 Office Preparedness - Items for your Survival Kit
Many people mistakenly think that they will be at home if a disaster ever hits their area. The truth is however that a disaster can hit at any time of day. Some of the most notable disasters have happened in the middle of a workday. This being true, you should not forget to prepare a survival kit for your office as well as your home. When thinking about a survival kit for your office, you should plan it much like you would one for home.
One of the first things to add to your office survival kit is a flashlight with extra batteries. During most disasters, the electricity is the first thing to be shut off. Therefore, you will need a flashlight to see your way around the building. This is especially true when you don't have any windows in your office.
You will certainly need to be able to see in order to evacuate to a safe area or to get out of the building altogether.
Another thing you need for your kit is a few bottles of water and a non-perishable snack like trail mix or a candy bar. Since you may be stuck in your office for a while, you will need these things in order to stay hydrated and nourished. Even though you may be thinking you have a vending machine right across the hall and a desk full of change, there may be a situation in which you cannot get to the machine. You never know what could happen, so it is better to be prepared than left starving.
First aid supplies are something that you should always keep in your office. There are often situations during a non-disaster time that might call for these items. During a disaster, you might need them more urgently however. Bandages, alcohol wipes, scissors, tape, and basic medication are great things to include in your kit.
A map of the building and all exits is another great thing to keep in your survival kit. When you know exactly where specific exits and routes are, you will be able to flee to safety if needed. Be sure your map is updated and that you can easily tell where your office is located when looking at it. The power of knowing where you should go can be crucial to your survival at times.
It is never a bad idea to keep a small to medium sized red flag in your office survival kit as well. This may seem a little overboard to some people, but a red flag can be very helpful at times. The main use for this item is to hang it out a window to let emergency officials know you are inside. This may be useful during a fire, if you are trapped due to structure collapse, or even if a dangerous person is inside your office and you cannot leave.
There are many times when people wished they had a way to communicate their location with emergency officials and this is the perfect way to do so. Although you can use any color, be sure to choose a bright color that would be easily detected up against your office building If you cannot find a flag, cut a piece of bright material into a long strip and place it in your kit.
A small radio with batteries is also a great item to add to your kit. When there is bad weather and the electricity is shut off, you will need a way to listen to the news. The news channels on your radio will be able to tell you when it is safe to return to your normal routine. A small radio with batteries can also be carried with you if you must go to the basement or other area of the building.
To be as prepared as possible for a disaster while at your office, you should collect these items and create a preparedness kit right away. The larger your office building is, the more important it is to have a kit such as this. Large office buildings can be more dangerous in cases of fires, tornados, and other disasters. As long as you are prepared for any disaster however, you and your co-workers can come out of the situation unharmed and safe.
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