Be Prepared ...

It is time to prepare for weather related emergencies. Our state has already been hit by very destructive  storms/tornados. This is also the Womans Challenge Bonus for my Virginia Beauties! You have until Saturday June 7th to complete it.

Get Ready! (Suggested Items for your Emergency Preparedness Kit)

Spring is here and summer is right around the corner! It may not seem the time to think about bad weather, such as tornados, hurricanes, thunderstorms and flooding, but a storm can hit with little or no warning. Create a preparedness plan for your family today. Make it a family activity and get everyone involved! Here are some pointers to keep in mind:

• Determine what types of bad weather are typical for your geographical area, i.e. Gulf Coast - Hurricanes and Flooding; Midwest- Tornadoes, Thunderstorms and Flooding; East Coast - Thunderstorms, Hurricanes and Flooding; West Coast - Wildfires, Mudslides and Windstorms.
• Know the difference between a weather "Watch" and "Warning".
• If you have children in your family talk with your local school authorities or daycare provider about their facilities preparedness plan.
• Discuss with your employer their preparedness and severe weather plans.
• Meet with your local Medical Reserve Corps, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, or community organizations around preparedness activities in your community.

When creating your family preparedness plan, it is important to include all members of your family (children, seniors, disabled, pets, and livestock) to ensure no one is left out. More than one plan may be necessary to meet the needs of your family, as well as the disaster type. Below are some tips for creating your own family preparedness plan:

• Meet with your family and discuss how your family will deal with different types of emergencies within your household and community, i.e. fire, medical and server weather.
• Draw a floor plan of your home and discuss two ways of exiting each room. Designate a safe place to meet outside of your home.
• Post emergency contact numbers by all phones and program numbers into cell and home phones.
• Teach children how to dial long distance numbers, call 911, and operate a cell phone.
• Identify a relative or friend whom family members can call to give updates. (It may be easier to reach a relative or friend who is not in the affected area versus the emergency area.)
• Take a basic CPR or First Aid class (contact your local Medical Reserve Corps or American Red Cross).
• Know of alternative routes to your home, a shelter or other safe destination in case roads are blocked or flooded.

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Home Safety

• Practice a trial evacuation from your home or work place and meet in a designated area
• Decide what type of bad weather you experience the most in the spring and summer months and make your own preparedness plan
• Determine where in your home is a safe place to be during severe weather (basement, a room with no windows, bathtub or under a heavy piece of furniture)
• Practice seeking shelter in your home as if a storm was coming
• Locate the closest shelter to you in case your home is not safe due to storm and wind damage

Supplies

• Gather a 3-day supply of water for each person in your family
• Gather a 3-day supply of non-perishable food for each person in your family, including:
  • high energy foods – peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars
  • comfort/stress foods – cookies, hard candy, chips, crackers, instant coffee, tea bags
• Gather a 3-day supply of pet food/water
• If needed, obtain food for infants, seniors or special diets
• Gather household supplies and tools such as batteries, duct tape, matches, pliers, wrench, candles, garbage bags, flashlight, flares, and compass to be used during a weather emergency
• Pack can opener, bottle opener and food storage bags
• Obtain a battery operated radio for weather updates in case the power goes out

Medical

• Pack First Aid Kit
• Pack hand sanitizer
• Pack over the counter/prescription medicine

Personal

• Pack one complete change of clothing/shoes for each family member
• Pack a “Kid Kit” with your parents or guardian in case a storm hits (small games, favorite small toy, coloring books, crayons, action figures, matchbox cars, books and etc) items should be able to fit in a grocery bag
• Obtain sanitation/personal hygiene supplies – diapers, feminine products, baby wipes and tissue
• Pack eyeglasses, contacts and cases
• Locate important personal documents – will, insurance policy, bank statements, credit cards, picture ID and social security cards. Pack in a waterproof bag such as a food storage bag
• Locate important medical documents and records – immunization records, list of medications and birth certificates. Pack in a waterproof bag such as a food storage bag

For additional information about storm and family preparedness visit www.fema.gov and www.ready.gov. To volunteer in your local community to promote preparedness and public health initiatives please go to www.medicalreservecorps.gov.

I have some additional suggestions: **Pack all this stuff into a couple of rubbermaid tote boxes with lids.  Make sure they will fit into your trunk.  Just in case you have to evacuate on foot (such as what happened to many evacuees in New Orleans), consider purchase one of those luggage carts. **Purchase a cooler on wheels **Get a propane stove or grill with at least 3 bottles of propane. **Set aside at least one week's worth of prescription medications along with a detailed list of meds you &/or your family takes.  Include name of the drug, dosage, name of doctor, etc. **make photocopies of your license, credit cards, healthcare cards, birth certificates & send to a relative or friend that does not live in your area. **for a medical kit, have bandaids, surgical tape, 4x4 & 2x2 guaze squares, antibiotic ointment, tylenol.  That's just very basic stuff. Hope this helps.