| Did you know September is National Preparedness | | | | leave your home. |
| month? It is a good time for us to look at how | | | | *Important family documents such as copies of |
| prepared we are in our own homes to protect | | | | insurance policies, identification and bank account |
| ourselves and our families in case of an | | | | records in a waterproof, portable container. Keep |
| emergency. By taking action before an | | | | a list of the style and serial number of medical |
| emergency arises we can minimize the impact | | | | devices or other life-sustaining devices. Include |
| they will have on our lives | | | | operating information and instructions. Have copies |
| Here is a web site for free preparedness | | | | of your medical insurance and Medicare cards in |
| resources. Once there I clicked on Ready | | | | your portable container. |
| America. In the section for older Americans there | | | | I recommend the Porta Vault for keeping all |
| were some great tips and ideas of what to do in | | | | family documents together that you can pick up |
| case of an emergency. We all have different | | | | and take with you in a moment's notice. To |
| needs and abilities and we are all unique. But we all | | | | purchase the Porta Vault go to and click on the |
| need to plan for all kinds of emergencies and put | | | | Porta Vault icon on my home page. To receive a |
| our plans in place. | | | | 5% discount during the month of September, |
| Start by evaluating your own personal needs and | | | | 2008 please use coupon code "PREPARE" at |
| making an emergency plan. | | | | checkout. |
| ·Consider how a disaster might affect | | | | *Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. |
| your individual needs. | | | | Consider additional bedding if you live in a |
| ·Make a plan to make it on your own for | | | | cold-weather climate. |
| a short period of time. You might not have | | | | *Complete change of clothing including a long |
| access to a medical facility or a drugstore. | | | | sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. |
| ·Identify what kind of resources you use | | | | Consider additional clothing if you live in a |
| on a daily basis. Consider what you might do if | | | | cold-weather climate. |
| they are limited or not available. | | | | *Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper - |
| ·Get an emergency supply kit. | | | | When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, |
| Recommended Items to Include in a Basic | | | | bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an |
| Emergency Supply Kit: | | | | emergency, you can use it to treat water by |
| Water: One gallon of water per person per day | | | | using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach |
| for at least 72 hours, for drinking and sanitation. If | | | | per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color |
| you use more than this amount on a daily basis, | | | | safe or bleaches with added cleaners. |
| store more. | | | | *Matches in a waterproof container |
| *Food, at least a three-day supply of | | | | *Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, |
| non-perishable food. Can opener for food (if kit | | | | paper towels |
| contains canned food) | | | | *Paper and pencil |
| *Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a | | | | When preparing for a possible emergency |
| NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra | | | | situation, it's best to think first about the basics of |
| batteries for both Flashlight and extra batteries. | | | | survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth. |
| *First Aid Kit | | | | Create A Support Network |
| *Whistle to signal for help | | | | *If you anticipate needing assistance during a |
| *Dust Mask to help filter contaminated air and | | | | disaster talk to family, friends and others who will |
| plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place. | | | | be part of your personal support network. |
| *Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties | | | | *Write down and share each aspect of your |
| for personal sanitation. | | | | emergency plan with everyone in your support |
| *Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities If you plan | | | | network. |
| on turning off utilities contact your utility | | | | *Make sure everyone knows how you plan to |
| companies to find out their recommendations and | | | | evacuate your home or workplace and where |
| learn how to do it before an emergency. | | | | you will go in case of a disaster. |
| *Local maps | | | | *Make sure that someone in your local network |
| *Prescription medications and glasses. Make a list | | | | has an extra key to your home and knows |
| of prescription medicines including dosage, | | | | where you keep your emergency supplies. |
| treatment and allergy information. These can be | | | | *Teach those who will help you how to use any |
| kept in the Porta Vault. (See below) | | | | lifesaving equipment, administer medicine in case |
| *Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about what | | | | of an emergency. |
| else you need to prepare. | | | | *Practice your plan with those who have agreed |
| *Pet food and extra water for your pet. Be sure | | | | to be part of your network. |
| you have a pet carrier handy in case you have to | | | | |