TIP: One reason we have all this stuff is because my husband and I , now in our 60's, have spent many years working in the scouting program both as youth leaders and as trainers. Are your kids in scouts? If so, do they have good survival/camping skills? If they don't you need to talk to your scout leaders and find out why – and encourage them to work on this. You might be amazed at what kids can do. Thanks, Debbie for telling ua about your son!

We do have a shovel in our car along with other basic tools and emergancy items, but this shovel would not move large rocks on the road.

Now the confession – we don't have either of our computers backed up – we'll get on this right away:-(

Boy is the week ever eye opening to me! Thank you again, Jodi and Julie.

Your water pipe broke, and you have no water access /The power has been cut off –
I think here– it is important that you know WHERE to shut off the lines to your house– natural gas or propane shut-off, water cut-off valve, electrical breaker or fuse box– and HOW to do it. And be ABLE to do it. The utility companies may not be able to get things shut off quickly, and it's a very dangerous combination having electrical sparks with gas, and/or electrical lines in water. Turn yours off if you even suspect damage to your lines.

It’s the 2nd day of the earthquake, your fridge food has gone bad, but the food in your freezer has managed to stay cold enough to use –
THIS is unrealistic. If you have access to your refrigerator, and keep it closed, food will last several days– not spoil in one. I dealt with a typhoon induced electrical outage– 3 days without power in 90+F heat, and the food was fine. Just keep the kids (and hubby) from opening it every 10 minutes to “look”, and you'll do OK.

If there is no access to the refrigerator because of structrual damage to the house, we do have food storage that doesn't require refrigeration, but unfortunately, all of that is in the house (except a bit in the cars' 72hr kits), and if the kitchen is inaccessible, the rest of the house may also not be accessable. What should be done about that situation, especially if roads may not be passable? Storage outside is not an option because of adverse environmental conditions, and apartment dwellers may not have any outside storage. (I have things like blankets and paper goods outside, and cooking equipment, but except for seasonal fruit, no food).

You’re driving home from checking on a family member and the road is blocked with a bunch of large rocks from the earthquake, did you have a small car shovel (this is a very highly recommended item to store in your car) –
A small shovel will be useless for moving big rocks…. When “big rocks” end up on the roads, heavy earthmoving equipment and/or explosives are needed to clear them. You may be able to use your small shovel to dig a latrine pit while you wait, but that would be about it. Or use it to fend off coyotes on your walk home. Just don't count on one to clear the road for you.

Without warning the kids ahead of time, I set a kitchen timer for five minutes and told them we were doing a safety drill. I started the countdown and gave them instructions like: Find a flashlight – the first person to get one “wins”! (But everybody had to find one.) I had them find portable radios too, and then I told them to grab their emergency food kits. They put it all in one location.

Then I gave some more random instructions – I said we were pretending to evacuate due to flood (this is a good example for kids because they understand why that would be a reason to evacuate). I requested a can of cat food, a gallon of bottled water, and a bottle of Gatorade. Also, I said that one of us had a pretend cut and needed a bandage and Neosporin.

My kids are 6, 8, and 10 and they did all this in four minutes! There was one minute left on the timer. I then showed them the “family” bag that has the things that are not in their food kits, such as the garden work gloves, sterno-type stoves, etc.

Last, I let them each pick one treat to eat from their emergency kits. It was great fun and the whole process was just a few minutes. I think we'll do this again some time.