(Fore note: This week’s Beacon Bulletin on disaster readiness is produced by Jean Davis, Dallas, Texas.  Aside from being a Beacon Bulletin reader and fan, Jean is also an active, certified Preparedness Expert.   Thanks, Jean, for an interesting, concise, potentially lifesaving article!)

Safety and Disaster Preparedness  by Jean Davis

Tropical storm season is still here, and as our seasons begin to change across the country, violent storm chances will increase. Whether your area is affected by tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, or all of the above; we all need to be prepared. Having a well stocked Disaster Supply Kit ready will not only give you peace of mind, but can assist with recovery if an angry Mother Nature strikes your way.

Basic Disaster Supply Kit

Keep enough supplies in your home to survive on, or shelter-in-place, for 3 days. Check expiration dates on products, and rotate every 3-6 months.

You can make your own First Aid Kit fairly easy. Put things like various sized Band-Aids, Q-tips, and cotton balls in plastic snack baggies. Include the medicines YOUR family uses. Trial-sizes are also great to use when stocking any kit. These are things you can find around your home already versus buying an expensive FA Kit.

Remember to store miscellaneous items – such household cleaners, insect repellant, skin lotions, and moisturizers - separately from food items. Skin care products should have a factor of SPF-30 or higher. Pack gender-neutral items (such as moisturizers) to avoid scented ingredients that can cause reactions. Taking care of your health should be a priority.

Make it a personal goal to get safety and disaster training this year. You might be surprised at the things you DO NOT know! You will also be better prepared to help others in times of an emergency.  As anyone in the military, law enforcement and dangerous civilian work knows, preparedness generally makes the difference between injury and escape and being frozen in fear or simply unaware of life-saving techniques.

Below are several favored emergency information links:

NOAA Weather Service:

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tae/?n=tropical

Power Outages:

http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/checklists/PowerOutage.pdf

 Fire Prevention & Safety:

http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/checklists/FireSafety.pdf

 Thunderstorm Safety:

http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/checklists/Thunderstorm.pdf

American Red Cross in Greater New York

http://www.www.nyredcross.org 

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/redcrossny

Preparedness programs in New York State: 

NYC CERT

OEM-NYC

http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/get_prepared/cert.shtml

CERT Programs in New York State

http://www.semo.state.ny.us/community/cert_programs.cfm

Jean Davis is an active member of the Dallas CERT Team, and the American Red Cross – Dallas Area Chapter. She serves as a DAT Team Lead, DSHR ERV Driver, Shelter Manager (when needed), and is certified in SFA/CPR/AED.

CERT Team competing at the Harris County CERT Rodeo – Feb, 2010 (By the way, the one first prize their first time out – congrats!!)

BNI Operatives: Street smart, field tested.

As always, stay safe.

Related articles

• First Aid Kit Essentials (everydayhealth.com)
• Health Tip: Create a First Aid Kit (nlm.nih.gov)

Filed under: Safety Tagged: | American Red Cross, certification, cpr, Emergency management, First aid, first aid kit, Hygiene, new york, Organizations, Philanthropy, preparedness, prevention, red cross, Survival kit, training