Just as we want to prepare ourselves and our children for an emergency, we also want to make sure our elderly parents, grandparents, family, and friends are ready for the unexpected. Due to their age, older adults may likely have already experienced an emergency situation or two and know how to react quickly. However, the aging process can also make someone more vulnerable especially if they have a medical condition, mobility limitations, or dementia.
If you are one of many families to have your elderly parents residing with you, you want to make them feel comfortable and safe at all times. If we are not home with them when a disaster occurs they need a well thought out emergency plan. Putting together an emergency kit customized to their needs is essential. There are many good sites with some basic checklists to familiarize yourself with. The CDC has put together some simple things to consider when preparing the elderly for an emergency.
Having a plan in place where a neighbour or friend can stop by to check in on a parent, grandparent, or other family member, will help them feel less anxious or panicked. For those elderly individuals who are still living on their own, evacuating quickly may not be an option and they may have nowhere else to go. Making sure their kits are fully stocked, along with these extra medical supplies, can help them stay comfortable and safe until help arrives. Some senior’s residences hold emergency preparedness workshops and many get their kits at these events. Check through their kit and make sure everything is in good working condition and that food bars and water haven’t expired. Most have a 5 year shelf life. Replacement food and water like these Food Bars and water pouches will make things easy and effortless, saving them from the worries of cooking.
Some additional supplies to think about:
Extra pair of glasses
Hearing aids with extra batteries
Oxygen
Current medications (and photocopies of prescriptions)
Medical devices (including style and serial number)
Evacuation plan (and phone numbers of where they can go in an emergency)
Service animal food or supplies
Warm blankets and slippers
Emergency contact list (including Dr. phone number, and pharmacy numbers)
Family pictures
The effects that an emergency can have on an individual can vary, however exposure to certain conditions caused by a disaster can aggravate chronic ailments for seniors. Ensuring they have enough food, water, medication, and warmth are some of the things to consider when putting together an emergency kit. Taking into account what they need on a daily basis, and what type of disaster is more likely to occur in their area, could mean their survival.
Last week we covered how to look after our pets in Is Your Pet Ready for an Emergency?. This week, the next article in our Going Beyond – Preparing the Whole Family series hits close for many of us. It is scary to think that our loved ones may one day be faced with an emergency, especially when it comes to our young children. As much as we want to put that thought out of our mind, it is a realistic scenario to consider. Spending the time preparing our kids is an important part of a safety plan. We see what natural disasters can do to a family and a community and many people are not ready for what might come; those ‘just in case’ moments are what we need to be ready for.
In the event that a disaster should occur when your child is at school, a friend’s house, or home by themselves, it is a good idea for them to know what to do and how to react. Most schools in Canada are required to have parents make up emergency kits for their child should they need to stay at school until help arrives. Make sure your child knows how to reach you or that family friends are able to get in touch with you to let you know your child is safe. If your child is home alone, ensure they know where the emergency kit is, how to stay safe, and who to call if they feel scared or in danger.
The Children’s Comfort Emergency Kit includes enough supplies for a day and some extra things to pass the time. In addition to the usual emergency kit supplies it is also important to think of things that may be different for each child or family. Making your children feel comfortable during a period of uncertainty is crucial. Some additional items to think about adding to your kit may include:
A list of contact numbers for your child
Some cash should they need it
A personal letter from parents letting them know things will be ok and they are loved
Medications they take regularly (check expiration dates)
Family pictures
Toys or games appropriate for their age
A stuffed animal or blanket
Sites like HealthyChildren.org have wonderful lists of simple steps to help you get started. Knowing our children are safe or that they have an idea of what to do if a disaster strikes, will give us some peace of mind. It is natural for panic to set in during emergencies, however if we have the supplies, and know our kids are safe, we are better able to function and everyone feels more secure.
Visually walk through a whole day. What could you absolutely not do without? What would your children, pets, elderly parents or grandparents need? Does your kit cover these needs?
Our article this week kicks off a series on Going Beyond – Preparing for the Whole Family. It is our intent that these articles trigger ideas of items to add to your emergency kits so you are not caught without.
Now open your eyes and breathe – you still have time to add to your kit.
Is Your Pet Ready for an Emergency?
For those of us who have pets, we consider them to be a very important part of our family. Just as we want to protect our children and other family members from any harm during a disaster, we also want to make sure our pets are safe. It is hard to tell how an animal will react in an emergency, so being as prepared as possible will help both you and your pet to stay calm.
While preparing our own emergency kits, we should also prepare emergency kits for our pets. Food, water, and first aid supplies are items pets will need too. Other items we should consider are extra leashes, collars, treats, chew toys, familiar blankets and any medications your pets may be on. Including a few pictures of your pet to show to people in case your pet gets lost is also a good idea.
There are other things you can do so that you are better prepared to help your pet. Taking pet first aid is something the whole family can be a part of and can make you feel a little more at ease knowing you can attend to an injured animal, your or someone else’s. Calling ahead to your local animal shelter to see if they take pets during emergencies, or making arrangements with a neighbour or friend to watch your pet if needed, are also good things to check out ahead of time.
Check with your local pet stores to see if they can suggest any additional items that would be good to have on hand. The Canadian Red Cross also has a great list here.
A small amount of planning before a disaster can make all the difference for you, your family, and your pets when the time comes.
How often do we think about the amount of extra food and water we have stored away in case of an emergency? Or if we have extra batteries for our flashlights, and warm blankets in case our power is out for days? It crosses our minds from time to time that we should stock up on extra supplies, but a large number of us put it off thinking that it won’t happen. In reality, it can and it does, all over the world.
People panic when a disaster is upon them, like the recent Snow Storm of 2015 in the Northeastern United States. It set cities into a state of panic, leaving store shelves empty, long line ups, and some without enough supplies.
We should all be of the mindset that being prepared with long term food storage solutions will help us through the toughest of disasters. Emergencies are not saved for when they are convenient for us; they do not wait until we are all safe in our home and prepared with enough supplies. When they strike, we may not have time to run to the grocery store nor should we have to leave our loved ones while we attempt to herd through the people racing to get enough supplies.
If we find ourselves faced with a disaster we need to feel confident that our family will have enough to survive for at least 72 hours. An even larger supply of necessities, enough to last at least a week is something we should seriously consider. Convenient Freeze Dried Meals will provide you and your family with wholesome, tasty meals for days or even weeks. This is something you can take comfort in. These meals come in easy to store buckets and have a 25 year shelf life. In addition to full meals, Total Prepare also has snacks, drinks, protein shakes, and energy bars. There is plenty of choice for everyone.
There is nothing like the insurance of knowing that you and your family have enough food, water, and supplies once an emergency arises. Stock your shelves and give yourself peace of mind by being prepared for anything.
Some emergencies result in you having to leave your house due to unsafe conditions. Other emergencies keep you confined to your home and you may be forced to stay put for days or even weeks. Depending on the area and climate you live in, you may require different emergency supplies for each situation. Evaluate what type of emergency preparedness supplies you will need for both Grab & Go and Shelter-in-Place scenarios.
Grab & Go
If you and your family need to leave your home in a hurry, Grab & Go Kits for each member of your family will be essential. These kits should be kept in an accessible “grab & go” location and be light enough to carry a long ways. You can add any extra items to your kits as you see fit and customize them to each individual in your family. Be sure to include any medications you are taking and enough food and an extra leash if you have a pet. Extra comfort items for your children such as coloring activities, cards, blankets, or a favourite stuffed animal will help keep them occupied and can make a big difference. Make sure each family member knows where the emergency kits are stored so they can easily grab theirs if you need to leave your house in a hurry.
Shelter-in-Place
If your home is stable and deemed fit to occupy, then you need to be prepared to set up shop for you and your family. Emergency kits have the essentials you need to survive for the first 72 hours, but some shelter-at-home situations will require you to be self-sufficient for a longer period of time. This is when long term food storage, like Legacy Freeze Dried food with a 25 year shelf life, is invaluable. You will want to consider long term water storage too. 125 and 250 gallon Super Tankers with the ability to store potable water for 5 years is something to consider as well.
Being ready for either Grab & Go or Shelter-in-Place situations will make any emergency a little more comfortable.
Most of us aren’t prepared if a disaster strikes, nor do we have the essential supplies to ensure we are equipped for at least 72 hours. Should help not arrive for several days, setting aside enough supplies not only for ourselves but our entire family is important.
It is also important to be aware of extra items you may need depending on your specific area or community. Natural disasters can have similar consequences in all parts of the world, however knowing your community and its surroundings can better prepare you for any type of emergency. You may need different supplies depending on whether your area is more prone to things like earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, etc. The Government of Canada website has great resources and can help you determine some of the more imminent dangers to be prepared for in each community.
Having a family plan in the event of an emergency is also something every household should consider. Making sure that all family members are aware of what to do in any given emergency situation is vital. You may not all be together when a disaster strikes and having an idea of where to meet, how to contact each other, and what to do in different situations is important.
Keeping extra copies of important papers and documents may come in handy if you are unable to return to your house for some time. Copies of birth certificates, drivers licence, passports, insurance papers, etc. are good to duplicate for friends or family members to hang on to should you need them.
There are some basic items you should have ready and accessible in case you need to evacuate or are stuck in your house for a long period of time. It is important to have each family member know where the emergency kit is kept and make sure it is easy to transport. You may want to have a few smaller backpacks that each family member can carry should you need to walk long distances.
Some of the basics you should have for your kit include:
Water – There should be enough water for each person to have 2 litres per day
Food that won`t spoil such as energy bars, or canned or dried food
Flashlights – either crank or battery operated (batteries should be changed yearly)
Radio – either crank or battery operated
Manual can-opener
First Aid Kit
Cash – smaller bills and coins
Extra keys to your house and car
Candles (with matches or lighter)
Warm blanket or sleeping bag
Change of clothes and shoes
Toiletries’
Utensils
Additional items as needed per family (Prescription medication, baby formula, pet food, books/toys/crayons/paper for kids)
Look through our 72 Hour Kit Supplies Quick Pick section for suggestions of other items that can be purchased to make your kits best suited to you and your family’s needs. Having an emergency car kit is also a good idea should you be in your car when you are faced with an emergency.
Being prepared is sometimes the last thing we think about; although, if we are faced with a disaster we will be thankful we took the time to ensure our own safely and the safety of our family.
How do you prepare to have emergency food on hand when you do not even have enough food in the house to feed yourself or your family? This week one of our local food banks, the Mustard Seed, is holding a Pie-Off Challenge in honour of the Great Canadian Food Fight, a cross-Canada food drive competition to see who can collect the most food. The Pie-Off is to challenge local businesses to collect cans, or pie trying. The point is to have fun while encouraging business to get creative in helping the Mustard Seed reach their goal of collecting $100,000 and $100,000 lbs of food to stock their shelves for winter.
So the question came up, how can we help lower income families be prepared?
For the families themselves, we suggest they store away one or two items each time they receive food from the food banks. Keep the food just as you would any other preparedness food – in a dry place, safe from critters, and easily accessible in the event of an emergency. Make note of the expiry dates. Once enough food has been collected, replace soon-to-be expired with new food and keep the habit going.
If you have the means to give your local food bank, then how can you help? There are many ways, but the easiest way is when the call to give food comes, rather than emptying your cupboards as a means to “get rid of the old stuff”, choose instead to give the freshest food items possible. Local grocery stores often have a place where you can drop off items you have just purchased. Make it a goal and a habit to buy a few items for others as you purchase items for your own family. The good news is, the types of food these food banks suggest giving, are very much the kind that are good for emergency food storage.
While there is much more we could do, this is one step we can all take.
As for the Pie-Off Challenge, stay tuned… We challenge you to get involved.
In Camping Gear to the Rescue Part I, we shared how camping gear can double up as emergency equipment in the event of an emergency. Below are more helpful tips on where to store your gear and how being familiar with camping is an advantage when unforeseen circumstances force you out of your home.
Storage location matters
Now you know how useful your equipment is, the next question to consider is, where do you store your camping equipment in the off-season? If it is deep in the depths of your basement or crawlspace, or in a spare room closet on the second floor, then it runs the risk of being inaccessible in an emergency. Instead, consider keeping it in a more accessible location should an emergency situation arise. Some garages are conducive for storing emergency supplies, but be sure your equipment is safe from critters and the elements. Keep it off the floor and away from dampness. The most ideal location is in a unit that is separate from your house, such as a shed. Even if the shed collapses, it will be easier to reach the buried supplies then if your whole house is in state that makes your equipment inaccessible. If you choose to store your equipment in an outdoor shed, then again, ensure that it is protected from both environmental factors and attempts from critters to make use of your supplies for their own purposes.
Care and Maintenance of Equipment
Take time during your last camping trip of the season to go through all your supplies. Make note of what needs fixing or replacing (are your stove elements all working? Do you need extra mantles for your lantern?). Ensure any required maintenance gets done before your equipment is stored away. When considering the purchase of new equipment (radios, lanterns, stoves, etc), compare products to see if one would be more useful in an emergency situation over another. Use camping trips to try out other emergency equipment in your supplies. Being familiar with your equipment is another important step in being prepared.
Campers have an advantage!
Did you know campers have an advantage in emergency situations because they are used to roughing it and going without the comforts of home? If you don’t camp, borrow some equipment from a friend and try it out in your backyard or in a nearby campground. This is particular advantageous if you have young children who would benefit from the experience. You may be surprised at how easy it is and suddenly the fear of the potential to be without a home in an emergency situation may seem less daunting. And who knows, you may discover a new recreational activity you and your loved ones enjoy!
Wait! Don’t store your camping equipment away just yet!
The nights are getting cooler, the mornings damper. Signs campers dread as the camping season comes to a close. Accepting the inevitable, we mournfully put our equipment away, catching wisps of smoke caught in the fabric of our tents that instantly transport us back to the warm glow of laughter and comradery around the campfire. Our thoughts drift off to the promise of next year’s adventures as we sadly shake the last of the bugs off our screen house. It’s a ritual campers know all too well.
Camping supplies – pulling double duty as emergency supplies.
But wait! Though the season is coming to a close, did you know your camping equipment can pull double-duty as emergency equipment during the off-season? Here are some suggestions.
Tent – shelter if your home is uninhabitable.
Sleeping Bags – sleep warm, and use it as a blanket during the day
Propane Stove – this is a great option for cooking. Be sure to keep extra propane on hand.
Camping Dishes – your kitchen at your finger-tips.
Army knife, axe, shovel, rake – tools are handy no matter what the emergency. Some emergency require clean-up afterwards. You will be pleased to have your tools.
Waterproof matches, Flicker, or other fire starter – whether it be a high powered torch or simply a flint, having the ability to start a fire, should conditions allow it, will keep you warm and provide you with means to cook your food.
Totes – to keep your food and supplies secure
Candles – for light, warmth, and even an emotional pick-me-up
Lantern – depending on the type you have, keep extra supplies such as mantles and fuel, or invest in a multi-powered lamp that not only provides light, but also charges your cell phone and other devices
Games – do you have a games tote? If you take games with you camping, consider keeping them in a tote with your emergency supplies. It’s important to have something to pass the time while waiting for conditions to improve. Cards alone will supply hours of entertainment and are easy to throw in your kit.
First Aid – cuts, burns, bruises and bug bites are synonymous with camping. Chances are you’ll need your first aid supplies during an emergency as well.
Screen house – these wonderful inventions will give you an area to eat or hang out that is protected from the elements. A dry place to sit is a wonderful thing. Speaking of sitting…
Folding camping chairs – give your feet a rest and sit a while
Dish bin, clothes, water jug, hand towels, soap, toiletries, paper towel, paper dishes and disposable cutlery are all items that are useful during an emergency.
Perhaps you can think of other equipment that would also be useful. While assessing what you have, be sure to restock or repair any depleted or damaged equipment. By doing it now, not only will be you be ready in the event of an emergency, but you will be all ready to start the next camping season off with little extra work needed!
Watch for our next article, Camping Gear to the Rescue – Part II
