DutchNews.nl - Get ready for a disaster, says minister

Home affairs minister Guusje ter Horst is worried that most people have no idea what they will face if there is a disaster, and says everyone should have emergency stocks at home, the Telegraaf reports on Thursday.

'People think it's funny but that has to stop,' the Telegraaf quotes the minister as saying.

Battery radio tuned to disaster station, plus spare batteries
Torch with spare batteries
First aid box and instruction booklet
Matches in waterproof packing
Candles
Warm blankets
Tool set
Warning whistle

This can be extended with
Stock of any medicine taken on doctor's orders
Cash money and copies of identity cards and insurance papers
Spare house and car keys
Map of the area and a list of telephone numbers and addresses of shelters
Disinfectant hand gel
Three litres of water a day per person for at least three days
Imperishable food for at least three days, plus tin opener
Stock of toilet paper, moist cloths, soap, washing powder, sanitary towels, toothpaste, tooth brushes
Lightweight rainwear for all the family
Container for carrying water (bottle or jerry can)

Bob Dylan said it so well, years ago

Let Me Die In My Footsteps

I will not go down under the ground
"Cause somebody tells me that death's comin' 'round
An' I will not carry myself down to die
When I go to my grave my head will be high,
Let me die in my footsteps
Before I go down under the ground.

There's been rumors of war and wars that have been
The meaning of the life has been lost in the wind
And some people thinkin' that the end is close by
"Stead of learnin' to live they are learning to die.
Let me die in my footsteps
Before I go down under the ground.

I don't know if I'm smart but I think I can see
When someone is pullin' the wool over me
And if this war comes and death's all around
Let me die on this land 'fore I die underground.
Let me die in my footsteps
Before I go down under the ground.

There's always been people that have to cause fear
They've been talking of the war now for many long years
I have read all their statements and I've not said a word
But now Lawd God, let my poor voice be heard.
Let me die in my footsteps
Before I go down under the ground.

If I had rubies and riches and crowns
I'd buy the whole world and change things around
I'd throw all the guns and the tanks in the sea
For they are mistakes of a past history.
Let me die in my footsteps
Before I go down under the ground.

Let me drink from the waters where the mountain streams flood
Let me smell of wildflowers flow free through my blood
Let me sleep in your meadows with the green grassy leaves
Let me walk down the highway with my brother in peace.
Let me die in my footsteps
Before I go down under the ground.

Go out in your country where the land meets the sun
See the craters and the canyons where the waterfalls run
Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Idaho
Let every state in this union seep in your souls.
And you'll die in your footsteps
Before you go down under the ground.

By Hub Zimmermann | October 31, 2008 8:54 AM

What kind of disaster should we be preparing for? A plane crash wouldn't mean we would need to lock ourselves away with food supplies, a gas leak would mean that we would be moved to a safe area, a terrorist attack like in 11-2001 wouldn't require these items to see it through ... i can only presume he is refering to a nuclear war. In which case, does to state how such a incident could realistically occur?

By Guezen76 | October 31, 2008 9:52 AM

One odd thing about chance events like unexpected disasters is that they are hard to predict in detail. My guess is that that property has something to do with the general nature of the reported recommendation.

If you are worried about specific disasters then you could always use your own brain and think about how you should take precautions against them rather than relying on politicians to tell you.

By Fred Bloggs | October 31, 2008 11:54 PM