In an emergency four eyes are always better than none

I am blessed to be fairly functional without my glasses. I've even arrived at work more than once without them. I do need mine for reading, fine detail and computer work. My husband, on the other hand, can't do anything without his. A long term loss of our glasses and we'd both be sunk.

Are you backing up your home computer?

I've owned a computer longer than most people, and I've never lost a large amount of data.  Certainly, I've misplaced files, hit the power button before saving was complete, or forgotten to click "Save As" a few times, but I've never faced the total loss and devastation of viruses, lightning strike or hard drive failure... until now!  This week I said a sad farewell to my long-lived desktop computer.  This PC was ancient as computers go these days, but it plugged along just fine.  I was about to hand it over as "the kids' computer" when POW! Blue screen. Diagnosis - hard drive failure. 

Getting in (or out of) Your Garage in a Disaster

Let's take a look at the safety of your garage not only from intruders, but also from a disaster safety point of view. 

• You need to be able to access your garage during a power outage.  If the garage is attached to your home or has manual doors, you're probably fine.  But if your doors are only power lift doors, be certain that you have another walk-in door or access that you can use when the power goes out.

• Also, be certain that all the drivers in the family know how to disengage the door lift motor and manually lift the door.  In a weather or earthquake related emergency, you may need to make a quick exit by car.

Getting ready...

What a busy summer we've begun, and it promises to get even crazier.  Last week, I attended a class in Jefferson City, Missouri, to learn to better run an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during a local disaster.  This week, I'm building a radio campaign to help promote and educate about basic emergency preparedness.  (You'll hear more about that later.)  I love talking to people about readiness because it's important and it's easy to do.

What is your readiness level?  How many of these boxes can you check?

• Family emergency plan is written and practiced for a variety of hazards.
• Family communications plan is written and understood.
• Out-of-State emergency contact is known (memorized) by all.
• Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and CO detectors are installed.  Fire plan and meeting place are practiced.
• Evacuation (go-bags) are packed and easily accessible.
• Home emergency kit contains 72 hours of food, flashlights and batteries, and other supplies.
• Shelter in place kit contains plastic sheeting, duct tape, and a bucket.
• Critical documents (legal documents, banking, insurance, and medical) have to-go copies assembled.
• Other emergency kits are in place: car, commuter, work, school, etc.
• A NOAA radio in your home, workplace, etc. is always on - someone is listening for alerts.
• Likely evacuation routes and destinations (hotel, friends, family, etc.) identified.
• Small business owners have a business disaster plan and expectations developed.
• Key employees (management, medical, government, etc.) have a plan for your family in a disaster.
• Alternative "utilities" identified for your home. (Heat, lights/power, cooking, etc.)
• Necessary medical needs have back-up and stock-up for a week or more during an emergency. (Power, medication, supplies, treatments, etc.)
• Safe room and wind mitigation prepared for high winds (straight line winds, tornado, hurricane, etc.).
• Earthquake mitigation begun (attach shelves, support water heater, reduce overhead storage, etc.)
• Get a little training, certification, and practice in your area of interest.  (First aid, search and rescue, Ham radio, alternative power, volunteer assistance, first response, home safety, public education, etc.)

What would you save?

In emergency management, there are three priorities for every incident. Listed in order, they are - life safety (victims and responders), incident stabilization (getting the problem under control), and property preservation (saving what can be saved.) As we delve into preparedness, these priorities hold true as well. But in this very moment, you have the benefit of time to spare. Until the first crisis hits, you can prioritize, plan, and organize to our heart's content. At Everyday Providence, we spend a lot of 'real estate' on life safety and incident stabilization.  Let's take a look at some steps we might take to save some important items during a disaster. 

What would you save, if you could? Old photographs? The family bible? Jewelry? Your kids 'art' collection? Your wedding dress (or Mama's)? A hope chest? Your Pez dispenser collection? Books? An antique? Power tools? Your computer? A bottle of wine? And what about information lost? How easily could you compile financial, medical, insurance and historical details? Although fire is the most common household disaster, don't forget the damage caused by flooding (flash floods can hit any area), storm and wind damage, backed up sewers, theft (looting and vandalism), or sudden evacuation.

Take a minute to consider what and how you might save important and precious items in a fire, earthquake, flood or evacuation. Keep copies of legal records in a fire safe, at a bank safety deposit box, in another location, or on a flash drive. Scan photos, albums, and scrapbooks and save them on online. Anchor large items to walls to prevent them overturning in an earthquake (or onto a mischievous child.) Prioritize antiques and irreplaceable items now, so that you aren't forced to think it through under the pressure of an evacuation. You may also consider home safety monitoring, home fire suppression (sprinklers), and a talk with your insurance agent about coverage needs.

Talk to your family (and neighbors?) about these needs and desires.  You may not be home when disaster strikes.  Your husband, children or babysitter may not value the same things you do.

Always keep safety first and never re-enter an unsafe building. Fire, earthquake, major structural damage, water, hazardous fumes and gas may all prevent you from safely entering your home.  I know a woman who, after assuring that her family was safe, returned inside her raging, burning home to rescue old photos and grandma's handmade quilt. Her house was a total loss, and these are basically all she has left. But what a terrible price she could have paid.

Prepare for an Earthquake in One Day

Although everyone is talking about earthquake preparedness right now, I realize that getting ready for a disaster can seem like an enormous project. Start small. Then add, tweak, and cycle new supplies. I've challenged myself to create a quick and easy way to get help you get 'earthquake ready' in one day or less. (Sure, there's always more to add, but this should be a convenient way to get started and a check-up for those that have started a kit.) Ready? Set! Let's go!

Flashlight - at least one good emergency flashlight with two sets of batteries (not stored in the flashlight, it drains the batteries) in your kit is paramount!

Water - a gallon of water per person per day. If you don't have any water stored, go buy one case of bottled water per person. You can add to or modify this later.

Medicine - Put a week's worth of each prescription medication, routine over the counter
medications, other convenient medications (ibuprofen, cough drops, etc.), and a first aid kit in your emergency kit.

Gallon zip-lock type bags

Portable radio and two sets of batteries (stored out of the radio).

Tools - a crescent and pipe wrench to shut off water and gas. Learn how to shut these off, as well as your electricity. A small tool kit and/or super tool might be a good idea, as well.

Food - Canned food, boxed food, snacks/treats, and canned pet food will be critical in the first few days after an earthquake before utilities are restored. Also consider how you'll be able to heat the food. Camp stove and fuel? Outdoor grill? Keep it maintained a d conveniently and safely located. Don't forget a hand crank can opener!

Storage Container - Place these items (except the water) in a bin located in a accessible and convenient place in your home.

Training - Take five minutes and practice earthquake safety and response using 'Drop, Cover, and Hold On.' (Your kids have already done this at school, I bet.)  The moment you feel the ground shake - Drop where you are. Cover yourself by crawling under a sturdy piece of furniture (table, bed, desk, counter, etc.) away from bookshelves or other furniture that might topple. Hold on to the item you are hiding beneath to keep it over you.  After the shaking stops, wait and use caution moving about. Watch for falling debris. Use special caution when entering and exiting a building or room. Most injuries occur within ten feet of building entrances. Make sure you are unharmed, then check on those around you.

There are many additional steps you can take to prepare for an earthquake. Start here with these suggestions and build on that foundation. As I've mentioned before, you don't need a separate kit for each disaster. Integrate the supplies you'll need in a variety of events into one complete collection (shelter in place, power outage, earthquake, flooding, etc.)

Remember to train even if you don't live in an earthquake zone. Most of us travel through these areas for vacation and/or business.

Related posts
Four Rules of Three
Functional Friday: Go-Bag Part I - The Need
Like a Bridge over Troubled Water
Practice an Evening Without Electricity





(By the way, as a test of my own, I composed and edited this entire post from my phone.)

Is all of this for real?

Even I have asked myself from time to time, "'Is this right? Do these tips work?" My local Red Cross chapter recently asked for real life examples of people whom had lived out of their go-bags... no one replied. Then, my sister forwarded this link to me, and I finally have my proof.

Acte gratuite, a blog, chronicles the life of Emily - a Mormon American woman, her husband, and her four boys living in Japan. (via iprepared) And then, one day, there was an earthquake. I mention that she is Mormon because preparedness is mandated by the church, and she is quite prepared. I mention that she's American because when I read her blog I relate to her perfectly. She is experiencing the trials and horrors of the aftermath like I believe I would... like an American.

Saturday, March 12 - The day after the quake which occurred in the afternoon in Japan. I'll link you to the first post after the earthquake. It was actually posted her family (state-side, I assume) who hacked her account to let her readers all know that she and her family were safe and well.

From Sunday on, Emily was able to get to power and internet connections to post. I've listed my top 25 favorite preparedness tidbits from her point of view. If you have the time, read the details and the exposition straight from her blog.

• No power, no heat, no phones, no internet. Yet, some friends stayed with them since the friends had already shipped stuff state-side in preparation to return home.
• The commissary opened with no lights of a cash only basis. She bought diapers and hot chocolate.
• They went to church and checked on others in their community.
• The well-meant "hack" of her blog was not well received.
• Immediately, items (food, coats, blankets) were being collected for those in desperate need.
• They had to stop collecting supplies because they weren't prepared to organize and distribute the goods they were receiving.
• She started recording ideas and issues that she faced - to help us and to remind herself.
• Get a corded (non-electric) phone.
• If you leave your house during an emergency, leave a note to say where you've gone.
• Garage door openers don't work with the power off. Know how to operate yours without power.
• She wishes she had kept more fuel as they cook with camping equipment and their grill.
• Emily emphasizes the peace of mind back-up medications provide - prescription and over the counter.
• They were able to shop at the commissary because they had cash on hand, and a secret back-up stash.
• She's planning to get a hand-crack wheat grinder and blender to make the best use of food supplies.
• Lighting was an issue. Cheap flashlights failed, she didn't have enough candles, she wanted a lantern.
• "Also, my next house will have a wood-burning fire place. This all would have been much easier if we could have been warm."
• Blankets and coats are needed, but aren't able to be shipped, yet.
• Even after power is restored, they are required to conserve.
• A clean, uncluttered home turns out to be an asset during a disaster.
• Gasoline is rationed.
• School is out for at least a week.
• Here's a list of what is immediately wiped out from the commissary: peanut butter, paper products, batteries, bottled water, charcoal, candles, diapers, formula, and bread.
• Add playing cards, games, and kid activities to 72 hour kit. Also add chocolate.
• Japan had anti-hoarding laws; they cannot store food. The grocery stores are now empty.
• Arrangements are being made to host displaced families in homes.

Other highlights :
March 15 - "*Not much new to report today. The base is under strict instructions to limit power as much as possible: Five minute showers, one load of laundry per day, lights out during the day time, only one major appliance on at a time, etc."

Emily was able to "do something" in the midst of the chaos. Read about it here. She had a request and opportunity to check on some young American refugees and get word back to their families. The beauty and impact of this simple act breaks my heart.

She attended a child-friendly, play-group meeting for information about the disaster. A trained and prepared consultant was on hand to answer questions from moms of children.

Won't you take advantage of the resource Emily has given us. What will you take away from this to help you and yours in a time of need? I will be buying more candles this week-end.

Japan's Quake Should Shake Us Into Action

www.news.com.au

I just got an email from a friend of a friend.  John P. is stuck at the airport in Narita, Japan.  Apparently the earthquake struck just as his plane landed.  He's fine, but for over five hours he's been standing in the airport shoulder to shoulder next to thousands of others with no provisions.  Hundreds (if not thousands) of victims lost their lives today, and the aftermath of this morning's 8.9 quake and tsunami will last for days, weeks, months, and years into the future. 

Help! As members of a global community, we all have the ability and (I dare say) obligation to lend a hand to our fellow man.  (Red Cross, World Vision)  For some of us prayers are the most precious gift we are able to offer.  Certainly financial gifts will be needed to restore that region.  Some Americans will have an opportunity to travel to Japan and assist in the restoration.  Whatever your situation, I urge you to do something right now.

Learn!  I also want to remind you that most of the United States' population lives in seismically active areas.  The US Geological Survey's website offers a lot of useful information.  Check to see what the risk is in your area.  (Remember that areas you travel to for business and leisure may be affected as well.)

Prepare!  As we watch the recovery in Japan unfold, be reminded of the steps that you might take to reduce the panic, heartbreak, and devastation if this happened in your community.  Take measures to quake-proof your home.  Know (and train your family) on what to do during an earthquake.  Prepare an emergency kit - with flashlights and other supplies you may need immediately after a quake or other disaster.  Keep supplies on hand to ride out inevitable post-disaster shortages.

Plan ahead!  Finally, when you travel, keep a few supplies right with you everywhere you go.  I hope John had a bottle of water, a granola bar and a pen light in his carry on bag.  I also hope he has a designated emergency contact here in the states.  Although he was able to get some information back to the states, he may have had his only opportunity to call.  His friends and family need to know who to contact here to check on him.

Related Posts:
Functional Friday: Preparedness Project - Evacuation Bag
Preparedness at Night
Disaster Cycle
Functional Friday: Go-Bag Part I - The Need