Along those same lines, it is also an excellent idea to have a "bug-out bag" packed and within easy reach of your door or bed. That way if there is a fire or something else requiring fast evacuation, you can just grab it and go! Some well prepared families I know also have a backpack for each of their kids sitting under each child's nightstand. They also have a detailed escape plan and everyone knows where to meet back up at. A basic BOB (the bag, not the battery-operated boyfriend) contains food, warm clothing, space blanket, rope, knife, something to purify water with, spare cash and change, flashlight, poncho, matches, etc.
I used to have a great set of plans for a family kit in a large trashcan somewhere for earthquake preparedness, I can probably dig it back out again if anyone is interested.
Personally, my version of being prepared involves not just kits, but also having nice full cupboards, fuel for my alcohol stove (in case the power goes out from a freak ice storm or the like since we have electric stoves), extra blankets, etc. I carry a small survival kit with me while hiking and biking that fits in a basic (not oversized) fanny pack, plus a first aid kit strapped to the fanny's belt. Doesn't get in my way and it's always handy. I find myself having to replace items from it fairly often and when riding, I just stow it in a pannier. Along with being prepared for disasters, I think it's important to be prepared just out-and-about as well, so I have a frame pump, patch kit, spare tube, bike tool, normal multitool, leg bands, and tire gauge (all except pump are in underseat bag) as well as having sunscreen, chapstick, Buck Hunter 110, snacks, and a bandanna (in my handlebar bag). Hmmm....I suppose it's a good thing I'm not worried about weight!
Another good thing to plan for is routes out of town. If your town is being evacuated for fires, flooding, volcanoes, or whatever else, knowing safe routes that don't involve bridges(!) is always a good idea, and it doesn't take long to find them on a map, so it's pretty painless. In one town I lived in a Southern CA, every road but two crossed bridges. In the case of a large earthquake, there was real danger of the dams breaking, and this town was on a floodplain....so the bridges would likely be washed out.



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) contains food, warm clothing, space blanket, rope, knife, something to purify water with, spare cash and change, flashlight, poncho, matches, etc.
