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Hurricane Help Ten Ways To Prepare For The Big Storm

mahony — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 20:54:34 +0000

If you live on the coast, or anywhere within a few miles of the coast, you have likely experienced a hurricane or two in your lifetime. Some hurricanes are as mild as a thunderstorm, while others are treacherous events. Being prepared is the key to hurricane survival. Use these ten ways to prepare for the big storm to get your home and your family ready for the next big one!

Training Your Family

When it comes to disasters like hurricanes, you can never be too prepared. Make a plan with your family. Devise a system with each person doing specific tasks to ready your home and your family for the hurricane. Pick a "safe spot" for your family to meet in, in case of bad weather. You can practice going to this spot several times a year so everyone will know exactly what to do when a hurricane hits.

Making an Emergency Kit

Although there is not much you can do during a hurricane, you may need an emergency kit for after the storm. You should create a box to put in your "safe spot". This box should include first aid items, fresh water, snacks, candles, matches, medication, and a radio with batteries. Your power, water, and phones may be out during the storm, so you will need these items.

Know Your Area

One part of being prepared for a hurricane involves knowing your town's emergency routes. There may be storms that simply should not be weathered. In these cases, you should certainly flee the area. If your town issues an evacuation, be sure to take it seriously. It is much better to be safe than sorry in these cases! Learn the evacuation routes and where emergency shelters are in your area. Do not wait until the last minute to leave however, or you may not make it out before the storm hits.

Supplies

If you live in an area that is constantly hit with bad weather, there are certain things you should do on a regular basis. First, you should always make sure you have an adequate supply of food and water in your home. Making sure your medications are always up to date is also a great habit. If you think a storm is coming, be sure to fill up buckets, sinks, and bathtubs with as much water as possible. You may need it after the storm. Making these things everyday habits is a great way to constantly be prepared for a hurricane.

Educate Your Family

Make sure your family knows that the international rescue signal is "SOS" and how to dial "911". These may seem simple to adults, but many children need to be taught how to utilize these important signals.

Take a Class

When something like a hurricane strikes, you will find that you might need to use a wide variety of skills to survive. Taking a first aid class in CPR or other basic skills is a great way to always be prepared.

Prepare Your Structure

If you are aware the hurricane is coming, it is always a great idea to begin preparing the outside of your home for the wind and debris. You can board up windows and other glass portions of the home in order to get the most protection.

Get Your Gas

When you live in an area near the water, it is always a great idea to never let your gas tank fall below half full. This is partially because you may need to flee town quickly. It can also be done to ensure that if your town does go under and the gas stations are inoperable, you will still have enough gasoline to get out of town.

Box of Importance

In order to help yourself out if you do decide to flee your home before a hurricane, you should always keep a "box of importance" near. Many people do this and call it their "fire box" as well. This box should be somewhere very handy and contain important documents that you would want to save in case of an emergency.

Remember Your Pets

If you are a pet owner, you may be skeptical about leaving them during a storm or a hurricane. Remember to always think of yourself first, but if you are a pet owner, you can always pack them up in the car with you. Many hotels along the highway will allow pets to stay as well. It is much better to bring them along than to stay behind with them.

Ten Thoughts To Ponder When Creating An Escape Plan For Disabled People

mahony — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:27:34 +0000

Many families prepare for a potential disaster, such as a fire, by creating escape plans. They may sit down and together figure out how to get out of the home. They may plan a standard place for the family to meet once they are out and may even install window ladders for fire safety reasons. Disabled people and their family members may find this task more challenging then most however. Disabled people can often move about their home with no trouble. However, they may not be able to do so at a fast pace. When it comes to disasters like a fire, being fast can mean the difference between life and death. When creating an escape plan for disabled people, consider these then thoughts.

Preparation

The best thing you can do when you have a disabled person in your family is to think ahead. By thinking ahead, you will be more prepared for any disaster that may come your way. If you don't try to consider what to do if various situations occur, you will likely have no idea what you should do and the disabled person will suffer because of it. Think about several possible scenarios and create plans accordingly.

Accessibility

If you live with a disabled person you understand the challenges they face daily. It may be a difficult task just to get through the hallway. Do everything you can to widen areas for easier accessibility. This will help your family quickly get the disabled member out safely if needed.

Location

When trying to think of an adequate escape plan, you should always consider where you might be when a disaster strikes. Although it is impossible to determine where everyone will be, having an escape route from every room will help you prepare for anything. When including disabled people in the mix, you will need to think about things a little differently. You may want to rearrange furniture for faster exit or create wider doorways.

Time

Time is one thing that you can not afford when dealing with a fire. To help disabled people in your home get out quickly, consider practicing an evacuation. It may be frustrating, but it can help them get out faster and it can help you understand what may need to be changed to help them along.

Custom Made Chutes

If you have a partially immobile person in your home, consider installing a chute for easy evacuation. The person basically must make it to the chute and then "slide" down it like a slide to an outdoor area. These can be attached to windows for easy use in case of disaster.

Alarms

Making sure you have alarms in your home that function properly is a very important part of an escape plan. They are crucial because they are the main triggers to your family and any disabled members that they need to start moving out of the house. The faster these alarms signal, the more time a disabled person has to get out.

Crawl Ways

Some disabled people are quite good at crawling. In some cases, crawling is certainly the best way to exit as well, such as during a fire. When devising your escape route, consider putting door knobs lower so that when you are crawling you can still open doors if needed. This may keep a disabled person from being trapped in a room.

House Layout

If you do have a disabled person in your home, consider changing the layout of your residence. This does not have to be expensive. It can simply mean switching various rooms. For instance, you may have den area downstairs that would be easier for a disabled person to escape from than an upstairs bedroom. By switching the furniture and creating a bedroom out of the den, you will have automatically made it easier for the disabled person to escape if need be.

Animal Training

If the person in your home is benefited by an animal due to blindness or deafness, strongly consider making this animal part of your plan of escape. Animals of this educational level can be trained easily to assist the disabled individual in disasters. The animals do need to be trained however to recognize disastrous situations however.

Emergency Phones

One of the easiest things to do is place an emergency phone near the disabled person. If they are able to use the phone, they can quickly call for help if they cannot escape. This should be something all disabled people have near them in any case. The phone should never be moved, or should be attached to the disabled person if they are mobile.

Ten Most Important Items For Your Emergency Kit

mahony — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:44:34 +0000

Emergencies can (and will) happen at any time, in any place and for many reasons. You can be prepared for the most common emergencies by investing the time, energy and money in assembling a stock of emergency supplies.

A basic emergency supply kit should be assembled and ready to use either for emergencies that find you stranded at home or for emergencies that require you to evacuate your home so everything you need should be in one container, ready to pick up and take with you if required. The best form for that container is a large tote bag but the actual kit will conform to your preference not to a standard.

There may be many things in an emergency supply kit that are more convenience or comfort items than they are necessities, and that's completely appropriate because an emergency can take a psychological toll as well as a physical one — excess stress can make the emergency seem worse than it is. Here, however we will concentrate on the ten most essential items, or more precisely, categories of items for you emergency supply kit.

First Aid. A complete first aid kit and a good first aid guide are essential for the obvious reasons. If someone is hurt you want to be able to do the best possible job relieving the pain or danger because professional medical assistance, depending on the situation, may be days away. The essential items in a first aid kit are assorted bandages, antiseptics, over-the-counter pain relievers, instant cold packs and a thermometer. An emetic like syrup of ipecac may be a good idea in a home with children but it is very important not to use an emetic unless you have the sure knowledge of when it will help and when it might be dangerous to use. Medications. Extra prescription medications that are normally used by anyone in your household and extra glasses for those who might require them.

Water. People can go for days without food but water is essential. You should have three gallons of water stored for each person in the home to get through a 72-hour emergency. Half of the water is for consumption and he other half is for sanitary purposes and food preparation.

Food. If you purchase MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) you can easily store a three days supply of food for your whole family in a small space. Having other foods: prepared canned foods, dried fruits and beef jerky would be a nice break from MREs and having food that can be cooked or warmed on a Sterno stove would be even more satisfying but food is, of course, one of your ten essentials. Don't forget to include a can opener if your cans are not the e-z open type. Also include fruit juices, vegetable juices, powdered milk, Ovaltine, instant coffee, tea bags or any favorite drink that stores well and does not require refrigeration..

Utensils. You'll need paper plates, plastic utensils, an assortment of small pots for warming up food or water, some cooking utensils and some cups, plastic, Styrofoam or metal.

Clothing. Warm clothing or protective clothing, depending on the weather conditions may be essential to keep everyone healthy. Heavy shoes and boots are also, in many situations, must-have items.

Thermal blankets. Emergency Thermal Blankets are very thin, very strong, take up only a small space, are usually waterproof and are fairly inexpensive. They are good to keep warm in cold weather and to deflect heat in the summer. They can also be used as ground cloths.

Emergency lighting. If the power goes out you'll need flashlights or lanterns or at least candles handy. They all require something else so be sure to have fresh batteries, extra fuel if you are using camping lanterns and matches. Keep your matches in a water-tight case.

Communications. A battery powered radio to get news of the emergency situation. Radios are also available that can be hand-cranked for a few minutes to give you a full hour of power.

Carryalls. You will need something to hold all your emergency supplies, something that is conducive to a "grab and go" situation such as a mandatory evacuation. Nylon tote bags (assuming everything will fit in one bag) are perfect. You can also use a large plastic watertight container with handles.

White Out Seven Things To Keep In Your Vehicle During Blizzard Season

mahony — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:23:34 +0000

Be sure to carry these basics in your vehicle when driving during the winter storm season and especially if "warnings" or "watches" have been issued by the weather bureau.

A cell phone or other emergency communication device

Thermal blankets and extra winter clothes

A basic tool kit, including a good knife, jumper cables and an ice scraper and flashlights or battery-powered lanterns with extra batteries

High calorie, non-perishable food

A metal pot to collect snow for drinking water

A can and waterproof matches to melt the snow for drinking water

A shovel and sand or cat litter for traction

Also, keep your vehicle's gas tank full in case you get stranded — that also keeps the fuel lines from freezing.

Watches, Warnings and Whatnot

Know your weather forecaster's language so you know what to expect. The weather bureau broadcasts watches and warnings without too much explanation of what they mean; it's to your benefit to understand them so you know what to expect.

Basically; an "advisory" is just a 'heads-up' notice that tells you that conditions are right for an event; a "watch" is a little bit stronger than an advisory, it tells you that some event is likely; a "warning" means that the weather event has started near you and is highly likely to be right where you are very soon. If you live in a snow-prone area, pay close attention to weather forecasts and listen for watches and warnings like these:

Frost/Freeze Warning: Below-freezing temperatures are expected and you should take all necessary precautions.

Winter Weather Advisory: Winter weather conditions, possibly hazardous conditions for motorists, are expected.

Winter Storm Watch: This means that severe winter weather, i.e., heavy snow or ice, is possible within the next day or two.

Winter Storm Warning: This means that the severe weather has already begun and, if you aren't experiencing it right now you will be very soon. If you're driving and are more than a half-hour from home, it's best to get off the road and stop at a safe place.

Blizzard Warning: Blizzards are the most dangerous winter storms. A blizzard produces high winds and heavy snow and can be expected, in different locations, anytime from December to early March. It's not uncommon, after a blizzard, hearing about people found in their cars dead or dying of hypothermia. These are the people who were not properly prepared to be out driving in a storm or did not understand exactly what was coming. A blizzard is lots of snow and strong winds combined to produce blinding snow (near zero visibility), deep drifts, and a life-threatening wind chill.

What To Do if Your Stuck

If you can't continue driving, pull off the road and turn on your emergency flashers. Stay inside your vehicle. It's easy to become disoriented in the wind and snow so don't even try walking unless you can actually see a building close by where you know you can take shelter or you know exactly where you are and exactly where you are going.

If you are staying in your vehicle and you have been stopped for a while, clear the snow away from your tail pipe before starting the engine and running your heater to warm up. Keep the windows open just a bit to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Don't allow yourself to go into a stupor. Keep your limbs moving to keep the blood flowing to keep your brain functioning properly. Use your emergency supplies to keep warm and eat something for energy.

To make yourself visible to rescuers, turn on your dome light at night, but only while the engine is running so you don't drain your battery. Tie a red cloth to your antenna or hang it from a closed window. After it stops snowing, you can raise your engine hood — that's an international sign of car trouble.

Once the blizzard is over, you may want to try walking to where you are going. If you can see a road, stay on it; if you need to walk across open country, use distant points as landmarks to help maintain your sense of direction.

Twisted Tornados Preparing Your Safety Plan In Advance

mahony — Tue, 25 May 2010 15:53:34 +0000

If you have ever experienced a tornado, then you probably understand that they can come and go faster than most expect. Tornados are natural disasters that can wreck havoc on entire towns at a time. Some have even been known to crash across an entire state or two. Tornados are dangerous events that no one wants to be caught up in. While it is true that you cannot escape a tornado when it hits, you can be as prepared as possible for a possible tornado. To do this effectively, you need to prepare a safety plan in advance.

The best way to prepare a safety plan in case of a tornado is for the adults in your home to sit down and develop a plan. After their plan is devised, they should then hold a family meeting to go over the plan with all members of the family. This will help even small children get familiar with the plan in case of emergency. It is a great idea to go over the plan at least twice a year (once at the start of each "tornado season" in your area). With everyone being on the same track, when you need to utilize your plan, it will likely be very smooth.

You may understand that you need to prepare a safety plan, but you may not know exactly what to do. The first thing you can do is to create a small "emergency kit". This should be placed in an easily accessed area. You should include first aid items in your kit, such as bandages, antibiotic creams, and scissors. In addition to the first aid items, you should include fresh bottled water, a radio with new batteries, and a flashlight. Matches and candles are also great items for your kit.

After you finish your kit, you should decide that if there is an upcoming tornado, where your family should go. If your family has a basement or a partial basement that is underground, you should certainly go there. Pick a place that is away from windows and doors. When a tornado hits close to your home, one of the first things that may happen is that your windows will blow out. You don't want to be near them when this happens, or the glass may cut you.

If you don't have a basement, don't fret. You can find other places that are safe to be in your home during inclement weather. Choose to get in a closet, under a stairwell, or in a central room. A central room would be a room that is in the center of your home. Bathrooms without windows are also great places, as the piping in the walls can act as a barrier between you and the weather outside.

Once you pick one place for everyone to go in case of emergency, place your "emergency kit" in this location, so it will be there if you need it. When bad weather hits, you will not have time to search for your kit, so if you leave it in your "safe spot" you will know it is waiting on you. In the confusion before a tornado strikes, it is sometimes difficult to get everyone to understand what's going on. You may want to plan an emergency word that should only be used in case of emergency. Make sure everyone in your family knows the word and what to do when it is spoken.

Part of being prepared for an emergency is practice. Emergency officials train constantly in order to be effective on their job. Therefore, if you want an effective emergency plan, you and your family should practice what to do. Choose a time when there is no threat of emergency, like the winter months. Then, alert your family with the emergency word and put your plan in action.

Do this several times a year to keep everyone on his or her toes. It may seem annoying, but if your family is comfortable with the plan, it will be overall more effective. Having a plan is a great idea, but you must understand how to use it and make sure it is appropriate for your family and home. After you perfect your plan, you can feel secure knowing that in an emergency, such as a tornado, your family will know exactly what to do!

Insure Against Disaster Re Evaluate Your Disaster Policies

mahony — Sun, 23 May 2010 12:08:34 +0000

The most crucial times to have good insurance is after a disaster. Prepared people can sit back and wait for the insurance agencies to do the work, while those who were without insurance scramble to find ways to survive. The best thing you can do for yourself and for your family is to re-evaluate your disaster policies long before a disaster hits. This is especially true if you live in a high-risk area. If you are on the coast where hurricanes occur or in the tornado plains of the country, you should take a good look at your policies before the next disaster occurs.

Home Owners Insurance

Almost all home insurance policies cover natural disasters. The thing to pay attention to however is how much coverage your policy allows. You certainly need enough coverage to rebuild your entire home if necessary. If your policy only covers a portion of your home's value for disastrous events, carefully consider adding more coverage to your existing policy.

It is often difficult for homeowners to think ahead to what "might" happen. It is very important however to think about what you would do if a disaster "did" happen. It is much better to have adequate insurance and never use it, then not have adequate insurance just when you needed to use it.

If you are unsure what your policies cover, make an appointment to discuss your policies in detail with your insurance company's representative. Be sure to ask specific questions and get complete answers. Take notes or record the conversation with a memo recorder (upon the agent's approval) to ensure you understand the details of the policy. Often times, you understand while you are in the office, but you quickly forget as soon as you get home. Have someone come with you to offer another pair of ears. This may help you remember what the agent said.

Renters Insurance

There are millions of people in the world who would rather rent their home or apartment than own one. There are many benefits to renting, just as there are many benefits to owning. One of the things many renters overlook however is renters insurance. Renters often make the mistake of thinking the apartment complex owner will be liable for all disasters to the area. While it is true that the apartment complex owner will likely be responsible for rebuilding, they are often not responsible for anything inside the dwelling that is lost or damaged.

For instance, let's assume you live in an apartment complex that is hit by a tornado. All of your belongings are ruined inside. The complex owner will rebuild the building, but will not replace your items. Without renters insurance, you will be responsible for replacing your own items, with no outside assistance. This can be extremely difficult when you are not even sure where you will live until the apartment is rebuilt.

You can avoid this devastation by purchasing renters insurance. Renters insurance is available through many insurance agencies. It is usually very inexpensive and covers natural disasters. It is much better to get this insurance, just in case anything ever happens, than not have it at all. The insurance usually also covers burglary and other crimes against your belongings as well. So, not only will you be protecting your belongings from disaster but also anything else that may happen while you live as a renter.

Be sure to update your insurance each time you move however. Even if you move to an apartment across the hall, your insurance company will need to be notified of the change. If you fail to notify them of any changes, your policy may not be valid. So, just give the company a call when you move and have all of the necessary information changed or updated.

By being prepared long before disaster strikes, you will be able to take each disaster with less stress than those who are unprepared or underinsured. Remember, it is better to have adequate insurance than to have "just enough" to get by! So, check out your existing policy today or sign up for a new policy as soon as possible. You never know when disaster will come your way, but you can know that you will be as prepared as possible.

Three Ways To Keep Safe During An Earthquake

mahony — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:00:34 +0000

If you live in an area that is prone to earthquakes you'll need to know how to get you and your family safely through an earthquake. There are three things you can do to help you get through this life-threatening situation: 1) Minimize the hazards in your home, 2) Prepare yourself and your family by learning what to do during the earthquake, and 3) Prepare yourself and your family for life after the earthquake.

Prepare Your Home and Family

If you live in an earthquake zone your home (and family) should be prepared for an earthquake.

Any bookcase type piece of furniture that might topple over during an earthquake should be secured to a wall.

Cabinets should all have latches to keep them closed.

Hot water tanks and heaters should be strapped to a wall.

Fire extinguishers should be available and kept charged.

Heavy objects should always be kept lower than the head of the smallest member of the family and never kept over a bed.

Everyone should know where the shut-offs for water, gas and electricity are located.

A meeting place for your family, outside the home, should be identified.

Everyone should know how to contact emergency services.

What To Do During an Earthquake

If you are in your home when an earthquake starts, trying to get out of the house may be dangerous, it is probably safer to move no farther than the nearest cover — some sturdy object that can protect you from falling debris. Despite the advice to 'get under' a table or piece of furniture it is widely contended that its safer to get 'next to' the table or piece of furniture and make yourself as small as possible by getting into a fetal position — if the furniture collapses due to falling debris you won't be under it and in your position next to it you are likely to have a small safe space.

Important Note: The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross reject this method. They insist that the best method to use inside a home during an earthquake is the "drop, cover and hold" method, i.e., DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting 'under' the nearest sturdy table or other piece of furniture and cover your eyes with your arms to protect them then HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

Whichever method you feel is safer, identify the furniture in your home that is strong enough to protect you against a ceiling collapse and then practice your selected procedure with your family.

You've probably always heard that the safest place during an earthquake is in a doorway — that may have been true for the older homes but in modern homes the doorway is likely to be no stronger than any other place in the house. Also consider that the top floor of a house may be safer than the ground floor. On the ground floor the entire weight of the upper floor(s) could possibly collapse on you; and if the earthquake was so severe that it did collapse the upper floor of the house you would have a better chance of survival 'riding the top floor down' than you would being under the top floor. Stairways are especially dangerous during earthquakes — they are usually the first to go.

After the Earthquake

If possible, someone should turn off the gas and electricity but it's most important to keep yourself and your family safe. Everyone should get out of the house as soon as possible and meet in the prearranged meeting place; that place should be out in the open, away from structures and power lines.

Every home should have earthquake disaster supplies kept together or easily reachable if needed. At a minimum, the supplies should include the following short term items:

A first aid kit that everyone knows how to use.

Prepared (ready to eat) foods in cans or plastic bags — enough for a minimum of three days (don't forget to include a can opener if your cans are not the e-z open type).

Critical medication and extra eye glasses

Sleeping bags

Thermal Blankets

Protective outer clothing

Sturdy shoes (the shoes are very important, after an earthquake there will be no safe place to walk without strong shoes).

Bottled water (one gallon per person per day – allow for a minimum of three days)

Toilet Paper and feminine napkins.

Flashlights or battery-lanterns, extra batteries and a battery powered radio.

Any special items required for young children, older folks or anyone with special needs.

Things You Need To Do In Anticipation Of An Emergency

mahony — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:30:34 +0000

It is important to always be prepared for an emergency. The most common types of home emergencies are medical emergencies, fires, gas leaks, and burglaries. It is best to have specific instructions on how to deal with each on of these, however, some basic instructions can apply to all home emergencies. Please refer to the following list for steps you will need to prepare yourself and your family better:

Remember to remain calm. An anxious person will have a hard time reacting in time of a crisis. Better judgment calls are made when a person can stay calm. If you need to learn how to react during a crisis, you might consider taking some stress reduction classes. Also, just remember a few stress reduction tips that can help, first, if you begin to feel anxious, take a few deep, slow breaths. Also, act as quickly as possible, but be sure to think though your actions before making any decisions. Every second in an emergency counts and so does every decision you make. Again, remaining as calm as possible can help you make the right choices.

Post emergency contacts. Be sure to have fire, police, and rescue phone numbers posted in as many rooms of the house as possible. Placing these numbers within easy access to the phone will only benefit you. Also, be sure to have access to as many phones as possible. If you have a hard time getting around, it is best having a cell phone or paging system attached to your body. Many cell phone makers offer fitted carrying cases that clip on to your belt or waistband.

Own a First Aid kit. Be sure to have a first aid kit with bandages, gauze, safety pins, antiseptics for cleaning wounds, and small linen cotton towels for making slings. Also make sure you have instructions on how to administer different types of first aid

Learn How to administer basic first aid. You can learn how to take care of minor injuries. Take classes that will teach you how to administer first aid properly. Also, be sure to practice what you learned in the classes. This will help you be more efficient in an emergency that requires first aid and will help speed up the emergency care process.

Learn CPR. You can save someone's life while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. You can have this capability if you learn how to perform CPR on someone who is not breathing. You can also help jumpstart someone's blood circulation before the paramedics arrive. Please check your local listings to find out more about CPR. This procedure is often taught in schools, non-profit emergency shelters, and at most people's employers. However you learn CPR, there is a change of saving someone's life. You can eve take classes to get certified in it, and take refresher courses year after year.

Have emergency exits planned. In case of a fire or a burglary, it is wise to plan an escape route. Furthermore, periodically conduct emergency drills with the people in your household. In addition, plan a place, such as the front yard, or a public building for you to all meet when you exit your home. This will save time and you will have a better chance of protecting yourself and each family member.

Have an emergency supply kit. In case of a fire, have an emergency supply kit stored in a fireproof container. You should include an extra set of clothes, money, and extra set of car keys, medications, and personal items, and important legal papers within. Also include any items you need for your infants or pets. You can ask a friend or relative to safely store this for you, in case you need it.

Know where you would go, if you need to evacuate. In case of a natural disaster or a fire, you may need to stay in another shelter temporarily. Be sure to plan ahead of time a safe place to go. Have those phone numbers handy in your emergency supply kit. Also, be sure to update this list from time to time, in case the phone number or emergency shelter changes.

This list is not an exhaustive list of how to prepare you in an emergency. However, it is a good start. You never know when you will need this information, so keep it nearby. For further information on household emergency preparation, contact local emergency personnel.

Why First Aid And Cpr Certification Is Important For Emergencies And Disasters

mahony — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:23:34 +0000

To be honest, during a community wide disaster, emergency personnel are up to their ears in calls. They get to everyone they can, but people are often left waiting much longer than normal due to the flood of requests for help. This reason is one of the best to get certified in first aid and CPR. When disaster strikes, there is less help available on the outside. If something happens to you or your family, you will want to know that you and your family are somewhat capable of handling the situation until the professionals can arrive or you can get to a hospital.

The Facts

Basic first aid and CPR courses are typically offered several times a year in various towns across the world. They are almost always free, which makes them even more appealing. Things you learn in these courses are great for everyday life as well as emergencies and disasters. They will help give you the skills you need to help yourself and those around you. You can learn how to detect things such as stroke, heart attack, and other injuries. You will also learn how to do basic medical procedures to help the victim and prolong their life. This information is more valuable than any other and should be taken in a serious manner. At times of disaster, the information will be so valuable, that you may find yourself tending to many neighbors and family members in a row. When more people know these skills, more people will survive disastrous events.

Buying Time

There is only about 4 to 6 minutes available after someone stops breathing before their lack of oxygen can cause massive brain damage or death. If you know CPR and are near someone when they need it, you can help them to "breathe" until professional emergency workers arrive. This will help oxygen circulate through their body to their brain. The body sees it as being viable oxygen and you will essential buy them more time. Once the professionals arrive, they will be able to take over and do what they can to save the individual. A large portion of individuals are home with adults who might have been able to save them when a situation like this occurs. Knowing what to do is vital in these situations.

Don't Rely On Someone Else

Many times people neglect to take first aid and CPR training because they assume someone else will be there to help them. This is one of the biggest mistakes. You often see one parent in the family getting certified in case their family needs them. However, unless that one parent never leaves their family's side, then it does no good. Everyone in the home should be certified, so that no matter who is at home, there will always be someone who knows what to do in case of an emergency.

Disasters Bring Injury

As horrible as it may sound, many disasters do bring on more injuries than expected. When a town is faced with a hurricane, tornado, or massive fire, there are bound to be citizens who are injured. To be as prepared as possible to help your loved ones or neighbors, you should know and be trained in basic first aid and CPR skills. Your knowledge could mean the difference between life and death for someone you know. Since you never know when a disaster may strike, it is best to take a course at least once a year in these skills.

Everything Wiped Away

As the world has seen lately, in certain disasters, there is nothing left. When a massive hurricane hits, there may not be a hospital to visit when you are injured. If you are trained in CPR or first aid training, you will be more likely to survive and help your family survive. You may need to tend to someone will a large cut on their arm while driving to the next town for help. There are many situations that can occur in which you will need to rely on yourself and your skills to get through. So, be sure to get educated on these skills that you may need one day to survive or help your family survive.

Special Needs What Senior Caregivers Need To Do To Prepare For A Disaster

mahony — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:56:34 +0000

It is a challenge for Senior Citizens to move around on an average day, let alone during a disaster. However, with a little preparedness, and help from Caregivers, seniors can survive any disaster. Some disasters are unique to the climate of a specific area, and some are universal. Examples of disasters to prepare for are as follows:

Fires
Tornadoes and thunderstorms
Floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes
Toxic Spills
Snowstorms
Extreme heat waves (90 degrees)

Caregivers can help seniors prepare for the disasters that are likely to occur where they live. There are many steps to take when setting up an emergency preparedness plan. One step is to stay notified and informed. The national weather service is a great for caregivers and senior to use. Also, caregivers and seniors can tune into a local TV or radio station.

Caregivers can also cooperate with the door to door registry that alerts people of danger. For instance, a person could come to a seniors' house and warn of a pending flood. The caregiver can take action to help remove that person out of the home and to a safe environment. This environment should be far enough from the source of the disaster to offer safety.

Examples of places to go during a disaster are as follows:

A friend's relative's or children's house
Designated private or public emergency shelter
Homeless shelter
Hotel
Senior citizen retirement home
Any place that offers public emergency shelter

A caregiver can also help a senior citizen prepare a disaster survival kit. This kit can be stored in a bag, suitcase, box, or safe.

The kit should include the following items:

Food, water, medicine, and personal grooming items
Extra address and emergency contact book
Extra change of clothes, shoes, and winter gear
Blanket and pillow
Money and safe for valuable items
Important legal documents
Social Security Card, Drivers License Number,
Extra copy of a credit or debit card
Battery operated radio, and extra batteries
Calling card, or extra cell phone
Emergency medical supplies such as wheelchairs, canes, and walkers.
First aid kit, and list of medications, and required doses

The list of items needed is not an exhaustive list. Caregivers should assist the senior in making sure that person everything necessary for survival in that emergency kit. Furthermore, a caregiver should know how to use all the equipment, including medical equipment, in the event of a disaster.

Also if it is a chemical emergency that affects the senior's home, the caregiver can help the senior do the following:

Close all windows, fans, heating, and cooling systems

Close the fireplace damper

Tape around doors, window ledges, vent, and any other air passage ways.

Encourage them to stay inside the home, and not to leave until it is safe to evacuate

When evacuating for any emergency, the caregiver will be most helpful using this procedure:

Know where the senior member has planned to stay in an emergency

Make sure that a transportation method is planned

During evacuation, take the main roads. The back roads may be dangerous, and one could easily get lost.

Make sure the senior's home is locked.

Help dress them in protective clothes, and sturdy shoes.

Notify friends, family, and children that the senior adult will be evacuating, and tell them where the senior will be staying.

If the caregiver has time, then the following can also be done before leaving the senior's home:

Shut off all water and electricity supplies

Inform others of where the senior being cared for is staying

Find safe places for any pets the senior might have. Not all public shelters allow pets other than working animals.

One other thing a caregiver can do to is to continually stay informed. New information is posted daily about how to better handle emergencies where seniors are involved. Also, if it is a new caregiver, that person should learn about the community that the senior lives in. Then, in the event of a disaster, the person would know where to take the senior

These tips and information from local emergency personnel will most likely help seniors survive even the worst disaster.