swine flu, part III

as of this morning, a 23-month old toddler has died in texas, marking the first fatality in the US from the swine flu (also known as the H1N1 virus). the CDC is still advising that the best way to protect yourself is to practice good hygiene. wash your hands often (me - this means every few minutes, even if the last thing i touched was the kitchen faucet when i washed my hands 8 minutes ago - i'm a little crazy). cover your mouth with your arm or sleeve when you cough or sneeze and although it may not be as environmentally friendly, use disposable disinfectant supplies (sorry mother earth, i hope you'll understand). use paper towels and kleenex, not reusable hankies, cloths or sponges.

and perhaps the easiest, cheapest and most effective way to fight germs is alcohol-based hand sanitizer. seriously, stock up on this stuff today. here's how:
(1) go to wal-mart, the grocery store, walgreens, cvs, the dollar store, wherever
(2) buy tons of this stuff. gallons.
(3) put it in your car, in your purse, and in just about every room of your house
(4) use it all the time

here is the news story of the toddler. very very sad.

swine flu, part II

as a quick update, i believe at last count that the US is now up to at least 68 confirmed cases of swine flu (including 2 deaths in california, which are "suspected," but not "confirmed" to be from swine flu). i just read an interesting article advising that the best prevention is basically to stay out of public places and to limit your contact with others (obviously, you will want to stay far far away from anyone who is infected) and to stay home.

an excerpt:

We're going to have a problem’“If it causes person-to-person transmission in the
community in a virulent form, we’re going to have a problem,” said Dr. Brian Currie, an infectious disease expert at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

In that scenario, public health officials would be called upon to enact voluntary plans that could keep people away from work, out of school and in their homes for as long as it takes to quell the threat of infection. Businesses would be advised to let workers telecommute, Longini said. Sports teams would be encouraged to cancel practices and games and parents would be urged to keep small children at home, avoiding even playgroups and parks.

so how long could you stay home with your current supplies? do you have everything you need in case you have to be in for awhile? if you have a minute, read the whole article here.

the church also has a great webpage to give you some additional guidelines on pandemic preparedness. click here to see it.

the swine flu

so by now everyone is probably aware of the swine flu -- if you're not, then you live in a bubble, so turn on the news for 20 seconds and you'll hear it.

Q: what is the swine flu?

A: Influenza is a virus that infects people, birds, pigs and other animals such as ferrets. Swine flu, or swine influenza, is a form of the virus that normally infects pigs. There are many forms of flu, and the different varieties have the ability to exchange genes with one another. The form of flu that originated in Mexico is a genetic mixture of viruses that have been seen in pigs, birds and people. It’s being called a swine flu because the overall structure of the virus is of the type that affects pigs, said Keiji Fukuda, a WHO official.

some are saying that is this is the pandemic that we've been overdue for for a couple years, some are saying it's no big deal.

Q: What’s a flu pandemic?

A: Flu pandemics occur when new influenza viruses emerge that spread quickly and few people have immunity to them. While influenza viruses were only discovered about a century ago, researchers believe flu pandemics hit about
twice or three times each century. Some pandemics are relatively mild, killing
just a few million people globally. The most severe flu pandemic on record was
the 1918 Spanish Flu, and researchers estimate it killed about 50 million people
around the world.

i have no plans to debate whether or not we're all going to be wiped out, but i do know this: our prophets and leader have been counseling us for years and years build our food storage, be self-reliant, save some money for a rainy day and to be prepared so we can take care of our families and each other for when the time comes that it is necessary. this scare with the swine flu is a really great reminder for us to really evaluate or own levels of preparedness for ourselves and our families and to see if there is anything else we can be doing to be better prepared, just in case.

Q: so what should we be doing now?

A: keep working on your 3-month supply. if you had to stay inside for anywhere from a matter of days up until a few months, could you?

remember to think of ALL the things you would need - not just food. remember items like prescription medications, cash, diapers, baby wipes, and on and on. make a list of the things that your family specifically needs.

everyone should stock up on items like bleach, disinfectant wipes, trash bags, laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, alcohol-based hand sanitizer and other items that you would need to keep your home as germ-free as possible.

at this point, the us government has declared this a "public health emergency," but has not yet declared the swine flu a pandemic, although has acknowledged that it could come to that. there is no need to panic, but let's all take extra precautions:

Q: How else can I protect myself from swine flu?

A: Personal hygiene measures, such as avoiding people who are coughing or sneezing and frequent hand-washing, may prevent flu infection. Those who aren’t health professionals should avoid contact with sick people, or those who are coughing or sneezing. People who get sick with flu symptoms should stay home. Studies have suggested that closing schools, theaters, and canceling gatherings in the early stages of a pandemic can limit its spread. Such measures would likely take place if health officials determine that the virus is spreading quickly enough and is deadly enough to cause a pandemic.

but really, this is a good kick in the butt to keep building up your supply and make sure that if this did become the worst case scenario, you and your family would be protected and prepared.

this article has a great q&a about the swine flu and it's symptoms, how it spreads and how to prevent it.

and this is kind of cool, it's a map that tracks confirmed cases of the swine flu. if it's going to freak you out and make you check every 25 minutes to see if it's near you, don't look at it. but if not, you can stay up to date.

life caps

i don't know if anyone has used these before (and neither have i), but these could be a great addition to your 72-hour kits. according to their website, these pills can give you the life-sustaining nutrients that you need if no food is available. this could be super handy in an emergency and are in fact designed to be taken on an empty stomach and they take up hardly any space. for more information, see their website.

and since i always love a bargain -- who doesn't? -- the following code can be used at http://www.lifecaps.net/ to receive $10 off per bottle of life caps. the code is: Good Life.

72-hour kits: food packs

to decide what to include in my food pack for my 72-hour kit, i looked around online and looked at other people's lists and stuff and then used those to decide what my family would eat. i did do some variations depending on if the pack was for a kid or a grown-up. i planned on eating the same thing for all 3 days (that's the simplest).

here is the list for the kid pack:

• 3 fruit cups
• 3 jif mini peanut butter cups
• 3 boxes of raisins
• 3 mini chef boyardee raviolis or mac-n-cheese (make sure you get the pop-top)
• 3 packets of fruit snacks
• 3 mini power bars
• 2 twin packs of pop-tarts (which is 4 single pop tarts)
• 2 twin packs of "oats'n honey" granola bars (which is 4 single granola bars)
• 3 10 oz. bottles of cran-apple juice
  

this brings us to a grand total of 1,610 calories per day. and since i'm nerdy and save weird things, i had one of those little plastic cases that you buy sheets in with a zipper, i was able to pack it all neatly into one plastic bag.

the adult pack is basically the same, with a little more. contents include:

• 3 chef boyardee ravioli or spaghetti (make sure it's pop-top)
• 3 fruit cups
• 3 jif mini peanut butter cups
• 3 boxes of raisins or craisins
• 3 twin packs of pop-tarts
• 3 mini power bars
• 3 regular-sized power bars
• 3 twin packs of "oats'n honey" granola bars
• 3 packs of fruit snacks
• 3 powdered drink mixes
• 30 jolly ranchers
• 3 packs of gum
• i also included a single high-calorie meal replacement bar

this brings us to a grand total of 2,090 calories per day. i included plastic silverware in each pack and also hand sanitizer spray as most of it is finger food. oh, and i got it all at wal-mart.

so get gathering your food packs together and please note that the items i have listed here are not for long-term storage, but will need to be rotated every six months or so. it's a good idea to get into a routine so you don't forget to do so - general conference is a great reminder and with conference coming up this weekend, you'll be right on schedule if you get it done soon!

another option for food include MRE's ("meals ready to eat") which you can purchase with any of the companies listed on the post about equipment. the advantage to these is that they take up less space (and weight) and will keep longer. the disadvantage is that your kids may not eat them. so think about what would work best for your family as you build your kit.

sidenote: if you are looking for alternative ideas for your food packs, i have a pdf document that has a great menu for your 72-hour kits, and everything is broken down with all the nutritional information and will keep you in high-energy mode... but i don't know how to post it online. so leave a comment or email me and i'll email it to you if you're interested.

72-hour kits: equipment

the list of equipment and stuff to include in your 72-hour kit can be overwhelming and exhaustive. i feel like i've looked over trillions of them in preparing for this month's activity and building my own and have come up with what i feel like is a pretty comprehensive list of all the stuff you could want and should think about including:

1. Hooded Poncho
   
2. Emergency Heat Blanket


3. Flashlight


4. Extra Batteries


5. Candles


6. Flares


7. Lighter


8. Water-Proof Matches


9. Dishes/Utensils


10. Shovel


11. Radio (hand-crank or remember to pack batteries)


12. Pen and Paper
13. Axe


14. Pocket Knife


15. Rope


16. Duct Tape


17. First Aid Kit


18. Toiletries


19. Toilet Paper
    o Feminine Needs
    o Toothbrush & paste
    o Soap, Shampoo
    o Hand Sanitizer
    o Medication (Tylenol/Advil, etc. and a 3-day supply of any prescriptions)


20. Cash


21. Pre-Paid Phone Card


22. Paper Surgical Masks


23. Small lockbox or safe that you can carry all your documents in - for more details on this one, see the post entitled "72-hour kits: documents."
    

and you will of course need some sort of bag in which to haul it all. most people opt for the backpack, you could also use a bag with wheels that you can roll, a giant tupperware container (this one really only works if you have your car), or a duffel bag. keep in mind that if you are packing 72-hour kits for small children, they probably won't be able to carry it themselves. for that reason, my husband and i each used a backpack and packed a duffel bag with a shoulder strap for our toddler.

hopefully this about sums it up -- you can find most of it at wal-mart, target, in the camping section of any sporting goods store, emergency essentials or shelf-reliance.

72-hour kits: where can i just buy one?

ok, so you've read all the stuff before this and you really just don't want to make one yourself; just reading about all that gathering really did you in. the good news is that it's really easy to purchase a pre-made emergency kit and they're pretty affordable. you've got lots of choices, so here are a few:

(1) emergency essentials - to see their selection, click here.

(2) shelf reliance - they will even help you custom-build emergency kits for you, your family and your pet! click here

(3) nitro-pak -- these guys can get you a kit for your car, for the wilderness, or just a simple 72-hour kit. click here.

(4) the ready store -- this site also has a range of kits, and right now they are 20% off! click here to see the selection.

so those are some sites to get you started. if you don't like any of those, google it. you'll find more.

photo source

pets are people too

this is our personal pug and it would be just about as hard to leave him behind or see him going hungry as it would my own kid. if you don't have a pet, this probably seems silly, but if you do, you get it. pets are family too. so a little planning today could make all the difference in the world for your furry family members.

whether you decide to evacuate or stay put during an emergency, you need to have a plan for your pet. generally, what's best for you is also what's best for your pet. if you must evacuate, take your pets with you if you can. and please understand that if you are going to a public shelter, your animal might not be welcome there. additionally, if they are welcome, you may be required to show some proof of good health and/or current vaccinations. so do a little research in advance for shelter alternatives that will work for you and your pets. some tips:

• contact your vet for a list of preferred kennels
• ask your local shelter if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets
• identify hotels/motels that will accept pets in your area
• try to find a friend or relative outside your area that could temporarily take in your pet

and since we're focusing on 72-hour kits this month, it's a good idea to make one for your pet as well. here are some items to include:

• pet first-aid kit
• canned or dry food (make sure to rotate this so it doesn't go bad)
• disposable litter tray (such as an aluminum roasting pan)
• litter or paper towels
• disposable garbage bags
• pet feeding dishes
• extra harness and leash
• photocopies of medical/vaccination records
• bottled water
• a traveling bag/crate/carrier
• blanket (for warmth or scooping up a fearful pet)
• recent photo of your pet
• cats: pillow case, toys, scoopable litter
• dogs: long leash and yard stake, toys

the aspca has a great website with tons of tips, as well as a pet rescue alert sticker that you can order for free and will let emergency workers know that you have pets in your home.

shelf reliance also sells individual packets of dog and cat food that would go great into your kits as well as preassembled emergency kits for both cats and dogs. click here to see them.

bleach

so this is kind of random, but i think it's important and easy enough, so i'll talk about it. bleach is a useful and also super awesome item that we should all have in our home storage and i'll tell you why:

(1) laundry uses and general household cleaning -- clorox has a list of uses that i never would have thought of

(2) you can use it to disinfect water and make it potable for drinking - see here for step-by-step instructions on how to do that

(3) and these last two are the very best reasons: it can kill and kinds of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other harmful bugs that you really don't want around you or your family (for a list of all that cannot stand up to bleach, click here)

(4) in the case of a pandemic -- believe that it's coming or not, but many say it's only a matter of time -- you would really want some way to keep your home free of germs as best as possible, and bleach is the cheapest and most efficient way to kill germs

and at just a few dollars, i'd say it's a pretty smart investment.

and of course, the lawyer in me can't leave out this word of caution: bleach is hazardous if ingested or inhaled, and should be used and stored with care, and out of reach of your children or pets. oh, and don't mix it with other household chemicals.

be safe during... a twister!

technically, a tornado can occur anytime. but texas tornado season is typically from march through june, but, so you'd best be gettin' ready.

so, if you chance to meet a tornado (and according to live science, texas is the tornado champion, with an average of 110 tornadoes per year!):

the best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to be alert to the onset of severe weather. do not ignore the weather because of indifference or over-confidence - pay attention!


Q: how do i know? what is the difference between a warning and a watch?
A: if a watch has been issued for your area, a tornado is possible. if a warning has been issued for your area, then it means that a tornado has been actually spotted, or is strongly indicated on the radar, and you should seek a safe shelter immediately.

Q: where is the safest place to go during a tornado?
A: unless you have a storm shelter specifically designed for this purpose, the best place to go is into a small, windowless room on the first floor, such as a bathroom or closet. if this is not possible, a hall closet is probably your next best bet. if possible, cover yourself with a mattress to keep flying or falling debris from injuring you or take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture.

Q: how should i prepare for a tornado?
A: make sure that you and your family conduct regular emergency drills - so everyone knows where to go and what to do. the last thing you need is to panic! if you are outside your home, make sure that you have all agreed on a "contact person," someone who is outside the area that you can all contact should you be separated from your family.

and of course, a tornado would be a classic example of when you would need your 72-hour kit. stay tuned for an entire post and checklist for your 72-hour kits. and of course, attend the meeting on march 31st for more details.

be safe during... a flood.

technically, any sort of freak accident could befall you at any time - snowstorm in june? not likely, but possible. but here in texas, we would most likely fall victim to:

1. flood,


2. hurricane,
   
3. tornado,


4. drought,


5. thunderstorm,


6. winter/ice storm,


7. of course a fire could happen anywhere, and


8. or perhaps some manner of disease epidemic
   

we'll go through these a few at a time. no need to get all gloom-n-doom and overwhelmed at once. so, if you chance to meet a flood, what should you do?

planning ahead -- well first let's address what you should have done already - have insurance. yeah, it's kind of a drag - but it's important. FEMA released a statement in 2005 saying: "flood insurance is affordable. everyone needs it. it is the first line of defense to protect against the cost of flood damage." since i'm no insurance pro, i won't go through the technicalities of the policies; i will leave it at this: insurance - it's important, so look into it. and then get it. if you don't know where to start, google it.

vehicle safety -- if you're at work, or outside your home and are worried about a flood coming, you may think you'd best be getting in your car to get home. ironically, this might be the most dangerous choice. texas has the highest number of flood-related fatalities, almost all deaths were vehicle-related. most cars will float and be swept away in 18-24 inches of moving water -- and don't think because you have a van or suv that you're safer than the mazda miata next to you. you're not really. if your car is swept away, it will likely roll or even flip over entirely. once this happens, you have only seconds to escape the vehicle - and can you even imagine trying to undo those tricky carseat buckles when really, all you want to do is panic?

so what should you do if you're out driving (or about to drive home)? just hurry up and wait for the rains to pass; resist the urge to rush home during heavy rain. remember: turn around, don't drown!

be safe at home -- even if you're dry and warm inside, there are still some hazards to be on the lookout for; here are some tips:

1. turn off your electricity - some appliances can shock you, even if unplugged. so don't use any appliance that has gotten wet unless you have cleaned and dried it


2. watch for animals - many small animals, including snakes, can be pushed from their homes and may try to join you in yours. so keep your eye out for them!


3. watch where you step - the ground can become covered with debris, including broken glass. or, it could be very slippery with mud - so tread lightly.


4. check for gas leaks


5. clean everything that got wet - in a flood, the waters can pick up sewage and chemicals from roads, factories, businesses, storage spaces and many other undesirable places. food, cosmetics, medicines can all become tainted if they get wet - when in doubt, throw it out!


6. have your emergency kits handy - if you are told to evacuate, do it. it will be way simpler and safer if you do it when first advised instead of holding out. and take your emergency kits with you.


7. make sure your whole family knows of your emergency communication plan and that you have all decided what to do in an emergency (where to go, who to call, where to meet, etc.). and if you have pets, don't forget to plan ahead for them as well.

most importantly, do not underestimate the destructive power of a flood. it is more than just a little rain.

safety tip source

photo source

car emergency kit

so we'll kick off march - emergency month - by starting small, with a car-kit. small, but still very very important. ask anyone who's been stuck out on the road, with or even without kids, and it cam be super stressful, super cold, super hot, super scary, super long and so on. creating and stashing a car kit in your trunk can give you peace of mind and perhaps even save your life. hereand now, in the '00s, we pretty much all have cell phones, but what if your battery died? what if you had no service? if you had an emergency, hopefully you could call someone, but i wouldn't bet on it.

so what should be in your car kit?:

• water
• some emergency food and snacks
• cell phone charger - you can even get a hand-crank charger in case your car has no power
• lightweight wool blanket or emergency reflective blanket
• hats and gloves
• extra clothing
• hand and body warmers
• waterproof matches
• flashlight with extra batteries OR a handcrank charging flashlight
• road flares or light sticks
• 100-hour candle
• reflectors
• gas can (with extra gas)
• cans of oil
• jumper cables
• jack and lug wrench
• tire pump or fix-a-flat
• tire chains
• tow chain
• basic tools, small shovel
• ice scraper
• extra fan belt, radiator hose, fuses
• first-aid kit
• multi-purpose knife
• toilet paper
• emergency money - at least $20 in small bills and coins
• short rubber hose for siphoning

a few other tips -

• always make sure your gas tank is at least 1/2 full,
• in case of a gas leak it would not be safe to light a match,
• if you have special needs in your family - such as an infant, diabetes, hypoglycemia, asthma, those with chronic illnesses, and the list goes on - you need to make sure you have planned for them as well
• customize your car kit to meet your needs - think about what you would need and get started!

Q: but i really don't want to gather all this stuff myself, can't i just buy it somewhere?

A: yes! you can purchase pre-made car kits.

• from emergency essentials by clicking here
• walmart also has a variety of emergency kits; you can browse by clicking here
• disaster necessities also has some, click here
• if you don't like any of these, google it. you'll find more, i promise.