The earthquake and the pandemic
Changed the way I think about disaster preparedness — dramatically.

Before, I had never given emergency supplies a second thought.
I didn't even know there was an evacuation shelter right behind my house.

However, hearing about friends and family
Who have actually gone through difficult situations
Made me genuinely believe it:
You never know when, where, or what might happen.

I stocked up on water and food supplies,
Packed emergency goods into a backpack so they'd be easy to grab,
And left it by the front door.
I also make a point of checking the charge
On my spare mobile battery without fail.

But what if I were at work, or out and about, when something happened?
With that in mind, I keep just the bare essentials in my NOTE-A-NOTE,
Tucked inside my bag, so I'm always prepared.

Regular medication, bandages, individually wrapped antiseptic wipes,
A copy of my health insurance card, and a little cash.
And for emergencies,
I've noted down my blood type, health information, medical history, my regular doctor,
And my family's contact details.

I think I'll add a few useful tips in there too —
The kind of practical knowledge that might come in handy in a disaster.