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FAMILY PREPAREDNESS PLANS

Friday, 09/05/08

After an emergency, workers may not be able to reach everyone right away. In some cases it may take 3 or more days for help to arrive. Your family preparedness plan is the guide that will help to prepare your family to endure these difficult times.

In creating a family preparedness plan, it is important to consider the needs of the people who live in your home. This article includes planning tips, suggestions and checklists that we hope will help you and your family develop an emergency preparedness plan.

You should consider the following when developing a family preparedness plan:

• A family meeting location

• Planning for those with disabilities/special needs

• Important documents and files to collect and protect

• Emergency kits and what to have in them

• Local evacuation routes

• Contact information for local emergency providers

Be sure to update your Family Preparedness Plan every time your family information changes.

Your family should review the plan together so everyone understands what to do in an emergency. Be sure to pay particular attention to the different needs of each person in your household and make sure any special needs are included in your plan. Members of your family that might have special needs include babies, infants, small children, elderly persons and any persons with disabilities.

Family Meeting Location

Your family may not be together when an emergency occurs, so it is good to choose a place where you can meet after an emergency or make contact with one another if you are separated. When you discuss your Family Preparedness Plan as a family, be sure everyone knows and reviews what you will do in different situations. 

Planning for those with disabilities/special needs

If you have a family member who has a disability or special need, you may need to take additional steps to protect her or him in an emergency.

Some ideas to consider when making your Family Preparedness Plan:

• Form a circle of support people to help you in an emergency. (Church members, neighbors, nearby friends or family members)

• Prepare and keep a medical resume for and with the family member with special needs so that others know the person’s conditions and needs and how to meet them.

• Create an Emergency Kit containing supplies specific to your family member’s special needs. (See list at bottom of suggested items article]

• Make sure your circle of support knows about your emergency kit and where it is stored.

• Give a member of your circle of support a key to your home.

• Contact your local emergency management office and notify them that you have a family member with a disability/special need. (Most emergency management offices keep a current list of people within a community who have a disability/special need, so they can be quickly located and assisted in the event of an emergency).

• Encourage your family member with a disability/special need to wear a medical alert bracelet or tag.

• If your family member is dependent on dialysis or other life sustaining treatment, know the locations and availability of more than one facility in your area.

• Show your circle of support how to operate any special equipment your family needs [e.g., wheelchair, tube feeding supplies, oxygen, etc.].

• Show members of your circle of support how to collapse the wheelchair in case it needs to be transported.

Here is a list of supplies you may want to consider keeping in your Family Preparedness Kit:

• Extra supply of prescription medicines, a list of medications and their dosages [be sure that you rotate these so the medications don’t become ineffective]

• Extra set of eyeglasses and extra hearing-aid batteries.

• A list of the styles and serial numbers of medical devices you use

• Extra copies of medical insurance documents and Medicare/Medicaid cards

• List of doctors, relatives, and friends, along with their contact information, who you may want to go to for assistance

Food

It is recommended to have a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Non-perishable means food that can stay good for a long time without needing to be in the refrigerator. It is also good if the food doesn’t need to be cooked. Keep food in a dry, cool location.

Remember to replace your food supplies every six months to ensure freshness. A good way to remember when to replace your foods is by doing so at the same time when you change your clocks for Daylight Savings.

Here are some suggestions of foods to have prepared:

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
• Canned juice, milk and soup
• High energy foods, like peanut butter, granola bars, trail mix
• Powdered coffee or tea
• Dried fruits and nuts
• Crackers
• Vitamins
• Sugar, salt and pepper
• Fun foods! Like cookies, hard candy, lollipops
• Special food for babies or those with disabilities/special needs

Along with your food supply, it is necessary to have all the items that are necessary for food storage, cooking, eating, and cleaning.

• Camping stove with extra gas
• Pots, pans, plates and utensils
• Sponges, soap and other cleaning supplies
• Napkins, towels and paper products
• Manual can opener
• Ice cooler / Ice chest

Water

Drinking Water

Storing drinking water is one of the most important things you can do before a disaster. In a disaster, water pipes may be broken or the water may become contaminated. To be ready, you should have at least a 3-day supply of drinking water at your home. Plan to have at least one gallon of water for each person per day.

Cooking and Hygiene Water (For cooking meals/ brushing teeth/ bathing)

You will also need at least one gallon of water for each person per day for things like cooking and personal hygiene (like brushing your teeth).

Calculating Total Water Storage Needs

You will need at least 2 gallons of water per person per day to meet all family water needs. So a family of 4 will need 24 gallons of water stored to meet family needs for a period of three days [4 persons times 2 gallons of water per person per day times 3 days equals 24 gallons (4 X 2 X 3 = 24)]. Remember to add in extra water if your family member who has special needs has extraordinary water needs.

Water Storage Tips

Buying 1 Gallon jugs of bottled water is suggested, but you can fill your own water containers if needed. Be sure to store your water in plastic containers. Plastic soft drink bottles are fine for use, but do not use milk cartons or glass bottles!

First Aid Kit

During a disaster, you or a family member may become injured. A First Aid Kit will be needed to treat an injured person, so keep a first aid manual and basic medical supplies in your First Aid Kit. Having these basic supplies will allow you to assist someone who has been injured. Remember, many injuries are not life threatening and do not require immediate medical attention. Knowing how to treat minor injuries can make a difference in an emergency. Also, it is recommended that you and other family members take a first aid class.

Here are the things you should have in your First Aid Kit:

• First Aid Manual
• Sterile adhesive bandages of different sizes
• Sterile gauze pads
• Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
• Triangular bandages
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Sewing needle
• Moistened towellettes
• Antiseptic
• Thermometer
• Tube of petroleum jelly
• Safety pins
• Soap
• Latex gloves
• Sunscreen
• Aspirin or other pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medicine
• Antacid
• Laxative
• Activated charcoal

Local Emergency Contacts

In planning for emergencies, you should learn about the emergency departments in your community and their services. Before, during and after a disaster, listen closely to the information they provide. They will supply you with details regarding the disaster event, including shelter openings/closings, safety tips to consider and instructions to follow to ensure your safety.

Checklist of Things to do BEFORE an emergency occurs

 Create a Family Preparedness Plan

 Meet with your family and discuss your Family Preparedness Plan, including your designated meeting and check-in locations after a disaster

 Prepare a Medical Resume for your family member who has special needs and keep it with or near the person at all times

 Create an Emergency Preparedness Supply Kit with the following:

• Battery-powered radio or television
• Flashlight(s)
• Extra batteries for radio, television, and flashlights
• First Aid Kit and first aid manual
• 1 changes of clothing and sturdy pairs of shoes (one for each person in your plan)
• 1 Pillows and 1 blankets/sleeping bags (one for each person in your plan)
• Feminine hygiene supplies
• Fire extinguisher
• Manual can opener
• Disinfectant
• Household bleach
• Credit card and cash
• Personal identification
• An extra set of car keys
• Matches or lighter in a waterproof container
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities (household gas and water)
• Whistle or signal flare to signal for help
• Map of your local area

Things to Do AFTER a Disaster Event

 Go to your prearranged meeting place or implement your contact plan to be sure all of your family and household members are accounted for and safe

 If you evacuated the area, listen for the local authorities to announce the “ALL CLEAR” letting you know it is safe to return home

 Check for damage in your home

 (Use flashlights-do not light matches, candles, or turn on electrical switches in case of a gas leak)

 Contact your insurance provider to report any damages

 Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline and other flammable liquids immediately

 Call your Out of Town Contact and other family members to let them know you are OK

 Check on your neighbors, especially those that are elderly or have disabilities/special needs

 Repair or block off access to anything in your home that is damaged and could cause injuries

 Stay away from downed power lines

Tools and other Items

 A portable, battery powered radio or television and extra batteries

 Flashlight and extra batteries

 Signal flare

 Matches in a waterproof container

 Shut-off wrench

 Pliers

 Shovel

 Other tools (screwdriver, etc.)

 Duct tape and scissors

 Plastic sheeting

 Whistle

 Fire extinguisher

 Tent

 Compass

 Work gloves

 Paper, pens and pencils

 Needles and thread

 Battery operated travel alarm clock

Kitchen Items

 Manual can opener

 Paper plates, cups, and plastic utensils

 All purpose knife

 Sugar, salt, pepper

 Aluminum foil and plastic wrap

 Zipper plastic bags

 Small cooking stove and cooking fuel

Hygiene Items

 Washcloths and towels

 Towelettes, soap, hand sanitizer, liquid detergent

 Toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorants, comb, brush, razor, shaving cream, chap stick, sunscreen, insect repellent, mirror

 Heavy duty plastic garbage bags and ties

 Medium sized plastic bucket with tight lid

 Disinfectant and household chlorine bleach

 Small shovel

Special Needs Items

Try to maintain extra items specifically necessary for family members with special needs. These items may include:

 Copies of the person’s Medical Resume

 Parts and tools to repair mechanical devices

 Filters, tubes, sterile water, medical supplies, etc. to maintain feeding tubes, ventilators, dressing changes, etc.

 Other medicine and supplies specific to the person’s immediate and short term needs

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How to purify water in case of emergency

Tuesday, 07/22/08

Water is the most important resource a person will need in order to survive after an emergency or disaster. The average person can survive for three to four days without water. Unfortunately, water from lakes and rivers etc. often can be contaminated with chemicals or germs which can cause serious illness or death. As Coleridge put it in his Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner, “Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.” His mariner was on the sea, surrounded by salt water, all of it undrinkable. Sometimes, on land, the situation can be just as dire. Most of the world’s deadliest diseases are waterborne. Water can carry parasites, giardia, cryptosporidium, bacteria, algae, viruses and fungi. Diseases like dysentery, typhus and cholera all are spread by contaminated water and cause more human deaths than virtually any other cause.

The risks impure water cause make it imperative for you to plan how you are going to provide water in case of an emergency or disaster. It is recommended that each household should store a minimum of 1.5 gallons per person per day for a three day period. 55 gallon drums make excellent water storage containers. If you cannot store water or if you exhaust your three day supply you will have to find alternative sources of water such as rivers, lakes or ponds. Of course water from any of these sources will carry parasites, giardia, cryptosporidium, bacteria, algae, viruses and fungi that can make you very sick if you do not purify the water before drinking it. There are three options one may use to purify water.

Option 1: Boiling water – This is generally the safest method to destroy any disease and organisms. In order to boil water you will need a source of heat either from a fire or a camp/emergency stove (I recommend a CampChef stove) and a camp pot or cup. If the water is murky or cloudy you may wish to pour the water through a coffee filter/paper towel to get rid of any sediment before boiling the water. To purify the water, bring it to a rolling boil for a minimum of 60 seconds plus one additional minute for each 1000 feet above sea level in order to ensure that all living organisms are dead. If the water tastes flat after boiling you may aerate it by pouring the water back and forth between two clean containers.

Option 2: Tablets – This option is the most light weight and portable solution. Two common types of tablets are available; Iodine and chlorine Dioxide. As with boiling, if the water is murky or cloudy you may wish to pour the water through a coffee filter/paper towel to get rid of any sediment before boiling the water.

Iodine Tablets – Iodine will kill pathogens that are heat resistant. When using iodine, drop the tablet in the water and wait at least 30 minutes before drinking the water as per instructions on the bottle. You also can use liquid iodine. If there are no directions on the iodine bottle use 12 drops to the gallon of water. If the water is cloudy, double that quantity. Again, mix well and allow to stand for at least 30 minutes. Iodine is a quick and easy solution. Pregnant women and people who have thyroid problems should contact a physician before using iodine as a water purifier.

Chlorine Dioxide Tablets – Like iodine, this also is a light weight and portable solution for water purification. Chlorine Dioxide is a stronger pathogen killer than iodine and will not discolor the water. To use these tablets, drop them in your water and wait at least 15 minutes before drinking as per the instructions on the bottle. The water will have a slight chlorine taste. You also can use liquid bleach found in your home – Liquid Chlorine Bleach: Be sure the bleach you have on hand for this purpose contains only sodium hypochlorite (5.25% solution) with no soap, phosphates, scents, etc. For one gallon of clear water, add 8 drops (1/8 tsp) of bleach. To five gallons of clear water add 32 drops (1/2 tsp.) If the water is cloudy, double these amounts. Do not use the measuring dropper or spoon for anything else. At the time the bleach is purchased, right the date of purchase on the bottle. Bleach that is over one year old has lost about half its strength so the quantities you use should be doubled. After adding the bleach to the water, mix well and let it stand for at least 30 minutes before using.

Note: Both chlorine and iodine will impart a taste to the water. Pouring the water from one container to another several times will help dissipate some of that taste by re-oxygenating the water. Tang or Kool-Aid also will help to cover or disguise these tastes.

Option 3: Water Filters – Water Filters will remove bacteria, cysts and parasites. Filters also can remove many waterborne chemicals and filter out “off” tastes that boiling or tablets cannot. These filters are made in various sizes and output capacities. Some are small enough to be carried in a backpack. It would be advisable to have several of these on hand. Filters are an excellent option when you have the need for something that you can carry and will last long term.

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Preparing for Home Emergencies and Natural Disasters

Tuesday, 04/10/07

If there was a power outage in your home and someone fell and scraped a knee in the dark, would you know where to quickly find first aid supplies in your home? Would you know how to treat the wound?

It is important that you and your family have certain basic emergency and first aid supplies available at your home so that you can respond to home emergencies and to natural disasters. Your emergency supplies should be organized and kept all in one place where you can access them easily and quickly. Each family member should know where these supplies are and have a basic knowledge of how to use them.

Recommended Emergency Supplies Here is a general list of the supplies you should have for home emergencies and natural disasters:

  1. Supply of prescription and other necessary medications.
  2. Flashlight with extra batteries.
  3. Portable, battery-powered radio for receiving emergency communications.
  4. Waterproof matches, and either long-burning candles or a kerosene-type lamp with extra fuel, all properly stored.
  5. Fire extinguisher, ABC or dry-chemical type for all classes of fires. Check the expiration date and be sure you practice and know how to use it.
  6. Electrical fuses, if needed for your home.
  7. Rope ladder to hold your weight if you need to exit upper floors of your home to ground level, and some additional length of rope for multipurpose use.
  8. First aid instruction book.
  9. Blankets and sheets. These can be used for warmth, for splints, and for transport of injured persons.
  10. First aid supplies:
    • Medical-grade vinyl gloves
    • Poison ivy relief cream
    • Burn relief cream
    • Sunscreen, SPF of 30 or greater
    • Antibiotic ointment, Polysporin® or similar
    • Sting relief lotion or ointment, calamine or similar
    • Box of sterile gauze pads, either 3” x 3” or 4” x 4”
    • Abdominal (ABD) or combine sterile pad, 5” x 9”
    • Rolled gauze of 2 sizes, 2” x 4 yards and 4” x 4 yards
    • Bandages of assorted types: finger, knuckle, plastic, Telfa®, and general adhesive
    • Sterile oval eye pad
    • Small sharp scissors
    • Tweezers with pointed tip
    • Thermometers, oral and rectal (for babies)
    • Elastic bandage, 3” x 6”
    • Instant ice pack
    • Roll of adhesive tape, 1” wide, may use plastic type if preferred
    • Triangular bandages, 2
    • Package of safety pins, assorted sizes
    • Absorbent cotton balls, 1 box
    • Diarrhea remedy, Pepto-Bismol® or Kaopectate® or similar
    • Syrup of ipecac (induces vomiting)
    • Popsicle® (craft) sticks or finger splints
    • Antibacterial soap, liquid or bar
    • Medicine dropper
    • Water purification tablets
    • Small bottle of bleach
    • Sharp knife or multipurpose knife/tool
    • Bottles of aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen (children’s or liquid if needed)
    • Splint materials: thin boards 2-3’ long
    • Cough syrup and throat lozenges
    • Large plastic trash bag and several smaller, zip-closure bags

You may need to add other items that are particular to your climate and to the types of natural disasters that you have in your area. If mosquitoes are a problem or could become one (after a hurricane, for example), you may wish to add mosquito repellent to your supplies.

Include consecrated oil with your supplies so priesthood blessings can be given if needed. Also be sure to include the scriptures and some favorite toys, games, songs, or books so that your family will be able to have some degree of normalcy if a time of emergency comes.

Other activities and situations may call for additional types of supplies. For example, for a car trip you may need to add roadside reflectors or flares. For camping, you may need to add a small saw, signal mirror, compass, multipurpose knife/tool, whistle, and other pertinent items. For hiking kits include moleskin to prevent and treat blisters. For both camping and boating kits be sure to include aloe vera gel for treatment of sunburn. Hiking kits can be more compact and include only very essential items that can be easily carried in your daypack.

These emergency items need to be stored in a waterproof, durable container and protected from the access of small children. Be sure to check the dates on medications at least annually to make sure medications are current. If you dispose of any medications, do so safely so that children will not find and eat them.

Assembling the supplies listed above may take you some time and money if you have not yet begun. The important thing is to begin now to plan for an emergency. Start by gathering a few of the most important emergency items, then add to your supplies as quickly as your time and money allow. Some packaged first aid kits can be used as a baseline and then additional supplies added as you can afford to do so. A few of the local Red Cross chapters even have facilities for assembling your own first aid kits.

A Family Emergency Plan

Besides emergency supplies, your family should have a plan for how to respond to an emergency. Take time regularly to discuss and practice for emergency situations with your family. Have fire, tornado, or earthquake drills so that children will all know how to safely exit your home and where to gather.

In planning for emergencies, consider what would happen if a parent or another family member were not at home during an emergency. Would the family members at home be able to respond to the emergency? Responsibilities for emergency response should be divided and often duplicated among family members so that regardless of who is at home, the family will still be able to respond properly. You should have a plan for how family members will contact one another if the family is scattered during the emergency. This may include having a prearranged meeting place, a code word, or a relative’s phone number.

Knowledge of first aid procedures will be invaluable for your family during any type of emergency situation. Younger children can learn most of these procedures, even CPR. First aid classes are offered at many locations within most communities. The Red Cross chapter in your community generally will offer a good basic first aid course, several types of first aid handbooks including a wilderness- and boating-specific types, and even first aid kits for purchase or occasionally that you can assemble yourself. The Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) classes are very good for emergency preparation. Neighbors can participate in emergency training together to share their skills.

In preparing your children for emergencies, consider the effect that exposure to repetitive media and news reports of real disasters may have on your children. You may wish to limit such exposure to reduce stress and anxiety. The Federal Emergency Management Agency website (www.fema.gov/kids) has some wonderful material to assist children in learning more about disaster preparedness. They have a program on the website called becoming a Disaster Action Kid.

Finally, help your family to know that if they are prepared, they need not fear emergency situations.

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72 Hour Kit

Tuesday, 04/10/07

Here is a list on things you should have and do for a 72hr kit. You kind find several of these items on www.survivalmountain.com.

Water:
1 gallon of water per person per day

Food:
Minimal or Non-cook, Lightweight, Palatable, Can Opener, Cooking and Eating Utensils

Clothing:
A change of clothing, extra shoes raingear, and adequate winter wear.

Bedding:
Sleeping bags blankets

Personal hygiene:
Including Feminine Hygiene and Baby Items

Sanitation:
Airtight Bucket or Porta-Pottie, Toilet Paper, Newspaper, Soap, Towel, Disinfectant, Trash Bags, Bleach

First Aid Kit:
Personal Medications

Shelter:
Tent or Tarp, Rope ¼ x 36™

Tools:
Pocket Knife, Small Tools, Ax, Pointed shovel

Light:
Flashlight, Batteries, Candles, Matches

Communities:
Radio, Batteries, 1 whistle per person

Fuel:
Fuel for cooking, Light, Heat

Important Papers:
Wills, Testaments, Stocks, Securities, Titles, Certificates, Insurance, Current Family Pictures, I.D. Cards & Tags, Inventory of Household Items, Pencil & Paper, Maps, Phones Numbers , Emergency Manual, Car Keys, House Keys, Books

Money:
Cash and Charge

Remember:
Keep car gas tank half full!

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Preparing For Natural Disasters: Earthquake's

Tuesday, 04/10/07

Before An Earthquake

  1. Store water and food supply.
  2. Organize a 72-hour portable emergency kit.
  3. Bolt down or provide strong support for water heaters and other appliances.
  4. Consider earthquake insurance.

During An Earthquake

  1. STAYCALM
  2. If you are indoors, stay inside and find protection in a doorway, or crouch under a desk or table, away from windows or glass dividers; avoid masonry wall (brick) and chimneys (fireplaces).
  3. Outside: Stand away from buildings, trees, telephone and electric lines.
  4. On the Road: Drive away from underpasses/overpasses; stop in a safe area; stay in the vehicle.
  5. In an Office Building: Stay next to a pillar or support column or under a heavy table or desk.

After An Earthquake

  1. Check for injuries. Provide first aid.
  2. Check for safety – gas, water, sewage breaks; check for downed electric lines; turn off interrupted utilities as necessary; check for building damage and potential safety problems during aftershocks, such as cracks around chimney and foundation; check for fires.
  3. Clean up dangerous spills.
  4. Wear shoes.
  5. Tune radio to an emergency station and listen for instructions from public safety agencies.
  6. Use the telephone only for emergencies.
  7. As soon as possible, noti1 your family that you are okay.
  8. Do not use matches or open flames in the home until you are sure there are no gas leaks.
  9. Don’t turn light switches off and on. Sparks created by the switch contacts can ignite gas fumes.
  10. High public buildings, follow evacuation procedures immediately and return only after the building has been declared safe by the appropriate authorities.
  11. Report damages or needs to your Neighborhood Coordinator.

Things You Need To Know

  1. How, where and when to turn off electricity, gas and water.
  2. First aid.
  3. Plan for reuniting your family.
  4. Plan and practice a family drill at least once a year.

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Self Reliance (Emergency Preparedness)

Tuesday, 04/10/07

Self Reliance in Preparing for Home Emergencies and Natural Disasters by Ronna Romney

On August 14, 2003 at 4:11 p.m. Lower Michigan, northern Ohio, southern Ontario, Canada, most of New York and New Jersey and parts of New England and Pennsylvania experienced a massive power grid failure. A blackout.

Within 9 seconds an estimated 50 million people were without power. As it so happened, I happened to be driving back to my home in Michigan from a meeting in Ohio. I was listening to the radio when they interrupted regular programming to announce that there was a massive power outage in the region. I drove immediately to the closest hardware store and bought batteries, flashlights, kerosene lamps…whatever I thought I might need. I didn’t really think the outage would last too long but I didn’t want to take any chances. I went next door to the local drugstore for water and some other items. Neither store had any electricity and none of their registers worked. I might also add that their youthful employees didn’t know how to manual lyadd up anything . Luckily, in each case the managers were able to add things up, write down my credit card number and let me purchase what I needed ( I didn’t have enough cash ). Power was restored within three days but this really served as a wake up call for me.

Just imagine within 9 seconds fifty million people were in the dark. All the traffic lights stopped working. Fuel could not be pumped. We were on a well and couldn’t get water because our pump is electrically powered. No water..no toilets. My husband and I drove to a local pond to fill up buckets with water so that we could get the toilets to work for three days.

Detroit began to have problems with their water systems. The ATMS didn’t work so you couldn’t get cash. Every store and bank that relied on computer driven systems couldn’t open. The grocery stores registers didn’t work. They couldn’t get restocked and anything that required refrigeration began to spoil. Elevators stopped . Airports closed. Trains and Subways stopped. It was very difficult to get through on cell phones. Gas powered generators stopped working because they couldn’t get gas. That’s the bad news. The good news is that I got the message. I HAVE TO BE PREPARED. I can’t count on anyone to help out. I don’t believe that state, local or federal government can be relied upon for aid. The power was back on in three days but what would happen if we had to wait for a week, two weeks or a month? Could our trucking system keep us supplied? Would we have enough food or personal medications? Would we have fuel for our cars or our homes? If not, how could you get to work or travel to get even the basic necessities?

I hope that we never have to face malicious or natural disasters but I have resolved to make the basic preparations for myself and my family. SELF-RELIANCE.

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New site launch

Tuesday, 06/27/06

We recently have redeveloped our website. We hope you will have a better shopping experience.

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