Are You Prepared?   
 

If your city’s alarm system went off right now, warning you of immediate danger and requiring the evacuation of your family, would you be ready? If you haven’t thought about that, maybe it’s time that you do. In today’s world there are so many disasters that could strike in a moment’s notice. From natural disasters to a terrorist attack, we should be ready to protect our families by being prepared for these emergencies. 

In an immediate emergency, what do you need to survive? Experts tell us that we should have a “Go-bag” or “72-Hour Kit” ready for each member of our family in case of emergency. Something we can take with us right at the moment, that’s packed with essentials and ready to go. It’s a great idea to set aside a backpack for each member of your family for this purpose. 

There are many different options with regards to what to put in your go-bags. These are some of the basics. First of all, make sure each family member has an I.D. tag in their bag. You would also want to have a card listing their allergies (medication, food, stings) and copies of your insurance cards. If you have members of your family who wear glasses, try to have a back up pair in the bag. Emergency cash, in fairly small quantities is good; especially quarters for phone calls. 

Also in each bag you should include: A flashlight, extra batteries, a whistle, a pocket knife, a local map, a permanent marker and paper, a bit of twine, list of emergency phone numbers, toothbrush and toothpaste, an extra key to your home and vehicle, and some basic food and water. You can purchase food bars that have 2400-3600 calories per bar. They have a shelf-life of 5 years, and are specifically formulated to not cause thirst when eating them. A smart way to pack water easily is to purchase water pouches. They also have a 5 year shelf life, and you can pack one per meal. They are 4.227 ounces of water each, which is exactly the amount the Red Cross recommends you should drink per meal in an emergency. 

Don’t forget to put your go-bags in an easily accessible location. Do not hide them away under all the other junk in your garage. Make sure each family member knows where they are stored, and knows what is inside of them. Go over a family emergency plan. Pick a location to meet at in case you are not all together when the emergency first occurs. There are many other things you can do to prepare your family for an emergency, but this is a great start to help give you peace of mind in these turbulent times.  

The 4 Step Paper Process

One of the questions I hear a lot is “Where do I start?”  Think about starting your emergency preparedness and food storage on paper before you start buying things you don’t need or already have.  There is a 4 step way to get prepared.

1. Know where you are.  What do you have and what do you need?  Maybe you set up your emergency preparedness supplies when you were single and now you are married with 2 kids.  Your needs change as your circumstances change.
2. Decide what your priorities are.  Do you want to be done and prepared as quickly as possible or do you want to prepare as you can afford it?  Do you have a pet, an infant, or special medical needs?  Your individual needs and priorities will shape your preparedness program.
3. Establish a budget.  Work food storage and emergency preparedness into your monthly budget.  Set aside a specific amount of money each month for freeze-dried food, sanitation supplies, battery-operated lantern, or water containers.  By establishing a budget, you create a path to making your preparedness a reality.
4. Keep a record.  Some of us may think emergency preparedness is important, but when our products arrive, we put the boxes in the basement and forget about it.  You need to keep track of what you have and what you receive so that you can know where you are still lacking.

By taking a few minutes to do this 4 step paper system, you can rest assured that you are getting what you need to prepare yourself and your family members and making every dollar count for what you truly need.

Many of us work on our emergency preparedness and food storage a little at a time. A first aid kit here, some freeze-dried fruit there. But often we fail to properly inventory and track what we have and we often fail to think about how much food we really need and set a goal with a due date. So, I guess my challenge to everyone is to first, truly assess what you have and what you still need. Do you have a dozen flashlights, but are missing essential sanitation supplies like a portable potty lid with chemicals and bags? Do you have a 72 hour kit, but need to put one in your car? Do you have MREs for your 72-hour kit, but are lacking in longer term food storage? So now that you know what you have, you can better determine what you need.

My second challenge is to set a goal. If you are just now starting, set a date to have your 72-hour kits completed. Then when you have that done, turn your attention to having a 2 week supply of water. Finished with that? Look at the needs of your family. Do you need to stock up on freeze-dried fruit or do you have a bunch of dinner choices, but no breakfast options stored? Set a goal and stick to it. We often think that food storage is a good idea, but how often do we make it a priority and say, “I will have a year supply of food by June 30^th?” We have to make it a goal, make it a priority, and then take steps to make it a reality.

We don’t know when a disaster like a flood or earthquake will hit or when a personal disaster such as a disability or job loss can strike, but we can take steps to prepare ourselves and our loved ones so that we can be ready for whatever may come our way.

We all remember exactly where we were on September 11, 2001. That terrifying, devastating day will stay with us forever. An attack on our soil, an attack on our freedom, an attack on Americans. What if it happens again? We’ve been told to prepare for “not if, but when.” Today, it is still a scary thought. Many people just want to put terror out of their minds, just not think about it and hope it goes away. I wish we could.

Today people are expressing concern over the threat of “dirty bombs.”  These weapons are not nuclear, but can still do massive damage to life and property. Dirty bombs are bombs that are made by using an explosive, combined with radioactive pellets or pieces. When the bomb ignites, the small radioactive pieces are hurdled through the surrounding area, making buildings and lands unsuitable to use for a long time. Not to mention the damage that can be done to human life. Hopefully, these types of attacks will never happen. In the chance that they do though, this information may help you be a bit more prepared for how to best handle the situation.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that nearly 70 percent of all terrorist attacks in the USA between 1980 and 2001 were bombings. This is why it is very important to always have a family plan for emergency situations. Go through the plan with your family at least once a year to keep it fresh in your minds. Make sure you have emergency contacts, places to meet up in the chance that you get separated, and 72 hour kits on hand and a portable radio in case you need to evacuate quickly.

If you are in a bombing, leave the area immediately. Avoid crowds as much as possible. If the attackers are still in the vicinity, a large crowd of people might be where they attack again. Stay away from damaged buildings that might contain broken glass or falling debris. Follow directions that are being given by people in authority: Police, Fire Rescue, or Military. Help others who are hurt if you are able to do so without endangering your life. Follow your family’s disaster plan and meet at your designated meeting area when it is safe to do so. Use your portable radio to find out more information when possible. If you are hurt, go to a hospital or clinic.

No one likes to think about the possibility of another terrorist attack. It is frightening and hard to process. The best way to prepare is to be informed. Know the dangers involved and talk with your family and loved ones about them. Make a plan in case of emergencies, terror attacks or otherwise, and it will give you some much needed peace of mind in these troubled times.

I have to admit, when I first heard about the bird flu, I thought, “Why do I need to worry about a flu that people have on the other side of the world? How could a flu like that be a problem to me and my family?” But as I started to watch more coverage on the news, I realized that, just like any other emergency, I should really be prepared for it. I started my preparation by researching the flu and learning what I could about it.

The bird flu (Avian Influenza or H5N1) became a threat to humans when it became apparent that cases of the flu were being transferred from birds to humans. (Humans can potentially become affected with the bird flu by coming in contact with infected birds.) If you are not immunized against the bird flu, it is extremely hard to survive it. Also, experts have declared that it could very easily become a pandemic. This means, if the virus were to gain the capacity to spread easily from person to person, a worldwide outbreak of disease could begin. So, how do we prepare for that possibility?

The immunization that is available to protect humans from the bird flu is not easy to get your hands on. The few companies that make it have been making it as fast as they can, but are still not able to make it fast enough for the demand that is on them. So, the best way we can prepare ourselves for this emergency is by doing some of the same things you do to protect yourself from any other contagious disease.

Rule number one, wash your hands! We all learn it in kindergarten, but it’s so important to thwarting disease. Also, make sure you take proper food safety precautions. Never eat uncooked or undercooked poultry, and always wash anything in your kitchen that comes in contact with it. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to stock up on good face masks for your family. If there indeed ever was a pandemic, you would not want to leave your home with out one! My family stocked up on “N100 Particulate Respirator” masks. They filter out nanoparticles, including viruses and bacteria. You may also want to purchase high quality nitrile gloves. A stash of disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer is also good for protection.

Luckily, we haven’t had to deal with a pandemic of the bird flu, but, just like any emergency, we never know if, or when, it will strike. The best bet is to be prepared!

One of the thing we often fail to do is practice our emergency plans.  So by practicing, you can figure out what works and what doesn’t before a real emergency arises.  Gather your family together and recruit a neighbor to help.  The neighbor will knock on the door and say that you must evacuate the area in 5 minutes.  A railroad car has overturned, leaking toxic gas in the area.  Set a timer and tell everyone that they must be in the car in five minutes.

What did everyone bring?  Did you remember the 72-hour kits but forget your daughter’s allergy medicine?  Did everyone head for the kits and no one remembered to grab Fido and his pet carrier?  Did you think to call your elderly widowed neighbor and see if she needed a ride?

And what if you had to walk out?  How far can you carry your 72-hour kits?  Do a practice session and try seeing how far you can walk before they become heavy.  Can you load up a wagon or stroller and pull your drinking water?  Practice makes perfect.  By practicing your emergency plans, you will be more likely to remember them and your children will be better able to handle their stress and fear since it is a task they have preformed before.

Why are kits called 72 hour kits?  Generally, the recommendation has been for people to store 72 hours or 3 days worth of food and water because that is generally how long it will take relief agencies like the Red Cross to access disaster areas.  But after Hurricane Katrina, we realized that 3 days is no guarantee.

People were stranded for days on roofs trying to escape from flood waters and others were stranded in the Superdome which was supposed to be a shelter, but had next to no supplies for all those who sought refuge.  After Hurricane Katrina, some organizations encouraged people to focus on keeping supplies for a full week instead of only 3 days.  The amount of time it takes first responders like firefighters and police officers is effected by several factors.  I live in a relatively small city with only 15 officers on our city police force.  Most of them do not live in the city limits and an average of 2 officers are on duty at any time.  Statistics are not in our favor that during an emergency, all of our police officers would be in the city and  immediately available to assist citizens.

Geography and the severity of the disaster play a part in the time it takes for first responders to reach you.  I live in a city where we are surrounded by a lake as well as a river, so in the event of a major earthquake, if bridges went down, our city would essentially be cut off from the rest of the county with boats the only way to access us.  A minor disaster that leads to roads still being able to be used has a much faster response time for police and firefighters to reach people while a major disaster that disrupts roads can lead to extreme delays in response time.  Talk to your city and local officials about what emergency plans are in place for your area and what you can do to assist them in helping those people who need assistance after a disaster.

While watching the news back in October 2007, a woman was being interviewed after being evacuated from her home due to the wild fires that were burning up Southern California.  Although she was obviously concerned about what damage might be happening to her home, her concern at the moment was that she had left all of her medication in her home and did not know where to get more.  With over 500,000 people displaced by these fires, imagine the time and money you would need to spend just to obtain what you already had.

With the possibility of a fire, tornado, earthquake, or any other disaster happening at any time, it is important to add a few extra items to your 72 hour kits.  In the case of the woman from California, she would have greatly benefited from having copies of the prescriptions that she needs.  Every prescription that is filled comes with the information that is needed for a refill printed on a sheet of paper.  Once you fill your prescription just take that paper and put it in your kit.  This way you will have the name of the medication, the prescription number, the dose, the pharmacy phone number, and your doctor’s name.

Along with prescriptions you should also include copies of your driver’s license or state ID, your birth certificate, and copies of your house and car keys.  A change of clothes is ideal, especially if you have to leave your home in the middle of the night.  A pair of sweat pants and a sweat shirt works great for every member of the family.  If you have a sweet tooth, you may want to include rice crispy treats, granola bars, or any other comfort foods you might want. It is also a very good idea to include at least $100.00 in cash to purchase anything else you might come in need of.

If you have infants or toddlers you should also keep handy a bag that contains diapers, wipes, formula, and bottles if needed.  For any age children you should include some form of entertainment to distract them from the situation.  For toddlers and young children a color book works well and a deck of cards can help for the older children.

Last but not least, if you have pets you need to make sure to include enough food and water for them.  you should also include vaccination records, medications, and a list of hotels in your area that will allow pets.  If you plan on taking your pet to a shelter, make sure a pet carrier is easily accessible since some shelters will not accept pets without them.

My sister sent me an e-mail saying that she woke up and smelled smoke.  She felt the door to her apartment and it was cool, so she knew the fire wasn’t in her hallway.  She sat awake thinking about what she would grab if she had to leave.  Luckily, the fire was a block over, but it led to the death of one and the evacuation of 40 others.

We never think that it will happen to us.  Survivors of floods, wildfires, and earthquakes are sad, but we rarely take the time to think, “What would I do if that was me?”  One of the most common things that happens in a fire is that people get out and realize someone is missing.  Maybe their escape route was blocked and they had to go out a different way.  This is why having a family meeting spot is so essential.  Recently a mother and her adult son escaped a house fire, but they couldn’t find the father.  Fearing for his father’s life, the son went back into the fire to get him out.  What they didn’t know was that the father had gotten out another way and the son died in the fire, trying to rescue his father.

Talk about where to meet and practice fire drills so that if there is any miscommunication, it is during a drill and not during the real thing.  We all need to be prepared and we all need to take steps to ensure our safety and the safety of our loved ones.

A few months ago, my husband and I were heading to a football game at a local university.  A couple miles away from the exit, we noticed one lane of the interstate was completely stopped by all the football traffic while the other 3 lanes of the interstate had slowed considerably, presumably to gawk at the stopped traffic on the interstate.  As we were sitting in the traffic, I realized that while about 65,000 people were headed to the football game, we had passed several cities whose populations greatly surpassed the number of people headed to the game.  What if there had been a local emergency and several cities were forced to evacuate?  If a football game could cause such traffic congestion, how would we fare in a mass evacuation?

Part of preparation is educating yourself.  You need to know the area you live in well.  Know the back roads, shortcuts, and other options.  We have friends who live in Texas who were part of the mass evacuation from Hurricane Rita.  Because people had so recently seen the devastation from Hurricane Katrina, people were frantic to get out.  Many cars ran out of gas sitting on interstate roads, waiting for traffic to move.  Our friends spent 5 hours in their car, only getting 3 miles before they decided to turn back and wait out the storm at home, rather than being stuck in their car.

Know what options you have for evacuating.  Contact your city, county, and state officials to find out what the evacuation routes are and what assistance may be provided by law enforcement or state department of transportation.  Ask questions now so that you will be ready with the right information should you need it.