Emergencies happen when we least expect it. Could you live on only the contents of your disaster preparedness kit for two weeks? What if you couldn’t access the necessities after a 9.0 Cascadia earthquake or other major disaster? Test your preparedness kit and your readiness by camping out in your own backyard on the night of Saturday, August 4, for Camp Prepare!
The Red Cross Camp Prepare! event is a regional coordinated camping experience the whole family can participate in – at a campground or in your own back yard. It’s a chance to prepare your emergency kit and take it on a trial run before the ‘Big One’.
Common items used for camping such as water, canned food, flashlights, extra batteries and first aid supplies are just a few of the items that should be in a disaster preparedness kit. The Red Cross recommends at least a three-day supply of food and water in case of a disaster. Larger disasters, like a Cascadia earthquake, may require supplies for several weeks.
Red Cross Regional Communications Program Manager Amelia Holmes said, “The Red Cross recommends to be ‘two-weeks ready.’ Make sure everyone has two weeks of supplies because we anticipate it will be two weeks before outside support will arrive in a Cascadia event.”
Holmes also said you should have one gallon of water per family member per day. That’s 14 gallons of water for each member in a household to be covered for two weeks.
The Red Cross wants to remind families to check their emergency supplies every six months and replace expired items and change water supply.
Need a kit list? The Red Cross has you covered. Visit redcross.org/PrepareGuide for a full supply list.
How to participate in the Camp Prepare contest:
Camp out and take a photo to document your preparedness. Show your campsite, campers and supplies.
Share your Camp Prepare! experience. Tell us if you needed additional supplies or share if you were completely ready. Take a photo/selfie and tag us:
Facebook: RedCrossCascades
Instagram: @RedCrossCascades
Twitter: @RedCrossCasc
Ten winners will be chosen based on their level of preparedness and the quality of their photo. Prize packs will contain items such as a Leatherman tool, Mountain House freeze-dried food and Red Cross personal protection kits. Red Cross kits include first aid, breathing masks, tissues and sanitizer.
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/Cascades or find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/RedCrossCascades, Twitter at @RedCrossCasc and find us on Instagram at @RedCrossCascades.
