Preparing for Disaster with Small Children

Everyday we are faced with challenges, some minimal and some larger than life. It is important to know what to do should you face a challenge, such as a natural disaster. Like many American families, you may have small children at home, so it is important to take necessary precautions to prepare yourself for the worst.

Natural disasters include, but are not limited to Tornados, Hurricanes (see Preparing for a Hurricane), Earthquakes, Fires, Floods, Tsunamis, Volcanic Eruptions, Wildfire, Landslides, and even Terrorism.

To prepare yourself, the first thing you should do is create an Emergency Supply Kit. When putting your kit together, it is important to remember that in case of an evacuation, you may be away from home for a short to long while, and so you should have an adequate amount of supplies. Following is a short list of necessities:

-Drinking Water

-Food (if you are packing canned food, be sure to pack a can opener as well)

-First Aid Kit

-Clothing (keep in mind that weather conditions vary and so it is advisable to pack long-sleeve items, jackets, etc.)

-Medications (if you have a family member with a disability, handicap, or illness, be sure to pack medications and supplies accordingly.)

-Blankets

-Money

-Important papers

As part of your preparation, you should devise a Plan of Emergency, complete with details regarding escape routes, meeting places, ways of communication. If your children are in school, inquire as to whether or not the school has an Emergency Plan should an emergency arise and what this plan entails.

However, most importantly, REMAIN CALM. Your children will look to you for strength and support during a frightening situation.

Quick Tip! – Contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross to find out which hazards can possibly strike your community and what risks or effects may result from it.

What Will YOU Do…?

It is true that we are currently witnessing an economic crisis. It is true that with unemployment rates surging and business owners being forced to either raise prices or cut them to keep their doors open, we’re left wondering what our tomorrow holds and what the future will bring.

As foreclose rates rise, so does the number of home owners worried about how they will make their next mortgage payment. Many lenders are shutting their doors to the public, making obtaining credit and loans nearly impossible. Automakers sit looking out at filled car lots and consumers wait anxiously for someone to cut them a break. Some commercials, courtesy of marketing gurus, insist on having us believe that “things aren’t so bad” while the media reiterates that “this is the worst of times”.

We’ve elected a new President and we all sit with great hope that he will turn things around and provide our nation with economic stability, but we’re all also left with the realization that change will take time. But what are we to do as we wait for this great change to take place?

Amidst the economic crisis, it’s natural to ask yourself ‘What if?’ It’s natural to be concerned about the current state of affairs. You have to ask yourself, what will happen if things take a turn for the worst? Once panic and fear have settled in a person’s mind, it is easy to assume that chaos may follow.

We should always think positively, but we must also think smart. We must assume the risks that come with this downturn in the economy, but more importantly, we must prepare ourselves for the worst. Once upon a time, it was Survival of the Fittest, in today’s volatile economy it’s Survival of the Smartest…Survival of the Prepared.

Southern California becomes the target of wildfire…

Malibu California, known for it’s sandy beaches and home to some of Hollywood’s A-List celebrities is devastated this past Monday as Wildfires engulf the alluring land. Due to hills of dry grasses and it’s boundless forests, California is especially vulnerable to these types of catastrophic wildfires.

Thousands upon thousands of acres of woodland were devoured early Monday morning, with firefighters putting forth exemplary efforts to keep the disastrous wildfire from spreading and attempting to douse the flames.

Sadly enough, it has been recorded that some 1.2 million acres of this country’s woodland burns every year, leaving homeless residents behind, both human and animal.

The recent wildfires in California remind us of an all too common battle, one between man and Mother Nature. And although wildfires can be volatile, as is the case with any natural disaster, it is important to do as much as humanly possible to protect our homes, our family, and ourselves.

Safeguard yourself and the ones you love by keeping an Emergency Supply Kit on hand. Create and practice your family emergency plan, and possibly, the most important thing is to remain informed.

With the daily nuisances of life, it is easy to forget about the uncertainties of the future, however, it is our responsibility to our communities to prevent, plan, and prepare.

[Fact #1: Distressing but true, it is a fact that 4 out of 5 wildfires are caused by humans.]

[Fact #2: Wildfires often begin unrecognized. They spread almost instantly, igniting brush, trees, and homes.]

[Fact #3: Wildfires are described using three specific terms- Surface Fires which burn along the forest floor, moving slowly, Ground fires which are commonly started by lighting and Crown Fires which move quickly along tree tops and spread by wind.]

Things You Can Do Around Your Home to Prepare for Disaster

• Know where the gas, water and power shutoffs are and have the tools near by to be able to shut them off. It is also a good idea to write down where the shutoffs are so that another family member or neighbor can shut them off if you are not home.

• Make an emergency plan and escape route for your home and practice it with your family. It is also a good idea to make sure children know how to contact 911.

• Fasten shelves and heavy pictures or mirrors securely to walls, and don’t place them over beds or couches.

• Keep plenty of aluminum foil on hand, it can serve many purposes in an emergency. Also very useful are zip-seal plastic bags, these have many first aid uses, use for insulation, padding, to stop a sucking chest wound. Even if they are not being re-used to hold things after emptied. Remember, depending on the size of the disaster, your supply line may fall apart, and simple things we take for granted may not be available . After a disaster, think twice before throwing something away you might be able to put it to use if you can think out side the box!

• Make sure you have a few large fire extinguishers in your home type ABC, and that everyone knows how to use them.

• Keep a 5 gal. pail with seat/cover, in it store some garbage bags and several rolls of toilet paper. This can be stored easily in a garage or basement and makes an excellent emergency toilet if your home is damaged or there is no water supply.

• Strap gas appliances to walls or the floor, especially the hot water heater. Your water heater is a very good, large source of drinking water. They are also very heavy, if it were to fall it would break the glass lining of the hot water heater and ruin your water for drinking. If it fell, it would also break the gas lines. Gas appliances are the cause of most fires after an earthquake or hurricane.

• Replace solid gas lines with flexible lines for gas dryers, water heaters, stoves and any other gas appliances. (Check with local building codes)

• Install emergency lighting, as well as making sure that you have plenty of portable light sources available

• Keep bleach and ammonia products in separate areas. If they combine they create a very deadly gas.

Preparing For a Hurricane – Yes, It’s That Time Again!

While all natural disasters can be frightening, one of the most common is a hurricane. A hurricane is a severe tropical cyclone. One of the most recent and deadliest hurricanes to strike in American history includes Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. Hurricane Katrina caused severe destruction and devastated all those in it’s path.

Hurricane season takes place between June 1st and November 30th. If you reside in an area typically known for being struck by hurricanes, it’s advisable to monitor the Storm Watch feeds provided on our web site home page, or the Weather Channel to find out if a hurricane may be headed your way.

To prepare yourself, you should create a Kit with things you will need in case of a hurricane emergency. This Hurricane Kit should include essential items such as those found within a First Aid Kit, as well as food, water. Water should be enough for 1 gallon of water, per person, per day. (food and water should be stored in a cool place) batteries, medication, blankets, etc. Also prepare a box with the family’s passports, birth certificates, mortgage information (if applicable), and home insurance policy. There are also complete Hurricane Kits available to purchase, to take a lot of the guess work out of it for you.

You should ensure that your home insurance policy is kept up to date. If your home is located in a flood zone, you may need to purchase flood insurance separately from your regular home insurance, as it is not always included. Another good idea is to perform regular maintenance on your car. After all, it will be your transportation should you need to evacuate. Be sure to also have emergency supplies in your car as well, in case you are unable to retrieve your supplies from home.

Once your family has formulated a plan of defense in the case of a hurricane, practice it. Make sure each family member knows who to contact, and how to contact them, and vice-versa. Hurricanes normally travel slowly, so as soon as you’ve received word of one approaching your area, you should begin finalizing your plans and decide whether you will evacuate or stay put. If you do decide to stay. It is advisable to have a few sheets of ply-wood on hand, even cut to size ahead of time, and stored in a shed or garage. When a Hurricane is confirmed, the home improvement stores, and lumber yards will be a mad house and may even be already sold out of the supplies you’ll need!

Remember, forming and exercising the right plan can make a world of difference and may save a life. Live well and live safe!