Emergency Preparedness - 14 tips to Help You Prepare

September is Emergency Preparedness Month. Most disaster preparedness experts recommend having enough supplies to sustain yourself, family and pets for a minimum of 72 hours - and more is better. The reason is this: Gas, water, electricity and phone service may be gone and not available for several days - you'll be on your own.

Plan and prepare now, so you're ready. Remember to follow the manufacturer's directions for the storage and use of all equipment. Here are some tips to get you started:

Clouds and Mountains in San Luis Obispbo, by Carole Jakucs, 2015. Image subject to copyright.

• Bottled water: The recommendation is to have on-hand at least one gallon per person per day. And don't forget to have extra for your pets.

• Maintain a supply of non-perishable foods such as MRE's  (Meals Ready to Eat) and protein bars.

• Learn CPR and First Aid. 

• Get First Aid kits for your home and car.

• Keep any prescription medications you use on a regular basis handy and in one location if possible so if you if you have to leave your home quickly - you can grab them on your way out the door.

• Have plenty of flashlights and batteries on hand - at least one set per person.

• Know where your water and gas shut off valves are located, know how to shut them and when to shut them - in the event of leaks/broken lines.  Keep the tools you need to shut them in a specific place.

• Get an ABC fire extinguisher, keep it handy and learn how to use it.

• Consider getting an emergency generator and again, learn how to use it in advance if needing it. You'll need extra fuel to operate it so bear in mind all safety precautions for storage.

• 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.

• Review your emergency supplies on a regular basis, checking expiration dates and to confirm all equipment still works. 

• Plan ahead for communications: Have a battery operated radio on-hand for access to public safety announcements. Try to keep your cell phones charged as much as possible. Remember to keep a charger in your car too. 

• Create a plan to contact and reunite with family members

• Create plans for escape routes from your home, neighborhood and town. Plans for this will vary depending on what type of home you're in and where you live (near the beach or in the mountains, for example).

Review the CDC and Red Cross websites for more information. 

Three Tips to Increase Survival Rates in a Terrorist Attack, Emergency or Disaster

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).

1. 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. 
2. 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.  
3. 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.

12 Tips to Prepare for Emergencies and Disasters

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Flashlights: 1 per person (have extra batteries on hand). Don’t use candles as they are a fire hazard.
4. 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.  
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Have an ABC fire extinguisher on hand in your home and make sure everyone in your home knows how to use it.
8. Obtain an Emergency Generator, if necessary for anyone in your home that uses any life saving medical equipment that requires a power source.
9. 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.
10. 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 1^st of each month.
11. Plan escape routes from your home (and city) for various disasters. Always keep a full tank of gas in all vehicles.
12. 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.

Healthy Travel Tips # 4 - Learn the Basics; Take a First Aid, CPR and AED class

      Take a CPR, AED and First Aid Class.  Learn how to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and how to operate an AED machine (Automated External Defibrillator) which are now located in many public places such as airports. These skills are essential for rendering assistance if someone near you has a Cardiac Arrest. Learning how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver on someone who is choking is usually included in this class. The Heimlich Maneuver is an another critical lifesaving skill.  Learn First Aid so you know the basics about self care (or caring for others) for cuts (lacerations), sprains and heat exhaustion, to name a few. A good place to start in looking for classes is to contact your local Red Cross or American Heart Association.  You can also contact hospitals in your area as some offer these classes for the community on a rotating schedule.  If they don't have them, they may serve as a resource for you as to where to go. *The life you save could be your own, a cherished loved one or a stranger needing your help.

      Call 911 go to an Emergency Room for any Urgent Symptoms. Severe pain of any kind, bleeding, injuries, dehydration (to include diarrhea and vomiting), altered mental status, vision problems, difficulty speaking or moving or symptoms of any type of infection should be treated by a Physician; if you are not sure if you should get help, err on the side of caution and go to a Licensed Medical Professional for care without delay. These tips are useful anytime, while at home, in your local neighborhood and area or while traveling.  

Healthy Travel Tips # 1 – Bring the Basics

Summer is here and vacation trips abound; this is Part One of a series of health related travel tips. Bring the Basics regarding first aid supplies. This is especially important if you’re traveling to a rural area or out of the United States, but good practice for any trip. Prepare and carry a small pack of OTC (over the counter) medicines to take on your trip so you don't have to scramble finding a pharmacy or grocery store late at night in a new location.


Oral Medications: Read and follow all directions on the package labels regarding dosing and warnings on all medications.

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) for pain or fever.  
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for allergy symptoms (or your favorite antihistamine).  
• Loperamide (Imodium) for diarrhea.          
• Meclizine (Dramamine) for motion sickness. If you are flying, make sure you carry medicines in their original containers or foil packs (which are flat and easy for packing).

Topical Supplies:

• Band-Aids (2 each in various sizes). 
• Antibiotic cream.  
• Corn & Callous pads. These come in small flat packages that are easy to pack and helpful if you anticipate a lot of walking.

Last but not least, seek care from a Licensed Physician or go to an Emergency Room if you have any severe or urgent symptoms.