An emergency or natural disaster can occur at any given time that is why we must always be prepared regardless if we are residing in a condo or a home. Natural disasters such as storms and earthquakes can knock out electrical grids which result in the loss of electricity for days, even weeks or months. Even if we hope to never experience or confront such disasters ahead of us, we’re not immune to the possibility of it.
Before diving into the essentials needed for an emergency kit we also have to be knowledgeable of the condominium’s disaster strategy to keep in mind the pathways to emergency exits to help us get out of the building faster. Another thing we also need to do is to contact our family and friends regarding the situation at hand for them to be prepared and where to rendezvous with you in case of an emergency.
What are the emergency kit essentials in your condo?
Weatherproof Duffel bag
The first thing to prepare is a waterproof duffel bag or a similar-sized container bin to store all the items we need. These items can range from lighters to a gallon of water but having a compartment to store a complete kit on hand is better than having less and nothing.
First-aid kit
Having a first-aid kit that is filled with bandages, antiseptics, gauze, scissors, eye flush, and other supplies is essential because if an emergency were to occur, you never know that you or someone else could get hurt in the situation. It would also be best if you are knowledgeable of the items that are in the first-aid kit and their purpose. Emergency services will most likely be preoccupied during a disaster. It would seem best to have a first-aid kit prepared so that you’ll be able to patch your injuries until help arrives. Prescription medicines are also a must mainly for coughs, colds, and allergies.
Food & water
Food and water are the most important items in the emergency kit. Make sure that the food you pack is non-perishable and if it includes canned goods make sure to include can openers. You’ll never know if help will arrive with food and water rations or when the government and other organizations start distributing food and water. Having food and water prepared and ready with you will help you survive and be nourished. Water filters can also be packed in case there’s no room for water bottles in your emergency kit. A water filter has the potential to remove dangerous germs and bacteria from water sources, making water drinkable in case the water at your home is cut off or contaminated.
Flashlights, lanterns, candles, and lighters.
Flashlights and other similar utilities are always recommended in emergencies especially if it's a power outage or a fire. Flashlights and other similar utilities will guide you on the pathways and it is also a signal for rescuers to know where you are. In case you want to conserve the batteries of your flashlights you can also use glow sticks so that they can illuminate dark places. Glow sticks are also used to make signals for a way out of the building.
Extra set of clothes
Bringing along an extra set of clothes will come in useful since your clothes will most likely be covered in dirt, muck, blood, and other sorts of things. Having a clean set of clothes will make you feel more comfortable and at ease, once you settle down in an evacuation center or someplace safe.
Navigation tools
Just in case cell towers are damaged during a disaster, Phones will lose their capabilities of providing accurate data due to the loss of signal and internet. Navigation tools such as maps and compasses can help us reach faster to the nearest destination whether it's an evacuation center, rendezvous point, or even a safe house.
Multi-tool knife
Due to the limited space provided by the emergency kit, it may not be possible to store an entire toolbox. A multi-tool knife can be the substitute for the toolbox. The knife is useful and practical especially when something breaks and needs to be repaired during an emergency. The knife has multiple tools such as a hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, and a bottle opener. The multi-tool knife can also be used for self-defense.
Extra cash
It has been recommended to bring cash, preferably small bills in your emergency kit. Disasters and emergencies have tendencies to cause power outages which will render ATMs useless.
Plastic bags
Plastic bags and wraps can be used in numerous situations such as keeping items clean and dry from the elements. Plastic bags can also be used to catch rainwater and cover windows, air gaps, and even wounds.
Important documents
Don’t forget to bring identification documents such as IDs, driver’s license, passport. Your emergency contact list can also come in handy whenever rescuers ask for emergency contacts to reach out. Prescription medication can also come in handy when rescuers ask what medication/s you need or when you seemingly forgot your prescription medicines and you need to go out and buy some.
Everyone in your condominium should know where the emergency kit is stored during a time of crisis. Always make sure to keep your phone in your hand or your pocket. You may need the phone’s flashlight feature whenever a power outage is occurring. You'll be able to find your way to locate where the emergency kit is stored. Make sure to store the emergency kit in a location that is dry and cool wherein non-perishable food can remain fresh as long as possible and make sure the location is easily accessible and everyone can remember.
Now that we’ve run through all the things we need for an emergency kit the next step is to have a checklist of everything we need to make sure we don’t forget the things we need and to see if our condominium is ready for any disaster. The checklist should also include the emergency exits of the building, the nearest evacuation centers in your area, and lastly the safety features and precautions of the building. By taking note of all of these things in your checklist, You’ll be able to formulate an ideal evacuation plan with your emergency essential kit at the tip of your fingers.
For your safety, you can also look for a condominium that has a safe environment for its tenants and clients. One of which that you can consider investing at is Vista Residences.
Vista Residences is the condominium arm of the country’s largest homebuilder, Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc., which offers ready for occupancy and pre-selling condominium projects in Manila and Quezon City that are strategically located within inner-city areas, in close proximity to premium universities and developed business districts.
At Vista Residences, unit owners can take advantage of the property’s centrality. The properties of Vista Residences are strategically located near the country’s premium universities and CBDs at it offers a unique condo design, making them an attractive investment for both local and foreign investors.
Vista Residences has ready for occupancy condo projects in Manila such as Vista Taft, Vista Heights, Vista GL Taft, 878 Espana, and Crown Tower University Belt. It also has pre selling projects in the said area which include Vista Recto, Plumeria Heights, Tennyson Heights, Bradbury Heights, Sky Arts Manila, and Kizuna Heights.
Meanwhile, its ready for occupancy projects in Quezon City include Wil Tower, the Symphony Towers, Pine Crest, and Vista 309 Katipunan. It also has pre selling condo projects in the said city such as Hawthorne Heights and Vista Pointe.
Vista Residences offers a condo property situated in major locations in Metro Manila – Makati City, Ortigas and Mandaluyong City. If you are looking for a condominium where you can easily move in or a property that you can invest in, Vista Residences has ready for occupancy condo units and pre selling condo projects. Salcedo Square in Salcedo Village Makati, Laureano Di Trevi in Chino Rocess Makati, The Currency and The Spectrum in Ortigas Central Business District Pasig City and Vista Shaw in Shaw boulevard, Mandaluyong City.
To continue its mission in providing condominium homes for Filipinos and investors, Vista Residences is now offering a premium condo living in the other areas away from Metro Manila. You can experience a warm and relax condo vibe in its condo in Baguio – Pinehill, Canyon Hill, and Brenthill. Now in the south, Vista Residences has Suarez Residences, a pre selling condo in Cebu; and The Loop, a ready for occupancy condo in Cagayan De Oro.
Living in Vista Residences enables you to enjoy convenience, where everything is pretty much within walking distance or a few minutes away from the property; comfort because the project features and amenities are designed to deliver comfort at all times, which makes condo living a worthy investment; security that is 24/7 and CCTV monitoring, which makes the residents safe and secure within the property.
In line with Vista Residences’ thrust to offer convenience among its residents, it also features an AllDay Convenience Store and Coffee Project in all its projects.
Vista Residences is part of Vista Land’s roster of condominium brands that cater to millennials and young professionals. The other vertical brands include Camella Manors, COHO, and Crown Asia.
For more information on Vista Residences, email [email protected], follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
