Preparedness Tip of the Day

Friday, September 14th

 

Take a minute to check your family's first aid kit, and note any depleted items - then,

add them to your shopping list. Don't have a first aid kit? Add that to the list or build a kit yourself. Just add the following items to your shopping list and assemble a first aid kit.  Consider creating a kit for each vehicle as well:

First Aid Kits - Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.

(20) adhesive bandages, various sizes

(1) 5" x 9" sterile dressing

(1) conforming roller gauze bandage

(2) triangular bandages

(2) 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads

(2) 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads

(1) roll 3" cohesive bandage

(2) germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer

(6) antiseptic wipes

(2) pair large medical grade non-latex gloves

Adhesive tape, 2" width

Anti-bacterial ointment

Cold pack

Scissors (small, personal)

Tweezers

CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield

First Aid Manual

 

Non-Prescription and Prescription Drugs

• Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever

• Anti-diarrhea medication

• Antacid (for stomach upset)

• Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)

• Laxative

• Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

• Prescription drugs, as recommended by your physician, and copies of the

prescriptions in case they need to be replaced

For more information about first aid kits, visit www.redcross.org.

 

 

Preparedness Tip of the Day

September 13th -- Preparing for emergencies needn't be expensive if you're thinking ahead and buying small quantities at a time.  Make a list of some food that:

• Have a long shelf-life and will not spoil (non-perishable)
• You and your family like
• Do not require cooking
• Can be easily stored
• Have a low salt content as salty food will make you more thirsty

Keep the list in your purse or wallet and pick up a few items each time you're shopping and/or see a sale until you have built up a well-stocked supply that can sustain each member of your family for at least three days following an emergency.

It Doesn’t Cost a lot to be Prepared

It is no secret that many families and individuals are looking to cut back on spending.  But with the frequency of disasters, both natural and manmade, can you afford not to be prepared?  Preparedness doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.  September is National Preparedness Month, and we are asking you to help your family and friends prepare for whatever may come.  Here are a few tips* on how you can protect those that matter to you without spending a fortune.

·         Make a Plan.  Work with your family and neighbors to make an emergency plan for the types of disasters that affect your area.  Make sure everyone in your family understands where to go and what to do in case of an emergency.  You can download Family Emergency Plan templates at http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan

·         Update Contact Information.  Having accurate records for family, friends and neighbors will help you stay in contact and possibly help those in need.  Make sure updated contact information is posted in visible places throughout your house and workplace.

·         Check Your Policy.  Review your insurance policy annually and make any necessary changes – renters, too!  When a disaster strikes, you want to know that your coverage will get you back on your feet.

·         Make a Ready List.  You may not need all of the items in ready-made preparedness kits.  Choose the essentials that fit your needs and budget.  Don’t forget to keep supplies at work and in your car.  Sample Ready Lists can be found at http://www.ready.gov/document/family-supply-list

·         Plan Your Purchases.  You can save money by thinking ahead.  Don’t buy preparedness items just before a storm when they’re expensive and supplies will be in high demand.  Buy items at the end of the season when you can get good deals.

·         Shop Sales.  Shop at sales and used goods stores.  Buy preparedness items throughout the year, instead of all at once, and you won’t notice the cost as much.

·         Make Sure it Keeps.  Store water in safe containers.  You don’t need to buy expensive bottled water, just make sure your water containers are disinfected and airtight.

·         Request a Gift.  We all get things we don’t need.  Suggest preparedness supplies as gifts from your friends and family.  It just might save your life.

·         Trade a Night Out.  Trade one night out to fund your 72-hour kit.  Taking a family of four to the movies can cost upwards of $80.  Just one night staying in could fund your Ready kit.

*The best tip: start now.  Take small steps toward preparedness and before you know it, you will be Ready!

Preparedness Tip of the Day

September 12th -- You should keep enough supplies in your home to meet the needs of you and your family for at least three days.  Build an emergency supply kit to take with you in an evacuation.  The basics to stock in your portable kit include; water, food, battery-powered radio and flashlight with extra batteries, first aid supplies, change of clothing, blanket or sleeping bag, wrench or pliers, whistle, dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape, trash bags, map, a manual can opener for canned food and special items for infants, elderly, the sick or people with disabilities.  Keep these items in a an easy to carry container such as a covered trash container, a large backpack, or a duffle bag.

Preparedness Tip of the Day

September 11th - What if disaster strikes while you're at work?  Do you know the emergency preparedness plan for your workplace?  While many companies have been more alert and pro-active in preparing for disasters of all types since the September 11, 2001 attacks, a national survey indicates that many employees still don't know what their workplace plan is for major or minor disasters.  If you don't know yours, make a point to ask.  Know multiple ways to exit your building, participate in workplace evacuation drills, and consider keeping some emergency supplies at the office.  Visit www.ready.gov and click on Ready Business for more information about business preparedness.

Preparedness Tip of the Day

September 10th - A community working together during an emergency makes sense.

• Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together during an emergency.
• Find out if anyone has specialized equipment like a power generator, or expertise such as medical knowledge, that might help in a crisis.
• Decide who will check on elderly or disabled neighbors.
• Make back-up plans for children in case you can't get home in an emergency.

Sharing plans and communicating in advance is a good strategy.

Preparedness Tip of the Day

September 9th - Practice.  Conduct fire drills and practice evacuating your home twice a year.  Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternative routes on a map in case main roads are blocked or gridlocked.  Practice earthquake and tornado drills at home, school and work.  Commit a weekend to update telephone numbers, emergency supplies and review your plan with everyone.