With the recent terrorist attack in Boston, the explosion at
the fertilizer plant in Texas and the floods in the Midwest, it brings to mind
the importance of learning how to help yourself, your family and those around
you if tragedy strikes. Countless lives were saved in Boston due to the quick
actions of many bystanders (some of whom were professional emergency responders
and some were not).
- Learn CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). If someone’s
heart stops beating or they stopped breathing, the goal is to keep their blood
circulating to prevent brain damage and death until professional advanced life support
services arrive on the scene. You can take classes either through the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross. Classes are sometimes offered
through local hospitals and fire departments depending on where you live. CPR
training also includes instruction on how to operate an AED (Automated External
Defibrillator) which is used during a Cardiac Arrest.
- Take a First Aid Course. First Aid classes are offered by
the American Red Cross. Lives were saved in Boston by bystanders who knew how
to apply pressure to bleeding wounds and when and where (on the body) to apply
tourniquets to prevent death from massive bleeding. Other skills are learned in
a basic first aid class too such as (but not limited to) how to provide initial care for a variety
of injuries from burns, broken bones (fractures) and heat sickness.
- Follow the advice of local authorities on the scene. If you’re
told to vacate an area due to a bomb threat, rising flood water, an approaching
fire or noxious fumes, do so immediately. Follow their instructions and get out
of the danger zone (while there’s still time).
Kudos to all those who have helped others in the
past and those who will step up to the plate and save lives in the future. For more tips on emergency preparedness, click here.
September is, “Emergency Preparedness Month”. Disaster
preparedness experts recommend having enough supplies to sustain yourself, your
loved ones and pets for a minimum of 72 hours (3 days) in the event of any natural disasters, power disruptions or terrorist events. Here
are some highlights of what you should plan to have on hand and how to prepare.
- Learn
Basic First Aid and CPR: Take a class and get trained in advance so
if your skills are needed unexpectedly, you’ll be ready.
- Bottled
water: 1 gallon per person per day (have extra on hand for your pets).
Running water can become contaminated or not operate at all during power
outages and natural disasters.
- Flashlights: 1 per
person (have extra batteries on hand). Don’t use candles as they are a fire
hazard.
- Food:
MRE’s “Meals Ready to Eat”, can be purchased from a variety of
sports or military surplus stores as well as on the web.
- Medications you
use on a regular basis; whether prescribed or over the counter. Have an extra
supply on hand or keep them in a small case that you can take with you if you
have to leave your home fast.
- Know
where your water and gas shut off valves are located and learn how to do it, in the event you have leaks from broken
lines. Keep any tools needed in a centrally located
area in your home and make sure everyone knows where they’re at.
- Have an ABC fire extinguisher on hand in
your home and make sure everyone in your home knows how to use it.
- Obtain an Emergency
Generator, if necessary for anyone in your home that uses any life
saving medical equipment that requires a power source.
- Important
Legal documents should already be stored in a
waterproof/fireproof container that is easy to grab if you need to evacuate your home quickly.
- Inventory
and rotate your supplies each month, check expiration dates and
functionality. Choose a date that has meaning for you such as your birthday or the 1st of each month.
- Plan
escape routes from your home (and city) for various disasters. Always keep a full tank of gas in all vehicles.
- Communications: Have a
battery operated radio on hand for emergencies to facilitate hearing news
updates from public safety officials. Always
keep your cell phones charged (have a charger in your car too). Make plans to contact
and reunite with family members. Local lines may not be operable, so have a back-up contact that's out of town (or out of state) that all family members can contact for checking in with and giving and receiving updates.
