Citation

Pickering CJ, O'Sullivan TL, Morris A, Mark C, McQuirk D, Chan EY, Guy E, Chan GK, Reddin K, Throp R, Tsuzuki S, Yeung T, Murray V. PLoS Curr. 2018; 10.

Affiliation

Public Health England, London, England; Integrated Research on Disaster Risk Scientific Committee, Beijing, China.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Public Library of Science)

DOI

10.1371/currents.dis.223ac4322834aa0bb0d6824ee424e7f8

PMID

30050724

PMCID

PMC6050054

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: An all-of-society approach to disaster risk reduction emphasizes inclusion and engagement in preparedness activities. A common recommendation is to promote household preparedness through the preparation of a 'grab bag' or 'disaster kit', that can be used to shelter-in-place or evacuate. However, there are knowledge gaps related to how this strategy is being used around the world as a disaster risk reduction strategy, and what evidence there is to support recommendations.

METHODS: In this paper, we present an exploratory study undertaken to provide insight into how grab bag guidelines are used to promote preparedness in Canada, China, England, Japan, and Scotland, and supplemented by a literature review to understand existing evidence for this strategy.

RESULTS: There are gaps in the literature regarding evidence on grab bag effectiveness. We also found variations in how grab bag guidelines are promoted across the five case studies.

DISCUSSION:  While there are clearly common items recommended for household grab bags (such as water and first aid kits), there are gaps in the literature regarding: 1) the evidence base to inform guidelines; 2) uptake of guidelines; and 3) to what extent grab bags reduce demands on essential services and improve disaster resilience.

Language: en