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| -Signs, Portents, and the Weather- |
| This Biannual in Emergency Preparedness - Spring Forward |
| 2016-03-13 |
| by swksvolFF Greetings. Here at chez Kansas, we take a moment each time change to perform a safety review. It is an opportune time, as it is not only a marked day to remember, it is also a seasonal shift to review safety and emergency devices. First, to judge my advice I must share myself at a certain level. I am a family man, and live in a house in southwest Kansas. I am not Johnny Rescue, though I have experienced at some level all aspects of such, nor am I Burt Gunner, which my other limited experience goes to badanov's This Week in Guns. I am just a guy with a family whose household responsibilities include safety and preparedness. So by all means, this is a discussion, and all suggestions will be considered. It is important for you to take into consideration who you are and are not, where you live, and what level of preparedness you feel comfortable attaining. I am of the school better to have it and not need it, but there is also the consideration of overpacking, especially with a boogie bag or car kit. This first posting is really an overview of the basic safety and awareness check I perform biannually. Later posts, as discussion permits, will get into particulars such as a good boogie bag So forgive me for donning my nanny chapeau for the basics, then we will consider dynamic emergency preparedness supplies. Around the Home First off: smoke detectors. If the last time you checked your smoke detector batteries was cooking fajitas, it is time to check them again. And like a tetanus shot, if you cannot remember the last time you changed your batteries, it is time. Same for carbon monoxide detectors and any other disposable battery operated detectors you may have. Along the same lines, if you have a biometric vault, just go ahead and change the batteries; chances are you have a remote control or something else which can use the rest of the replaced battery's charge. Locate visually any back-up keys. Someone I, ahem, know had a battery go out and the key was missing - the only thing good about it was I, errr, that person was able to test the durability of the safe. Firearms in the house? It is a good time to check all safety locks for effectiveness. Time to review with the kids that guns are not toys, and if you see one laying out do not touch and go tell an adult. Review your fire escape plan. As we all age, abilities and responsibilities change, especially as children grow up or we get sick or injured. Can a person escape through a window on their own ability and initiative? Can or should a person be responsible for operating a fire extinguisher? Where is your rally point? Everyone know not to go back in no matter what? And that is a tough question with a simple answer. If the structure is still survivable, information such as how many, where, and how to get there will greatly assist fire fighters who have the right equipment and training to enter an involved structure - remember, it is the smoke which is most dangerous, especially with all the plastics and specialized batteries in the modern house. If the structure is not survivable, then a person re-entering the structure just made a bad situation worse. Pretty straightforward, right? In the spirit of Spring Training, here is a curveball: attic insulation. Many insulations lose their fire rating over time, especially the paper-based stuff. I know, it is expensive and inconvenient to replace, but a number of calls I have been on were made or broke on account of the effectiveness of the attic insulation's fire retardant. Hey, at least you will have better climate control. How about a slider: when was the last time you checked your water heater? No, not cussing at it because you stubbed your toe, but checking connections and the bottom for corrosion. If you have an electric heater and it goes out, it is a bad day. If you have a gas heater and it goes out... you have a problem like when we returned from a trip and our heater failed just enough to put out the pilot light, but not make much of a mess. It must have just happened because there was only a whiff of gas. Still, everyone went to fire rally point while I shut off the line and circulated/dispersed the air. Check your gas stove too. Also, check your main water lines for corrosion/failure. If a pipe breaks, being able to shut off the main and/or branches can be the difference between a jolly mess and serious structural and wallet damage. Usually it is the toilet, especially when someone is just learning about toilet paper. Even children can operate that valve, but check to see if it still functions. At this point you are probably lsaying, gosh golly Auntie K, anything else? Perhaps my sock folding is inappropriate? Well, yes, but above are the basics of nearly every living space. Starting to get a bit more specific: check the foundation for cracks, check the chimney for obstructions, the porch, etc for overwinter damage, make sure skunks cannot get under the porch, make sure coyotes can't get through the fence - but that is your job to problem-solve your place. Take a look around. It is only twice a year, and can be done during game timeouts. If you have a car kit, check your perishables - food and water - for quality. Rotate batteries. Replenish paper towels - not the ones in the cab, the ones in the trunk which were grabbed when the kids used up the roll in the cab. Emergency Preparedness I want to talk about the famous Kansas weather phenomenon I have at the top of my list for natural disaster preparedness. No, not tornadoes: prairie fire. That involves my boogie bag, but I'll hold that bag of beans for the next post because you will be like, "You have a tomahawk? Really?" I will say yes, and it came handy. Instead, in honor of tornado season, I will hit on storm sheltering. Hat tip to Mullah Richard for our discussion on storm spotting and emergency equipment and supplies. Y'all can get detailed in the comments, I may refine my suggestions as well or even follow up with a later post. A wind event, including tornadoes, hurricanes, microbursts, and political rallies are the most likely, widespread storm emergency for nearly everyone living in the US. Everyone else, sorry, you know your weather; I don't. First off: locate your storm shelter. The most likely problem will be stuff going through your windows, so consider flying glass. The most popular suggestion is lowest floor, at the center. That does not work for me, as right above me is a five ton olde school bath tub I am not interested in wearing as a hat. A lot of people do not have basements. I would suggest a windowless interior room, if possible. Rule of thumb: if you can see a window, something can come through and hit you. Do random objects get blown fast enough to stick in things? Yes. Yes they do. I cannot tell you with any authority whether sheltering in a bath tub is effective or a wive's tale, only that it is better than standing in the doorway taking selfies. Space is a consideration as well. It must be large enough for everyone to fit. Also, any cache is going to take space and if it is a permanent cache that is space which cannot be used for other things. I prefer a permanent cache because out here, even with all of our advanced communications and weather radar, storms often come through in less than an hour, and if that is nap time, well, Surprise! Second, I don't have to pack/unpack/did I repack? all the time. Third, and most important, there are other things to think about when shepherding the family into position. Now we have established your storm shelter, time to add some basics. To do that, we have to have some considerations. First, the power is out, and will not be back on for quite a while. Second, your windows are busted in - notice in. Third, everyone needs help, so help is not arriving anytime soon. I'm going to put out a basic list, and this is where everyone can play along. Heavy Blanket Nice to wrap everyone in to protect from debris lacerations and eye damage, as well as hearing protection. Blinders for the kids are nice I hear. If you have structural damage, this is some extra protection from the elements. Food & Water If Pecos Bill just stopped by, nothing is going to be where you left it, and may not be usable if you find it. You have no idea when or where chow will be available. I have 24 hours worth of stuff, really just easy snacks and bottled water. Besides, wouldn't it be better to be munching on a granola bar while taking in the damage? Weather Radio There are a ton of these. Sometimes storms split or piggyback, so it is nice to know that before going outside to find your car. Also, emergency instructions should be broadcast, such as triage centers and chow halls. Whistle If you are trapped or need assistance, nothing says "Over here!" like blowing a whistle. Extra Shoes Windows are blown in, glass is everywhere. Storm isn't going to wait on you to chase the rabbit around the tree and through the hole. If you want to be fancy, or as I call it, practical, have a pair of shoes with built-in protection from nails such as construction boots. Nothing will ruin your I Survived! story like stepping on a nail. Work Gloves Again, this is to protect yourself while extricating a damaged structure. Flashlight Power is out. Nighttime is dark. Also good for signaling and for morale. Do not forget extra batteries. Bandages There is a large selection of bandages. I suggest those with the clotting agents. Getting around with blood in your eyes is tough, etc. and it is good for morale. Backpack Put all the stuff into a comfortable backpack. You may need to go somewhere and having all this stuff portable will be handy. Also, it keeps the items from walking off; especially the flashlight. Basic stuff. I have a closet in a spare bedroom to play with, so over the years I have packratted items such as safety helmets, safety vests, knee protection, extra food, water, bandages, a larger pack, a framing hammer, deck of cards, waterproof matches, MREs, heating packages, water purification systems, eye protection, extra blankets. Again, this is just a guideline and conversation starter. Thank you. |
| Posted by:swksvolFF |
| #17 A cigarette lighter inverter, and there are solar chargers with various attachments, as well as solar chargers for traditional sized rechargeable batteries. I have one which one end goes into a cigarette lighter charger, and the other end is a USB port. There are also various sized battery to battery chargers like TW's link. There is a battery pack/tire inflator ostensibly for jumping a car/filling tires, but the capacity and sockets allow for recharging items or even running a microwave for x amount of time. I have an inverter with which I can plug into car's CL charger, run the car, and it could power my fridge and freezer (as gasoline allows). |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2016-03-13 22:52 |
| #16 Another thing I need to add to my bug out bag is a charged extra battery with appropriate tips for the various cell phones, and make sure there are car chargers in the various cars. I've given this away as a stocking stuffer to the trailing daughters and acquired offspring, so I won't have to worry that their phones will die during an emergency. I carry the next size up for myself, because heaven forbid both the phone and the iPad die at the same time while I am away from electricity -- the thought that I might not be able to reach Rantburg is too horrifying to contemplate. ;-) |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2016-03-13 22:30 |
| #15 There are emergency rope/chain ladders which will fit underneath a bed; hooks over the sill. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2016-03-13 21:46 |
| #14 inside rope ladder = better |
| Posted by: Frank G 2016-03-13 21:03 |
| #13 I have a ladder that would reach the upstairs windows but in an emergency I'm sure I'd have never thought of it. That's a good idea. |
| Posted by: Abu Uluque 2016-03-13 21:01 |
| #12 Everything HG9907 said is right on. I will say that both my flashlight in my bunker gear and my 'what was that noise' on the bed stand, I keep the batteries in but unscrew the back enough to break the circuit but not let the batteries fall out. So far (couple years now) no corrosion. Flashlights today: wow. They will knock out a person's night vision for sure - consider if that is a good thing or bad thing. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2016-03-13 19:25 |
| #11 awesome list! |
| Posted by: newc 2016-03-13 14:49 |
| #10 take the batteries OUT of your emergency radio, put them in a ziplock bag, and tape that bag to the radio. Take them out and use them for toys, put new ones in the radio and test it, then put them in the baggie every spring and fall. Prevents corrosion form the occaisional bad battery and ensures the radio works. Or else get a hand cranked radio if you have the money. One medicine to pack: Benadryl. Pills. It works great for allergic reactions (have the benadryl cream on hand if you/yours get rashes frequently), and can be used as a make-shift sedative to help a person sleep in unfamiliar or stressful situations in the aftermath of a disaster. |
| Posted by: Heriberto Glumble9907 2016-03-13 14:47 |
| #9 Thanks, swksvolFF. This is excellent information, all in one spot. You helped a lot of people today. |
| Posted by: Barbara 2016-03-13 13:43 |
| #8 Just thought of something. Have a drinker and/or tobacco user, might want some of that nicotine gum and a pint....under somebody else's stewardship. Cold turkey can be ugly and that may not be the time for it. For our rural readers, Greensburg KS is a good study. For our more urban, Joplin MO. Two ways out of every bedroom. Ladders for 2+ stories, step stools for basement windows. Stay low, it is the smoke which will make a person pass out. Check doors with the back of your hand and on the door so you do not fry-stick your hand to the knob. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2016-03-13 13:28 |
| #7 All seriousness aside be sure your beer supply is topped off. When the SHTF it'll be too late for a beer run. |
| Posted by: BrerRabbit 2016-03-13 13:26 |
| #6 Oh, I missed the medicines. (wife gives me a dirty look as meds are part of her education) My boogie bag has pain relievers and anti-histamines (bees/wasps/etc) and keep it in my storm shelter. Wife confirms to leave meds in their original container, very important. Add to the check list - open windows to be used in an emergency to make sure they can open. Something we teach at the safety day is to take out a dresser drawer and using it as a battering ram if the window does not open, knock out all the glass, and use the heaviest blanket available to lay over the bottom of the sill. I have also seen emergency hoods with a breath-through-mouth air filter, and cartridge masks with dedicated fire/smoke filters. I have an emergency radio with runs on batteries, and also has a hand crank which will charge a built-in battery. There is a lot of emergency supplies out there now, even more so than when I first started building. I have marine (boating) emergency food and water, basically highly concentrated granola bars and water in high-strength pouches; look like capri sun pouches but durable. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2016-03-13 13:04 |
| #5 Very nice, swksvolFF. Very thorough. I might add that at least one Weather Radio you have should be battery operated. The plug-in-only kinds don't work well if power is down. I like the Midland WR120 for an inexpensive ($25 at Sprawl-Mart) AC/Battery model or their EH55VP rechargeable portable ~$50. I'm sharing this thread with a few other folks and you might see a weird nic or two in the comments. Again great job. |
| Posted by: Mullah Richard 2016-03-13 12:42 |
| #4 "Another thing to not forget is a fire ladder for any bedroom upstairs." Agreed, #1 SB. During the timer I was a firefighter in our small county, I know of at least one life saved because she had such a ladder. She couldn't have gotten out otherwise, and we couldn't have gotten there in time to get her out. I don't know what they cost today, but they're worth every penny if you have bedrooms on the second floor. |
| Posted by: Barbara 2016-03-13 11:10 |
| #3 $200 cash, a change of clothes and pajamas for each child (I put last season's soccer uniforms, which had the trailing daughters' names on the back), and colouring books and crayons went into the bug out backpack when the children reached that age. And yes, several of each person's prescription meds in the original, labelled bottles. Most prescription meds have a three year expiration date -- double check with your pharmacist for yours. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2016-03-13 11:09 |
| #2 Stuff a day or two of any vital med into the socks you put in those back up shoes/boots. Might be a few days before you can get your hands on refills while things sort out. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2016-03-13 10:57 |
| #1 Another thing to not forget is a fire ladder for any bedroom upstairs. We also plan on having a fire extinguisher for each bedroom upstairs as well but that comes as money trickles in. But it's hard to stress enough the importance of talking through these things with your family. Everyone has to be familiar with the plan and most especially their part in it. |
| Posted by: Silentbrick 2016-03-13 09:38 |