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??

National Preparedness Month

Did you know that September is National Emergency Preparedness Month?  

What can you do to make sure you and your family are more prepared?  

The Red Cross has a great handout that outlines the most important things you need to do to be prepared.  Click HERE to view it.

Also, look for preparedness fairs put on by your county or city.  We have one coming up on September 15th.  It's a great time to familiarize yourself with your local fire department, health departments, police, and different preparedness retailers.  There will most likely be printed information available from your local gas and electric companies on how to turn off power and gas.  Last year I received a booklet on what to do in an emergency in my area. It is all great info to have on hand and it's personalized for where you live.  

Ready.gov has also listed a weekly preparedness theme.

Week 1 – How to… Reconnect with Family After a Disaster.
Week 2 – Know How To plan for specific needs before a Disaster.
Week 3 – How to… Build an Emergency Kit.
Week 4 & 5 – How to… Practice for an emergency.
For more details about National Preparedness Month visit: www.ready.gov/september #NatlPrep

Are there any goals that you have been meaning to accomplish and have been putting off?  Take the time this month to do at least one!  It can be as easy as buying extra water at the store, or making a plan with your family.  It doesn't have to be all or nothing.  Preparedness is not a one time event.  It's a way of life and living.  I know everyone can do this, and I hope you will do it, and find the peace that comes with being ready!

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.

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.

Neighborhood Earthquake Survival Night

LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND US...
IT'S CRUNCH TIME!!!

Save Wednesday, June 23rd 2010
for the
Upper Avenues Neighborhood
Earthquake Survival & Awareness Night

For everyone 12 & up (nursery provided)
7:00 p.m.
18th Ave. Ward Building

Guest Speaker: Maralin Hoff
"The Earthquake Lady"

from the Utah Department of Public Safety
Division of Homeland Security
Earthquake Specialist

• Learn how to survive the BIG ONE
• Work on Disaster Communication Skills
• Neighborhood Disaster Coordination
• And MUCH, MUCH MORE INFORMATION!!

If you are interested in volunteering to be
a Block Captain, or if you have questions:
Please contact Robin Kimball 801-531-7839

If you are prepared....
YOU SHALL NOT FEAR!!

This will be a wonderful neighborhood event. We all need to know what to do in an earthquake. Maralin brings amazing displays and handouts that will give us all the information that we need. Please keep the date open and invite you neighbors to attend.

MAY GOALS

1. PURCHASE VEGETABLES THAT FIT INTO YOUR 3-MONTH MENU. THINK OF CANNED, DEHYDRATED, FREEZE DRIED, AND FRESH. (185lbs per family is a year supply)
   
2. PLASTIC BAGS OF ALL SIZES, ALUMINUM FOIL, AND PLASTIC WRAP.

Enjoy the journey!
Enjoy the blessings!
Feel the peace!