Emergency preparedness: essential items for disaster backpacks

Authorities in Colombia and Ecuador are emphasizing the importance of preparing emergency backpacks to ensure basic needs are met during the first hours of a disaster, such as an earthquake.

Recommended items for these kits include water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, a flashlight with batteries, and a portable radio to receive official instructions when other communication lines fail. Other essential tools include a whistle for signaling help, masks, gloves, and personal hygiene items like soap and toilet paper. It is also advised to include copies of important documents protected from moisture and specific items for children, the elderly, or pets.

For maximum effectiveness, these backpacks should be kept in a visible, easily accessible location, preferably near a main exit or a safe evacuation route, to allow for rapid departure during an emergency.