Self-Reliant Saturday-- Earthquake in Vegas

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake was felt in Las Vegas Friday Morning (5/22/15).  One has to wonder how many warnings we will get before it happens closer to home.  Please take the time to have a family emergency plan, 72-hour kits ready to go, and your food storage up-to-date.  

Click HERE to view a post on emergency evacuations and a link to print out a family emergency plan.  

And check out the left side-bar of this blog to see a list of items that may work for your 72-hour kits. 


For food storage and water basics CLICK HERE.

It's never to late to start a food storage program for your family!  If you go out right now and buy a case of water...you are on your way!!!

"Are we prepared for the emergencies of our lives?  Are our skills perfected?  Do we live providently?  Do we have on hand our reserve supply?  Are we obedient to the commandments of God?  Are we responsive to the teachings of the prophets?  Are we prepared to give of our substance to the poor, needy?"
               -Thomas S. Monson April 1986 General Conference

The Great ShakeOut Happened!

Did you practice for the "big one" at 10:15 this morning?  In Utah we had a statewide earthquake drill and most schools, businesses, and homes participated.  At my home all my children are in school, except for my oldest, who only has one class at the high school.  So she got nominated to be my earthquake drill model :)

So if the big one happens.....remember to DROP....COVER...& HOLD ON to the closest big piece of furniture.  Practicing the drills now will hopefully become second nature when you need it in an emergency!!

The Great Utah ShakeOut 2015

Thursday, April 16th at 10:15 am there will be a statewide earthquake drill in Utah.  It's a great way "to prepare and survive and recover quickly from an earthquake."  

Check out the Great Utah ShakeOut website HERE and sign up for the ShakeOut on Thursday. Many schools and local businesses all participate and I love knowing that we, as a state, are preparing for "the big one" here in Utah.  

The main message for the ShakeOut is to....

So wherever you are at 10:15am on Thursday morning...drop...cover...and hold on.  Click HERE to view a great PDF of what to do in an earthquake, it outlines what to do in many different scenarios. And click HERE to view a previous post on earthquake readiness. The planning and practicing of drills is what will make a difference in survival during an earthquake.  Don't become passive in this type of preparedness!  We never know what will be in our future and it will only bless our lives to have prepared before anything happens!!!

When The Lights Go Out

There have been several times when the power has gone out at my house, but never longer than a few hours.  And most of those times were in the middle of the night while we were sleeping and we didn't need an alternate source of lighting.  I took note the other day of how often we used the lights in my house, and the switches are flipped without a second thought. The habit of turning on a light switch when we walk into a dark room is engrained into all of us.  We take for granted that with the flip of a switch we have light.  

What Do You Use For Light When The Power Goes Out?

I live in earthquake territory and I have a feeling that with my luck we will have an earthquake in the middle of the night and flashlights will be a prized possession.  (that is totally my own opinion and I have no idea when the earthquake will hit, but with my track record of bad things happening at the worst times, it will :)

Flashlights
It is recommended to have flashlights by every bed in your home to be used during a power outage.  With kids it may be harder to keep those flashlights by the bed, but I took a few photos of the flashlights/emergency lighting in my home.  This will show you what types we use, and also give you some ideas on what types of lighting are out there.  It is by no means the only way to have lighting in an emergency, but maybe you'll find a new gadget that will work for you.  I am always finding new gadgets to add to our flashlight collection.  

  
Under the Bed-  Keeping a flashlight under your bed, inside a pair of sturdy shoes, allows you to grab and go in a disaster.  I need to take this one step further and put my shoes and flashlight in a bag that ties to the bed post.  If there was an earthquake, objects would be falling all over the place, and hunting for my shoes and flashlight in the middle of chaos would prove difficult.  

LED flashlight

 Flashlights in the Children's Room-  Each of my children have a flashlight that hangs on their beds.  Yes, I know what you are all saying and it's true.  They play with them, and lose them, and to be honest 5 out my 5 kids didn't have a flashlight hanging on their bed when I went to take a picture today.  I had a challenge to see who could find one first so I could take a photo.  I need to stay on top of things like that and make sure they keep the flashlight within reach.  It's one more thing to have to remind the kiddos to do, but it's necessary in an emergency.

Shake flashlight

 My son keeps his shake flashlight on his window sill.  (And yes his bed is next to the window and under a large shelf,  and that is probably breaking every earthquake safety rule out there.  I'm not perfect and this proves there is always room for improvement.:)  The flashlight in his room is a shake flashlight.  I don't recommend this kind of flashlight because it takes so much physical power to light the darn thing that it's frustrating.  But my son is 9 and loves things that work and so he chose that one.  My girls have regular LED click on flashlights and also the squeeze flashlights.  Those are similar to the shake variety but you squeeze the handle until you have enough energy for the light to work.  Still not my favorite, but a little easier than the shake kind.  Also note that I don't have a picture of the squeeze flashlight, none of the kids could find theirs :)

 UV Paqlite-  
These reusable glow sticks are one of my favorite gadgets on the market.  I found these at the Self Reliance Expo last year and I was sold on the idea.  The stuff (real technical I know) in side of the tubes and the plastic case glow after being held up to a light source.  They can be used over and over again and any light source will work to give them their lighting ability.  Hold them up to a car light, the sun, indoor light, campfire, etc and they glow for a very long time. I hang mine in our central closet so they don't get played with or lost.  They aren't bright enough to use like a flashlight but in a tent or small room they would give off enough light to see what was going on.  Think of a nightlight in your kids room, that kind of illumination.  Click here to see my previous post on the UV Paqlite. And click here to visit their website and view all of their products.

 

Solar Lighting-  
I really like having a solar version of a battery operated flashlight.  I leave the one above hanging on my refrigerator to keep it ready to go.  It is also a radio.  Having batteries on hand for flashlights is a great idea, but you do need quite a few batteries for any extended power outages.  It's a great idea to have a back up plan. (Remember having a plan B for your plan B.)   Solar flashlights come in all sizes. 

I keep a small solar flashlight on my nightstand, and it's a great option when the lights go out.  Solar powered garden lights are an inexpensive, easy way to have light without power.  Group them together in a #10 can or mason jar to light a kitchen or family area at night.  Set them outside, or in front of a sunny window to soak up the sun during the day, and light your home at night.  

Solar powered garden lights

 Another option on the market are products from the Goal Zero company.  The generators charge using the power of the sun (they can also be plugged in an electrical outlet). I own a smaller unit that charges phones and has power for smaller devices like computers dvd players.

Goal Zero generator and camping light

Goal Zero also carries a variety of solar lighting.  I own the lantern accessory and I highly recommend having it to go along with a Goal Zero solar generator.  Click HERE to view all of their products.  

Battery Powered Lanterns and Oil Lamps- 

I bought these lanterns at Walmart for around $10.  I do have to store extra bulbs and batteries, but they are one more way to have light in an emergency.  The Emergency Essentials 100-hour candle is also a great resource for light and they are inexpensive. Another option that uses regular cooking oil is called the Safer Emergency Candles.  Click the link to read about I tested out the Safer Emergency Candles, READ HERE.

Candles- 

 Candles are inexpensive, easy to use, and are a great item to have on hand. They give off a great amount of light and are probably the most common item people have for lighting in an emergency.  Use caution with candles, especially around children and pets. To keep my candles from rolling all over the place I made a candle holder out of an old mason jar.  It holds a burning candle on top, set in a PVC cup,  and the extra candles and matches are stored inside. After you are done using the candle, all the supplies store neatly inside the jar.

All the items needed can be found around your house and at the hardware store. The mason jar is from my storage room, and the candles and matches were both from the dollar store. A small piece of pvc pipe is needed to hold the candle in place, but it was under one dollar at the hardware store.  I placed the matches inside a small bag, and in another bag I placed the striking strip from the match box.

You Will Need:

quart size mason jar

canning lid and ring

candles that fit in mason jar

matches and strike strip

small PVC cup (from sprinkler section of the hardware store)

E6000 glue, or other permanent bonding glue

Glue the PVC sprinkler piece (from the sprinkle section of the hardware store), onto the underside of a canning lid, this will become the candle holder, and let dry.  (When not in use the lid is turned over and the PVC piece is stored inside the jar.)  Once dry, store the candles, matches, strike strip in the mason jar.  Close the canning lid with the PVC piece inside the jar, and your emergency candle is now ready.  When you need to light a candle, flip over the mason jar lid so the PVC piece is facing upwards,  tighten the ring around it, place a candle in the PVC holder and light it.  So easy, but so useful too!!  I love that my candles aren't all over the place and I have a safer, steady holder for them. Just a note- take your candle with you to the hardware store to save a ton of time from having to drive back for a different size that fits :)

PVC sprinkler piece glued to the canning lid.

There are many options for lighting in an emergency.  Find what works for you! Having multiple sources of lighting will only make your life less complicated when you need to use them.  It doesn't necessarily have to be a natural disaster to need a flashlight.  The other day I needed to look under the stove for a my kids bouncy ball and I knew right where to find a flashlight.  (obviously not from my kids' room :)  Take stock of your flashlights and batteries and make sure you know where they are. Being organized and ready NOW will pay off when you need to use your lighting for an emergency!

What Would You Do? -The County Preparedness Fair

What Would You Do?

This was the title of the preparedness fair in my town last Monday.  And they were able to answer this question with all the booths and info available at the fair.  

Outside of the building there were all sorts of the emergency vehicles, an earthquake simulator from the Great Utah Shake Out,  Be Ready Utah, fire trucks, and rescue vehicles, and free hot dogs and drinks.  Inside there were various retailers, the Red Cross, the gas company, the electric company, and CERT representatives.  There was a lot of information all in one place, but it was exactly what the general public needs to know about for any emergency.  

In Utah we live in an earthquake zone and it was fun to try out the earthquake simulator, provided by the Great Utah Shake Out program, to teach people what to do in an earthquake.  Every year my youngest and I participate in the Great Utah Shake at home, and my kids participate at their schools, so she knows what to do during an earthquake.  The man running the simulator was very impressed with my 6 year old, and that she could answer all his questions.  It was quite entertaining on my part.  He said that in the 3 years that he has run the simulator she was the first child to know what to do in an earthquake.  Proud prepper-mom moment :)

Blood, free backpacks, and stickers is what we found in the kid-zone.  It was set up for kids and they were able to make 72-hour kits and were given a backpack and supplies to assemble into a kit.  We got there 30 minutes after it started and missed getting a backpack....so no picture :(  But I was impressed with the supplies and extras available for free for the kids.  There was also a moulage station.  What is a moulage station you might ask?

This is all make up....NOT REAL!!

Fake wounds!!!  The above picture is from a disaster simulation day at a hospital that my kids were able to participate in.  It was set up for firefighters and other medical crews to practice for the real disaster.  It was pretty realistic.  But at the preparedness fair my youngest was too squeamish to try it.  So I borrowed this picture from a few years ago to share.  I hope it isn't too gross. But I noticed that there was a Boy Scout troop in attendance at the fair and they were LOVING the moulage station!

I also learned a few important things as I walked around to the different booths.

• Signing up for a reverse 911 phone call system is important to know what is going on in my area.  If there was a disaster or other emergency I would get an alert on my phone. I need to sign up!
• I can dial 211 on my phone and get information about all kinds of county programs.  Counseling, law enforcement info, library, government services, etc.  The United Way provides this service in Utah.  
• There is a CERT community where I live.  It was great to chat with them and sign up to be a part of their group. 

 There was plenty of information on earthquakes and I was again impressed by the county that I live in.  They take preparedness seriously and are ready for an emergency. But it also requires the help of the general public to take charge of their families and prepare for a disaster.  I can't put all my eggs in one basket and hope that someone will be there to take care of my family after an earthquake.  So I prepare for emergencies and have supplies and food on hand to keep us safe until help can arrive.  That is the purpose of a preparedness fair like this one, to share the information, and hopefully people will take action for themselves and not just assume that the emergency crews will be there to help them in an emergency.  Because it isn't "if" it happens.....it's "when" it happens....what will you do??

Earthquake Preparedness Reminders

The earthquake in northern California last weekend can now be added to the growing list of natural disasters our world is experiencing.  If you haven't learned from these disasters and started storing away food and water, you may want to take a good, long look at your priorities right now.  Take a few moments and make a plan for your family.  Have water, food, shoes under your bed, flashlights in every bedroom, BE READY!!  

Say what you will about FEMA, but they have a great printout that you can use to start your emergency family plan.  Click HERE to print your copy and start your plan today!

 Earthquakes are unique because we don't know when they will hit.  There are few warning signs, if any, of an earthquake happening.  But those of us who live in areas that have earthquakes have no excuse to not be ready for one.  Having food and water is so important, but another important part of earthquake preparedness is to prepare your children.  Show them where to go in your home during the quake.  Call your children's schools and find out what their emergency plans are.  Decide on a meeting place outside of your home.  All members of your family should know where this meeting place is if they are not home during a disaster.  I have 5 children in 4 different schools.  If I am not able to get to the schools, my two oldest will walk to the two schools by them and collect their siblings and proceed to walk home, if able.  We've decided to meet at our church building down the road.  Once decided, your family plan needs to be talked about often so it becomes common knowledge for your family. A Plan....it's so important!!!!

After a quake there will be mass confusion, property damage, and probably chaos for awhile. 

-Try not to tie up phone lines, use text messages instead.  

-Don't light a match or lighter until you are positive there are NO GAS leaks!  If you must turn off your gas don't try to turn it back on, leave it to a professional.  

-Be prepared for after shocks.  They could happen for a week, or longer, after a quake.  

-Be careful if the quake happened at night.  Glass will most likely be everywhere.  Always keep a pair of sneakers under your bed, along with a flashlight.

Power Surges

Power Strips only protect from one surge.

 While listening to the radio after the California quake last week, I learned a great tip.  There will most likely be power surges following a quake.  The easiest thing to do would be to unplug all your electronics, but having a surge protector is smart too.  But did you know that a power strip surge protector will only work once!  I had no idea!  So if you do experience a power surge, you will most likely need to purchase new power strips for your electronics.  Oh, and there isn't a power strip strong enough to withstand a lightning strike.  If you are experiencing lightning go around and unplug everything. Just as a precaution.


Please BE PREPARED!!!   This is why I have this blog, to help all of you NOW, before the disaster strikes!

The Great Utah Shakeout 2013!

Today in Utah was the statewide shakeout.  At 10:15 a.m. the entire state took cover for 1 minute in an earthquake practice scenario.  My four older children were at school during this time and my husband was at work, 45 minutes away. My 5 year old and I were at home and we practiced where we would go if we were upstairs and then again downstairs.

Can you see the little girl under the clothes?  We chose the closet to hide in upstairs.

 

We chose to hide under the kitchen desk downstairs during the Shake Out.

Do you all have a family emergency plan? I moved about 3 months ago and I realized that my family needs a new emergency preparedness plan.  

For my family's plan we need to:

• designate a new meeting place outside of our home
• designate a new meeting place outside of our neighborhood and make sure the whole family understands how they will get to the meeting place.
• create a new plan if a disaster happens during the day when only mom and the 5 year old are at home.  How will the kids get to the meeting place?  How will dad make it home?  
• Update all car kits.  My husband drives quite far for work and would have to walk up a canyon to get home.  Does he have what he needs in his vehicle and at work?
• Then we need to actually practice our plan during the daytime but we also need to have a run through when it's dark.
• I also need to replace the shoes and flashlights that I had under our beds in our old house.  This will proctect us during the night from glass and other fallen objects.

  Click HERE for more information on earthquake information and having an emergency plan.  

The Great Utah Shake Out

The Great Utah Shake Out is on Tuesday, April 17th!!!  Are you ready for the BIG ONE!!!

Click HERE for more info from Be Ready Utah 

OR

Click HERE to see their facebook page.

Plan AND Prepare!!

Unreal!!  I have, like most of you, been watching the videos and pictures coming out of Japan.  It is unreal and so heartbreaking.  It goes without saying that being prepared with food, shelter and water is more important than ever!  I know some have said that what is the use of preparing if a flood just sweeps it all away, but what if your home was further away and not affected.  You could be the one to bless others in time of distress!!  You would also be blessed because you followed the counsel to prepare!  

FEMA has a great website with very important information on planning and preparing.  Click HERE to see the FEMA page on planning and preparing.

Food-Water-Shelter:  The three most important things to have for an emergency!  Take the time now to prepare for what may come!

MARCH GOALS:

3-Month Supply Goal:  Make 1 meal per week that uses only food from your pantry and food storage.

Water Goal: This month you need to fill all your used juice and detergent bottles with water.  Label them and store them for cleaning water.


Financial Goal:  Last month we wrote down everything we spent for a week.  Now that you know where you could be saving money, you need to put that money away to use towards your food storage.  Next month is case lot sale month and you could save your money for that sale!!


Long-Term Storage Goal:  This month is frozen food month and we are going to focus on MEATS & FROZEN FOOD!  Your freezer is your friend when it comes to a 3-month supply.  Most meats and vegetables can be frozen to extend the life of the food.  Use your freezer as an extension of your pantry!  

Wavelength Emergency Radio/Cell phone charger/flashlight

Emergency Preparedness Goal:  This month you need to add a radio and a crank cell phone charger to your storage.  Both are inexpensive (radios can be as expensive as you want) and can be found online and in many stores.  Make sure the cell phone charger you purchase has a plug that fits your phone.  Emergency Essentials sells a radio/charger/flashlight combo for $12.95!!  Click HERE to see that product.



Enjoy the Journey!
Enjoy the Blessings!
Feel the Peace!! 

Earthquake Survival Night Re-Cap!!

Earthquake survival night was a success! Thank you to everyone who came and thank you to all who helped put this together. I tried to get some pictures of the information that was presented so those who were unable to attend could still benefit from the information that was presented.

Maralin Hoff was a wonderful presenter and was quite comical as well. I will highlight some of the things that I found interesting.


If you need more information click here to get to the bereadyutah.org website or click on the link on the right hand side of the blog.



Maralin had great ideas when it comes to preparing for the "big one", but I loved her little suggestions. In the picture she is holding a grocery cart and she explained that if you are in the store when an earthquake is happening that the cart is your friend. You can tuck your head underneath the cart or even tip it on the side and get your head covered that way. Always put a child or baby in first and then yourself.

She also went through car kits and how important it is to have one. If there is an earthquake it may take HOURS to get home. You will need water, food, shovel, flashlight, batteries, matches, etc. in your car. Don't forget to rotate your items as well. A great tip she shared is to wrap your water in one of the foil blankets and it will help to keep it from going bad as quickly. Maralin also suggested to buy a mylar insulated lunch box from the dollar store to keep your first aid items in. The mylar will help regulate the temperature and you won't loose your band aids or first aid ointment to the heat. The lunch box will also save your duct tape as well.

• Use the Hot/Cold bags found at the grocery store to grab food quickly out of the fridge/freezer in an evacuation.
• Put nylon grip liners on all your shelves to prevent things from sliding.
• Use sticky velcro on the back of pictures to keep them hanging straight in an earthquake.
• Use bungee cords on storage shelving to keep contents in tact.
• Place cardboard between mason jars to prevent breakage.
• Tie whistles to wheel chairs, strollers, anywhere someone may need one to call for help.

Make sure your water heater is secure using the proper metal fasteners.
This is probably my favorite idea from the whole presentation. Keep kitty litter in a 2-liter bottle to sprinkle in your portable potty. I have been debating on what to use for our portable potty and this is so much easier than all the chemicals. Maralin reminded us all to NEVER use kitty litter in ANY toilets. It will clog your plumbing like cement. Maralin gave portable potty's to all of her family for Christmas. Giving preparedness items as gifts is a great way to help family members get prepared.




The displays were so complete and a great visual on how much, and what to put in the different kits. The kit above is a 72-hour kit with all the goodies that go inside.


Another kit that you should have is a workplace kit. The chances of an earthquake happening while you are at work is very likely. Being prepared with first aid items and water and food will help you until you are able to get home.

***If you click on the photos they will pull up in another screen and they are a little bigger. That way you can see some of the smaller items on the boards.

I thought that this evening was so informative and it was so great to have so many of you come. I hope you were able to take away some great ideas. We will be having a block captain meeting in the near future to follow up on what still needs to be collected.

Earthquakes, Water, & Sanitation

As most of you heard, we had a 4.9 earthquake in northern Utah this week. I hope that you will all see this as a warning of a bigger earthquake and take this time to prepare yourselves. Click HERE to view the Utah Red Cross Be Ready Checklist.

 I strongly urge you all to have adequate water storage. Make it a priority! Think of how many times you turn on a faucet during the day. Many people 

 will be inconvenienced when there is no water. I like to have large spray bottles on hand for times that we won't have water. I will use one for water with soap in it and one with just water. The kids can spray their hands with the soapy water and then a few sprays with the water bottle. This will save water when everyone washes their hands.

How is everyone doing with the April goals? Have you planned a garden or found a container to plant a few plants in? I hope everyone took advantage of the case lot sales and stocked up on the food items that your family uses.

One of the other April goals is to gather cleaning supplies and in this category is also sanitation. I know, none of us want to think of this, but we really do need to prepare for times of toilets not flushing. On to the portable potty......
This awesome information found at: PreparednessNibblesAndBits.blogspot.com
During a disaster “just plan on losing your utilities.” It is important to have a Sanitation Kit because we don’t know when our disaster will be. The lack of proper sanitation can cause the spread of disease and even death.
Here’s some ideas for assembling your own Sanitation Kit:

SANITATION KIT:
“Luggable Loo*” - snap-on lid (fits 5 or 6 gallon buckets)
1 (5 or 6-gallon) bucket
Store the following inside your bucket until needed:

• Heavy Duty disposable garbage bags (you won’t want to deal with leaky bags
• 1 (12 oz.) “Super Sorb” (takes care of odors - available at janitorial supply stores)
• 1 container “Hi-Genic” (non-acid bowl and bathroom cleaner - available at janitorial supply stores)
• 1 bottle of hydrogen peroxide (natural disinfectant)
• 1 small bottle of vinegar
• 1 container baking soda
• 1 empty spray bottle
• 2 to 3 rolls toilet paper (with cardboard removed)
• 1 pkg. baby wipes
• Feminine hygiene supplies
• Disposable gloves
• Hand sanitizer
• Lotion (hand sanitizer will tend to dry out hands)
• Bonus: 2 emergency blankets (for your privacy screen if needed)

Directions: Empty contents of the bucket. Line the bucket with a heavy duty disposable garbage bag. Put 1 tablespoon “Super Sorb” into the garbage bag. Securely attach “Luggable Loo” lid. Keep lid closed when not in use. When bucket is 1/3 full, empty it by tying the bag up and disposing of it properly.
To dispose of waste:
Emergency Sewage Storage. “Keep on the premises at least one extra 10-gallon garbage can or other waterproof container with a tight fitting cover. This should be lined with paper and/or a plastic bag. And the lid should be fastened to the can to prevent its loss. Such a can may be used for the emergency storage of body wastes until the public sewage system can be put back into action, or until other arrangements can be made. Empty your emergency toilet into this storage can as often as necessary. A small amount of household disinfectant should be added after each use. If you live in an apartment, you may not have a large garbage can or room to keep one. In that case, two smaller covered pails or other containers will do just as well.” –http://www.pep-c.org/emergencysewagedisposal
Another option for disposing waste:
“When the plastic bag is filled to a point where you can carefully dispose of it, you will want a tight-fitting leak-proof container you can put the filled bags where insects and vermin cannot get at, or you may want to have a fairly deep hole (at least three to four feet deep) in your back yard where you can safely dispose of the bag, cover with a few inches of soil at each disposal and have a cover to keep vermin out and people from falling in….” –Sanitation, Part 1
For more detailed information regarding Sanitation check out:
http://www.pep-c.org/sanitation
Sanitation, Parts 1 & 2
*LUGGABLE LOOS are available at:
* Recreation Outlet, 3160 S. State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84115 (Sells the lid separately for $7.99 ea. or the bucket and lid for $12.99.)
* Cabela’s ($9.99 - lid only/$14.99 lid and bucket)
* Target (available on-line only) has a bucket and lid for $14.99
* Rei ($18.00 - lid and bucket)
* Google “luggable loo” to find the best prices and locations for you.
*Emergency Essentials $15.95 bucket, lid, 2 enzyme packets. They also sell a pop up porta potty tent for $59.95 which can also be used for a shower
Click HERE to view the doodie bags that turn waste into gel for easier clean up.
Click HERE to view the bags that fit on your existing toilet.
NOTE: “Be Ready Utah” has an idea for an Emergency “Porta Potty” Kit which includes Kitty Litter: http://bereadyutah.gov/family/potty.html

Earthquake Preparedness

Knowing what to do during an emergency takes some planning ahead. It would be very helpful to you and your family to have a family home evening on preparedness and learn what to do during an emergency. As a family, discuss the following guidelines for protecting yourself in an earthquake. You may want to role-play if you have younger children.

EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS:

1. Try to stay cool and calm. Think through what you should do. Try to reassure others.
2. If you are indoors, stay there. Protect yourself in one of the following ways and wait out the earthquake: Take cover under a heavy desk, bed, or table. This will plrotcet you from falling objects. Move into a strong doorway or sit or stand against as inside wall. If you are large enough, brace yourself in a doorway. A door from or the structural frame of a building are the building's strongest points.
3. It you are in a tall building, try to get under a desk. Do not dash for exits, since stairways may be broken and jammed with other people. Power for elevators may fail.
4. If you are in a crowded store, do not rush for a doorway since others may have the same idea. If you must leave the building, choose your exit carefully.
5. If you are outdoors, get away from buildings, tall objects, and electric wires.
6. If you are in a moving car, stop in an open area if possible. Don't stop on a high overpass, bridge, or where buildings can topple down on you. Stay inside the car until the shocks stop, even if the car shakes a great deal. A car is a fairly safe place to be.
7. Be prepared for additional after shocks. Although most of these are smaller, some may be large enough to cause more damage.

WHEN THE EARTHQUAKE STOPS:

1. Check your water line, gas line, and electrical lines. If there is a gas line into your home or building, turn off burners and pilot lights.Do not light candles, matches, or lighters until you determine there is no leak. Gas leaks can cause explosions. Report damage to the appropriate utility companies and follow their instructions.If there is a leak then stay out of the house. Do not flush toilets until you know that the sewer lines are unbroken. Eclectic lines can cause fires. Shut off all electrical power if there is damage to your house wiring. Do not operate electrical switches or appliances if you suspect a gas leak. They can cause a spark which can ignite gas from broken lines.
2. Check your house for injured members.
3. Check your neighborhood for injured people, who may need help.
4. Immediately clean up spilled medicines, drugs, and other potentially harmful substances.
5. Turn on your radio (battery or car). Listen for damage reports and instructions.
6. Don't tie up the telephone lines unless there is a real emergency to report.
7. Don't go outside to see the damage. The area will be cluttered enough and you may hamper rescue. Keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles.
8. Do not touch downed power lines or objects touched by the downed wires.
9. Stay away from damaged buildings. Aftershocks can collapse them.
10. If water is off, you can get emergency water from water heaters, toilet tanks, melted ice cubes, and canned vegetables.
11. Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass. Strain liquids through a clean handkerchief or cloth if you think broken glass may be in them.
12. Respond to requests for help from police, fire fighters, civil defense, and relief organizations. But do not go into damaged areas unless your help has been requested. Cooperate fully with public safety officials.

FAMILY AND HOME PLANNING

*Create a family earthquake plan

*Know the safe spot in each room. Under sturdy tables, desks, or against inside walls.

*Know the danger spots. Windows, mirrors, hanging objects, fireplaces and tall furniture.

*Conduct practice drills. Physically place yourself and your children in safe spots.

*Learn first aid and CPR from your local Red cross or other organization.

*Decide where your family will reunite if separated.

*Keep a list of emergency phone numbers.

*Choose and out of state friend or relative whom family members can call after the quake to report your condition.

(fill out these papers and you will have all your info ready. Click HERE to print yours off)

Click HERE to view the Shake Out Emergency website. 

It is a new month and that means new goals for us. This month is all about oats and lighting. Watch the blog all month for recipes and ideas that involve oats. 

FEBRUARY STORAGE GOALS:

Food Storage Goal: OATS-20lbs per person. If you get yours from the cannery in #10 cans they will last 30+ years. They cost $8.15 for a 25lb bag or $13.25 for 6 #10 cans which equals 14.4lbs.

Non-Food Goal: Lighting is our goal this month. Gather matches, candles, flashlights (crank or battery operated), emergency candles, light sticks, solar powered flashlights or lanterns, etc. Find what works for your family and have these in your 72-hour kits and in your car kits and have a source of light by every bed in your home. The glow light sticks that activate by bending are great to hang as night lights and can easily fit in 72-hour kits.

Enjoy the journey!

Enjoy the blessings!

Feel the peace!

Preparedness 101

With all of the news coming from the disaster stricken Haiti, I am consumed with thinking "what if this had happened in our state?". The last 2 weeks I have pondered daily of how prepared my family is for an earthquake or other disaster. Having our 72-hour kits in order and in a place that is easily accessible and making sure we have plenty of water are top of the priority list for me.

I am pretty much begging all of you to store water. Money has no currency in Haiti, they only wanted water those first days after the earthquake. So I am pleading with all of you to have several sources of water in your home. Under the stairs, under your bed, in the car, a 55 gallon container, or any soda or juice bottle (that has been sanitized-click here to learn more) will work. This week you all need to store at least a couple of gallons per person.

Another great idea, that came out of the unthinkable situation where children were being claimed by the wrong parents, is to have ID cards with pictures in every one's 72-hour kits. You need to have one ID card with all your information and also a family photo that shows everyone together. This could also be copied and put in your child's school backpack. Your children may vary well be at school when an earthquake hits. Keep all the information in Zip lock bags to avoid getting wet. 

Click HERE to print out some great information sheets that the Pleasant Grove Ward has put together. You just need to print out one copy per person in your family. So now that all the work is done for you, what are you waiting for?




Get your 72-hour kits together today! The pictures to the right give 2 examples of a 72-hour kit in a backpack and in a 5 gallon bucket. Pick what works for you and make sure that the kit can be carried. Have a first aid kit, and shoes near your bed in case of an emergency at night, and have water stored.

Please don't delay any longer. The disaster in Haiti should have given us all a BIG wake up call as to what we could experience here in Utah. Click HERE to view information on earthquakes in Utah.

Click HERE to view a previous post on water and 72-hour kits.

January Self-Reliant Goals:

Powdered Milk 16lbs PP: Purchase milk at the LDS cannery for the best price. If you can only go down and buy the 25lb bags that is great, it is a start.

Non-Food Storage Goal: Bleach 1 gallon per person. This will be used for cleaning and water purification.

72-Hour Kit Goal: Gather a change of clothes including underwear and shoes for every family member. Include warm coats and boots or have them immediately accessible. Also put $20 in cash in small bills in your kits.

Enjoy the journey!

Enjoy the blessings!

Feel the peace!!