Simple Steps to Help Protect You and Your Family from Any Event!
Which one of the following people are you?
• It can’t happen to me.
• It happens somewhere else, I don’t live there.
• I’m not worried; people will come to my aid if something happens.
• I am prepared.
>>> Whether or not you want to believe it, you do live in an area that can be affected; this is the reality of your situation. Don’t think so? Read on!
Prepare Now
When we hear “preparedness” we all think of the iconic TV “prepper” person in a gas mask and hazmat suit that is hyper-prepared for a very specific situation; we’re not aiming for that here. What we have done is put together some great information and resources that you can use to help prepare your family for the inevitable catastrophe.
What is the Inevitable Catastrophe?
Maybe you don’t live in an area susceptible to Hurricanes or Tornadoes. Maybe you live in an area that sees Earthquakes or Tsunamis?! Either way, whether it is Flood, Fire, Earthquake, Tornado, Hurricanes, Civil Unrest, Bio-Terrorism, Extended Power Outage, severe weather, or any number of countless other situations, it is inevitable that one of these will affect you and your family. Prepare Now!
STEP 1 – Have a Plan
Making a plan is simple; every family member should know what their part of the plan is. Have a common meeting place. Who are your emergency contacts, what are their phone numbers? Keep a list of addresses and contacts with you at all times along with pertinent medical information. The Red Cross has a great family-plan worksheet located here.
STEP 2 – Have a Kit
Everyone will need a different emergency kit setup, but the essentials are universal:
• Water (1 Gallon per day/person) • Food (non-perishable – 3 day supply) • Flashlight (multi-use, rechargeable) • 1st Aid kit (Family Size) • Medications (7 day supply) • Multi-purpose tool • Sanitation & Personal Hygiene • Phone & Charger • Emergency Contact Info, Personal Documents (passport, Identification, Medical) • Cash • Emergency Blanket • N95 Mask (1 per person)
STEP 3 – Practice
Assess your location and the potential for event types – plan according to those events. For example, we’re located in California; a place where earthquakes are prevalent, but tornadoes are not… most of our preparations are for earthquakes. Once you have a plan in place, run a simple drill and quiz everyone as to what their job is. Ensure everyone knows what to do and where to report to. Make sure everyone knows how to use the items in their kit.
STEP 4 – Revise Your Plan Annually
Just like everything else in the world, things change and so should your plan. Revise your plan every year, rotate your emergency kit items, and re-assess the family plan to make changes for the better.
Additional Kit
These are several other ancillary items that can help bolster your kit and allow you to be better prepared. Here are a few of those items:
• NOAA Radio (to listen to news and weather broadcasts) • LED Flares (great as a signalling device) • Fire Extinguisher • 2 Way Radios • Power Inverter • Hand Tools (Shovel, Axe, Knife, Sockets, Wrenches, Screwdrivers, Etc.) • Small Power Supply (Charge Electronics, Jump start vehicles, has radio) • Solar Powered Generator (can charge/power larger appliances including lights) • Rope, Duct Tape • Water Filter • Fire Starting Material (Matches, Lighters)
Devices We Manufacture
Below is a selection of devices we manufacture that would complement any emergency kit.
Michelin XR1 Power Supply
Wayfinder LED Flashlight/Lantern
Slimline Power Inverter
Pop-Up Rechargeable Lantern
Michelin LED Road Flare
WR600 LED Spotlight
Solar Cube 1500 Generator
Solar eCase Generator
Final Thought
In an emergency, it will be your responsibility to care for yourself and those around you. In every major disaster, police and other critical emergency services have been overwhelmed and were unable to help everyone. Hospitals will be over-crowded, and it may be impossible to get to them. You may be on your own for days or even weeks - don't leave your family's safety in other people's hands, Prepare Now.
Links in this blog:
• American Red Cross• Ready.gov
