Various European Union countries, such as Sweden and Finland, have published detailed emergency kits. Now, the Community of Madrid has published a list of what you should have prepared in advance in a bag containing the essentials to act more quickly in the event of an evacuation. The recommendation is to use a sturdy, waterproof, and easy-to-carry bag, with the contents well-organized and protected.
The most sensitive items are your documents. In addition to the originals, it’s a good idea to save a digital copy on a USB drive.
What the kit should contain
The list is long, but almost everything is easy to gather:
To get through the first few hours, you should bring drinking water and non-perishable, ready-to-eat foods that provide energy; a blanket or warm clothing; and a flashlight with spare batteries.
To stay connected, you’ll need a solar or external battery for your cell phone, a backup phone in case your usual one is lost, damaged, or runs out of battery, and a battery-powered radio. The radio allows you to continue receiving official alerts even if the power or communications go down.
To get in and out of your home and get around, you’ll need spare keys to your home and car, as well as cash, in case electronic payments or ATMs aren’t working.
Of course, you can’t forget your regular medication and basic first-aid supplies. If there are babies, elderly people, or pets at home, the kit should also include what’s needed to care for them.
Documentation and identification: personal documents and ID cards, which speed up assistance in an emergency, in addition to the USB drive with digital copies. For minors in the family, include their identification and contact information so that their relatives can be located quickly and safely.
The list is rounded out with a multi-purpose pocket knife, useful for small tasks that may arise.
The Community recommends that the kit be kept in a place known to all family members, preferably near the exit door, so it can be grabbed quickly if an evacuation is necessary.
If emergency services order you to leave your home, take the kit with you and go to the safe location or wherever the authorities direct you. If you have any questions or encounter a risky situation, call 112.