Planning for an emergency - Week #9

Well, how are we doing? Are we keeping up with our project objectives? With Summer officially starting in less than two weeks. We need to stay on track with our activities. Once Summer arrives, our schedules frequently become packed with activities and our priorities may shift to other pressing matters like working longer hours, yard work or volunteering.This week let's continue our preparedness strategy. Let's focus on obtaining supplies, developing our emergency plans and learning more about our local hazards. Let's do some shopping (and looking ) this week and obtain the following for our emergency supplies: •1 can of ready to eat soup for each family member, •liquid dish soap ….great for cleaning anything •household chlorine (unscented) bleach ….many uses besides treating water •1 box of heavy duty garbage bags with ties ….useful for any type of commodity •antacid (for upset stomach) ….helpful for stress relief •tools for work on home….useful when turning off utilities Optional supplies •contact lens solutions and cleaning accessories •pool safety equipment •portable fans for cooling Every year we hear of disasters that strike with little notice. Unfortunately we have all seen the television footage of families trying to sift through the damaged structure of their homes for valuables or records. While we may not be able to protect everything, we can likely find the time to copy a complete set of our records. This set of records should include insurance policies, property information, medical records, prescriptions, loan documents, etc. The records could be kept in something as simple as large zip-lock bag. Or better yet, they should be kept in a fire-proof storage box. Another alternative would be making a couple of sets of the documents and storing them at a friend or relatives house in another area. The boxes used for copy paper also make excellent records boxes, especially when they are sealed in plastic. Learning more about our local hazards can mean a lot of things. This week consider buying a radio that will receive weather stations. It could be a battery operated or a self-powered hand crank model. Just remember, it's always nice to not have to look for fresh batteries. Most of the hand crank radios pick up the weather stations, serve as a charging device for your cell phone and also work as a flash light and strobe. While these emergency radios may cost between $15-25, they provide quite a few (not easily duplicated) services. The information we can receive with a small radio is important. It could be news of important services or emergency instructions. It may also be news of an impending storm or weather problem that may impact you and your family. The radio information may also be interesting to know when you are wondering how other areas may be doing after a significant earthquake. I received an e-mail today from the Red Cross. The message was a reminder to donate blood this summer. Apparently the demand for blood goes up in summer and the supply typically drops off because school is out and people can get busy doing other things. Please consider donating blood in the next month. The Red Cross hosts blood donation clinics in and around Downey often. I am sure you can find quite a bit of information on-line. The Rio Hondo Chapter of the Red Cross is located in Whittier and I am sure they could help you find a blood donation clinic this month. You can reach the Rio Hondo Chapter of the Red Cross at (562) 945-3944. Give the gift that gives life. You never know who may benefit from your donation. Questions or comments can be sent to ready@downeyca.org.

********** Published: June 11, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 8