Emergency Preparedness #1
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| "Emergency Preparedness" |
I began thinking of this a week or two ago and began rummaging through my files for my emergency lists. The info which I am going to supply you with info from a couple of sources: Montgomery County Department of Public Safety and FEMA. It is a minimum of what we should all have but I would definitely encourage you to do more to prepare for a disaster.
The coronavirus pandemic suggests we have 14 days worth of supplies. Maybe that should be the new norm with many of the items below, as opposed to 3 days? Nevertheless, where it stated 3 days in the lists, I kept it at 3 days. Myself, I will end up having 14 days of supplies on hand as a minimum for the months going forwards.
Who would have thought six months ago that we'd be in the situation we are in today? I thought I would still be planning my 50th birthday trip for Key West, Florida in June. Now I am hoping for a trip up to Maine instead to look at real estate which &*(&(&(* the one we had planned to do in April. And if doesn't happen and we are still under quarantine, well then I may settle for a bottle of Miller Lite and a pizza to ring in my 50th!
The following is a list of items to prepare for an emergency. My comments of course are included here and there.
WATER:
* Pack at least one gallon per person per day for at least 3 days. (Again, coronavirus guides recommend 14 days worth per person!)
* Store water in tightly sealed, nonbreakable plastic, fiberglass or enamel-lined metal containers.
* Change your water every six months.
Marc's comments:
OK, instead of changing the water every 6 months, I go by the expiration date on the water bottle if it has it. I also write the date of purchase with a black sharpie pen on the water jug or on a piece of masking tape I put on the container. Having it on a small label doesn't help. Put it bold, in black, and in large letters so you can see it just by glancing at the container. I don't like squinting!
Any water which goes past the expiration date will be either be given to the pets or houseplants. In addition, you can always keep it and flush toilets within if your local water source goes down.
One of my goals this summer is making a rain barrel to collect rainwater. If god forbid one loses water in their community, at least you will have water for use for either flushing toilets, gardens or pets. Obviously if giving it to pets, I'd recommend boiling it and letting it cool down first.
FOOD:
*Pack enough food to least each family member at least 3 days. (Again, emergency preparedness guides NOW recommend 14 days worth per person during this pandemic!)
* Include canned and boxed foods because they require little preparation and stay good for long periods of time. Remember to have a manual can opener or to buy food in self-opening cans.
* Pack foods in sealed metal or plastic containers. Do this if storing in someplace like your garage or attic.
* Replace foods every six months. (I don't see the need for this, see below.)
*Include foods for infants and family members with special diets.
Marc comments:
I only see the need to store food in the metal or plastic containers if you are storing it in a storage unit, attic, basement, garage or out-building such as a shed. I would inspect the food every six months for an potential infestation by vermin or insects. Again, it helps to write the dates of expiration or purchase on the food. As I stated above, I don't see the need to replace everything every 6 months if the food item has not been opened or past the expiration date. One other thing: I also keep a running list of what I have in my freezer so that I know what I need or can use at any one time. And obviously, keep the list near the freezer or handy in the kitchen.
PETS:
* The recommendation for basic emergency preparedness guides is the same for pets, 3 days of food and water. I have it for 14. Even though our pets are more than capable of eating older food, I still write the date of purchase on the food bags so I am aware of when I bought it.
* Attach ID tags to your pet with your name and address. Unfortunately, Miss Moxie Cat hates collars and goes nuts with them. But we have one on hand just in case of an emergency.
* Remember that if you do have to go to an emergency shelter, many do not allow pets except service animals.
THAT SUCKS - Marc
* Put together an emergency supply kit for your pet. Include things like a first aid kit, food dishes, a litter box, a leash or pet carrier, medications, food, veterinary records and water.
TOOLS and EQUIPMENT:
* Battery powered radio
* Candles and matches
* Flashlights
* Spare batteries
* Resealable plastic bags
* Washcloths and towels
* Papercups, plates and plastic utensils
* Toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, deoderant, and other toiletries
* Heavy duty plastic garbage bags
* Change of clothing and an extra pair of socks for each person
* Blankets or a sleeping bag for each person
PERSONAL ITEMS:
* Personal ID
* Copies of birth and marriage certificates, inventory of household goods, bank account numbers, and other important documents
* Maps, yes PAPER maps!
* Extra car and house keys
* Prescription medications
Marc's comments:
For batteries: AAA, AA, and D. I don't use C that much except for medium sized flashlights. A lot of these are standard items we usually have in the household. Just keep the emergency preparedness list handy if you need to find the items quickly. The same goes for the personal items below. Copies of important papers should be kept in a safe, if possible, or a locked file cabinet. With regards to paper maps, I don't think you need to go crazy. Just have local and state maps available. For me, if the shit hits the fan, I'm heading NORTH.
FIRST AID ESSENTIALS:
* adhesive bandages
* antacid
* antibiotic ointment
* antidiarrhea meds
* antiseptic
* aspirin and non-aspirin pain reliever
* cleansing agents (rubbing alcohol -70%, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, soap, germicide)
* cotton balls
* first aid cream and or burn cream
* first aid manual
* first aid tape
* gauze pads and roll
* latex glove
* laxative
* moist towelettes
* needle, thread, and safety pins
* petroleum jelly
* scissors
* sunscreen
* thermometer
* tongue depressors
* triangular bandages
* tweezers
Marc's comments:
You may have much of these items around the house but are not sure where they all are. Can you find them if you need to? Also, how old are they? Has that aspirin expired? What about the first aid cream? I know the moist towelettes dry out pretty easily. Make sure you update your first aid essentials every couple years. I have a first aid kit in each bathroom, one in each car, and one in the garage. So between the several I have, I have each of the items above, just not in one place.
These past 2 months have really got me thinking about what would happen if disaster struck. I am making sure that in the event of something happening, man-made or natural, that I am prepared. You may have wondered why I didn't do this list back in March. Well, I didn't think I'd be quarantined for a month.
Start making sure you have these items available should something else happen or is this pandemic gets worse. Better to be safe than sorry. How many of above do you actually have readily available?
Remember, knowledge is power! I just did the research above for you. Now put this knowledge to good use and be prepared!
In the next part, I will give a list of what "preppers" feel you should ALSO have on hand! That list is quite extensive. That is for when "SHTF"(prepper lingo) or "When the SHIT hits the fan!"
WATER:
* Pack at least one gallon per person per day for at least 3 days. (Again, coronavirus guides recommend 14 days worth per person!)
* Store water in tightly sealed, nonbreakable plastic, fiberglass or enamel-lined metal containers.
* Change your water every six months.
Marc's comments:
OK, instead of changing the water every 6 months, I go by the expiration date on the water bottle if it has it. I also write the date of purchase with a black sharpie pen on the water jug or on a piece of masking tape I put on the container. Having it on a small label doesn't help. Put it bold, in black, and in large letters so you can see it just by glancing at the container. I don't like squinting!
Any water which goes past the expiration date will be either be given to the pets or houseplants. In addition, you can always keep it and flush toilets within if your local water source goes down.
One of my goals this summer is making a rain barrel to collect rainwater. If god forbid one loses water in their community, at least you will have water for use for either flushing toilets, gardens or pets. Obviously if giving it to pets, I'd recommend boiling it and letting it cool down first.
FOOD:
*Pack enough food to least each family member at least 3 days. (Again, emergency preparedness guides NOW recommend 14 days worth per person during this pandemic!)
* Include canned and boxed foods because they require little preparation and stay good for long periods of time. Remember to have a manual can opener or to buy food in self-opening cans.
* Pack foods in sealed metal or plastic containers. Do this if storing in someplace like your garage or attic.
* Replace foods every six months. (I don't see the need for this, see below.)
*Include foods for infants and family members with special diets.
Marc comments:
I only see the need to store food in the metal or plastic containers if you are storing it in a storage unit, attic, basement, garage or out-building such as a shed. I would inspect the food every six months for an potential infestation by vermin or insects. Again, it helps to write the dates of expiration or purchase on the food. As I stated above, I don't see the need to replace everything every 6 months if the food item has not been opened or past the expiration date. One other thing: I also keep a running list of what I have in my freezer so that I know what I need or can use at any one time. And obviously, keep the list near the freezer or handy in the kitchen.
PETS:
* The recommendation for basic emergency preparedness guides is the same for pets, 3 days of food and water. I have it for 14. Even though our pets are more than capable of eating older food, I still write the date of purchase on the food bags so I am aware of when I bought it.
* Attach ID tags to your pet with your name and address. Unfortunately, Miss Moxie Cat hates collars and goes nuts with them. But we have one on hand just in case of an emergency.
* Remember that if you do have to go to an emergency shelter, many do not allow pets except service animals.
THAT SUCKS - Marc
* Put together an emergency supply kit for your pet. Include things like a first aid kit, food dishes, a litter box, a leash or pet carrier, medications, food, veterinary records and water.
TOOLS and EQUIPMENT:
* Battery powered radio
* Candles and matches
* Flashlights
* Spare batteries
* Resealable plastic bags
* Washcloths and towels
* Papercups, plates and plastic utensils
* Toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, deoderant, and other toiletries
* Heavy duty plastic garbage bags
* Change of clothing and an extra pair of socks for each person
* Blankets or a sleeping bag for each person
PERSONAL ITEMS:
* Personal ID
* Copies of birth and marriage certificates, inventory of household goods, bank account numbers, and other important documents
* Maps, yes PAPER maps!
* Extra car and house keys
* Prescription medications
Marc's comments:
For batteries: AAA, AA, and D. I don't use C that much except for medium sized flashlights. A lot of these are standard items we usually have in the household. Just keep the emergency preparedness list handy if you need to find the items quickly. The same goes for the personal items below. Copies of important papers should be kept in a safe, if possible, or a locked file cabinet. With regards to paper maps, I don't think you need to go crazy. Just have local and state maps available. For me, if the shit hits the fan, I'm heading NORTH.
FIRST AID ESSENTIALS:
* adhesive bandages
* antacid
* antibiotic ointment
* antidiarrhea meds
* antiseptic
* aspirin and non-aspirin pain reliever
* cleansing agents (rubbing alcohol -70%, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, soap, germicide)
* cotton balls
* first aid cream and or burn cream
* first aid manual
* first aid tape
* gauze pads and roll
* latex glove
* laxative
* moist towelettes
* needle, thread, and safety pins
* petroleum jelly
* scissors
* sunscreen
* thermometer
* tongue depressors
* triangular bandages
* tweezers
Marc's comments:
You may have much of these items around the house but are not sure where they all are. Can you find them if you need to? Also, how old are they? Has that aspirin expired? What about the first aid cream? I know the moist towelettes dry out pretty easily. Make sure you update your first aid essentials every couple years. I have a first aid kit in each bathroom, one in each car, and one in the garage. So between the several I have, I have each of the items above, just not in one place.
These past 2 months have really got me thinking about what would happen if disaster struck. I am making sure that in the event of something happening, man-made or natural, that I am prepared. You may have wondered why I didn't do this list back in March. Well, I didn't think I'd be quarantined for a month.
Start making sure you have these items available should something else happen or is this pandemic gets worse. Better to be safe than sorry. How many of above do you actually have readily available?
Remember, knowledge is power! I just did the research above for you. Now put this knowledge to good use and be prepared!
In the next part, I will give a list of what "preppers" feel you should ALSO have on hand! That list is quite extensive. That is for when "SHTF"(prepper lingo) or "When the SHIT hits the fan!"
If your stove requires electricity to operate, you should also keep some full propane tanks for your grill.
ReplyDeleteFor your first aid kit, you can also now get steri-strips and derma glue (super glue for the skin) at most drug stores.
Remember never use peroxide on a fresh cut, it necrosis the healthy tissues and inhibits healing. Instead clean with Bernadine or soap and water.
Just my $.02.
Great tips Marc
Great Information.... Thanks for compiling it, grasshopper.
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