December 2010

Let review our discussions over the last 12 months

JANUARY – Shelter / Warmth

  This month we learned various ways to keep warm and how to turn off gas, electric, water to our homes.

FEBRUARY – Communications

  This month we learned about a Family Emergency Communication Plan and how it works to reach family members. The use of radios and cell phones were also discussed.

MARCH – Hygiene and Sanitation
  This month we learned various ways to keep things clean with a sanitation kit and personal hygiene kits.        

APRIL – Emergency Kits
  This month we learned the importance of and the contents of a 72 hour emergency kit for each family member.

MAY – Water

  This month we learned the importance of storing water correctly. Remember, we have been asked to store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for 2 weeks.

JUNE – First Aid

  This month we learned about first aid kits and importance of first aid skills.

JULY – Light

  This month we learned the importance having emergency lighting. We reviewed the various types of lights including flashlights, oil lamps, candles and generators.

AUGUST – Car Preparation
 Since we all spend a lot of time driving, this month we learned the importance of  having a car survival kit as well as a car emergency tool kit.

SEPTEMBER – Heating/Cooking
 This month we learned the importance of cooking without electricity. Alternative cooking methods such as barbeque grills, camp stoves, Dutch ovens and portable can cooking devices were reviewed.

OCTOBER – Food Storage
  This month, we reviewed what the Church recommends for food storage. A three month supply should be our first priority and then build to a long term supply.          

NOVEMBER – Financial/Important Papers 

This month we talked on how to prepare our important documents for quick access during an emergency. It is also very important to have a plan to get out of debt and have an emergency fund to draw from.  

DECEMBER – Review our preparedness status
 This is the month that we review our preparedness and now work on those items that need attention in our homes. Thank you for your efforts!

November 2010

NOVEMBER – Financial/Important Papers

Purchase: 1.Fire Proof Home Safe

                 2.Add some large bills, small bills and coins to your emergency kits

                     (enough to last a few weeks).

            Organize: 1. Take/update photos or videos of home, furniture, cars and other

                                  personal property.

                             2. Make a list and copy of all bank and savings accounts, credit cards,            

                                 mortgages, birth and marriage certificates, SSN, insurance policies,        

                                 car registrations and titles, all important papers.

                             3. Put a copy in your emergency kit and another safe place.

                             4. Create a savings plan to fund emergencies.

Learn: Basic financial strategies to get out of debt. See 

                      http://www.utahsaves.org for help.

Notes on Financial Preparation and Important Papers.

When keeping copies of important documents, consider keeping the confidential information encrypted on a flash drive. This saves space and will help keep your information protected until needed. Other important papers may include wills, church documents, genealogy, list of family and friend’s addresses, phone numbers, and recent family photos (in case someone is separated or lost). Be sure to include some money in your kit, both small change and large amounts. It will certainly come in handy in times of emergency need. See http://www.utahsaves.org/strategies/emergencies.asp for Emergency fund ideas and strategies to saving.

October 2010

Welcome again to our Preparedness Corner. This month will focus on Food Storage.

OCTOBER – Food Storage

Purchase: Extra storage items each shopping visit as you are financially able

            Rotate: Food storage products (older products in front of newer products).

Organize: Food storage room, check expiration dates

Learn: Canning and storage techniques (from relatives or ward members). Use recipes with your food storage

Notes on Food Storage: (The follow are some questions and answers taken from the Church’s website, www.LDS.org.)

What is the most important thing I can do regarding family home storage?

Get started! If you have already begun, faithfully continue your efforts. As President Hinckley taught: “We can begin ever so modestly. We can begin with one week’s food supply and gradually build it to a month and then to three months. I am speaking now of food to cover basic needs. As all of you recognize, this counsel is not new. But I fear that so many feel that a long-term food supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all. Begin in a small way, my brethren, and gradually build toward a reasonable objective” (In Conference Report, Oct. 2002, 65; or Ensign, Nov. 2002, 58).

What’s the difference between the three-month and “longer-term” supply items? Three-month supply items are non-perishable foods that you normally eat, such as canned and commercially packaged foods that have a stable shelf life. “Longer-term” supply items are basic food items like grains and beans that have very low moisture content (about 10% or less), can be stored for long periods of time (20–30 years), and would sustain life if nothing else were available to eat. A portion of longer-term supply items may be rotated into the three-month supply.

Where do I start? Start by adding a few storable items that you typically eat, storing some water that is safe to drink, and saving some money, if only a few coins each week. Then over time, expand these initial efforts—as individual circumstances allow and where permitted—by storing a longer-term supply of basics such as grains, beans, and other staples.

How quickly should I obtain my food storage? It is not prudent to go to extremes or go into debt to establish your home storage all at once. Gradually build reserves over time as financial resources and space permit.

How often should I rotate stored products? Continually use and replenish the food in your three-month supply to avoid spoilage. You may wish to rotate into your regular meals elements of your longer-term food supply. Such items can, however, if properly packaged and stored in a cool, dry place, last 30 or more years. See the Home and Family section of the Church’s Web site, LDS.org, for more information about home storage rotation and packaging.

Addition Notes on Food Storage: With all of our food storage, especially the long term items, make sure we have recipes or recipe books to go along with them. It may also be wise to include disposable paper products and utensils. Do we have a wheat grinder if we have wheat? Do we have gamma lids for our food storage buckets to reseal them? Remember, store what you eat and eat what you store. Conference is a great reminder time to evaluate our food storage, rotate food in our 72 hrs kits and rotate our water storage. Have fun!

Emergency Preparedness Includes Seatbelts

National Preparedness Month September 2010

September is National Preparedness Month. This is a good time to review how well prepared we are for emergencies. I would like to refer everyone to the following web sites for some great information on preparedness:

http://bereadyutah.gov

www.ready.gov

www.cdc.gov

SEPTEMBER – Heating/Cooking

Purchase: Alternative cooking device, fire starters

            (Camp stove, stove in a can/Sterno, Dutch oven)

            Rotate: Fuels (sternos, charcoal, etc, check propane cans/tanks)

            Organize: Camping and cooking equipment

Learn: Cooking without electricity, Learn how to make solar, reflective stoves

To Do: Use a recipe with your food storage

Notes on Heating and Cooking

            Heating and cooking without electricity are skills we must all learn to do. There are several options we can use when our power is out. Barbeque grills, camp stoves, Dutch ovens and portable can cooking devices can be used. All will need good ventilation (must use outside) as they all need oxygen to burn and will give off toxic CO gas. Many people will have several propane tanks in storage which can handle many weeks of cooking with your barbeque grill or camp stove. Please be aware that propane and white gas can be very dangerous and explosive, so store them safely. Charcoal briquettes for Dutch ovens are much safer to store. With Dutch ovens, you can have warmth and cook just about anything with these ovens. There are also several types and sizes of canned heat. Sterno fuel is a formulation of denatured alcohol, water and gel. It is perfectly safe when used as directed. Cans may last from 45 minutes to 2-1/2 hours and can be reused if fuel is still remaining. It is recommended, however, replacing Sterno cooking fuel 2 years after purchase. Solar ovens are the new thing now. One can cook most any meal using the sun's rays. No fuel, no mess. However the drawbacks are: you must cook during the day and cannot be cloudy and overcast. Solar ovens are a great alternative option to have.

August 2010

AUGUST – Car Preparation

            Purchase or make:

                             1. Car Survival Kit

                             2. Car Tool Emergency Kit

            Organize: 
                     Add map, small phone book and update/rotate items to your car kit.

Learn:    1. How to change flat tires.

                 2. To keep car always at least ½ to ¾ full of gas.

                 3. Keep car well maintained. Have oil changed, fluids checked every 3 months.

Notes on Car Kits

 Many emergencies we have are on the road. Accidents, bad weather or car failures may strand us and we will need help. We also need to consider the possibility of relocating after a major disaster. We need to prepare our cars as well as we prepare our homes. Simple car emergency kits can be purchased at WalMart and auto parts stores for around $40 to $60 dollars. They should be kept in the trunk and should include: first aid kits, flashlights, stick lights, ponchos, orange/reflective safety vest, gloves, blankets, cones, warning triangles, flares, starter cables, tire air pumps, tire pressure gauge, toolkit (wrenches, screw drivers, socket sets), tow rope/cable, plastic cable ties/bungee cords. You may also make your own and store the in 5 gallon plastic buckets with gamma seal (screw) lids. You may also want to add rags, paper towels, duct tape, a utility knife, paper, pens, pencils, markers, and an umbrella in your kit. In the winter time you should add more blankets, small shovel and add a bag of water softener salt in the trunk. Make sure you have your car’s owner manual always available.

When stranded, it is important to have water. A gallon water jug and water bottles for each occupant is desirable. The Distribution Center has water bottles with filters that may also be good to have in the car as another source of obtaining safe water. If water is nearby, it can be taken and purified without carrying it. Each car should have high-energy, non perishable foods such as canned nuts, granola bars, and MRE’s. To pass time for kids, have small simple games always packed. Communication will also be important. Don’t forget to take your cell phone and its car charger. GPS and navigations devices can help out even more.

July 2010

Emergency Preparedness and Food Storage Corner

Welcome again to our Preparedness Corner. Each month we feature preparedness tidbits and step by step ways to be better prepared for emergencies and to improve our homes with adequate food storage. This month will focus on Light.

JULY – Light

Purchase: 1. Flashlight (non-battery)

2. Oil Lamps

3. Canned candles (120 hour candles available)

4. Matches/lighters

Organize: Existing flashlights and batteries.

Learn: Safety with candles.

Notes on Light

Flashlights are the quickest and safest way to get light during an emergency. However batteries will become a problem (wears out or expires). It is better to store the batteries outside of the flashlight (see February 2010 Newsletter on battery storage). Non-battery flashlights are a must for quick dependable light. BoGo flashlights were recently purchased in our ward as a group buy and make an excellent emergency flashlight without worrying about fresh batteries. they can be purchased for about $25.00-$60.00. See the company website at: http://www.bogolight.com/productdetails.asp?productcode=bogogeneral .

Oil lamps are a little safer than open flame candles and provide a better light. The oil keeps very well. Candles in cans can be long lasting, inexpensive and are great for storage. They are the most dangerous and one must always be careful with open flames. Keep them away from flammables and do not use when there is a possibility of a gas leak. Light sticks are also a good for light and signaling and they can store well. Battery chargers for light can also be very helpful. Generators are always good and versatile but need a gas/fuel supply and good ventilation.

June 2010

JUNE – First Aid

Purchase: Family first aid kit, First aid book

Organize:

1. Place a first aid kit in a quick and easy access in your home and car.

2. Make a baby sitters checklist (where first aid kit is and important phone numbers.)

3. Have medical authorization for any person that cares for your children.

4. Create fire escape plan from home, hold a fire drill.

5. Add medications or copy of prescriptions to emergency kit. (Also include eye glasses/contacts).

Learn: Basic First Aid skills, CPR and take CERT training if possible.

Notes on First Aid

First aid kits are a must. Review what you have in them and make sure you know how to use them and that they are not expired. You can also customize them for your probable needs. CPR courses are highly recommended. They are offered in many places and can really make a difference in your ability to render first aid to your family or others. A wonderful online first-aid guide can be found at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/FirstAidIndex/FirstAidIndex