September Emergency Preparedness Newsletter

September 2015 Newsletter

The Ultimate Emergency Car Kit

No one enjoys being stranded on the side of the road, but when you have a well-equipped emergency car kit packed away in the trunk, the situation can be more bearable.

This emergency car kit checklist covers the basics, but also has suggestions for items you may have overlooked. Consider packing these supplies for a super vehicle emergency car kit you can bring along on a road trip, or just your next long-distance excursion with the kids.

Sanitation
• Toilet paper • Hand sanitizer • Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss • Plastic tablecloth • Trash bags • Baby wipes • Bar of soap • Disinfecting wipes • Feminine protection
• Small box of tissues • Zip-top bags in different sizes
Sustenance
• Energy bars • Almonds • V-8 juice • Sport drink, premade or a mix • Peanut or other nut butters in foil packets • Jerky • Dried fruit • Applesauce/fruit cups • Hearty, whole wheat crackers • Hard candies • Tuna packs • Dry cereal • Jam/jelly cups • Trail mix • Sunflower seeds
Survival
• Water • Water filter • LED flashlights and/or headlamps • Rain ponchos • Emergency radio • Heavy-duty trash bags • Reflective emergency blanket/sleeping bag • Duct tape • Fleece blankets • Tarp • Paracord • Multi-purpose knife • Extra batteries • Hand/foot warmers • Work gloves • Small shovel • Waterproof matches • Multi-tool • Binoculars • Light sticks • Maps • High quality first-aid kit • Bandannas • Small pair of scissors • Small backpack • Shoelaces • Floppy cotton hat • Sunblock • Medications • Face mask • Bug repellent • Moleskin • Survival and first aid manuals
Security
• Whistle • Cash-bills and coins • Camera • Pepper spray • Emergency phone numbers on a laminated card
Sanity
• Deck of cards • Foam ear plugs • Books • Small journal/pen or pencil • Lip balm • Battery-powered fan

“TO-DO’s” Before You Drive This Winter

1. Check your tires. Your vehicle’s primary contact with its environment should be in tip-top shape for cold weather conditions. All-season radial tires will allow you to drive in dry winter conditions, but dedicated snow tires are a must for handling steering and stopping in snow, ice and other unpredictable cold weather surfaces.
2. Check your brakes. While your tires allow your car to get going, regularly serviced brakes are the only way to ensure you’re well set up for safely stopping in the cold. Have your brakes inspected and repaired or have parts replaced before the first layer of salt goes down on the asphalt.
3. Check the oil level in your car. One of the most overlooked aspects of cold weather engine performance and reliability is the oil level. Switching to a thinner lubricant is crucial to do before cold weather set in.
4. Check your battery. The last thing you want to have is a car that won’t start in cold weather. Be sure your battery is free of leaks and able to reliably start your car, or boost others. Recharge or replace weak battery and check posts, cables and your alternator for clean contacts.
5. Check your wipers. In order to navigate the road in winter, you need to be able to see it. Replace sun-dried wiper blades with a fresh pair in the fall. This will ensure you’re not squinting through streaks on your windshield next time it rains or snows.
6. Check your lights. Even more important in precipitation, your lights are your only way of seeing in heavy snow, rain or in the dark. Replace any burnt out bulbs right away. Confirm all your turn signal, running, head, high beam and hazard lights are working properly.
7. Check your heater. If you get stuck with a car that still runs, your heating system could save your life. Get this looked at in late summer or early fall. Also confirm that your antifreeze levels are topped off and your radiator is in good working order.
8. Check your exhaust and ignition. Modern engines don’t need time to warm-up. What’s more important is ensuring they start and run smoothly at a variety of temperatures. Have your mechanic check for exhaust leaks that could cause rough running or carbon monoxide fumes in the cabin. In addition, make sure your car purrs on the road and when it is idling. Be sure to have your ignition checked if your engine takes more than two seconds to turn over when starting.
9. Have a survival kit in your car. In the unfortunate event that you are left without a working automobile, you need to have a solid plan for your safety until help arrives. Buy or put together a car survival kit. Make sure you include a first-aid kit as well.

72 Hour Kits

A 72 Hour Kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in case of emergency. Assemble your kit in advance and keep it in an easily accessible place, you may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice. In case of a fire, earthquake, chemical spill, gas leak or a similar disaster, you will not have time to gather supplies to take with you.

Your 72 Hour Kit is designed to help you sustain life for 3 days in event you have to survive on your own after an emergency. You should include food, water, clothing and other personal supplies. You may not have electricity, gas, water or sewage services. If you plan ahead, these times of disaster can be much more bearable.

Basic 72 Hour Kits should include:
Water – one gallon per person per day
Food – 3 day supply of non-perishable food, include a can opener if needed
Radio – battery powered or hand crank and extra batteries
Flashlight with extra batteries
First Aid Kit including a whistle to alert relief workers of your location
Dust Mask – one person to help filter contaminated air
Plastic Sheeting and Duct Tape – to use for shelter
Handi-Wipes, Garbage Bags and Twist Ties – for sanitation use
Wrench or Pliers – to turn off utilities
Local Maps
Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
Personal Items – Medications, Personal Hygiene, Emergency Contact Numbers, etc.

Click here for the Emergency Supply List from FEMA.

Please visit Ready.gov or BeReadyUtah.gov for a more complete list of Emergency Supply Kit checklists.

First Aid Kits

Where you decide to purchase your first aid kit or gather your own supplies, it is important to have one with you at all times, or know where to find one. Keep one in your 72 hour kit, in your home, and in your car. Have your kids pack a small first aid kit in their back packs and definitely take them with you on all your outings whether it’s to the local city park or for a hike up the canyon.

Include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers and other items prescribed or suggested by your own health-care provider. Check your supplies regularly to make sure batteries work and that any supplies or medications included have not expired. Replace any unused or out-of-date contents and restock any used items as needed.

Here is a list of items recommend by the American Red Cross to be included in a first aid kit for a family of four:
2 absorbent compress dressings, 5×9”
25 adhesive bandages of assorted sizes
1 roll of adhesive cloth tape
5 antibiotic ointment packets
5 antibiotic wipe packets
2 packets of aspirin
1 space blanket
1 breathing barrier
1 instant cold compress
2 pairs of non-latex gloves, size large
2 hydrocortisone ointment packets
Scissors
1 roller bandage, 3” wide
1 roller bandage, 4” wide
5 sterile gauze pads, 3×3”
5 sterile gauze pads, 4×4”
Oral thermometer, non-mercury and non-glass
2 triangular bandages
Tweezers
First aid instruction booklet

April is the TIME!

Having spare clothes for your kids in a 72 hour kit won’t do you any good if they are 4 sizes too small. Having food that is expired and/or inedible won’t keep you alive for very long either. While either of those options is better than not having a kit at all, it’s probably best to update yours!

April is a great time to update your 72 hour kits and do a few household chores.

1. If you don’t have a 72 hour kit, start one.
2. If you have one, rotate out seasonal or outgrown clothing for each family member.
3. Rotate the food in your 72 hour kit to keep it fresh and enjoyable.
4. Replace the batteries in the smoke detectors and radon detectors in your home.

Other things to consider doing in April are to increase your preparedness. Access your 72 hour kits and add additional items that you may need. If you are unsure where to start or how to start or in you need more ideas about 72 hour kits, here is a list to a pdf file prepared by BeReadyUtah:  http://www.utah.gov/beready/business/documents/72-hourchecklistpdf.pdf

It’s January! It’s time to get started!

First of all . . . Welcome!

Here we are, January 2015. Did you set some New Year resolutions? Did you include some preparedness goals? Well, no matter. Hopefully we are here to inspire and encourage you to begin again, to start from where you are, to get going! That’s what we are going to do!

So let’s GO!

This month, we’d like to start by focusing on one of the most important preparedness items around, WATER.

Check out this article to learn more about how much water to storage and how to store it.