May Round Up

So this month I started to blog daily again. I covered some of the ideas and tips subjects that I normally cover. With May coming to a close and June just around the corner. I hope that some of the tips and suggestions make sense and help you to become more prepared for what ever may or not come your way.

We all have to take the time to cook dinner and do the laundry, as my laundry alarm goes off on the washer. We also need to make the time to prepare our families for the what ifs in the world.

Take some time to think, plan and prepare. As June is coming for those on the east coast know that Hurricane season is starting up!

I thought I would list the names of the hurricane season for 2013.

Andrea
Barry
Chantal
Dorian
Erin
Fernand
Gabrielle
Humberto
Ingrid
Jerry
Karen
Lorenzo
Melissa
Nestor
Olga
Pablo
Rebekah
Sebastien
Tanya
Van
Wendy

Everyone take care! Be safe, Be smart, Be Strong and always keep smiling! 

Prepare Spring is Here

Spring has sprung, well for most of us. This is the time of year most people do some spring cleaning, well this goes for your 72 hour kits, first aid kits and such as well. This is the time of year to go through our 72 hour kits, first aid kits and time to buy supplies that we need to rotate, or to buy.

For those that live on the East coast it is time to think about your hurricane preparations. Does your state offer a tax free week to buy certain supplies for the hurricane season? If so this is the time to save some money and buy a few things you may be needing. Do you have flood insurance? Time to make sure you are covered! 


Get out your kits, rotate the food, water and medications. Check the clothes for moths, and bugs. Wash your clothes if good, still fits, etc then repack in your kit. You should wash your 72 hour kit clothes at least once a year, if not twice a year. You do not want anything to leak on to the clothes, or for them to start smelling, especially in humid climates.

Make sure you have a manual can opener, if not two! Matches and ways to light up your night! Glow sticks and flashlights are the best options.

So when you spring clean your house, spring clean your 72 hour kit, first aid kit, rotate food, water, and clothes and shoes. Check the dates!

We are all busy, but we all need to take the time to spring clean our kits.
Be safe and have fun and always keep smiling!

Hurricane WARNING

DURING A HURRICANE WARNING

What is a Hurricane Warning?

A Hurricane Warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center where sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher are expected within a specified area within 24 hours or less. All precautions must be completed immediately.

If You Live in a Mobile Home

Check tie-downs, turn off utilities and leave immediately for a safer place. Mobile homes are unsafe in hurricanes, tornadoes or severe thunderstorms. Can you imagine what hurricane-force winds would do to your mobile home?

Prepare for High Winds

Brace your garage door. Lower antennas. Be prepared to make repairs. Awnings, garbage cans, grills, lawn furniture, loose garden tools, toys and all other loose objects can be deadly missiles. Anchor securely or bring indoors. Securely board up or shutter large windows. Draw drapes across windows and doors to protect against flying glass.

Move Boats on Trailers Close to House

Fill boats with water to weigh them down. Lash securely to trailer and use tie-downs to anchor trailer to the ground or house. Check mooring lines of boats that must remain in water, then leave them. Accomplish this ahead of the hurricane watch to save time. 

Store Valuables and Personal Papers

Put important documents (birth certificates, heirlooms, personal inventory lists, pictures, titles, wills, etc.) in waterproof containers and store them in the highest possible location protected from potential flooding. If you evacuate, be sure to take them with you. You should have secured most of your valuables and important papers in a safety deposit box, during the family planning process.

Prepare for Storm Surge, Tornadoes & Flooding

Storm surges, tornadoes and floods are killers associated with a hurricane. In a Tornado Warning, seek inside shelter below ground level if possible. Otherwise, go to the inner-most small room away from outside walls, doors and windows on the lowest level of your structure. If you are outside, seek cover in ditch or other low spot. Do not attempt to outrun a tornado!

Mobile homes and portable buildings are extremely unsafe, during a tornado! The surge of the ocean water plus flash flooding of streams and rivers due to torrential rains cause 90% of the deaths associated with hurricanes. If you anticipate that your family will be at risk, evacuate early before the hurricane watch is issued! Complete evacuation well before the arrival of tropical force winds.

Test your generators. Make sure it is well has good ventilation  and You may want to think about chaining it up or securing it up! 

Bring pets indoors! 

Stay indoors! 

Of course you have have to decide what to do for yourself and your family. Only you are in charge of you and your family. 

Hurricane WATCH

What to do for a Hurricane WATCH.

A Hurricane Watch is issued by the National Hurricane Center to ALERT specific regions or states that hurricane conditions pose a threat to a specified area within 36-48 hours. Monitor storm reports on radio and television closely. Implement your family plan. If evacuation has not already been recommended, consider leaving the area early to avoid long hours along congested and limited evacuation routes.

Here is a list of things to do when there is a Hurricane Watch issued for your area.

 1. Fill up your car with gas.

2. Secure buildings. Have Materials for protecting windows and doors. Have shutters or lumber ready to protect large windows and doors. Be sure to include the needed hardware and tools to securely cover windows and doors. 

3. Review evacuation plan.

4. Listen to a radio or television for official instructions.

5. Check your family's emergency supplies.

6. Bring in outdoor objects (i.e. toys, garden tools).

7. Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings.

8. Secure outdoor objects which cannot be brought inside (i.e. boats, lawnmower).

9. Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles, and cooking utensils

10. Have non perishable food, that you can prepared with out cooking and need no refrigeration. 

11. Make ice in your freezer for coolers. You will need a lot of ice and there will be little to no ice available to buy right before or especially right after a hurricane! 

12. Start prepping food to eat for the Hurricane. If you staying plan on pre cooking food before the storm hit. If you are evacuating, pre make food to take with you. As always take precautions for food safety and food borne illness. Keep things cold enough in coolers! Lots of ice! 

As always these are suggestions. You need to make your own choices and make your own plan. You need to decide what to do for yourself and your own family. No one can tell you how to prepare. You choose to do what is best for you! 

Hurricane to do list long before the Storm comes

There are many to do lists, and many things that people need to do before any emergency. Since Hurricane season is upon us, I wanted to touch base on a few things I have seen, learned and I do each year.

I would want to encourage everyone in a Hurricane area to go through and update there kits and plans. Now if you do not have a plan or kit, this is the time to make them.

So are a few to do lists:
1. Learn what to do before, During and After a Hurricane. Go to your cities, towns websites, Emergency management websites. Most Places that have hurricanes will put out booklets, pamphlets, etc. Also look at FEMA, RED CROSS, READY.GOV, and other for tips, ideas and checklists.  
2. Discuss with your family's Hurricane plan.
3. Go through, gather or assemble your family's Disaster kits. There are all kinds of check lists out there, but know that you will be with out power for days even weeks, depending on the strength of the storm.
4. Identify your out of state or out of area contact. TELL them they are your contact. Then be sure to tell other family members, friends, etc that they are your contact. Be sure everyone has the name, address and phone number of the contact person. (the reason is everyone can contact this person and update others, You only have to make one call, send one text to the contact). Also on this topic if all family is connected through a social media outlet, ie twitter, facebook, then everyone can know at the same time that you are ok and such.
5. You also need to have for those that need to a plan for those that are elderly, have disabilities, or have special needs. For example if you have someone in your family who needs oxygen to breath, know how long your battery back up is. Plan on if this person needs to be moved to a safer location for power. Plan ahead!
6. Pets. All your pets need to have a plan too. If you are going to a shelter, you can not take your pet. You need to know what to do with spot and fluffy. If you are evacuating you need a kit for them, and all there supplies.
7. You need to know a main evacuation route and an alternative route, in case you are asked to leave. You will need maps! GPS may not work! Also try driving the routes before hand, so you know where to go, landmarks, and smaller highways, or roads. Become familiar with the area especially areas you do not drive on a regular basis.
8. Know how to turn off your utilities in case you need to Evacuate.
9. Know your children's school plans, work plans in case of Emergencies.
10. Take a First aid course, CPR. Update your families first aid kit!
11. Review your status of your automobile, flood, home owners or renters insurance coverages. List and photograph or videotape valuable property. Make hard copies and place in your document kit. Be sure add the phone numbers of all insurances and account numbers. Take this kit with you if you evacuate!
12.List and photograph or videotape valuable property. Write down serial numbers, description, etc. Make hard copies and place in your document kit. Take this kit with you! If you have special insurance an item, be sure to have all the information you need in order to make a claim!

Family Disaster Supplies Kit

Keep these supplies at home throughout the year in preparation for major emergencies or disasters. We recommend that you keep them in a separate "Family Disaster Supplies Kit" so they are easy to find when you need them. Identify a safe room for storage of the supply kit and where you can go if a hurricane hits. Don't forget to rotate and replace expired items throughout the year.

Family members should discuss and plan additional supplies that might be needed over an extended period of time. Be ready for the hurricane season. Some supplies will be required in the event you elect to stay in your home. Others may be required if you evacuate or relocate or go to a shelter. Plan supplies so they are clearly accessible and identifiable. After a hurricane watch is issued, there may be a high demand and short supply of many items.

• AM/FM radio (AC/DC battery operated)
• Baby food, diapers, formula and other supplies
• Backpack, duffel bag, portable cooler or other containers
• Bleach (without lemon or any other additives)
• Canned or packaged foods, milk and beverages (minimum 7-day non-perishable food supply for each family member)
• Can opener (non-electric)
• Changes of clothing, hard soled shoes and rain gear for each family member
• Eating utensils and supplies
• Emergency cooking facilities (camping equipment and supplies are great)
• Extra prescription medications, glasses or hearing aids (see your doctor)
• Fire extinguishers (checked and serviced annually)
• First aid kit (adequate capacity and type for the size of your family)
• Flashlights & extra batteries (size and type for flashlights, radios, etc.)
• Food and water for pets
• Important documents (driver's license, birth certificate, insurance documents, etc.)
• Lanterns and fuel (stored in safe container & location)
• Matches (stored in a safe and protective container)
• Mosquito repellant
• Non-perishable foods, milk and beverages (minimum 7-day supply for each family member)
• Plywood boards ¾" to board up windows (cut & fit ahead of time)
• Quiet games, toys, books and cards
• Sleeping bag and blankets for each family member
• Spare batteries for flashlights, radios, etc.
• Spare keys for home, vehicles, boats, etc.
• Toilet paper, soap, tooth brushes, tooth paste and other personal hygiene items
• Water (1 gallon per person per day for drinking purposes)
• Water purification procedures & tablets (check with your local health department)
• Weather alert radio (AC/DC battery operated)
• Other items preplanned by the family

Hurricane Season

BE PREPARED! ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON STARTS JUNE 1: 

Hurricane season is upon us! The time is now to prepare!

Hurricanes occur in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Certainly, there are other areas of tropical storm activity, but those storms carry other names. The tropical storms that occur in the Pacific Ocean are called typhoons and in the Indian Ocean and southwestern Pacific, they are referred to as cyclones.

Officially, the U.S. hurricane season is defined as June 1st to November 30th of each year. The ending date has been progressively moving later in the month of November from 2008 into 2009 and 2010.
These dates have been set to include 97 percent of all major hurricane days and 79 percent of all tropical storm days. As a guess, these dates are fairly reliable but there are always exceptions to any rule. Hurricanes have hit in the months of May and December in the past.

The early part of the hurricane season is usually mild but hurricane activity begins to pick up by the mid part of August. The peak part of the season is usually September.
Your location may influence possible months for experiencing a hurricane. Some experts say that the western Caribbean experiences most of its activity and intensity during the period of mid-September through until the end of November. If however, you are located along the Atlantic coast your peak is a bit earlier in the season, mainly between mid-August through mid-September.

So with all that Lingo going on, here is my two cents:

After going through my very first Hurricane I have added to my kits and altered my plan just a bit! As anyone should do when you are making your own kits for any disaster!

There are many lists, guides and websites to check out! FEMA, RED CROSS, Local news stations, generally give out guides or can print them off online. I have given lists back in August 2011 along with links, not going to redo that.

First and for most know what is going on around you! Know what the weather is like and what is "coming". Sign up for alerts from the weather channel, local news, NOAA, etc.  You can follow all on twitter, facebook, and some even by email. You can get apps for your smart phones and sign up for alerts to come to your phone.

Things I am going to do this year, is have a few more things to do for groups to do, like games, puzzles, books to read, etc. We have no young children but one thing I noticed last year was when you have a group of 20 somethings that are used to be "entertained" by electronics it can be hard for them to not be bored!

I will be getting more glow sticks to have in the house, one for each room for a week! Even when the power goes out for a bad thunder storm they come in useful!

WATER! yes water and ICE! I am buying water by the cases, a few cases each week. I will also buy a few gallons of water. I will be making Ice chucks as the summer goes on! Always need ICE after the power goes out.

Propane for the BBQ. Need to have plenty and maybe even an extra one for the season.

Food, everyone needs food. Last year I planned and cook the day before the hurricane hit. That was the best thing I could do! Made a turkey that we had for dinner the night before, day of hurricane we had turkey sandwiches, and the next day I make a turkey soup with dumplings. a little 10 pound turkey fed 6 people for 3 meals! So prepping food the days before a hurricane is to hit is a very good plan! As always food that is easy to prepare with out a lot of work, fuel, water, is best for when with out power.

Anyway I can go on forever on things. Bottom line is if you are on the coast and you are in a hurricane area prepare now. Get your family ready for the season. Put your mind at ease and get your kits together!

What is for Dinner Sept

Here is Saturdays What's for dinner post.

This Week I am Including the menu we had during Hurricane Irene for this Months Idea.

Friday I cooked a 10 pound Turkey, the day before the Hurricane was to hit. I also baked banana bread, blueberry loaf bread, and cornbread. Make Hard Cooked eggs. Browned up 4 pounds of Hamburger.

Saturday: Turkey, instant mashed potatoes, cornbread, and salad. (this was the day the hurricane hit) No Power!

Sunday: Cooked on the BBQ. Homemade Chili and hotdogs, bratwurst, and Blueberry muffins No Power! 

Monday: Cooked on the BBQ.  Turkey and Dumplings NO Power!

Tuesday: Pork chops, Real Mashed Potatoes, and deviled eggs, Green Beans. Power came on about 6pm

                      Wednesday: Make taco rice with some of hamburger I browned up on Friday

Thursday: Chicken, Chicken Noodles, Carrots

Friday: Spaghetti, corn, and bread

Saturday: Roast, potatoes, carrots, biscuits.

 With the weekend with out power we still ate well. We were able to make sandwiches for lunch from the Turkey, We of course had peanut butter and jam, and lunch meat and cheese for sandwiches. We had cereal, hard cooked eggs, for breakfast. We had one hot meal each day when we were with out power.

Should I stay or should I go?

Well with the pending Hurricane Irene last week, we had many family accross the country calling us and emailing us saying that we should think about leaving the area for the storm. So what do you do?

We followed the news, and alerts in the area. We looked at the maps, the storm surge maps, we knew where the water is and have a good idea on where it may go for flooding. We followed the path of the storm and simply paid attention to what the officials in the area were saying. We said we would stay here at the house, due to the strength of the storm and where we are at. Now if there was a mandatory evacuation we would of left!

This is really, I mean really important! When there is a mandatory evacuation you need to heed the advice of the officials in the area and leave your home. They are not going to tell you to leave just because, that means it is not safe for you to stay where you are! By you choosing to stay in an area that has has a mandatory evacuation you not only put yourself but others in DANGER! 

So now that is is ok to stay in your home how do I prepare to be there and be safe. Of course this is when you are there. You may have to stay at work, the office, or school also. It all depends on the situation and what is going on. We are going to talk about sheltering at home for an emergency.


First of all you need to have a battery powered radio! Know what radio stations will be broadcasting the news about the situation. Some radio stations will only broadcast news when something big is happening. Some will simply stream the local news on the radio for those that have lost power and can not watch the news. Listen to the news, watch the news. Know what is going on and pay attention to any new alerts, issues and directions that your local officials may give out. I have said this before follow your local news stations on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets that they use. I was able to follow and get all the updates I needed via Facebook form all 3 news stations in the area on my phone. Most news stations can send you an email or text for alerts of breaking news, just the weather, etc. Check out your local news websites and see what they have to offer.

You also need your 72 hour kit. There are lists everywhere for kit ideas and things you may need.

A few things you will need, water, food, light, hygiene, first aid, medications; these are the very basics, check out some lists and even on here in previous blog posts for ideas. Here is the link to the Red Cross website and they have all kinds of information and handouts you can print off.  http://www.redcross.org/ 

You also need items to keep warm in the cold weather and how to stay cool in warm weather.

You will need things to entertain everyone. This is harder when you have little kids, but with a little preparations you can have a box, bag, etc filled with things to do in an emergency only. Adults also get bored, so remember them also. 

Here is a list of info that was on the VA dept of emergency management page:

Whether you are at home, work or elsewhere, it might be best to stay where you are. Emergency officials will advise you about what to do.

• Stay indoors away from all windows. Take shelter in an interior room with no windows if possible.
• Stay in your shelter until local authorities say it is safe.
• Do not drive unless absolutely necessary.
• Keep the phone lines open for emergency calls.
• Keep your emergency supply kit with you.
• Listen to local television or radio stations for updates.
• You might be told to create a barrier between yourself and the air outside, a process known as "sealing the room.” Use available information to assess the situation. If you see large amounts of debris in the air, or if local authorities say the air is harmful, you can tape up windows, doors and air vents if you need to seal off a room from outside air. 

Sealing a room makes a temporary barrier between you and harmful air outside. Consider precutting and labeling materials. Anything you can do in advance will save time when it counts.

To Seal the Room:

• Bring your family and pets inside.
• Lock doors, close windows, air vents and fireplace dampers.
• Turn off fans, air conditioning and forced air heating systems.
• Take your emergency supply kit.
• Go into an interior room with as few windows as possible.
• Seal all windows, doors and air vents with plastic sheeting and duct tape.
• Be prepared to improvise and use what you have on hand to seal gaps so that you create a barrier between yourself and any contamination.
• Stay informed by watching TV, listening to the radio or checking the Internet often for official news and instructions as they become available.

Before you seal a room, if there is damage to your home or you are instructed to turn off your utilities:

• Locate the electric, gas and water shut-off valves.
• Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.
• Teach family members how to turn off utilities.
• If you turn the gas off, a professional must turn it back on. Do not attempt to do this yourself.

 

*****Do remember that is for information only and you need to use it as that. You need
to do your own research and decide what you NEED to do. I have no personal
responsibility if you used anything from here and it did not turn out all that great.*****

Hurricane Preparedness

 Hurricane Irene:

So this is my First Hurricane that I had to prepare for and experienced personally. Here are a few things that I have learned and I would be sure to have for any Emergency.

Now I had bagged up ice from the ice maker for a week prior. I also made big ice chunks in the freezer. Knowing I would need them for after the hurricane. Due note need to make more ICE, need to have more ice made, and double bagged!

Mosquitoes are bad especially after the hurricane, so you really do need to have bug spray!

We had the rain come in under the doors into the house. we put down towels and cleaned it up. so be sure to check your weather stripping. make sure it is new, and not worn! We now live in an apartment complex, so will have to get on the maintenance people to fix that!

You can never have enough glow sticks. You will need 1 per room per night for a week or so. It is had to use the bathroom in the dark, or while trying to hold a flashlight in the bathroom.

Snack type food is something you may want to consider for people. when you lose power and the boredom starts in people will want to snack on something. We had food to snack on, but you can always use more. We planned on 3 people to be here. We ended up with 6 people total. We had to have extra people for their safety. I did not plan on 3 more mouths to feed, 3 more people to entertain, and 3 more people to find a place to sleep, shower, use the bathroom. So always plan for more people!

So by doing this for many years I have always had a plan, and a kit. I have lived through many natural disasters, and many other things, but once you have to go through something new first hand.

Well here is a basic list that Virginia is giving out to their residents and a link

Get a Kit

Having an emergency supply kit is essential to making it through a disaster safely. Make sure to have supplies on hand to last each person at least three days.

Put these essential items in your kit:

• Food, at least a three-day supply of food that does not need electricity for storage or for preparation
• Manual can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Water, at least three gallons per person for drinking and sanitation
• Battery-powered/hand-crank radio with weather band and extra batteries
• Written family emergency plan [on line form]

Once you have the essentials you should add these items to your kit:

• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Prescription medications and eye wear
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter where you are
• Sanitation supplies: moist towelettes, toilet paper, soap and plastic garbage bags

Additional items to consider adding to an emergency supply kit:

• Items for infants and toddlers
• Items for pets
• Local maps
• Copies of important family documents, such as insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash in small denominations or traveler's checks and change
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person (consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate)
• Complete change of clothing including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks and sturdy shoes (consider additional layers if you live in a cold-weather climate)
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper (when diluted in water, bleach can be used to kill germs)
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Paper cups, plates and plastic knives, forks and spoons, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children 
• http://www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia/getakit
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