Happy April (Don't Be A) Fool's Day

[Edit: 4/2/14 - spent an hour today after work and experimented using a flash bounce on the products and this actually greatly improved the lighting!  I'll have to try and experiment with a photography light box next when photographing objects.]

Today's post is not at all photography related... I initially meant it to be to test my photography on products, potentially in a white box, but I didn't actually get all of my items in time.  In any case, I wanted to make a post and I may try to update with photos this weekend.

I realized that April Fools' Day, a day when most people prank and play tricks on each other, is actually a great annual date to check up on emergency plans, supplies, and smoke detectors to not be the fool when an emergency happens.  Since I have a full-time job and other responsibilities, I'll probably end up doing it the weekend prior or following, but it's a stable date to check everything.

This idea really spawned from the recent spate of earthquakes in Southern California and the realization that I live on the top floor of a multi-story apartment building.  When the rolling started, I realized I only had one very tiny desk to get under and no comprehensive emergency kit to speak aside from a few canned goods and some band-aids.  After the shaking stopped, I went on an Amazon ordering spree followed quickly by a trip to Target and compiled an emergency kit.

I consulted the Red Cross when ordering/purchasing the items for my emergency supplies and based upon that, compiled the list below so you can replicate your own kit.

To keep myself organized and accountable each year, I will be making an Excel inventory workbook with all of the items in the kit listed by expiration date so I can easily check on April 1st to see what needs replacing or updating.  In addition to updating the emergency supplies, I'll also be checking the batteries & functionality of smoke detectors.

Emergency Plan - during the chaos of an emergency, there won't be time and/or mental focus to decide who will do what when, so it's important to have it squared away with all members of the household before anything happens.

• Who (responsibilities each person will have, emergency contact info)
• What (what to do in the various emergency situations common to your location - fire, earthquake, tornado, etc.)
• Where (meeting/evacuation points both inside and outside the house)
• Red Cross Emergency Plan Resource 

Minimum Amount of Consumables - I put all of the food in a large storage bin and the water next to it.  To make this easy to review on an annual basis and replace items as needed, I sorted through the expiration dates and wrote labels on the top of the can.

• 1 gallon of water, per person, per day - I got several 2-gallon jugs from the store and a pack of water bottles
• 2 cans of food, per person, per day - assortment of chili, soup, veggies like corn, fruit, etc.  Don't forget to pack a can opener in the pack, even with the pop tops, I've had those fail before.
• 7 day supply of any medications, vitamins, etc.

Emergency Evac Pack - a mobile pack so I can easily take it with me in the event of an evacuation

1. Fūl Hybrid Rolling Duffel Bag - a backpack would do as well, I opted for the pricier but also sturdier rolling bag in the event of an evacuation to be able to take more supplies (like heavy canned goods) with me
2. Cash - during an emergency which may knock out power, credit cards will be useless.
   
3. Photocopies of important personal documents - insurance policies, passports, financial information, emergency plan, list of medications, etc.
   
4. Multi-tool - I purchased a Leatherman Sidekick, which has a pocket knife, a serrated knife, pliers, wire cutters, pliers, file, saw, bottle opener, and can opener.
5. Flashlight
6. Headlamp (it's nice to have something hands-free in the event of a power outage)
7. Hand-crank or battery powered radio
8. Spare batteries for all devices
9. Mylar "space" blankets
10. Water filter straw
11. Leather work gloves
12. Rain poncho
13. Toiletry kit / sanitary items / wipes / toilet paper
14. First-Aid Kit - I built my own based on the Red Cross Anatomy of a First Aid Kit resource and ordered a red lunch bag to house all of it 

Other Considerations:

• Emergency Pet Supplies (food, leashes, food/water dishes, waste disposal, medications, etc.)
• Entertainment/comfort items - toys like stuffed animals or books specifically for small children to keep them happy and calm

Emergencies are an unavoidable part of life, but being prepared will help make them all a little less scary.  It's interesting to me how this kind of information is really only passed on if parents teach their kids, when it really would be good to include in a school curriculum.  Perhaps there wouldn't be so many helpless individuals if basic survival skills and various financial products were standardized and taught.

[Edit 4/2/14: Added below photos]

Fūl Rolling Duffel, taken with the pop-up flash.  The bag semi-reflected back and created weird shadows.

Same bag, same camera settings (Nikon 35mm f/8), but with a flash bounce.  Not perfect, but much improved.

Evac pack items, tools in the bottom and first aid and toiletry items out front.  Just pop-up flash, which reflected off some of the white colored items but not others as well.  The carpet and the back wall look especially drab. 

With flash bounce. Increased the color saturation slightly in post-editing.

Easily my favorite of the series and not just because of the Maker's Mark!  Love how the red contrasted with the metal can lids.  Nikon 35mm f/8 with flash bounce.

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