Every so often I check the supplies in the earthquake emergency supply box in the house and the daypack we carry in the car.
Unfortunately, every so often isn't enough. I discovered that many of the AA batteries I would have used for the portable radio had sprung a leak (thanks Energizer). Besides the mess, I would've been without power for the radio.
One change I made was to carefully wrap rubber bands around the batteries to ensure the contacts didn't touch; I also placed them in sturdy plastic bags.
I also decided to buy a self-sufficient radio -- one that didn't require batteries. I spotted Eton's American Red Cross FR400 emergency radio at January's Consumer Electronic Show. There are four models with similar features. The differences include having access to either NOAA's weather and TV-VHF broadcasts, or short-wave broadcasts. The essential component for me is that the radio uses a hand crank to generate its own power. What's really cool is the connection that can charge most cell phones. Pricing on the four models start at about $45 discounted.
If you don't want all the bells and whistles (The Eton has a built-in flashlight and siren), take a look at the $13 Crank Powered FM Radio and Flashlight at the TechGreek site. Still too expensive? See if the $12 Innovage Outdoor Weather Band Radio (it needs two AAA batteries) from SurplusComputers appeals.
And click here is you want to see a scary CGI earthquake video.
Tomorrow: How to create an emergency kit. And another radio I'm absolutely loving.
Here at home in the SanFran Baay area, we stay prepared for the big one with canned foods and the usual camping gear(propane stove and lantern). The most important is the tool needed to shut off gas and water at the street cutoffs. The other is water. I have been able to procure food grade plastic 55 gallon barrels. They once held bakery vinegar and are excellent for this use..After rinsing well, I use three of them, each week using one to water plant and lawn and refilling it. This means the water is no more than 3 weeks old and not subject to any sediment settling. They are also protected from sunlight as that will deteriorate them rather quickly. I'm ready. The radio gets normal usage so batteries leaking doesn't come into play.