Have an emergency preparedness kit and you will be ready for natural and man-made disasters. They are not difficult to put together and store easily. Just a little planning ahead can save you and your family stress, discomfort, and maybe lives.
Hurricanes and tornadoes cause lots of destruction and leave many people homeless. The same is true for wildfires, floods, and earthquakes. Even winter storms can knock electricity, close roads, and halt phone service. This has proven true in the United States in addition to acts of terrorist.
It is important to first have a plan put together for yourself and your family. Create an evacuation plan. Know where everyone will go or meet in case of a disaster. It is also important to be aware of which disaster may occur naturally in your area and where safe places are located. Have at least one family member, two would be better, trained in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and first aid.
It is vital to have a kit prepared. In it you must have at least one gallon of water for each person per day. Have regular household chlorine bleach to sanitize water if it is needed. If water is unsafe, you can add sixteen drops of liquid bleach to one gallon of water to make it safe for drinking. Do not use the type that is scented, color safe or have any added cleaners. It can also be used as a disinfectant by mixing one part bleach to nine parts water.
Enough food and high protein snacks are also vital. A three day supply of nonperishable food, per person is recommended. Try Military Ready To Eat (MRE) packets. Each package equals one complete self-contained meal. The packages are able to withstand exposure to the elements and rough handling. Protein bars and hard candy would be excellent additions to be used as snacks.
Lighting is also necessary. A flashlight with a strong beam will be useful. Make certain there are enough fresh batteries. There are also glow sticks that can be used. There is a new product available that does not need batteries or any other fuel to work. After charging for a few seconds from a high intensity light source or a few minutes of day light, it is ready and will glow in the dark all night long. It provides enough light for people to be able to move around and find things, thus allowing you to extend your battery life for flashlights and other use.
Do not forget to pack a first-aid kit. You should have plenty of bandages, sterile gauze and dressings, cleansing agent, burn ointment, antibiotic ointment, and sterile gloves. Also include aspirin, anti-diarrhea medicine, any and all prescription drugs being used, scissors, petroleum jelly, and tweezers.
Include any other items you may require for comfort. Blankets, warm clothing, a change of cloths, large garbage bags, and sleeping bags can help ease some of the stress of dealing with a natural or man-made disaster. Plan ahead and know what it will take to keep you and your family fed, hydrated, and warm for at least three days. Have an emergency preparedness kit, keep it up to date and store it somewhere easy to get to.
Hurricanes and tornadoes cause lots of destruction and leave many people homeless. The same is true for wildfires, floods, and earthquakes. Even winter storms can knock electricity, close roads, and halt phone service. This has proven true in the United States in addition to acts of terrorist.
It is important to first have a plan put together for yourself and your family. Create an evacuation plan. Know where everyone will go or meet in case of a disaster. It is also important to be aware of which disaster may occur naturally in your area and where safe places are located. Have at least one family member, two would be better, trained in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and first aid.
It is vital to have a kit prepared. In it you must have at least one gallon of water for each person per day. Have regular household chlorine bleach to sanitize water if it is needed. If water is unsafe, you can add sixteen drops of liquid bleach to one gallon of water to make it safe for drinking. Do not use the type that is scented, color safe or have any added cleaners. It can also be used as a disinfectant by mixing one part bleach to nine parts water.
Enough food and high protein snacks are also vital. A three day supply of nonperishable food, per person is recommended. Try Military Ready To Eat (MRE) packets. Each package equals one complete self-contained meal. The packages are able to withstand exposure to the elements and rough handling. Protein bars and hard candy would be excellent additions to be used as snacks.
Lighting is also necessary. A flashlight with a strong beam will be useful. Make certain there are enough fresh batteries. There are also glow sticks that can be used. There is a new product available that does not need batteries or any other fuel to work. After charging for a few seconds from a high intensity light source or a few minutes of day light, it is ready and will glow in the dark all night long. It provides enough light for people to be able to move around and find things, thus allowing you to extend your battery life for flashlights and other use.
Do not forget to pack a first-aid kit. You should have plenty of bandages, sterile gauze and dressings, cleansing agent, burn ointment, antibiotic ointment, and sterile gloves. Also include aspirin, anti-diarrhea medicine, any and all prescription drugs being used, scissors, petroleum jelly, and tweezers.
Include any other items you may require for comfort. Blankets, warm clothing, a change of cloths, large garbage bags, and sleeping bags can help ease some of the stress of dealing with a natural or man-made disaster. Plan ahead and know what it will take to keep you and your family fed, hydrated, and warm for at least three days. Have an emergency preparedness kit, keep it up to date and store it somewhere easy to get to.
