Sunday, November 4, 2012

No Power - Do You Have This?


Do You Have This?

If you are out of power, and your Iphone (if you have one) is not charged, 
how will you follow internet or television instructions on 
where and what to do during and after an emergency?

Do you remember good old transistor radios?
Radio stations have generators to keep them up and running during  power outages
and with a simple, cheap battery operated radio you will have
all the information at your fingertips.

We have this one from Radio Shack,  $14.99 on line- see link.
It kept us informed and entertained during our power outage (unrelated to Sandy).
For only $14.99 and the cost of a couple batteries.


Did you stock up on these? 

They will power your transistor radio, 
light your way at night when used with a powerful LED flashlight.




How will you open your canned goods?

I gave up on electric can openers years and years ago.
This works just fine, and can actually be a life saver.
You don't even need to heat most canned goods.
They may not taste as great cold, but you will be fed.



How about Strike Anywhere Matches?

These matches don't need the special strike strip on the box.
If it is wet or damaged, you can strike these anywhere to light them.



What Time Is It?

A battery operated clock- do you have one?
Your phones may be great but if it is not working . . ..
Many people don't even have wrist watches anymore.
How will you tell the time?


Generators- 
Do not run your generator as if life were normal because it is not.
You will turn on your generator about an hour a day during short fuel supplies, 
just to cool down your refrigerators and freezers.
If you have sufficient fuel you can run it more often.
Make sure you have fuel on hand, don't wait for the emergency.

What Else?
Figure that stores will be closed.
Have enough food for a couple of weeks- you won't eat like kings, just enough to survive.
Do you have a battery operated phone charger?
Fire extinguisher.
BBQ pit, or hibachi? 
Wet Ones wipes to keep hands clean?
This is in addition to the recommended emergency materials such as water, medications, blankets, etc.

When you are hit by a tornado, you have no warning.
When you are warned in advance, 
Get Prepared.

Manufacturers and retailer warehouse stock is at all time lows 
trying to keep costs down.
When an emergency hits they need to scramble
Receive orders from customers in the area
Schedule trucks for pickup and delivery- transit and appointment times
Arrive before the storm hits in time to get into the area, and back out.
After the storm, the same thing happens.
Need to manufacture replacement stock.
And the cycle continues.

You cannot depend on the government to help you.  
You have to do this yourselves.

Our CERT training even calls this out.  That is why CERT was developed.
First responders are you and your neighbors, not officials.
Joplin was a great example, they didn't wait for help, they jumped right in.
Consider taking the CERT course.
YOU have the greatest interest in saving your family.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.


11 comments:

Gorges Smythe said...

Excellent Post!

Sixbears said...

Yep, got it covered. Good advice.

Kristi said...

All good reminders.

Our Neck of the Woods said...

Great post! This is wonderful advice for everyone, if a hurricane is coming or not. Good to be prepared!

Candy C. said...

Good post Kathy. I'm sure some of the folks on the east coast wish they had been a little more prepared...

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

Thanks everyone. I haven't been around in a bit, sick again. It seems to be a bad few months!!!! This time my lovely granddaughter decided to share her cold which promptly went to my ears and gave me vertigo! Antibiotics given were too strong so I got sick on them, finally a common Zpack and meclazine for the dizziness. Well you know what else happens with too many antibiotices- intestinal distress and I was sooooo distressed! After three days off work I think I'm on the mend now, thank goodness but guess who has the cold now!!??? The poor dear husband!

Powell River Books said...

Those are all great tips. We are all set up at our cabin, but in town not so much. - Margy

Lisa/Fresh Eggs Daily Farm Girl said...

Great points and tips to remember.

Mrs. Mac said...

It's never too soon to prepare for an emergency. We are buying such supplies for Christmas this year.

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

Good idea. I want to make up supply packs for my family for Christmas. I doubt some will like them but in the long run it's better than something that will get broken or thrown out in a matter of months.

fire extinguishers sydney said...

Interesting post. I have been wondering about this issue,so thanks for posting.