There is renewed interest in preparations for natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons.
Many people may have prepared disaster preparedness items such as food, water, and flashlights, but have you ever thought about your emergency wallet?
During a disaster, cashless payments may become unusable due to power outages. There may also be situations where it is necessary to verify identity at evacuation shelters or obtain emergency contact information.
When that happens, you may find it inconvenient to use your regular wallet.
This time, we'll think about what to keep in your wallet in an emergency .
We hope that this will be an opportunity to think about what you should prepare for in case of an emergency, and also an opportunity to reconsider the things you carry with you on a daily basis.
The idea of "preparing cash" for emergencies
Many people rely mainly on cashless methods in their daily lives.
However, as mentioned at the beginning, in an emergency, cards and electronic money may become unusable. In fact, during the 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake, a large-scale power outage caused cashless payments to stop working at many stores .
It is very important to have some cash on hand just in case. Even if you usually use cashless payment methods, it is a good idea to keep some cash in your car or bag for emergencies.
Another option is to keep separate wallets for everyday use and for emergencies .
Your everyday wallet is mainly for everyday shopping and managing cards. Your emergency wallet should contain a minimum amount of cash and notes with necessary information, and should be ready to be taken out immediately.
By using different wallets for different occasions, such as work, personal use, and travel, you can optimize them for each purpose. If you consider "disaster preparedness" to be one of them, it's not something special.
Related article: "Recommendations for using different wallets depending on the occasion"
What to keep in your emergency wallet
First, let's take a look at the items you're likely to need in the event of a disaster.
1. Cash (including coins)
During a power outage, credit cards and electronic money may become unusable. Even if you normally go cashless, it's a good idea to keep some cash on hand for emergencies.
As a rough guide, you should have enough money to buy food and daily necessities for a few days. If you prepare around 10,000 to 30,000 yen, including 1,000 yen bills and coins, it will be easier to deal with situations where you don't have change.
2. Identification card
You may be required to verify your identity at the evacuation center or when completing various procedures. It is a good idea to include copies of your driver's license and health insurance card.
If you keep separate wallets for emergencies and everyday use, it's a good idea to keep the original in your everyday wallet and a copy in your emergency wallet.
3. Emergency contact information
In case your smartphone stops working, write down the contact information for your family and work and keep it with you. It is also important to prepare in analog ways so that you can contact others in case of an emergency.
4. Other useful items
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Information about regular medications (medicine name, dosage, etc.)
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Allergy Information Notes
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Blood type notes
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Telephone card (for public telephones)
To make these preparations, along with checking your disaster preparedness supplies, it is best to make it a habit to regularly check and organize the contents.
How to choose the right wallet for emergencies
Disaster preparedness bags tend to be large because they contain water, food, and clothing, so choose a wallet that is as compact as possible and can hold only the bare essentials.
1. Shape: Thin and compact
We recommend a thin and compact design so that it doesn't take up too much space in your disaster preparedness bag.
It is a good idea to choose one that has a structure that allows you to neatly store all the things you need, such as an L-shaped zipper type or a thin bifold type.
2. Visibility: A structure that makes it easy to see the contents
In an emergency, it can be difficult to stay calm and act calmly. If the contents are clearly visible when opened, you can quickly take out what you need.
Having too many compartments and pockets can make it difficult to know where you put what. A simpler design may be easier to use in an emergency.
Munekawa's wallet is useful in emergencies
At Munekawa, we value designs that " contain everything you need in a compact space ."
We will introduce some products that are easy to use not only for everyday use but also as a secondary wallet for emergencies.
Cram L-shaped zipper wallet
Although it is slim, it has a structure that can store coins, bills, and cards in a balanced manner. When you open it, the contents are easy to see and you can quickly take out what you need.
It is a size that does not take up much space even when placed in a disaster prevention bag, so it is recommended for use in emergencies.
▶︎Product page here
Enfold Coin Bifold Mini Wallet
This mini wallet is compact yet easy to use. It is also a compact wallet that can be used by those who prefer to use cash.
This wallet can neatly and functionally store cards, coins, and bills, making it easy to carry around even the essentials you need in an emergency.
▶︎Product page here
Tuck IC card case
This compact card case has three card pockets. The main pocket with a hook and eye closure can also be used to store coins. It can compactly store the bare essentials you need for emergencies.
▶︎Product page here
summary
This time, I thought about it from the perspective of "wallets that are useful in emergencies."
Now that cashless transactions are becoming more common, the idea of "keeping cash on hand" and "separating your wallet according to purpose" will give you peace of mind in case of an emergency.
When you are reviewing your disaster preparedness supplies, be sure to also think about your "emergency wallet."
