Keeping Disaster Prep Fun (and Practical) (Patreon)

Hey hey, Everyone （╹◡╹）♡

Well, we're officially off the Nankai Trough Mega Earthquake Impending Doom Watch. They thought it would come within a week of the magnitude 7 one down south of me. Alas, -- and knock on wood -- it didn't hit. But the earthquake-ologists did add at the end of their news release something like: "But you never know with earthquakes! Stay vigilant!"

So after an entire couple days of prepping, I thought I'd share some of the more creative and interesting items for sale to prep for a disaster (quake, typhoon, flood...).

The idea is everyone is supposed to have Bug Out Bags, one for each "able to carry one" member of the family. Imagine your house totally collapses or there's a fire or even if it's just structurally unsound and you can't go back inside. What would you need to survive for at least three days, probably more?

Things like: water, food, changes of clothes, first aide kit, extra money, bank books and inkan stamps, radio,  lighter, candles, flashlight, extra batteries, helmet, whistle, rope, bags, medicines, charged chargers...the list goes on and on. Adding portable toilets with these pop up tents for privacy to sleeping bags and stretchers, too.

One thing I've seen a lot more of recently are premade bags. This is a great idea. Takes all the fretting out. But they're expensive. This one is around 30,000 yen.

What's neat is that everyone is always trying to make things smaller, lighter, more convenient, and sometimes more fun. So here a couple things I found (but didn't buy...yet!).

In the clever category, we have these kokeshi dolls. You can keep them in your foyer displayed like any other figurine, but when the lights go out, you've got yourself a nice LED flashlight!

In the tiny and necessary category there's this. What is it? What can it be?

Why a stove, of course.

Here's another that uses a candle to heat your tin of (is that?) fish. A little romantic dinner anyone?

Don't forget, if you have a basil plant nearby, why not pluck off a leaf and voilá!

In the clever and practical category, we have this soft sheet of solar panels to charge your phone. Both NASA and JAXA use it, too. I'm actually going to try and find this one. Richard has one he bought ages ago, but it's shaped like and is as heavy as a brick, and takes forever to charge evidently.

Another "well I never would have thought of THAT" item is this.

Hmm...

Set it in water and you have light!

Too bright for you? Put the cap on and once again, a little romantic ambiance. It said if you burn it non stop it lasts for two weeks. That's pretty darned good.

Bread in a can has been around for years. But it never gets old. Literally, never gets old. A can of bread lasts seven years! It used to be nasty stuff (hard and no taste), but these days it looks quite good. They even have chocolate.

Here's just a random good idea. Take out the cardboard from your toilet paper, smash it down, and seal it in a ziplock. More compact and it stays dry if the weather is bad.

Speaking of toilet paper, when can you ever find time in your busy day to study up on everything you need to prepare for in the case of an emergency.

Put your phone down, read this!

In the huh? category we have very tiny "shorts" (underwear). Only 330 yen and it includes two pair! I guess a good idea, but of everything you need to take undies are probably some of the lightest items in your bag. Anyway, someone had this idea and went for it.

This next one was just bizarre. It's an ugly bracelet you wear at all time.

It has all kinds of uses, half of which I can't explain. Here's an adorable little video that'll make you want to buy one. Or not.

https://youtu.be/o--DotMHHMA?si=6vijVHphfDTt6VDT

The dental floss was unexpected. I'm imagining a very intense brainstorming session happened in the sales department.

Okay, and finally, even if you're living in a park across the street, you shouldn't be without a relaxing bath. I actually think this is a nice idea. It's one thing you hear about a lot in the aftermath of earthquakes and typhoons, people just want to take a nice bath.

These portable ofuros fold up so you can keep one in a closet in your house, by the door maybe, then whip it out after a long gross day in the heat.

Don't forget to visit your neighbor's rose garden for that extra bit of elegance.

The name of the tub though. 😅

And I'll end with this one. Same idea, small and fold up-pable. Maybe for those rowdy gaijin? Or did he not realize there's no hot water?

Love this.

Everyone stay safe and well, XOXO,

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