Each Month we will list one simple thing you can do to be better prepared for Disaster. This month we’d like you to focus on Emergency Supplies.

The following information is provided byhttp://do1thing.com/The mission of Do 1 Thing is to move individuals, families, businesses and communities to prepare for all hazards and become disaster resilient.

GOAL: Be prepared to give first aid while waiting for an ambulance.

Things to do
Below is a list of thing that you can do to achieve your goal this month.
Choose at least one, and complete it.

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.

• Stay on the line with 911 and follow emergency instructions.
• Stay calm and try to keep the patient calm.
• Don’t move a patient who was injured in an automobile accident or fall, or who was found unconscious.
• If the patient is cold, cover them with a blanket.
• Don’t give an injured person anything to eat or drink (unless instructed by the 911 dispatcher).
• 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.
Ready-made first aid kits are available at most department stores or your local American Red Cross chapter. These kits come in a variety of sizes and prices. You can also make your own kit from supplies you probably already have around the house.

Some items that should be included in a basic first aid kit are:

• Adhesive Tape
• Gauze Pads and Roller Gauze (assorted sizes)
• Antiseptic Ointment
• Hand Sanitizer (liquid or wipes)
• Band-Aids (assorted sizes)
• Plastic Bags
• Blanket
• Scissors and Tweezers
• Cold Pack
• Small Flashlight and Extra Batteries
• Disposable Gloves
• Triangular Bandag

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.

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.

Being prepared doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. By doing one thing a month, you can make sure that you and the people who depend on you will be better prepared for whatever happens.

Each Month we will list one simple thing you can do to be better prepared for Disaster. This month we’d like you to focus on Emergency Supplies.

The following information is provided by http://do1thing.com/ The mission of Do 1 Thing is to move individuals, families, businesses and communities to prepare for all hazards and become disaster resilient.

THE GOAL: Remember important items that may be overlooked when leaving your home in a disaster.

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, think about these items for your go bag: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 doctors 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.

Each Month we will list one simple thing you can do to be better prepared for Disaster. This month we’d like you to focus on Getting Involved!

The following information is provided by http://do1thing.com/ The mission of Do 1 Thing is to move individuals, families, businesses and communities to prepare for all hazards and become disaster resilient.

THE GOAL: Make your community stronger by getting trained and getting involved.

It takes more than police, fire and EMS to respond to a disaster. It takes people who are committed to neighborhood, churches, schools and volunteer organizations. When people are willing to work together for the good of others, communities are stronger. People who are involved are the key to a disaster resilient community. They are willing and able to look out for themselves and others. A resilient community is one that can withstand a disaster and get back to normal quickly (even if normal isn’t the same as it was before).

Connect with an isolated individual in your neighborhood or start a neighborhood organization.

Isolated individuals are more vulnerable during and after a disaster. They are less likely to ask for help or follow emergency instructions. The elderly or those with disabilities may have trouble getting out of the house, and may not have much contact with the outside world. Someone who doesn’t speak English well may have trouble understanding emergency instructions. People may also be isolated just because they are new to the area, or because their work hours keep them from meeting their neighbors.

Who are the isolated individuals in your neighborhood? Take time to meet them. Help them make a plan for emergencies, and include checking on them in your plan.

Neighborhood watches and other groups can be a great way for you to become better connected to your neighbors. If your neighborhood doesn’t have a group, consider starting one. There are resources available online at www.usaonwatch.org or by calling your local police or sheriff’s department.

Promote emergency preparedness in your community.

Scout troops, service clubs, residential associations, communities of faith—almost any organization you belong to can become a partner in emergency preparedness. Organizations that promote emergency preparedness make their community more able to withstand and recover from disaster. Here are some suggestions for involving your organization:

Include a Do 1 Thing preparedness topic in newsletters or on bulletin boards each month.

Talk to your scout troop leader about how Do 1 Thing activities can be used toward a
preparedness badge.

Get a group together to make emergency kits for seniors or kids who stay home alone.

Visit the www.do1thing.com website to see how other organizations are promoting preparedness in their communities.

The Red Cross, Ready.gov, and many other organizations also promote preparedness. Find the materials that will work best for your organization and become a partner in preparing your community!

Become a volunteer in your community (CERT, Red Cross, Neighborhood Watch, etc.).

There are many places to volunteer in your community. Many police and fire departments use volunteers to help with special projects, events, or program. The American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and other organizations train volunteers to work in disasters.

If you are interested in helping in your community or other communities during a disaster, become a volunteer for your local Red Cross or Salvation Army chapter. But don’t wait for disaster to strike—volunteer now. These organizations won’t send untrained volunteers into disaster areas.

Many communities also have a volunteer center or a Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). These programs can find ways for you to help in your community that will fit your schedule and abilities.

If you are already a member of a volunteer organization, consider getting your volunteer group involved in VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). VOAD is a national program that helps volunteer groups work in their community during a disaster.