The Covid pandemic, the Filomena storm, the floods, a massive power outage… several episodes of emergency without immediate precedent until then in our recent history have been the protagonists of recent years. Citizens faced each of them as best they could and crisis management experts took note of the consequences of each situation to improve the response and not repeat mistakes. One of the conclusions reached by the incident management organizations was that have an emergency kit in every home with a series of basic items that can be vital in the event of a disaster.
The Madrid 112 Security and Emergency Agency, which is the entity that, in the Community of Madrid, coordinates the response to emergencies, presented this Monday a kit proposal for Madrid residents who wish to prepare it home and keep it safe in case they need it. “It is essential that we take into account self-protection measures, because in the first minutes of an emergency we always depend on our own means and strength,” explained Carlos Novillo, Minister of the Environment, who, together with President Isabel Díaz Ayuso, visited the agency’s facilities on Monday and was able to see for himself the survival kit.
The first thing to keep in mind when preparing it is that it must be done in a waterproof bag or backpack so that the contents do not get wet and spoil. Among the objects that should be included in this kit are a small first aid kit containing the basic elements for carrying out a first treatment – dressings, bandages, alcohol, etc. – and above all pill boxes which are part of any usual medication against chronic illnesses.
Some cash should also be included. “Cash is very important,” stressed Councilor Novillo, who recalled that during the massive outage in April, dataphones did not work and many citizens could not buy the food they needed.
The kit should include a transistor, batteries of the most common types, candles, a box of matches or a battery to recharge the mobile. It is recommended that the latter can be recharged using sunlight and does not depend exclusively on electricity, in the event of loss of power or impossible access.
It is also advisable to include water and food. “We should have the minimum amount of food to be able to spend a certain amount of time until the authorities can supply us, because obviously, being in the Community of Madrid is a guarantee that the Security and Emergency Agency will end up saving you,” said the Environment official. Some energy bars or nuts can be a good option to have in this kit. Additionally, if there are babies at home, specific food for them should also be included in the bag.
If you have to leave your usual home due to an emergency that could seriously damage it, you should always keep in mind that it is very important to take Important household documents and personal identification documents. In the emergency kit you can prepare photocopies of the documentation, as well as a memoir with digital versions. Likewise, it is recommended to have a copy of the property keys in this bag or backpack.
Thermal blankets, a flashlight or headlamp and a utility knife They complete the basic kit which can prove very useful for the integrity of citizens in the event of an unforeseen event. “This year, due to the power outage, it has been shown that it can be very useful for us to have these elements of autonomy and information,” said Carlos Novillo, who recalled that preparing this type of emergency kit is a recommendation that has also been launched in recent months by organizations such as the European Commission (EC).
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