Emergency Preparedness - Articles - Zimbio

Emergency preparedness

Sun, 29 Oct 2007 05:16:00 GMT

posted by pucketts2001
With all the various natural disasters and terrorist attacks, that happen seemingly on a daily basis, it just seems plain silly to me to not be somewhat prepared to be able to provide for your family for a few days at a minimum. I began thinking about these things more and more over the past year or so and started making my little preparation kits, and buying some things that my wife just rolls her eyes at when I tell her why I'm buying them. That's just the thing, no one ever thinks they will need them, and if the time comes they think they can run down to the local store and buy what they need. That is the exact problem. PRACTICALLY EVERYONE thinks "they will make an announcement on the news and I can get ready." Well, that MAY work for a short bit of time. But when panick ensues that plan is shot. Here is a simple example. A year or so ago when alerts came out that gas was going to skyrocket, a friend called me and we were talking about it. He mentioned that the local stores were reporting that all the gas cans were being bought up and they were quickly running out of stock. Well, what did I do? I ran from store to store to buy a gas can, and sure enough had to go to several before I found some. I bought 2 (even though I already own about 5). But sure enough the gas cans were being sold out in the entire area in half a day. When the weatherman calls for snow, what is the first thing you do? Run to the grocery store to buy bread, milk and eggs and if you get there early enough you may get some.

When the alert comes over every tv and radio around that something real serious is about to happen will you need to be running to the store in order to have food and water for a few days? If you answered yes, I think you should reconsider. If people went this crazy over gas cans, what do you think they will do over food? It would be a free for all.

I live a pretty good ways out in the country and it is not uncommon for the power to go out for several days at a time. While it is inconvenient, we have no trouble making it. I have a woodstove for backup heat and cooking. A couple different types of camping stoves with extra fuel for them. I keep the pantry full of all kinds of canned foods that can be easily heated up for a quick meal. But most importantly is water. You would be suprised how much water is needed. Water is needed for cooking, cleaning, drinking, and after a day or 2 it's nice if you have enough to flush the toilet (I go outside myself to avoid that problem, bu convincing my wife and daughter to do this is extra work). I save 2 liter drink bottles and milk jugs occasionally and keep myself a decent supply of water. If you intend on drinking the water at some point, it will need to be rotated out to keep fresh.

It's always a good idea to have a basic first aid kit handy. I keep one in a kit I keep put away for such situations so that things don't get taken out of them and not replaced.

Take a minute, go look in your cabinets. Can you feed your family for a week? Can you keep them warm for several nights? If they are hurt or injured, or get sick, can you care for them for a few days without seeing a doctor? I can.

Welcome to our wikizine called "Emergency Preparedness"

Mon, 24 Apr 2007 19:08:20 GMT

posted by cort009
Wikizines are interactive magazines that anyone can create or edit - and this one is called "Emergency Preparedness". Here you can find fresh voices and respond in real time. Some members write articles about recent news and trends related to the wikizine's topic, others recount relevant personal stories or share their favorite pictures and video clips. Got an interesting idea or story to share with other members of this wikizine? Well, then put on your journalist's cap and add your own article!

Are You Prepared?

Wed, 17 May 2007 06:28:43 GMT

posted by cort009

Yes, I want to share with you what I just sent my US Prepared community tonight. Also if you would like my FREE Emergency Preparedness Guide and how to get your Preparedness in a Box visit our US Prepared site.

Preparing a Disaster Kit:

Sun, 17 Mar 2008 19:27:00 GMT

posted by pamel
Every year California is plagued by fires and mudslides, even the occasional earthquake. The coast of Florida is plummeted by pounding waves with high-velocity gales and hurricanes. Tornadoes run through the panhandle of Oklahoma on a routine basis during their season. Severe snowstorms blanket many parts of the East coast for weeks at a time in knee to waist high snow. Parts of the Mississippi river overflow flooding surrounding areas, causing residents to climb atop their homes awaiting to be rescued. Arizona is known for flash floods or people dying of heat exposure. Many people loose power, their homes, some even their lives. Is your family prepared for a disaster of any caliber. Even a house fire will cause you to become disoriented and displaced. Are you ready? Do you have a plan that everyone in your family knows about? Do you have an emergency preparedness kit ready and easily accessible? If you don't. Don't hesitate to do so now. Being prepared, even if you never have to use it, is better than needing it and not having it. Okay, you say. So where do you begin? Glad you asked. Read on.

Making three kits is always the best alternative; Kit one is for when you are forced to stay home -- in the case of an earthquake or tornado (and you've taken shelter and are safe after the disaster; staying home would be the safest option unless you are evacuated due to outages or fires/gas line breakage etc.) Kit two is for if you are evacuated. Kit three is for your vehicle, in case you don't make it to home to get your kit and have to be evacuated from your work for example. At the bottom of the article I have placed a checklist link (from FEMA's site) to help you with creating you kits. Still I will go over some of the items anyways.

I have also provided a link with info on making contact information cards, which are necessary for each member to have in their wallets/purses in time of disasters. In such times there is general panic and confusion and people can forget or jumble phone numbers. These cards are a way in which you will be able to contact certain persons in case you can't contact one another. Remember to make a plan on where to meet in cases that you are not together if such an event occurs. Please stress the importance of using the contact cards and having a meeting place (if it is safe-if not then leave info on your location with each of the contact's on your card so the other members will be able to find out your whereabouts when they call in).

In your "Stay At Home Kit" you will need: (this is for an average 3 day stay)
Water-is an essential ingredient for every kit, at least 3 gallons per person in this kit is needed since you don't know how long you'll be home.
Toilet paper, Canned food and non-perishable snacks (i.e. dry fruits like raisins), handheld can-opener, blankets, first-aid kit, medication (you might be taking or a family member), pet food/pet supplies, bleach (non-scented), pens/pencils and paper , clothes (for each family member), books/games (to occupy your time).

In your "Evacuation Kit" you will need:
Water-is an essential ingredient, as you are traveling you can't take 3 gallons per person therefore it can only be 1 gallon per person. Flashlight (with additional batteries-or a flashlight that doesn't require batteries is actually the best type to have actually), small hand-held radio (additional batteries), canned or dried food, hand-held can-opener, pet food (one day supply),one change of clothes (for each family member), plastic/paper plates/cups/silverware, personal hygiene items (don't forget hand sanitizer "waterless"), medication (you or family members normally take), identification cards, contact information card (with numbers of family and friends out of state), sleeping bags.
Place this kit in one place that is easily accessible for everyone. Make it simple to get to, so you can grab it and go without much hesitation.

In your "Vehicle Kit" you will need:
Same as your Evacuation Kit plus the following items; NOAA weather radio (if your small hand-held one doesn't get the weather station), signal flares, matches (in a waterproof container), tools (wrench, pliers, shovel at least), duct tape and scissors, whistle, plastic sheeting, work gloves, tent, compass, needle and thread, battery operated travel alarm clock, ABC fire extinguisher.

Remember to change your supply of water every six months (dump, rinse, clean, container and refill). Please be sure that you date your water with a label to make it easier to know when to refurbish your supply. Keep water in plastic containers, not glass. Also, write dates on your food items and refurbish them every six months too.

Look also on the Kit checklist link for a checklist of other items. These will be documents and extra keys and such. These things you will probably either store in another location entirely that is easily accessible outside your home. Some people find a safe deposit box a good idea. But in the case of an earthquake or power outage I'm not sure that it would be totally accessible. Some prefer to store them in their garage or even in their car or at work. The choice is yours.

Familiarize yourself with the use of a fire extinguisher, below is a link to a basic fire extinguisher use. Also is a link about terrorism fact information in case of another attack. Take CPR and First Aid courses through your local Red Cross or Hospital. Some Red Cross chapters also offer classes in preparation for terrorism attacks if you decide you would like to be more prepared in that area. Preparedness is the best way to be when an emergency arises. Remain calm as possible, you may be the one people depend on.

kits checklist
contact info card
OSFMFireExtinguisherGuide
TerrorismFacts

Earthquakes--Are You Prepared?

Mon, 13 May 2008 06:31:02 GMT

posted by fanihiman95376
China recently suffered a very large earthquake--about 800 miles southwest of Beijing--it is estimated that more than 10,000 people lost their lives in this quake--and multitudes more are homeless. Find more information about the quakes in the RSS feed below. The 102nd anniversary of the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 was on April 18th. --And, seemingly in commemoration of this event, the Midwest of the U.S.--namely, Illinois--had a rare 5.2 earthquake on that day this year! And then,...