year that documented Manila’s earthquake vulnerability citing the Marikina Valley fault as “ready to give in,” according to Geologist Mahar Lagmay, an associate professor at the National Institute of Geological Sciences at the University of the Philippines. Lagmay said a 7.0-earthquake would be like a “1,000 Nagasaki atom bomb explosion underneath the Earth’s surface along the Marikina Valley Fault.”

Meanwhile, an Inquirer report published today, March 14, listed catastrophic scenarios cited by Pacific Strategies and Assessments should a high-magnitude earthquake hit Manila, which could include: an estimated 117,000 homes that would “either collapse or suffer damage, rendering 1.2 million homeless,” damaged water reservoirs and purification plants that would immediately cut 4,000 water supply points, and “at least 30 kilometers of electric cables cut, removing the supply of power instantly across the metropolis,” among others.

Now these are scary facts and do you already know what to do?  I myself am confused on what is the “right” survival strategy.  Do we “drop, cover and hold on? Or do we follow Doug Copp’s “Triangle of Life” (The theory is that  we should lie in a fetal position beside a bed, sofa, car etc., since a large object will create a void.  But this theory had been scratched up by some as a “myth” and has been debunked by Rocky Lopes of the American Red Cross).   Now I want my family and I to be safe but I am really torn and confused… so if you have any inputs on this, please feel free to share them with us.

GMA 7 map

http://earthquakesurvivalkit.net/triangle-life

http://www.dropcoverholdon.org/

With so many natural disasters and every day occurrence around us, I really think that we should all be ready and knowledgeable on first aid procedures.  I have always wanted to take a first aid class for the longest time, but I had always been too busy.  But now, I’ve realized that we should never be too busy for our family’s safety.  So I called up the Philippine National Red Cross Safety Services and inquired on their classes.  The woman who answered, Nits was very helpful.   And these are what she told me… To avail of the First Aid for Homebodies group class, there should be a minimum of 14 participants.  The class is 2 days (one day for first aid and the next day for CPR) and the fee is Php860 per pax (520 for first aid and 340 for CPR), these includes workbooks and certificates.  We should also be the one to provide a venue.  And the classes will be scheduled 1-2 weeks after group registration fee has been paid.

Now I plan to bring my yaya along too (this is especially important as they are the ones in charge of our children when we’re not home) and will also be inviting some family and friends to join.  I am also extending this invitation to you my mommy and daddy readers.   So for those who want to join, pls send me your name, mobile number, how many pax and also if u prefer weekdays (pls choose between Mon. & Tues. or Wed. & Thurs.) or weekends (Sat. & Sun.).   You can either email me (momtrepreneur1@yahoo.com or put the info in the comment box).   Also if you have a venue you can let us use for free or for a minimal fee, it will be most appreciated.  If not, you can suggest a venue we can rent, and we can just split the fee among all the participants.  Ideal venues would be in Ortigas center or Makati, as it will be easier for particpants from the North and the South.

I am really looking forward to these classes and I hope more parents can join us.  I’m  also looking forward to your messages.  Have a nice day and let’s all be safe.  In the meantime, here are some important numbers you can keep in your phone book.

Poison Control – 524 1078

Philippine National Red Cross – 527-83-84 to 97, 527-0000

Meralco Emergency Number – 16211, 6311111

Manila Water – 1627

PLDT repair – 173

PLDT directory assistance – 187

National Disaster Coordinating Committee – 911-1406, 911-1873, 911-1906, 911-5061, 912-0984, 912-2665, 912-3046, 912-5296, 912-5668

Bureau of Fire Protection, National Capital Region – 729-5166, 410-6254, 413-8859, 407-1230

Para sa mga panawagan, tumawag sa hotline ng DZBB Super Radyo: 924-3022, 924-3018, 925-3680

Coast Guard Emergency Number – 527-6136

Disaster Coordination for Ateneo School of Government – 920-2920

Ninoy International Airport – 877- 0000/1109