Mike Prangley is coming...!!!

Thurs. May 19th
7:00pm @ the church

Mike Prangley  
of First Coast News 

will be teaching us about hurricanes, tornadoes and emergency preparedness!!!

We all know we’ve been counseled to have our 72 hour kits in case something happens.  Below is a document containing some ideas of what to include.  We give you this list in advance so that you can begin to shop for or collect these items from around your home and bring them to the activity. While you listen at the activity you can assemble your 72 hour kit.  We know that going out and buying all these items can get expensive, we want to encourage everyone to begin slowly.  Buy a few inexpensive items each time (just like we do for our food storage).  It will seem much more manageable that way.

If you already have a 72 hour kit, please consider creating an emergency kit for your car in case you get stranded somewhere or in case you are not permitted to enter your home to get your 72 hour kit.  Ideas for emergency kits from various sources are in the attachment.

If you cannot make it to the Relief Society Meeting on May 19, please visit these websites for some valuable information on preparing for emergencies.

FloridaDisaster.org

nefloridaredcross.org  (Visit the link on the left “Be Prepared”)

providentliving.org

One easy way is to have  backpacks or duffle bags.  Food or other items inside can be stored in plastic baggies inside to keep them dry.  5 gallon buckets are also useful for 72 hour kits, however if you have to leave on foot they are difficult to carry.  Small children can have lightweight backpacks and be responsible for carrying some items.

Food in 72 Hour Kits should meet certain requirements.  Choose foods high in calories, long lasting, and nutritious!  Ex: PowerBar Protein Plus, Ensure Muscle Health, Nutella, Laughing Cow Cheese (does not need to be refrigerated until after opening)

As this is very important information for all of us, please remember to invite your neighbors and the sisters you visit teach!

Hope to see you all at the activity!

Here is the first aid kit information:

One easy way is to have  backpacks or duffle bags.  Food or other items inside can be stored in plastic baggies inside to keep them dry.  5 gallon buckets are also useful for 72 hour kits, however if you have to leave on foot they are difficult to carry.  Small children can have lightweight backpacks and be responsible for carrying some items.

Food in 72 Hour Kits should meet certain requirements.  Choose foods high in calories, long lasting, and nutritious!  Ex: PowerBar Protein Plus, Ensure Muscle Health, Nutella, Laughing Cow Cheese (does not need to be refrigerated until after opening)

FEMA recommends:

Food

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno.  Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Avoid foods that will make you thirsty. Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals, and canned foods with high liquid content.

Note: Be sure to include a manual can opener.

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
• Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
• Staples--sugar, salt, pepper
• High energy foods--peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
• Vitamins-- Fiber to feel full
• Foods for infants, elderly persons or persons with special dietary needs 
• Comfort/stress foods--cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops

Water

You should have at least a three-day supply of water and you should store at least one gallon of water per person per day. A normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking. 

Water purification is an option to limit the amount of water that must be stored.  Tablets and straws are good options, as well as bleach and iodine.

Additionally, in determining adequate quantities, take the following into account:

• Individual needs vary, depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet, and climate.
• Children, nursing mothers, and ill people need more water.
• Very hot temperatures can double the amount of water needed.
• A medical emergency might require additional water.
• If your kit has foods that require cooking in water, you will need even more.

First Aid Kit

Assemble a first aid kit for your home 72 hour kit and one for each car.

Clothing, Bedding and Sanitation Supplies

At least one change of clothing and shoes per person.  Sweats are easy because you can cut them off if is hot, or keep them long if cold.

• Rain gear
• Tarp
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Toilet paper
• Soap, liquid detergent
• Feminine supplies
• Personal hygiene items
• Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
• Plastic bucket with tight lid
• Disinfectant
• Household chlorine bleach

Tools

• Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
• Emergency preparedness manual (available from FEMA) or Redcross or boy scout manual
• Portable, battery-operated radio or television and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Cash (small bills) or traveler's checks, change
• Nonelectric can opener, utility knife
• Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type
• Tube tent
• Pliers
• Heavy duty Tape
• Compass
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic storage containers
• Signal flare
• Paper, pencil
• Needles, thread
• Medicine dropper
• Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
• Whistle
• Plastic sheeting
• Map of the area (for locating shelters)

Special Items

Remember family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.

Important Family Documents

·         Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container.

·         Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds

·         Photo IDs, passports, social security cards, immunization records

·         Bank account numbers

·         Credit card account numbers and companies

·         Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers

·         Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)

·         Photocopies of credit and identification cards

Cash and coins.

Entertainment--games and books.

Children are easily scared.  Include items that will make them feel at ease and at home.

The following is a recommendation of items to put in an emergency car kit (note that you may not be able to stash these all in one area such as a bag.  Get creative with space):

• Water for drinking
• Food and snacks (high energy snack bars are excellent because of their ability to withstand most car temperatures)
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• First aid kit with burn care dressings and gel
• Sanitation and sundry items including soap or hand sanitizer
• Maps and a compass
• AM/FM radio - we recommend having a radio with more than one source of power, or hand crank radios.  Preset one of your car radio’s buttons for a local weather/emergency station.
• Chemical light sticks are recommended because of their safety
• Road flares
• Candle with windproof/waterproof matches
• Emergency blanket or sleeping bag (might not be cold, but someone might be in shock!)
• Extra clothing (especially shoes, don’t want to walk in heels!)

Some other useful items to remember:
• Jumper cables
• Car repair kit
• Try to always maintain at least one-half tank of gas
• Cell phone to report any emergencies (even old cells can dial 911 if charged)
• Fire extinguisher
• Paper and pencil for leaving notes
• Toys and any other special items for children
• Books and games for entertainment

• Flares and matches
• Books and games for entertainment