Below are some additional items that we would recommend to be included in your emergency preparations.

• Hard-sole shoes
• Battery operated radio and flashlight
• Batteries
• First-aid kit, with a good manual (and take a good course in first aid!)
• Prescription drugs
• Extra pair of prescription glasses
• Contact lens supplies, extra contacts, and other special supplies
• Feminine products and toilet paper
• Toothpaste and extra toothbrushes
• Plastic sheeting (for broken windows or other)
• Candles (if no danger of broken gas lines) with deep holders
• Matches
• Fire Extinguisher
• Chlorine liquid bleach, iodine, or water purification tablets – for purifying water
• Plastic trash bags (waste disposal- can also keep you or items dry)
• Pocket knife, such as Boy Scout knife or Swiss Army knife
• Scissors
• Black plastic electrician’s tape
• Candy
• Saw
• Shovel
• Axe
• Vise grips
• Rubber “gripper”
• Crow bar
• Leather gloves
• Heavy Rope
• Special wrench for water and gas shut off

Here are some ideas from an email received from a friend of a friend who was in Japan during the earthquake.