An Office Worker's Guide to Making a Disaster Kit

A cozy cube, a hot cup of coffee, and a full to do list can lull any worker into complacency. Survival in the office environment usually means dodging a round of layoffs or making sure that your last e-mail message doesn't offend your supervisor or co-workers. However, after the Oklahoma City bombing, 9/11, New York City blackouts, tornadoes in downtown Atlanta, and evening newscasts filled with horrible workplace shootings, every office worker should think about basic disaster preparedness in the workplace. If you are an office worker, you should consider making a small emergency supply kit to keep in your cube.

The most important function of your desk drawer emergency supply kit is to help you cope with an emergency and it's aftermath. You'll want to consider the disaster gear that your employer has provided and supplement them with your personal supplies. A quick walking tour of most modern offices should reveal the location of fire extinguishers, first aid kits, water cooler bottles, and even high tech items like an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

My emergency supply kit includes basic hygiene and first aid items that may come in handy for small emergencies that may occur in my cube. Hand sanitizer, hand lotion, chapstick, Ibuprofen, Visine eye drops, multi-antibiotic ointment, band aids, sanitary wipes, and paper towels all have a place in my emergency kit. The items in my little kit should be sufficient to cope with minor first aid needs arising from a disaster. I also have typical emergency items including a small flashlight and a small battery powered radio.

As you assemble your kit, you'll want to brainstorm all the threats that your office could face. For example, Californians will want to be prepared for earthquakes, while Midwesterners will want to be prepared for tornadoes. If a disaster destroys your building, you may also want to have some items that will help you escape through rubble or signal rescuers. A small flashlight and a whistle may come in handy for this scenario. In the event that you are forced to evacuate without access to your regular means of transportation, you may want to have supplies for an arduous journey home. For example, you may want to stash comfortable shoes, a few snacks, and a bottle of water for an extra long day. On 9/11 and for subsequent power outages in New York City, many office workers ended up walking home from their Manhattan offices.

The key is to think through the scenarios you may face and prepare a kit accordingly. If you work in an area that is a prime terror target, you may even want to have a gas mask or duct tape and plastic sheeting to shelter in place. When it comes to survival, you have to think about the worst case scenario and prepare without regard for workplace decorum and convention. While you don't want to single yourself out as a kooky survivalist, a discreet private stash of survival gear could make a big difference in an actual emergency.