[Kathy S in Tokyo]

Great timing with your post Bill. Today the kids all had the annual disaster talks at school and came home asking about our survival pack. The neighborhood committee does drills a few times a year so we know where we can go for shelter and food if a big earthquake hits (and how to prepare the food in big pots for the entire neighborhood).

I live in an apartment building with many senior citizens and we've made sure that there is someone on each floor who knows which residents may need assistance in escaping. We handed out whistles to every resident so they can use them in emergencies but I have a feeling that most of them have stowed them away somewhere and won't be able to access them easily if they remember them.

I had to re-pack our survival kit and give all the old disposable diapers in it away as my kids have been out of diapers for quite some time. I also let the kids eat the rations for snacks every so often and restock to keep things fresh. Municipalities here are pretty quick at getting meals to serve to disaster survivors who all seem to have their own survival kit dishes but with no water for washing up, survivors have commented that a bit of Saran wrap over the bottom of the plate or bowl before getting a portion of whatever rice or veggie soup on offer (typical Japanese volume menues) saves the food from sticking and can be disposed of afterward.

These are things I hope we never need but know we will be glad to have should the need arise.