For Seniors: Be Prepared for Emergencies — A Disaster Preparedness Quiz Useful in Times of Crisis

seven days' worth

They say that in major disasters it can take time for relief supplies to arrive, so you should have seven days’ worth of food and water. It’s also best to prepare separate water for daily use and for drinking.

171 (not here)

The Disaster Message Dial is a voice message board service that NTT East and NTT West activate during disasters. In the event you are affected, phone calls and emails may become unavailable, making it difficult to contact your family. It’s a good idea to decide in advance how you will confirm each other’s safety.

50cm

It’s said that even adults walking in water deeper than 50 cm is dangerous. Pay close attention to evacuation information and evacuate early. If the water is flowing rapidly, it will be even harder to move, so extra caution is needed.

Sneakers you’re used to wearing

Many people may think that rain boots are the best choice in heavy rain. However, they’re not recommended. While they’re designed to resist water seeping in, once water enters from the top, your feet become heavy and it’s hard to move. It’s better to wear well-broken-in shoes, accepting that they might get wet.

Bring anything that could be blown away by the wind outside into the house.

When strong winds blow, items left outside can be blown away, breaking window glass or hitting people. Be sure to bring inside anything that might get blown away in advance.

Head to the second floor or above of the house.

When flooding starts and you can’t see your footing, evacuating outdoors may become dangerous. It’s important to remember vertical evacuation—moving to higher floors. It’s also a good idea to check evacuation routes in advance for when you need to head to a shelter.

wrap

By using plastic wrap, you can tightly wind it with a core as a splint, making it easy to secure. It’s a handy item since you can substitute things you have at home. It’s sturdier than you might expect, so it could be good to practice using it.