Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Family Emergency Plan

Do you have one??? If not, let's get started.

First, you need a Emergency Information Sheet. This sheet should have local police (emergency and non-emergency), fire, health dept, red cross, ambulance and local shelter numbers for starters. You also want to list on this sheet each family members - name, date of birth, blood type, allergies and any medications they are taking. This should be your central list, easily accessible for everyone in the house. I would suggest adding family and friends locally to call in case of an emergency as well as an out of state/town contact. Also, think about adding doctors names and numbers to the list.

Second, you need a list in each 72 hour kit with the above information as well as your families rally/meeting place. The "in case we get separated meet _____" place. You should have a local meeting place and an out of town/state meeting place. It may seem silly, but disaster can strike at anytime, day or night. Where are your loved ones right now?? I doubt everyone is right next you or even in the home. We go to work, school, shopping, etc. What if you block is evacuated, what if your drive home is no longer drivable? Where do we go? Who do we contact? If we plan in advance we will feel less panicked and will have greater peace.

"If ye are prepared ye shall not fear..."

Note: The importance of having an out of area contact is if the local lines are tied up/down, you are more likely to be able to reach someone outside of the area to let them know you are okay. Imagine that a large earthquake happens where you live or where someone else in your family lives and of course you can't get a hold of that person - wouldn't it be great to be able to call your (brother, uncle, grandma or whoever the contact is) and have them say that they have heard from them and everyone is alive, etc.

I have also had it suggested to me that keeping copies of important documents (drivers license, birth certificates, etc.) is helpful to have in your kit. As well as a family picture.

Sorry about all the "What ifs..." but if you think about this in your life, with a real application it is more likely to inspire you to action.

(If I can manage the time and can figure out how to post it here, I will make a Family Emergency Plan template and post it here, but don't wait for me to get started.)

Monday, January 18, 2010

Earthquakes in Utah

The Utah Seismic Safety Commission (USSC) put out a booklet in April 2009 to help prepare and teach Utah residents about earthquake safety and the biggest dangers in your area.

Did you know you can download it for free here?

Just a thought, in case all the recent news about the devastation in Haiti has you wondering what you can do to prepare yourself.

Have you noticed that they keep news reports keep saying that they desperately need clean water and food ... you could always start there.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Deals and Case Lot Sales

Produce:
Broccoli $0.69 lb. Kents
Bananas $ 0.44 lb. Kents
Oranges $0.39 lb. Fresh Market & Reams
Red Peppers $0.99 each Smiths
Green Onions $0.50 each Smith
Bell Peppers/Cucumbers 3 for $1 Reams
10 lb. bag of potatoes $0.99 Reams

Fresh Stuff:
Milk $1.89 Kents ($2 for milk, oj and chocolate milk at Smiths)
Eggs (18 count) $1.89 Smiths
Yoplait Yogurt $0.38 Maceys

Food Storage Items:
Sugar 25 lb. bag $9.68 Maceys
Flour 25 lb. bag $6.88 Reams
Tomato/chicken noodle soup $0.38 Reams
Cream of mushroom/chicken soup $0.44 Reams
Brown sugar/powdered sugar $0.98 Maceys
Peanut butter (18 oz.) $1.00 Smiths
Beans (kidney, black, pinto) $0.48 Maceys
Tomatoes $0.48 Maceys
Hunts Pasta Sauce $0.79 Smiths
Tomato sauce $0.25 Smiths
Applesauce $0.44 Reams
Chili $0.78 Maceys

24-pk of bottled water $2.88 Fresh Market

Toiletties:
Toilet Paper (24 roll) $4.48 Maceys
Related Posts with Thumbnails