"Good preparedness is too expensive and too complicated"
Nothing could be further from the truth. the problem is, we haven't made preparedness a part of our overall education. we get more preparedenss info on an airline flight than we get as citizens. most of us aren't taught that there are literally thousands of subtle, simple, and economical things we can do to drastically improve our emergency readiness. The notion that it might be expensive or complicated has come from companies that aggressively market high-prices unnecessary gear.
You can easily pick up one item each time you go to the grocery store. One week, a flashlight, next some energy bars, then handy wipes, jug of water, radio and batteries, matches, filter masks, a blanket, pet food, and whatever else your family can't do without. :-)
On the other hand, I personally was too lazy or busy or whatever to do this so did purchase a kit online at www.quakedog.com/emergencykits72. I found these kits to be the best and cheapest although I did not do an exhaustive search. I added my own medications and an extra set of clothes and it is in my trunk.
It is interesting that when we know a storm is coming, there is a run on the grocery store and we get prepared but when we don't know when a disaster will happen we leave it all to chance. Hmmm. Comments?
Showing posts with label water. Show all posts
Showing posts with label water. Show all posts
Monday, July 13, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
72 - I DO, DO YOU?
Recommended Items to Include in a Basic 72 hour emergency Kit:
Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both.
Flashlight and extra batteries.
First aid kit.
Whistle to signal for help.
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food).
Local maps.
Dont' forget your pets!
Additional items to consider:
Prescription medication and glasses.
Infant formula and diapers.
Pet food and extra water for your pet.
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
Cash or traverler's checks and change.
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.
Complete change of clothing.
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper - when diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. You can also use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire Exinguisher
Mateches in a waterproof container.
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items.
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels.
Paper and pencil.
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.
Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both.
Flashlight and extra batteries.
First aid kit.
Whistle to signal for help.
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food).
Local maps.
Dont' forget your pets!
Additional items to consider:
Prescription medication and glasses.
Infant formula and diapers.
Pet food and extra water for your pet.
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
Cash or traverler's checks and change.
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.
Complete change of clothing.
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper - when diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. You can also use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire Exinguisher
Mateches in a waterproof container.
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items.
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels.
Paper and pencil.
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
STATESMAN JOURNAL COLUMN APRIL 8
April 8, 2009
Discuss quake response with family
People will be less likely to panic if they are prepared
Previously, I asked you to think about a simple disaster scenario. It was this: Mom and dad are at work, and the kids are at school. There is a big earthquake. There is no phone service or power. Roads are closed because of power lines. What do you do?
Hopefully, you took the time to think this through and discuss it with your families. A large earthquake is possible off the coast of Oregon and could happen in the next 50 years.
So did you decide which of you would try to pick up the children? Remember that you will not be able to call each other or them. Did you decide on a location where you could all meet? Do the children have an alternate location if they can't get home?
Would your children have food and water and be safe until you were able to get home? If you think through these decisions ahead of time, you and your children are less likely to panic and do the wrong thing.
The next scenario is: You and your family are at the beach. Your children are playing at the edge of the water. You are lying in the sun. Blankets, towels and shoes are all around you. The earth begins to roll and shift and continues for about 10 minutes. Your children are scared, and the water has receded drastically.
Some people are running out to the water to gather shells in the low tide; others are taking pictures. Some are slowly folding up their blankets and towels. What should you do?
See real-life video of a tsunami at http://www.revver.com/video/131799/phuket-thailand-tsunami.
Jennifer Bailey, formerly of FEMA, is the public-affairs coordinator of Oregon Emergency Management. She may be reached at (503) 378-2911, Ext. 22294. Additional Facts
Learn more: Send questions about emergency preparedness to be answered in this column to jbailey@oem.state.or.us. Other information may be found at www.oregon.gov/omd/oem or www.fema.gov.
Discuss quake response with family
People will be less likely to panic if they are prepared
Previously, I asked you to think about a simple disaster scenario. It was this: Mom and dad are at work, and the kids are at school. There is a big earthquake. There is no phone service or power. Roads are closed because of power lines. What do you do?
Hopefully, you took the time to think this through and discuss it with your families. A large earthquake is possible off the coast of Oregon and could happen in the next 50 years.
So did you decide which of you would try to pick up the children? Remember that you will not be able to call each other or them. Did you decide on a location where you could all meet? Do the children have an alternate location if they can't get home?
Would your children have food and water and be safe until you were able to get home? If you think through these decisions ahead of time, you and your children are less likely to panic and do the wrong thing.
The next scenario is: You and your family are at the beach. Your children are playing at the edge of the water. You are lying in the sun. Blankets, towels and shoes are all around you. The earth begins to roll and shift and continues for about 10 minutes. Your children are scared, and the water has receded drastically.
Some people are running out to the water to gather shells in the low tide; others are taking pictures. Some are slowly folding up their blankets and towels. What should you do?
See real-life video of a tsunami at http://www.revver.com/video/131799/phuket-thailand-tsunami.
Jennifer Bailey, formerly of FEMA, is the public-affairs coordinator of Oregon Emergency Management. She may be reached at (503) 378-2911, Ext. 22294. Additional Facts
Learn more: Send questions about emergency preparedness to be answered in this column to jbailey@oem.state.or.us. Other information may be found at www.oregon.gov/omd/oem or www.fema.gov.
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