Rope Making Class

Rope Making 101

Knowing how to make rope is a great skill to have in an emergency. You might be able to find weaker materials like twine, string, yarn, plant fibers or even plastic bags but they won’t be able to hold anything strong until they are bound together as rope.

Making rope is a great skill to know and very easy to do. Below, we’ve listed some instructions on how you can make a simple rope design. Keep in mind that there are multiple ways to make a rope and many materials you can use.

For this design, you’ll need:
• Twine or string
• Two sticks

First Spin
1. Attach the twine to one stick using a bowline knot. Make the loop large enough to slip off of the stick, if you don’t, it will get too tight and you’ll have to cut the line instead.

2. Stretch the twine to ensure all the yarns are of equal tension and begin spinning clockwise. As it becomes more difficult to spin while the strand is under moderate tension, you’re probably finished. (For very long strands, use a spinner at each end to speed up the process.)

3. Once the strand is tightly spun, it must be folded to make rope. This is the tricky part for first-timers, since the individual segments must be kept tight at all times to prevent kinks. With two additional helpers placed at “thirds” on opposite sides of the strand, have each back up while holding his or her segment.

These bends are then looped over the spinner and the anchor stick, respectively, making the rope one-third its original length. (This can be done with only two people by looping the strand over something like a trailer hitch ball or a sturdy fence post.)

Second Spin
1. Once the line has been folded into thirds, stretch the three strands until they are even lengths. Continue to spin the rope but this time, do it in the opposite direction (counterclockwise) until the rope is tight.

2. Over-tighten the rope and quickly tug on the rope to set it in place.

3. Slide the rope off the sticks and let it relax a bit. Splice the ends to make sure the rope doesn’t come undone.

Of course, if making your own rope is not your style, you can always visit our emergency and military store at Survival-concepts.com. 

For suggestions on upcoming articles, please write to info@open-concepts.com.

 

Conventions, Seminars, Meetings, and Preparedness

Major disasters or minor emergencies.  When they hit you, it doesn’t matter for the moment which is which.  If you’re caught up in protecting you and those around you, your responsibilities, actions, and follow-up will be the same whether the whole community is involved, or it’s just you.

Let’s look at a key point in the above statement; “When they hit.”  For most of us, the better part of our day and week is spent at work.  The details surrounding protection in the workplace takes up volumes.  For our focus today though, let’s look at one aspect of business life: the meeting.

What do you do if an emergency strikes in the middle of a business meeting?

The answer is as simple as “1, 2, 3.”

You have 1 main responsibility.

You have 2 types of immediate reactions.

And you have at least 3 sources of assets and solutions.

Your Main Responsibility:

Your one and only responsibility is the safety and well being of people in your building, at your meeting, or attending your event.  This goes for the one-time guest as much as for the full time employee.  Though we say this is your “one” responsibility, it’s a huge one and it should be the cornerstone of all the contingency planning and emergency preparedness efforts you put in place before any meeting or event is ever put on the calendar.

Your Two Immediate Reactions:

Emergencies are divided into two types:  The evacuation emergencies, like fire, and the shelter-in-place emergencies such as a tornado.  So in your planning, account for both, and run each through the phases of planning, table-top-exercises, and functional drills.  When you do this, go above and beyond fire and weather.  Think about things like earthquake which is both a temporary shelter and then a building evacuation.  Then there’s an “active shooter” scenario when contains elements of both as well.  And what about hazardous materials?  Or a bomb threat?

Work with local emergency management and law enforcement when you create plans and have drills.  They need to know you and your facility and they can add pointers you never would have thought of.

Your Three Sources of Solutions and Assets

In all emergency planning, your number one goal should be confidence.  You should have confidence in the fact you’ve tried your best to cover every scenario, you should have confidence in the ability of your staff to react to the level of their training, and you should have confidence in the fact that your solutions and assets will always outnumber your threats if you know where to look.

1. Local emergency responders:  As we stated, they need to be involved in planning so they’re ahead of the curve if the emergency call comes in.  Also, make sure you have redundant communication options.  In addition to calling 911, you should have an alarm system tied in directly to the 911 center

2. Your staff:  The most overlooked aspect of site security and Business Continuity is the individual employee.  Your employees should be trained in emergency reaction.  Not just your security staff, but all employees.  Never underestimate this asset.  Employees who are trained in preparedness are much more likely to react properly in a work emergency and are also more likely to report for duty in times of crisis and turn your Business Continuity Plan into a functional reality rather than an exercise on paper.

3. Today’s technology:  One crucial component to emergency reaction is communication.  Emergency Management needs to know if an emergency has occurred and those under you care in your building need to be accounted for and their actions properly directed.  Though the list of technological assets is long indeed, consider just a few options:

A. A building-wide alarm system combined with a Public Address system and a camera monitor system that can be accessed off-site or online by emergency management or building security.

B. Mass texting or voice messaging through employee cell phones.  This can alert employees in the building that an urgent situation has developed or can be used to call off a second shift until a crisis is over.

C. Software-based guest check-in systems can account for visitors attending your event or meeting.  This can be used as an after-the-fact roll call, or you can request their cell phone number on arrival and add it to your mass notification system.

For the purpose of a short presentation we say that meeting and event safety is “as easy as 1, 2, 3.”  But if you add up the detail that needs to be considered in each of the steps, we might as well be saying “1,000 – 2,000 – 3,000.”  In other words, we were able to convey a few of the major points in this short presentation, but we urge you to not stop there.  The safety of your employees and your guests is in your hands.  Please put as much effort into this area as you can, and if you need help, let us know.

To find the supplies you need, please visit our Survival Store and be prepared!

This blog was originally posted by:  Paul Purcell (author of Disaster Prep 101 and adviser to http://www.1800prepare.com)

 

Evacuation

If your family is faced with a disaster one of your first concerns will be, “where will we go for safety?” It would be ideal if you could huddle in your home with your candles lit and food storage cans open. However, there are many possible situations in which you would not be able to use your home as a refuge from the storm. Floods, hurricanes, war times, lightning storms, earthquakes, chemical spills, and fires all have the potential of forcing you from your home. If you do not have an evacuation plan your family will experience unnecessary discomfort and even life-threatening circumstances. With preparation, you can have food, first aid, and transportation for your whole family. You can also be content knowing your home will be in good order while you are gone.
72 Hour Emergency Kits A 72 hour emergency kit is essential for emergency evacuations. An evacuation kit will be similar to other emergency kits you have learned about. It should include things such as: A three-day supply of food and water; shovel, knife, or other tools; tent; rain poncho; blankets; communication devices such as a whistle and radio; light sources ( candles, matches, lightsticks); water sanitation kit; sewing kit; utensils; hygiene kit (soap, toothbrush, tissue, etc), and a first aid kit. An emergency kit should fit into one bag so that each person, even young children, can easily carry his or her own kit. Shelter With 72 hour emergency kits on their backs, your family is ready to go. But where should you go? Your house may be uninhabitable for weeks depending on the type of disaster. Your community will provide public shelters such as schools, churches, National Guard armories, or other large public buildings. To find out in advance which location has been prepared to be a public shelter, contact your local emergency services office or police department. Other shelter options are available if public buildings have been damaged or you can’t reach them. Family and friends should be contacted in advance about using their homes as evacuation locations. Also, your local library has literature about emergency shelters that you can make in your own back yard. Tree houses or underground shelters can provide optimal protection under certain circumstances. When building your own shelter, consider the emergencies that may occur in your area. Whatever shelter you plan for, it is a good idea to keep a map readily available to all family members that outlines the route to the shelter. If you are called to assist others in the community, or if a disaster happens while you are away at work, your family needs access to this map so they can reach the shelter while you are unavailable. Before a disaster hits your area, use this map to practice evacuating with your family. Think of the disasters that would most likely occur in your area and pretend the disaster has happened. Research shows that people panic less in familiar situations.	Transportation Once you are comfortable with where you should go, you need many ways to get there. In most cases, roads will be available for evacuation. If this is the case, there are still things to prepare for. It is a good idea to keep your gas tank at least half full at all times because gas stations may be packed with customers or may even be inoperable. Traffic jams can also be a major problem. Planning alternate routes can relieve you of traffic-related tensions. If you are driving, leave as quickly as possible. Disasters usually worsen with time as flood waters rise and branches and power lines fall on roadways. Listen to the radio as you drive to keep updated on route possibilities and disaster coverage. If you can’t drive to a shelter, you can bike or walk away from your area. Bicycles can be equipped with racks or trailers for carrying evacuation items. Clothing suitable for all kinds of weather should be worn if your family is biking or walking. If you have to bike or hike out, remember that you will also need more water to compensate for the exertion. One more consideration for transportation is the distress that will be felt by those with handicaps. Nursing home and retirement communities will be severely troubled when an evacuation is necessary. Think about ways in which you can lend a hand to help them. Extra emergency kits and room in a vehicle can mean life or death for them. Also, their mature knowledge and experience may come in handy. Putting Your House in Order If you have to leave your home for an extended amount of time it is important to leave your house in good order. Just packing up and leaving can put your home at risk of damage you don’t want to come home to. Frozen pipes in cold weather will cause an indoor flood, and fires can leave your house in ashes. When you practice your evacuation plan with your family, go through a checklist of turning off all lights and appliances (everything but the refrigerator), and, in cold weather, turning on your faucets to a slow drip (to prevent the pipes from freezing). Show your family where the house’s central switches and valves are for turning off all of the utilities in case main city pipes have been damaged by the emergency.
Evacuations can be hectic, even life threatening; or they can be well-planned procedures. The main point is to plan ahead! Think of the unique circumstances of your family and prepare for their safety. Prepare emergency kits for each person, plan where you will evacuate to, and how you will get there. Put your house in order as you lock the door behind you and you will soon be headed back to a nice, safe home.
References: Barbara Salisbury’s Emergency Evacuation 1986 Deseret Book Company. Esther Dickey’s Skills for Survival 1988 Horizon Publishers.

 

Do One Thing a Month – Month 10

Emergency Supplies

Any emergency is easier to handle when you have prepared ahead of time. Put together an emergency kit with important items to keep at home, and a go bag with items you will need to take with you if you evacuate. Think about what you and your family would need in a disaster. You can make kits for your home, car or workplace. Emergencies can happen anywhere.

Gather your emergency supplies in an accessible place.

Have a go bag ready if you have to shelter in place or evacuate your home. Your go bag can be part of your emergency kit, just make sure it is in a bag or easy to carry container and that it is easy to get to.

THINK ABOUT THESE ITEMS FOR YOUR GO BAG:
• Battery powered radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Lightweight blankets
• Emergency information, including insurance policies
• A list of medications and correct dosage, and doctor’s names
• Personal items such as toothbrushes, soap, extra glasses, etc.
• First aid kit
• Whistle
• Change of clothing
• Nonperishable snacks
• Books, cards or magazines to pass the time

Along with the basics above, think about these items for your go bag when special needs are involved:

FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN:
• Baby formula and food
• Diapers
• Baby wipes
• Blanket or toy

FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS:
• Empty pill bottle(s) or a list of current medications (Make sure you update your go bag when your medications change)
• Your doctor’s phone number

FOR PETS:
• Pet food & water
• Collar with ID tags
• Pet medication(s)
• Pet carriers and leashes
• Medical records from vet
• Photos of your pet
• Microchip information

Create an emergency supply kit for your pet, your car, and your workplace or school.

Disasters can strike when you are away from home. If your office or school does not have an emergency kit, offer to help make one. The kit should include:

• First aid supplies
• Flashlights or light sticks
• Building emergency procedures
• Building maps showing evacuation
and shelter areas
• Pens or pencils
• Signs with the words “Need Help” and
“All Clear”
• Clipboard with class/staff names

Make or buy an emergency kit for your car. If you travel with your pet regularly, make sure that you have an emergency kit for them as well. Some items to think about for your car kit are: a small first aid kit, flashlight or light sticks, flares or reflective cones, a blanket, cell phone charger, jumper cables, bottled water, nonperishable snacks, and a “help” flag or brightly colored cloth that can be tied to the antenna.

Stash some cash in case ATMs and credit card machines are not usable in a disaster.

Many things that we take for granted are not available when there is no power. ATM machines may not work. Grocery stores and other businesses may not be able to accept your credit or debit card. Cash could be the only acceptable means to make a purchase. Some experts say you should have at minimum $150.00 in cash stashed away. Realizing this may not be possible for everyone, any amount is good to start with. Take $1.00 dollar a week and place it in an envelope in your emergency kit. In just a little time, you will have some cash stashed away for use in emergencies.

For high quality and the best prices available, please visit the Open-Concepts Survival Store.  It is a great place to purchase and get great ideas for YOUR preparedness supplies.

 

Do One Thing a Month to Prepare – Month 9

Work, School, & Community

Disasters can happen at any time. If you are away from home do you know where to find safe shelter locations? Do you know what the emergency procedures are for your child’s school or for your workplace? Will people who count on you know what to do if you can’t reach them? Know how to make sure you and your loved ones are safe in a disaster, no matter where you are.

Make sure emergency procedures are in place for your workplace or school.

Talk to your employer about emergency plans for the building where you work. Think about other places that you and family members regularly spend time, like your child’s school. Talk to administrators at those places about their emergency plans as well.

WAYS TO BE SAFE AT WORK AND SCHOOL:
• Make sure evacuation routes and tornado shelter locations are marked on a map and posted in the building.
• Hold emergency training and drills.
• Help create an emergency kit for the facility.
• Know where fire extinguishers and Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) are located.

Give emergency kits to people who count on you (college students, elderly parents, etc.).

Put together basic emergency kits for people who may not be able to do so for themselves or for those who may not think of doing it for themselves. Show them what is in the kit and talk to them about disasters.
Make sure the kit meets their specific needs. For instance, if someone takes prescription medicine, include a list of medications and dosages. For a college student, make sure the kit is small enough to store in the space they have available.

COLLEGE STUDENTS
Talk to your college student about how you will stay in touch if a disaster occurs. Make sure they understand that cell phones may not work during a disaster. Choose an emergency contact who does not live near you or the college. Arrange with your student to call that person if they can’t reach you during a disaster.
Visit the website for your student’s college to find out about the school’s disaster plans and procedures. Some colleges will provide a phone number that you can call in an emergency. If you don’t find the number on the website, call the admissions office and ask. Add the number to your emergency contact list. Make sure your student knows to call you if there is an emergency on campus. Also, ensure your student is registered for any emergency notification system on their campus.

INSURANCE
Talk to your insurance agent to find out if your policy covers your student’s belongings while they are away at school. You may need to buy an additional renter’s policy. Also check with your health insurance carrier to find out where your student can find covered healthcare at school.

Know how others in your community will respond in a disaster.

Talk to other people when you are developing an emergency plan for a school, workplace or organization. Get input from people who work there and other people who use the building. It is especially important to include people with disabilities. Think about asking your local police and fire departments to review the plan. Make sure that what you are planning won’t interfere with emergency response.
Find out if your community has designated evacuation routes for floods, hurricanes, or other disasters. Include that information in your plans. Make sure that the plans you develop will work for everyone.

For additional information on how to prepare and ideas on what to do, please visit www.open-concepts.com.  The Open-Concepts Survival Store is a great place to review and purchase all of your survival needs.  If you do not find what you are looking for, any of our affiliates will have it!

 

Do One Thing a Month to Prepare – Month 8

Sheltering

In a disaster you may be asked to either evacuate or shelter-in-place. In the excitement of an emergency, it can be difficult to focus on what you are doing. Know what to do to keep your family safe. Practice your tornado and fire safety plans. If your family has practiced, they will be more comfortable doing it when the emergency actually happens.

Identify the best storm shelter in your home and practice getting to the shelter with your family.

Choosing the best place in your home or workplace to shelter from a tornado isn’t always easy. Many newer buildings don’t have a really good shelter area. Use these rules of thumb to find the best tornado shelter possible:

• Stay away from windows and skylights
• Shelter “down and in”—Put as many walls between yourself and the outside as you can
(think of the ceiling as a wall)
• Avoid rooms with large ceiling expanses
• Find an area large enough for everyone to stay comfortably for at least 45 minutes

If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, be prepared to protect your family and your property. Cover windows with plywood or hurricane shutters when a hurricane warning is issued—don’t use tape. If you are advised to evacuate, do so. Otherwise, stay inside and away from windows until the storm has completely passed.

Learn how to safely shelter in place.

In an emergency like a chemical spill, you may be told to “shelter in place”. This means to make the place where you are a safe place to stay until the danger has passed. Shelter in place orders are given when it would be dangerous for you to go outside.

Notification—Warning sirens may be used to warn people that it is not safe to be outside. Emergency responders may go door to door in the affected area. They may also use loudspeakers from police or fire vehicles to give instructions. Information will also be given over television and radio using the Emergency Alert System.

What to do in a hazardous materials incident—The first thing to do when a chemical spill or similar event occurs is to get information. Turn on the television or radio to find out if your area is affected and what steps to take. Never call 911 to get information about an emergency. Only call 911 if you are injured or need assistance.

If you are told to shelter in place you should close all doors and windows and shut off fans and air conditioners. Take your family to a room with as few doors and windows as possible. You may be told to put towels or tape around the cracks of the windows and doors. Follow emergency instructions carefully. Make sure you take a battery-powered radio with you so that you will know when the danger has passed. Power in your area may be shut off during the incident.

Make a Go Bag for emergency sheltering.

Emergency shelters will be opened when people are displaced from their homes. In most areas emergency shelters are operated by the American Red Cross. At the Red Cross Shelter:

RED CROSS WILL PROVIDE
• A cot to sleep on
• Meals and bottled water
• A nurse for basic
medical care
• Information about the
disaster from public
officials
YOU MAY NEED TO BRING
• Pillow and blanket
• Identification
• Change of clothes
• Cards or magazines
• Comfort items
• Your medication and medical supplies (or a list of what you are taking, dosage, and Dr’s names)
NOT ALLOWED AT THE SHELTER
• Weapons or alcohol
• Pets (except for service animals) in many shelters

For additional information on how to prepare and ideas on what to do, please visit www.open-concepts.com.  The Open-Concepts Survival Store is a great place to review and purchase all of your survival needs.

 

Do One Thing a Month to Prepare – Month 6

Family Communication Plan

Today we have more ways to speak with one another than ever before. We are used to staying in touch with cell phones, internet, and email, but disasters can change things. These devices may not be available. Cell phone towers quickly become overloaded with people trying to reach friends and family. If the power is out at your home, cordless phones, internet, and email will not work either.

Have a phone with a cord and a car charger for your cell phone standing by in case of a power failure.

Phones with cordless handsets won’t work in a disaster because they need more electricity than they can get from the phone jack. Old fashioned phones with a cord connecting the handset to the base will work even in a power outage. Make sure you have at least one phone with a cord in your home in case of a power outage.

Keep a car charger for your cell phone in your vehicle. If the power is out in your home, you can still charge your cell phone in your car.

If you don’t have a landline and you use a cell phone as your home phone, remember that cell phone towers may be tied up with calls in an emergency. However, a text message from your cell phone may get through when a phone call doesn’t. Make sure everyone in your family knows how to send and receive text messages.

Develop a plan for how your family will stay in touch during a disaster.

Develop a plan so you can stay in touch with your family in a disaster. Include phone numbers for all family members and those who can give you extra help, such as caregivers. Also include all work, school, and daycare phone numbers, if applicable. A wallet-size form you can use to write down this information can be found at www.ready.gov. Be sure each family member has a copy of your communication plan. Post the communication plan by a phone in your home, and include it in your go bag as well.

OUTSIDE THE AREA CONTACT

Local phone calls and long distance calls work on different circuits. When local circuits are overloaded, you may still be able to make long distance calls. Choose someone outside of the local calling area to be your “outside the area” contact. Make sure all family members carry this phone number with them. If something happens when your family is not together and you are not able to reach each other, each family member can call the “outside the area” contact and leave a message for the others.

Program In Case of Emergency (ICE) numbers into all family cell phones.

If you are hurt and can’t talk, first responders and hospital staff may not know how to contact your family right away. If you have a cell phone, you can provide the phone numbers for your emergency contacts to first responders and hospital staff.

1. Create a new contact in your cell phone’s phone book.
2. Name the contact ICE.
3. Enter all phone numbers for the person you would like to have notified
in a medical emergency.
For more preparedness information or preparedness items, please visit www.open-concepts.com and our Survival-Concepts store!

 

Do One Thing a Month to Prepare – Month 5

Make a Plan

The goal of this plan is to understand what puts you at risk from disasters and take steps to lower your risk.

Disasters change things. When an emergency happens you may have to decide what to do very quickly, while you are worrying about what might happen. By planning ahead, it will be easier to make the right decisions when the worst happens.

Learn what disasters can happen in your area and decide what you will do in a disaster.

It is important to know what types of disasters can happen where you are. Is your home in a floodplain? Are you in an area that has earthquakes? How far away is the nearest chemical plant or power plant?  If there are railroad tracks near your home, what is being carried on them?  When are tornadoes most likely to happen? Knowing what disasters could happen can help you know how to be prepared and what to do. Contact your local American Red Cross or emergency management office to learn more about the disasters in your area.

Meet with your family or household members. Discuss how to prepare and respond to emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work, and play. Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team. If a family member is in the military, plan how you would respond if they were deployed.

TALKING ABOUT DISASTERS

Talking about disasters can be scary, especially with children, or with someone who may have difficulty coping with daily life. Be open and positive. The unknown often causes more anxiety than knowing the facts. Listen to what the individual has to say, learn how they feel and what they may be afraid of. Older people and people with disabilities may worry that asking for help during a disaster will take away their independence. Talk about different options for assistance and make a plan with them.

Take steps now to prevent damage to your home in a disaster.

Once you know what disasters could happen in your community, there are things you can do to lower your risk of injury or property damage. Here are some suggestions:

TORNADO
Add a tornado safe room to your home, or add extra protection to an existing room to keep your family safe in a tornado. Look for FEMA publication 320 for more information.
HURRICANE
Install hurricane shutters. Keep trees around your house trimmed to prevent damage from falling branches. Secure your soffits to make sure that they won’t provide a way for wind and water to get into your home. Make sure entryway doors have three hinges and a deadbolt lock.
WILDFIRE
Use fire-resistant building materials like shingles and siding. Cut back branches and brush within 30 feet of your home. Keep firewood at least 30 feet away. Check into the National Fire Protection Association’s Firewise program for more ideas.
FLOOD
Elevate your home above the base flood level or take steps to floodproof. Elevate your utilities above the base flood level. Make sure you have adequate flood venting. Use flood-resistant building materials when you build or remodel. Taking steps like these can lower your flood insurance rates.
EARTHQUAKE
Secure your furniture, appliances, and water heater to walls and floors. Install safety catches on cabinets and cupboard doors. Make sure your appliances are connected with flexible connections. Consider using a safety film on your windows or installing laminated glass to prevent injuries from broken glass.

Plan what to do if you have to evacuate.

Choose two places for your family to meet. One should be right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire. The other should be outside of your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate.

Decide where you would go and what route you would take to get there. You may choose to go to a hotel, stay with friends or family in a safe location, or go to a shelter. Hold evacuation drills at home. Practice getting out of the house quickly, and drive your planned evacuation route. The more you practice, the more confident you will be if you really have to evacuate.

Plan ahead for your pets. Due to health concerns, pets are not allowed in Red Cross shelters. Keep a phone list of pet-friendly hotels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation route in case a designated pet shelter is not available. Contact your local humane society or animal shelter to ask if pet emergency shelters will be opened in a disaster.

Please visit Open-Concepts for some ideas regarding important forms you should fill out prior to an emergency.  For ideas and great pricing on emergency supplies, please visit the Open-Concepts store!

 

Do One Thing a Month to Prepare – Month 4

Water

The goal is to have enough water on-hand for your family to last at least 3 days.  An average recommendation would be 3 gallons per person (1 gallon per day per person).

Whether you live in the country or the city, your water supply relies on electricity to run the system. During a power outage you may find yourself without a way to get water. Your water supply can also become unsafe to drink. Both private wells and city water systems can be contaminated in a disaster.

Purchase and store a 72-hour supply of commercially bottled water (or more–up to two weeks).

A three-day supply for one person is 3 gallons of water (one gallon per person per day). Also include an extra one gallon for a medium size pet. That one gallon should last three days, but plan for more or less if your pet is very large or very small.

1 day, 1 person = 1 gallon (or 128 ounces) = 7-20 ounce bottles = 4 liters
3 days, 1 person = 3 gallons (or 384 ounces) = 21-20 ounce bottles = 12 liters

During an emergency, you should drink at least two quarts (one half gallon) of water a day.  Drink 3-4 quarts a day if you are in a hot climate, pregnant, sick, or a child. Some of the water in your emergency water supply will be used for cooking or washing.  If you buy commercially bottled water, it should be replaced once a year. Store your water in a cool, dark place to keep it tasting fresher longer.

Bottle a 72-hour supply of water at home.

If you get your water from a private well, disinfect your tap water before bottling. Place six drops of bleach for each gallon of water, shake well, then let sit for 30 minutes. If you get your water from a municipal water system, there is no need to disinfect tap water before bottling.

Replace your water supply every six months if you bottle your own water. Always sanitize bottles before refilling them. Store your water in a cool, dark place.

SANITIZE BOTTLES BEFORE FILLING:
1. Wash containers with dishwashing soap and rinse with water
2. Sanitize by washing a solution of 1 teaspoon of liquid household chlorine bleach to a quart
of water on all interior surfaces of the container.
3. Let air dry for at least one minute

Use clear plastic bottles with tight sealing caps. Milk jugs don’t make good water storage containers, they don’t seal well, and water stored in them can sometimes develop a plastic taste. Only use bottles that originally had beverages in them (large plastic soft drink bottles work well). See the previous page to find out how much water you should have for your family in an emergency.

Learn how to provide a safe supply of drinking water for your household in a disaster.

WATER HEATER—DO NOT USE IF THE TANK OR FIXTURES HAVE BEEN SUBMERGED IN FLOODWATER!

1. Turn off the gas or electricity to water heater (turn off electricity at the fuse or breaker box, turn off gas by locating the valve supplying the hot water heater and turning the valve handle so that it crosses—is not lined up with—the gas line).

2. Turn off the water intake valve (should be located near the water heater).

3. Open the drain at the bottom of the tank.

4. Turn on a hot water faucet (water will drain from the tank, not the faucet). Discard the first few gallons if they contain rust of sediment. Do not turn the gas or electricity back on until the tank is refilled.

PIPES

1. Turn off main water valve where the water comes into the house (usually near the water meter if you have city water).

2. Let air into the pipes by turning on the highest faucet in your house.

3. Get water from the lowest faucet in your house (never get water from faucets that have been submerged in floodwater).

ICE

If you have freezer space, consider freezing part of your water supply. This has the added advantage of keeping food in the freezer cold longer during a power outage.

The Open-Concepts store featuring the Are You Prepared affiliate that offers pocket purifiers, water pumps, water purifying tablets, and much more for the hard core preparedness enthusiasts.  To learn more, please click here!

For more useful information and to browse timely preparedness tools, please visit www.open-concepts.com.

 

Do One Thing a Month to Prepare – Month 3

First Aid

An emergency can happen at any time and any place. Many public places have a first aid kit, oxygen, or an AED (automated external defibrillator) to treat people. These items can only save lives if someone knows how to use them. Actions you take in the first few minutes after an injury or other medical incident may save someone’s life.

Know what to do while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

Call 911 instead of trying to take an injured or ill person to the hospital yourself. It seems like waiting for an ambulance will make it take longer to get help, but ambulance crews can start providing care as soon as they arrive. They can get the patient to hospital quickly, legally, and more safely.

1. Stay on the line with 911 and follow emergency instructions.
2. Stay calm and try to keep the patient calm.
3. Don’t move a patient who was injured in an automobile accident or fall, or who was
found unconscious.
4. If the patient is cold, cover them with a blanket.
5. Don’t give an injured person anything to eat or drink (unless instructed by the 911 dispatcher).
6. Have someone watch for the ambulance and show the crew how to get to the patient.
(This is especially important in an apartment or office building, or if your address is
hard to see from the street).

Make or buy first aid kits for your home and car.

• Adhesive Tape
• Antiseptic Ointment
• Band-Aids
(assorted sizes)
• Blanket
• Cold Pack
• Disposable Gloves
Some items that should be included in a basic first aid kit are:
• Gauze Pads & Roller Gauze
(assorted sizes)
• Hand Sanitizer (liquid or wipes)
• Plastic Bags
• Scissors and Tweezers
• Small Flashlight and Extra Batteries
• Triangular Bandage

For ideas and products, you can shop at the Open Concepts Get Ready Store!

Take training in first aid, CPR, AED, or pet first aid.

Helping others in a medical emergency isn’t as hard to learn as you might think. Knowing how to apply a bandage, identify the signs and symptoms of shock, perform CPR or use an automatic external defibrillator (AED) can save a life.

First responders may not be on the scene for five minutes or more. It is up to individuals like you to be ready to help someone who is injured. The person whose life you save may be someone that you love.

Many American Red Cross chapters now offer training in pet first aid. Training may also be available through your local humane society, kennel club, or pet store. Check with your veterinarian to see what special items you may need to include in a first aid kit for your pets. If you travel with your pet, or if they are service or hunting animals, you may want to make a travel-sized pet first aid kit as well.

Contact your local fire department or American Red Cross chapter to learn what first aid classes are available in your area. Ask your employer if they will sponsor a class for your workplace, or take a class with your family or on your own. Many classes are offered free of charge. Courses may also be offered at your place of worship, school, or community organization. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training also includes first aid training.

For more useful information and to browse timely preparedness tools, please visit www.open-concepts.com.