Preparedness tip of the week: Safeguard your documents

It's three o'clock in the morning and you are awakened by the deafning sound of your alarm. You are already jolted out of bed and have started grabbing your kids, pets, and spouse, to get them safely outdoors.

Did you remember to call your boss and tell him you most likely will not make it in today?

Did you even get your phone?

Do you have your money on you?

Were you able to get your notes for tomorrow's presentation?

Did you remember to grab your birth certificates, diplomas and passports?

What about your wedding pictures, baby photos and family memorabilia?

Is your computer backed up? Is the external hard drive in your burning house?

These, and many more, questions will stream through your mind once you and your family are safe.

This week's tip is remember to back your computer up to an off-site location and consider purchasing a fire proof safe to store important documents and irreplaceable photos memorabilia.

You can't always prevent a fire, but you can be prepared in case you have one.

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Preparedness tip of the week: Be prepared for your mother!

If your mom (or a significant woman in your life) is anything like my mom, you have been taught preparedness all your life.

Don't run with scissors!

Don't make that face or it'll freeze in that position.

Always change your underwear; you never know when you'll have an accident.

Be careful or you'll put your eye out!

What if everyone jumped off a cliff? Would you do it, too?

Don't put that in your mouth; you don't know where it's been!

Eat your vegetables, there are children in China/Africa/Vietnam who would be happy to have some broccoli.

I have eyes in the back of my head and can see every move you make.

and the age old...

... because I'm your mother. That's why.

So, hug your mom/mom-in-training/motherly person in your life today. If you are not with her, call her and wish her a very happy Mother's Day.

To all our super-moms and super-mom figures - we salute you!

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Preparedness tip of the week: Know your drills

Do you head outside for a tornado?

Do you stop your car on an overpass during an earthquake?

Do you go kayaking during a flood?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, we need to brush up on our drills.

No, I don't mean dental or construction drills. I mean emergency drills.

Earthquake Drill

If you are inside, stay inside. Drop, cover and hold on (much like the cat in the picture above). Take cover under and hold onto a piece of heavy furniture or stand against an inside wall. Stay away from windows and doors.

If you are outside, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees and power lines. Drop to the ground until the shaking stops.

If you are in your car, slow down and drive to a clear place. Turn on your emergency flashers and do not stop on overpasses, underpasses or bridges. Turn off the ignition and set the parking brake.

Tornado Drill

If you are indoors, Go to a pre-designated shelter area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. Do not open windows.

If you are outdoors and cannot get inside, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location. Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter. Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.

Flood

Listen to the radio or television for information. Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move. Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.

If you must prepare to evacuate, you should do the following:

Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor. Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

If you have to leave your home, remember these evacuation tips:

Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you. Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.

Fire Drill

A fire drill is much like a rapid dismissal. Get out of the building quickly. Typically, from the moment of ignition, potential victims of fire have less that six minutes to safely escape. Take the stairs, not elevator or escalator.

Chinese Fire Drill

When the car is stopped at a traffic light, get out of the car, circle it and get back in... wait... how did that get in the list? Disclaimer: the American Red Cross does not endorse chinese fire drills. This is not a method of preparedness.

Now for a little music to get you in the preparedness mood, "Ring of Fire."

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Preparedness tip of the week: Good Fences Don't Make Good Neighbors

In an emergency, it is a lot easier if your neighborhood can work together. You should talk to your neighbors - even your home owner's association - to discuss how you can work together in case of emergency. Find out who has much needed equipment, such as a generator (or snow plow these days) or expertise such as doctors, plumbers or construction workers.

If you have elderly in your neighborhood, decide who will check on them. If there are kids in your neighborhood, pick a place to gather so they can play while some of the adults work. As always, create a back up plan, in case you are separated from your children.

As we have said over and over, planning and communication are important to stay safe, happy and healthy.

Now for your weekly video, "We are the World" 25 for Haiti that was shown in the Olympics this year.

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Preparedness tip of the week: Practice, Practice, Practice!

At least twice a year, conduct fire drills and tornado drills. Try evacuating your home and drive your planned escape route. Also, check your back-up route in case an emergency blocks you main choice.

While you are doing all this practicing, you should also update you phone numbers, supplies and review your plan with everyone.

Now go and practice, practice, practice!

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Preparedness tip of the week: What's the number to 9-1-1?

I know. I know. I should know the number to 9-1-1. I do.

But, do your kids?

If you haven't taught them how to call 9-1-1, it may be time.

Out of curiosity (and in case someone really doesn't know how to call the memorable number), I googled it.

Wikihow gave the following directions:

1. Take a few deep breaths to calm yourself. Obviously, when you make a call to emergency services, you are in an emergency and have a lot of adrenaline flowing through your veins. However, this can impede your speech and may cause you to start speaking too fast, too slow, begin shuttering, etc.

2. Call 9-1-1. Pick up the receiver. Press 9. Press 1. Press 1 again. If there is one, press the 'Call' button. It takes time for the phone to connect. You must be patient. Do NOT hang up if you do not connect immediately!

3. Remain calm. This is easier said that done. Measure and pace your breathing to slow down your heart rate and begin to plan what you will say to the dispatcher. Remember: Panic is the enemy, in this race against time.

4. Know what you will be asked. Make sure you are aware of each of the following:

• Nature of the emergency: Do you require assistance from law enforcement, medical professionals, and/or fire fighters? In certain areas, the dispatcher or a computer will tell you to dial certain numbers to help them know which department to connect you with and whom you should speak with.
• A detailed, yet concise, description: What happened? How many details do you know? What should have the most importance? In general, the most important thing is why you need assistance, followed by what caused you to need assistance.
• The phone number you are calling from: The dispatcher will need instruction on how to get to where you are and may need to call back for more information.
• Location: Know the address of the emergency and the nearest intersection or be able to provide directions for the dispatcher to relay to the emergency responders.

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Preparedness tip of the week: Check Disaster Plans

Check disaster plans at areas you frequent. This could include your child's school, your work and other places where you spend a lot of time. Make sure to incorporate the plans with you awesome plan (you made back when we had our first preparedness tip of the week).

Easy enough, right?

Right!

So go preparedness freak and prepare! Remember it's supposed to be cold for the remainder of the week so bundle up... but that's another blog.

Check out this Dilbert video about disaster plans.

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Preparedness Tip of the Week: Blind Dating Don'ts

You don't want to go blindly into a disaster. As you should know by now - make a plan, get supplies and find a contact.

But once you are prepared and ready for anything, don't forget about it. Set a date - every six months - to update your plan, review your numbers and check your supplies to make sure nothing has gone bad, expired or changed.

It is also a good idea to have a household fire, tornado or other disaster drill. If you have kids, turn it into an adventure. If you don't, you can still have fun with it. You can pretend you are a superhero. With a big superhero cape. It's OK, you can rock it. I won't tell.

In the meantime, while you wait anxiously to pull your superhero cape from a small corner of your closet, you can run down to your local American Red Cross and take a disaster training class. Becoming a disaster volunteer is the lifeblood of our organization. The classes include:

• Disaster action team workshop
• Client casework: Providing emergency assistance
• Disaster assessment
• Supervision on a disaster assignment
• Mass care: overview
• Shelter operations
• Shelter simulations
• Logistics overview
• Logistics simulation
• Public affairs overview
• Public affairs: The local response
• Psychological first aid
• Serving people with disabilities
• Foundations of disaster mental health
• Health services response workshop
• In kind disaster response workshop
• Supervision in disaster
• Collaborating to ensure effective service delivery
• Emergency operations
• Command center liaison
• Disaster instructor specialty training

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Preparedness Tip of the Week - Call Me

Say hello to the new year and goodbye to unpreparedness habits. We learned a lot from last year, but this year, we're taking preparedness to a whole new readiness level.

So, I have to ask... are you ready?

Today's tip can save your life... like most of our preparedness tips. Create an emergency contact card and make copies for each member of your household. They should keep the card on them at all times. Remember the tip a while back about one local and one out-of-town contact... yeah, do that again here.

If you aren't up for getting crafty and creating your own, feel free to use ours. It's pretty snazzy... and you could definitely bedazzle it however you see fit.

Now for a video that speaks to this week's tip... after all, everyone loves Blondie.

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6th Day of Hanuchristmakwanakah: American Red Cross Style

Believe it or not, we have made it half way through our holiday singing bonanza of "12 Days of Hanuchristmakwanzakah." Today's tip is doing double duty - since I am busy rehearsing and singing amazing Hanuchristmakwanakah tips to the tune of "12 Days of Christmas," today's tip is our preparedness tip of the week.

I know, you may shout for joy here.

Let's get started preparedness friends. I'm sure you know the tune by now.

On the sixth day of Hanuchristmakwanzakah, the American Red Cross advised me

Avoid danger while cooking

Red Cross train your babysitterrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

Prevent hypothermia

Don't spread the flu

Please drive safely

And prepare my vehicle for traveling!

Look at you becoming quite a preparedness freak like someone else I know (yes, I meant me). You are catching on very quickly. I'll put in a good word with our amazingly skilled American Red Cross - Dallas Area Chapter carolers. Maybe they'll take us as a package deal.

This week's tip is a great one. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking is the leading cause for residential fires. This holiday season we are planning to change that together. While you are cooking, stay in the kitchen and be alert. Keep anything flammable - such as pot-holders, towels or curtains - away from your stove top. Have a "kid-free zone" of at least 3 feet around the store and areas where hot food or drinks are prepared or carried.

Today's video is another fun one. From your favorite rodents - Alvin, Simon and Theodore.

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Preparedness Tip of the Week - Ice, Ice Baby!

Last week we learned we need to pick a place to go to in case of a disaster in your area. What could we have for this week?

Pick a person!

In case of a disaster or if you are injured or there is a disaster, pick an emergency contact - one nearby and one out of the area. Does it sound familiar?

Let that person know they are the emergency contact for your family and pass their information along to your family members. In fact, go ahead and have them enter the information in their phone... just in case.

For the nearby emergency contact, I have an extra special treat. First responders, such as paramedics, firefighters and police officers recommend that you add your emergency contact as ICE, ie. in case of emergency, in your phonebook.

If something were to happen to you and you are unconscious when paramedics arrive, they automatically check your phone for your emergency contact information. Imagine having to look through tens, maybe hundreds of numbers trying to find your emergency contact. It can be daunting.

You are one step closer to preparedness perfection! Now a kick back to one of my favorite one-hit wonders.

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Preparedness Tip of the Week - Pick a Place

This week's tip is short and simple, but oh so necessary. Have you picked a place?

Pick a place to meet after a disaster (one close to home and one outside your area).

If the disaster were to occur to your home or neighborhood, you should have a pre-determined meeting place nearby (perhaps a grocery store parking lot, a church or a restaurant).

You will also need a location in case of a large-scale disaster (ie. hurricane, tornado outbreak or terrorist attack). This should be an easily accessible location in the event of a major disaster.

Happy preparedness and stay warm!

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Preparedness Tip of the Week - When deep frying your thanksgiving turkey, know how to put out a grease fire.

With turkey day upon us, I thought it would be a good idea to include a preparedness tip on how to put out a grease fire. You never know when it could happen, but if it happens to you, you will want to be prepared.

Grease fires are dangerous because the liquid grease can be splashed and spread easily and quickly throughout the kitchen or your backyard.

To prevent a grease fire, stay near the pot while it is cooking. If you keep an eye on it, it is less likely to get out of control without you noticing.

How To Put Out a Grease Fire

1. If a fire has started, DO NOT THROW WATER ON A GREASE FIRE! DO NOT TRY TO CARRY THE FIRE OUTSIDE!

2. Try to smother the fire with a pan lid. Fires need oxygen to thrive and spread, so stop the oxygen supply and you stop the fire. Beware of glass lids, they could break in extreme heat.

3. Call 9-1-1. Do this immediately, even if you think you can get the fire under control. It is better to have the fire truck on its way in case the fire spreads.

4. You can also smother the fire with baking soda. It takes a lot, but is worth a shot if it is closer than a pan lid.

5. Always, always, always have a fire extinguisher available. A dry chemical fire extinguisher will contaminate your kitchen and food, but can be very effective. If possible, purchase a Class K fire extinguisher. They are usally found in commercial kitchens, but will put out grease and other kitchen fires.

6. If the fire spreads, start evacuating. Treat burns when you are safely outside and firemen are on their way.

To see how quickly the fire can spread, watch this terrifying and realistic video.

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Preparedness Tip of the Week - Do you have a plan?

We will be posting a new preparedness tip of the week, beginning with this one. They could be about anything from fires to first aid, homeland security to vacation best practices.

We will cover it all... and hopefully, you (and maybe we) will learn something along the way.

This week - the plan.

If there is an emergency in your home - maybe a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning - and you need to leave your home, do you a plan to get out?

Preparedness tip of the week: Find and write down at least two ways out of each room.

Two exits give you an extra way in case one is blocked.

For more preparedness education, check out the American Red Cross - Dallas area chapter for the class schedule.

Stay tuned next week for the preparedness tip.

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