The earthquake in Izmir and the citizens who were rescued from the rubble days later brought the importance of earthquake preparedness to the agenda once again.
Pointing out the importance of disaster and emergency bags in earthquake preparedness, experts emphasized that these bags are very important in the 72-hour golden period. Experts gave advice on the materials that should be included in the disaster and emergency kit.
Dr. Rüştü Uçan, Head of Occupational Health and Safety Department at Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, made evaluations about the disaster and emergency bag, which will contribute greatly to sustaining life in an earthquake.
The 72-hour golden period should be well utilized
Prof. Dr. Rüştü Uçan noted that the 72-hour period immediately after the earthquake, which is called the "golden hours", is very important in terms of basic issues such as "making oneself heard, communication, warming, meeting the need for food and drink and receiving healthy news", both if the person is trapped under the rubble and if he/she survives.
Disaster and emergency kit must be prepared
Stating that a disaster and emergency kit should be prepared with materials to meet the needs of the people at least during this period, considering that the state as well as private institutions and organizations will not be able to reach in the worst case scenario, Dr. Rüştü Uçan said, "It is a set of 40 cm. x 32 cm. x 10 cm. in size, which includes a wide variety of products and first aid materials that meet the living needs of people in natural disasters such as earthquake, flood, fire. The kit bag should be made of waterproof fabric. It should be suitable for carrying on hand, shoulder and back."
What should be in the bag?
Dr. Rüştü Uçan listed the materials that should be in the bag as follows: "Flashlight, multi-purpose folding cutlery set, radio, battery, plastic whistle, work gloves, raincoat, water, protection cover, mask, bandage, instant cold compress, warning vest, fleece blanket, spare key (home, workplace, vehicle), thermos or flask, dry food (such as nuts, chocolate, pestil), canned food, photocopy of official documents (It can also be uploaded to the cloud of mobile devices: ID, driver's license, passport, vehicle registration, real estate title deed, photocopies of health-home-workplace-vehicle insurance policies), cash, current photos of family members, list of medications used and relevant medical information, local map, visual of family members' gathering point."
Pay attention to the expiration date of the materials!
Dr. Rüştü Uçan reminded that the expiry date of the materials in the bag should be paid attention to and listed other recommendations regarding the materials as follows: "The materials should be determined according to the characteristics of the people who will use them (such as infants, children, elderly, disabled, pregnant, sick, pets). Materials should be placed in such a way that they can be easily taken and used. Materials should be placed in such a way that they do not negatively affect each other. The earthquake bag should be kept in the place we consider as a shelter at home."
