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How to Prepare for Emergency Situations

9/2/2019

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This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you,
​if you make a purchase using the links below.
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It's just the start of hurricane season down here in the Sunshine State and Mother Nature is having a field day. Not to be all doom and gloom, but disaster can strike anyone, anywhere, and at any time (usually when you least expect it).  With that in mind, let's go through my top 5 tips to help you prepare and get organized for any emergency. As they say, better to be safe than sorry!

Tip 1: Keep a First-Aid Kit

Show of hands - who actually has a first-aid kit on hand? You better believe this lady does. A basic kit will help treat minor injuries such as allergic reactions, scrapes, cuts, and minor burns. Keep a small one in your purse or in your car and one centrally-located in your home. Make sure it's easily identifiable and that EVERY member in your household know its location. You can build your own based upon your family's specific needs or you can find a variety of first-aid kits online.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to check your kit regularly to replenish used stock and check for expired medication. 

​The Red Cross recommends the following list for an average family of four:
  • 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches) 
  • 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
  • 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch) 
  • 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram) 
  • 5 antiseptic wipe packets 
  • 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each) 
  • 1 emergency blanket
  • 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
  • 1 instant cold compress
  • 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
  • 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each) 
  • 1 3 in. gauze roll (roller) bandage
  • 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide) 
  • 5 - 3 in. x 3 in. sterile gauze pads
  • 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)  
  • Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)
  • 2 triangular bandages 
  • Tweezers
  • Emergency First Aid guide

You can snag a first-aid kit from the Red Cross here or I've compiled a list of top-rated kits below.
​
Surviveware Large First Aid Kit & Added Mini Kit
A very comprehensive first-aid kit that goes beyond the basics...
Features: 
  • Durable & water resistant
  • Organized compartments so you can find what you need quickly
  • Compact: dimensions 10" x 5" x 7.5 "
  • Comprehensive: includes 50 piece mini kit and addition to the items below:
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Johnson & Johnson All-Purpose Portable Compact Emergency First Aid Kit
This one is a great starter kit from a trusted brand with just the essentials...
Features:
  • Includes 5 full size products, 140 items total
  • Portable and perfect for storing in your home or vehicle
  • Dimensions:  7" x 10" x  3.25"
  • Bright red color for easy identification
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PreparaKit Travel and Baby First Aid Kit
Form meets function with the cute travel kit that fits in your purse, diaper bag, or backpack...
Features:
  • Compact & portable: dimensions 3.8" x 1.8" x 5.5"
  • Latex-free
  • Super-cute design
  • Includes 50 items:
    • (6) Kid plaster bandages 0.75x3 inch
    • (6) Fabric plaster bandages 0.75x3 inch, and (6) 1x3 inch
    • (2) Large fabric plaster bandages for knee or elbow
    • (2) Fabric fingertip bandages
    • (1) Sterile gauze 2x3 inch, and (1) 3x4 inch
    • (2) Hydrocortisone Anti Itch Cream and (2) Burn Cream packets
    • (2) Antibiotic Ointments
    • (2) Swabs / Cotton tip applicators, (2) Lip Balm
    • (2) Alcohol Free Antiseptic Wipes, (2) Antibacterial Wipes
    • (2) Thermometer Strips and (2) Safety Pins
    • (1 each) Tweezers, Nail Clippers, and Bandage Scissors 
    • (1) Roll of adhesive medical tape, 2.5 yards long, 0.5 inch wide
    • (4) Stickers to soothe away tears

Tip 2: Learn CPR and Other Safety Skills

If you don't know CPR, there is no time like the present. CPR Training is affordable, not  time-consuming, is readily available is most areas and online. My husband and I took a CPR course through our local hospital before we had our first son. It was incredibly instructive and we learned so more than just how to do chest compressions. If you need a refresher, here's a great breakdown from the Mayo Clinic.  If you take away anything, let it be this:

​"
It's far better to do something than to do nothing at all if you're fearful that your knowledge or abilities aren't 100 percent complete. Remember, the difference between your doing something and doing nothing could be someone's life."
​
​Other Safety Skills:
  • Learn how to use a fire extinguisher. Contact your local fire department for training (and have them check your kid's carseat while you're at it). For more guidance visit the FEMA fire safety website.
  • Know how to shut off your utilities: water, electric, and gas. Contact your utility companies to learn the proper shut-off procedures. 

Tip 3: Build an Emergency Kit

An emergency kit goes beyond a basic first-aid kit; it contains essential supplies you need to help get you through an emergency or disaster. In a situation where you need to evacuate or leave quickly, i.e. a hurricane or a tornado, an emergency kit could literally be the difference of life or death. The definition of an emergency is an unexpected, dangerous situation - the key word being, unexpected. However, when you're creating your kit try to plan for scenarios that are more likely to apply to you and where you live. For example, if you're in California you may be more likely to experience Earthquakes, whereas here in Florida, hurricanes are a more common occurrence. Some of you may be thinking an emergency kit is a little overkill, but you can never be too prepared when it comes to your family's safety - and that kind of peace-of-mind is priceless. Download your free emergency checklist here. 
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Other essentials:
  • Consider purchasing a solar power bank like this one to charge your electronics. It features 3 outputs and 2 inputs and has a digital screen that shows you exactly how much power you have remaining.
  • Camping lanterns are a great hands-free lighting option if your power goes out. This one has 3 lighting modes, provides 6 full days of lights, and is powered by 3 D batteries. We have one and it is amazing!
  • Solar Emergency NOAA Weather Radio:  In addition to receiving weather alerts, this radio is also a flashlight, and a power bank for charging phones.
  • Reusable waterproof bags: protect important documents, electronics, and other essentials like matches, from rain and water.
  • Portable Generators: Whole-house generators are amazing, but they are not super affordable. Portable generators are an incredibly valuable investment if you live in an area prone to power-outages. You can power appliances, like the fridge or the microwave, as well as vital medical equipment. Here's a great article on the Best 50 Generators: https://www.safety.com/generators/
    ​
SHOP TOP-RATED GENERATORS

Tip 4: Have a Disaster Plan in Place

When disaster strikes people generally react in one of two ways: 1) they keep their calm or 2) panic. In either case, having a plan in place increases your odds of surviving said disaster. I'd like to believe that if the unthinkable happens, I will be with my children and I will be able to guide them to safety. Unfortunately, that's not very realistic. The odds are that you and your family will separated when an emergency occurs -  and that's why it is vital that you have a plan in place AND that everyone knows the plan.
  • Where do you take shelter?
  • Who should you contact?
  • What is your evacuation route?

These are important questions that you need discuss with your family to help put an action plan into place. Download the FEMA Emergency Communication Guide here  or snag my Important Info bundle, designed specifically for emergency situations here. It includes an emergency contacts list, an emergency plan outline, and other vital information like health insurance and medical profiles for each family member. I keep my emergency info sheets along with other important documents in a single binder so I can just grab it and go if we have to leave quickly.
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Tip 5: Stay Informed

Communication during a crisis is vital. You need to know how to access the most up-to-date information so that you can quickly respond to any situation. Do you know how to reach your family or emergency services if you lose cell phone coverage? Whether you're just letting someone know that you are safe or alerting authorities that you are in distress, it's important to have a plan in place. The apps highlighted below are incredible resources for emergencies or disasters.
​
  • NOAA Live Weather Radar App: Receive real-time weather updates and severe weather alerts.​
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  • Red Cross Apps: The Red Cross has Apps for just about every emergency imaginable. Find links to download these FREE apps here.
    • Emergency
    • Tornado
    • Hurricane
    • Flood
    • Earthquake
    • First-Aid: provides first-aid instruction
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  • Life360 App: Lets you communicate with family and friends and shares your location in realtime, which can be helpful if you are in distress. You can also receive automatic notifications when your family comes and goes from home, work and school.
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  • FireChat App: FireChat is a free messaging app for iOS and Android devises. The app let's you communicate without internet or cell phone coverage with other FireChat App users. TIP: Set up chat groups BEFORE an emergency.
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  • Zello App: Zello essentially works like a walkie-talkie between Zello users. It is a great option for communicating with friends and loved ones and alerting them to your location.  However,  it's important to note that Zello ONLY works if you have wifi or a cell signal. 
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Bonus Tips: Prep Your Home

  • If you are expecting a power outage, set your fridge and freezer to their lowest setting and follow these directions from the FDA for extending the life of your perishables. 
  • Depending on how frequently you experience loss of power, it may be wise to invest in a generator to power your main appliances and necessary medical equipment (see above).
  • Different emergencies require specific preparations. Follow these FEMA guidelines to prep for the following natural disasters:
    • Hurricanes
    • Earthquakes
    • Tornados
    • Floods
    • Wildfires

“Hope for the best, prepare for the worst”​

― Chris Bradford, The Ring of Earth
Being prepared won't prevent a flood or a hurricane, BUT it will provide you with the tools and skills you need to take on the scariest of situations.

Have you experienced and emergency situation? Share how you prepare for the worst!
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    About me

    Hi, I'm Caitlin - 
    organizing mastermind, all-around decent human being, and mom to two small children. I love chocolate, sunsets, & living green.

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