Do you have a disaster preparedness plan?

At the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Inzai City was also shaken by the quake and it took a long time for us to return to our daily lives. I was at home with my three-year-old son when the disaster struck, and I remember panicking at the huge shaking and somehow running out of the house with my son and the TV remote control in my arms.

September 1st is "Disaster Prevention Day". This time, I'll show you how you can be prepared for disaster.

What is "Disaster Prevention Day"? Let's find out why it was set on September 1st.

Every year, September 1st is "Disaster Prevention Day". In fact, not only this day but also the week including September 1st is called "Disaster Prevention Week". It's time to improve our knowledge of disaster prevention and reconfirm our emergency supplies. Compared to other countries in the world, Japan is very prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, and floods, so raising awareness on a regular basis can help minimize the damage.

By the way, do you know why September 1st was designated as "Disaster Prevention Day"? Actually, the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 occurred on this day. Not only that, but it is said that this date was set because some of the disasters that caused tremendous damage were concentrated around this time.

Where should I start with disaster prevention?

No one knows when a disaster will strike. It may not come for a while, or it may come today. Let's get ready. It is important to get started as soon as you feel like it.

However, it takes time and money to prepare everything perfectly, and more importantly, you will lose your motivation. Let's start with the "minimum" preparations.

Here are some items you should check first.

The "Inzai City Comprehensive Disaster Prevention Book" contains a lot of disaster prevention information in four languages.

The "Inzai City Disaster Prevention Book" contains a lot of disaster prevention information in four languages. It is written not only in Japanese, but also in English, Chinese, and Korean.　It introduces what to check on a daily basis, what to pay attention to in the arrangement of furniture in your home, and what emergency kit to prepare.　Make sure to check in advance.　

The information can be downloaded, but if you are unable to do so, it is available at City Hall, Inba Branch Office, Motono Branch Office, and each branch office.

What do families with babies and children need to prepare?

The most important thing to do in a disaster is to "save your life". If you are going to be harmed by trying to take out the things you have prepared for emergencies, then escape without anything.

However, if you don't have food or items to take care of yourself at the evacuation area, your health may be threatened, so make sure you are prepared.

The following is a list of things that families who have actually experienced evacuation due to disasters have found useful. Let's start with a checklist of goods based on the opinions of child-rearing families who have experienced disaster evacuations.

Emergency Preparedness Checklist for “Child Rearing Families”

In general, the items that families with babies and children should prepare are listed in the Inzai City Disaster Prevention Guidebook. It is a good idea to prepare by referring to it. Let's prepare in addition to general emergency goods.

The key is to prepare two evacuation bags. The first bag is for when you need to evacuate immediately, and the second bag is for when the quake has calmed down. Keep the first bag as minimal as possible. Separate items that you will use immediately and those that you can go get later.

■ Health insurance card and maternal and child health handbook

Make a copy of the important pages and put them in a plastic bag that will not get wet. You can also take a photo of it and manage it in the cloud.

■ A baby carrier

When evacuating, make sure that you have both hands available. It is safer to use a carrier or sling that will not fall off even if you let go of both hands.

■ Diapers

Even if you have baby diapers in your emergency bag, they will quickly outgrow their size in a few months. When the size changes, replace them immediately.

■ Wiping cloth

It is useful not only for wiping the bottom, but also for wiping the baby's body.

■ Milk set

The stress of a disaster can cause a sudden loss of breast milk supply. Even if you normally only breastfeed, prepare a milk set just in case.

■ Breast-feeding cape

This is necessary because you will be spending time with a lot of people at the shelter.

■ Paper cups and spoons

Water can be very valuable in an emergency. Make sure you have disposable ones.

■Towels and gauze

Prepare a bath towel along with a regular size towel. It can be used as a futon or to keep you warm.

■Baby food

Prepare baby food that can be eaten without having to transfer it to a plate.

■Toys and picture books

Prepare "noiseless toys" and picture books. It is recommended to have a favorite or a "new" one that the child has not seen yet.

Recommended goods

■Meiji Hohoemi "Raku Raku Milk”

"Raku Raku Milk" comes in a can and can be used simply by transferring it to a baby bottle. It can be drunk directly at room temperature.

In case of a disaster, it is not always possible to get water to use for formula or to wash baby bottles. Pigeon's "Bonyu Jikkan" feeding bottle and "Raku Raku Milk" attachment can be attached directly to the can. However, if you are unable to wash even the attachments, you can use a paper cup to feed your baby.

■Vitamin supplements

The longer you live in an evacuation shelter, the more you will worry about your children's health. It is recommended to prepare vitamin supplements for them, as their nutrition may be unbalanced. Tablets are difficult for children to swallow, so gummy supplements are a good choice.

■Diapers for children

Even children who have graduated from diapers often end up wetting themselves in their sleep due to the stress of the disaster. It is a good idea to have a large size diaper ready just in case.

「You can never be too prepared.」Pay attention to expiration dates.

When taking care of your children in an emergency, you not only need to protect yourself from danger, but also protect your babies and children. If you are aware of and prepared for emergencies, you will be able to act calmly and minimize the damage.

For items with expiration dates, such as milk and baby food, make it a habit to check them frequently.

「You can never be too prepared.」

writer：Scarlet

Translated by Fusamaru

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