Emergency Preparedness And Sustainable Living – Local And International
There is a wealth of information available for living a sustainable lifestyle. We will post information, links to other sites and events in our area.
Organic Canned and Dried Foods
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
www.SustainableLivingAssociation.org
Water Storage and Collection- Rain Barrels: http://www.gardeners.com/,http://www.improvementscatalog.com/product/rain-water-barrel.do
Food Storage and Collection: http://beprepared.com/, http://happyhovelfoods.com/, http://www.survivalcenter.com/
Keeping Clean when the power is out;
A Great non electric Washing Machine: http://beprepared.com/
Emergency Kits: http://www.redcross.org/co/denver (search: “build a kit”)
Emergency Preparedness can be complicated or simple.
The best way to start is to see what you already have. Check your camping equipment, see if your first aid kit is stocked and make your list. Where is your solar shower, your one or two burner stove, your water bottles, your laundry line. I have lots of sources and have been learning every day about new ways to eat and be healthy. I like seed of change organic non GMO ( Genetically Modified ) seeds www.Edenfoods.com, for organic canned foods and nuts, Frontier Coop for dried food in bulk, herbs, mixes, powdered drink mix, etc. I did not want to stock my house with non organic food so I did a lot of research.
I loved that I could make almond milk with soaked almonds and a blender. (I am working on a non electric way) I bought a food dehydrator and have been making strawberry and banana snacks. I am learning to can and make jams and jellies. I bought a sprout jar for protein rich sprouts and sprouted wheat berries. I found a way to cook bread without an oven. I started my seedlings in my living room window with a small fluorescent light and grow bulbs.
I lived in the woods with no running water and wood for heat 17 years ago. I learned the hard way about dressing warmly and driving in deep snow ( or getting snowed in for 2 months) I learned to read the weather and prepare for winter ( 6 months of food and melted snow for a shower) I learned how smart and strong I could be- and resourceful. I have been getting emails from people all over the country with ideas.
Here are a few: These were emailed to me by a friend.
Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:
Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Local maps
Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:
Prescription medications and glasses
Infant formula and diapers
Pet food and extra water for your pet
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
Cash or traveler’s checks and change
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper. When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire Extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
Paper and pencil
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
Preparing for Disasters
Filed under: Natural Disasters, Disaster Relief, Storm Preparation, Disaster Preparation
(As an example back in September of 2006).While the East Coast has so far been spared major storms this year, in early September Hurricane John killed 6 people on the Baja Peninsula when dams broke and villages flooded. In its wake, streets and houses were left filled with mud and many people lost their homes. And returning to places that have been devastated can be no less dangerous than staying during the disaster.
To mitigate the effects of storms, flooding and other events, we need to preserve wetlands, mangrove forests and other natural shields against extreme weather. But in the short term, we need to be ready for emergencies without surrendering to scare-mongering. After all, a fallout shelter may be useless against an atomic bomb, but taking the evacuation route out of town before a flood or hurricane hits can be life saving. Below are tips and products to help you get through disasters unscathed.
Be Informed
Contact your local authorities about possible hazards and emergencies and ask them how frequently they occur and what you can do to reduce your risk. In the United States, FEMA provides state-by-state disaster lists at www.fema.gov. For worldwide information, the International Disaster Database at the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters provides country profiles listing of natural and technological disasters (www.cred.be). Also check with officials about obtaining copies of community and school emergency plans, and memorize the evacuation plan in your workplace.
Plan Ahead
All family members should have a contact card listing a meeting place and phone number and contact information for a friend outside the region with whom family members can check in.
Check your insurance for coverage of emergencies known to strike your area.
Ensure that you have carriers and food for pets.
Take a first aid and a CPR course at a local chapter of your national Red Cross or Red Crescent society
(see directory at www.ifrc.org ).
Emergency Kit
Depending on where you live and the natural disasters to which your area is prone, you may need to store at home enough non-perishable food and water to last your family three days or more, providing at least one gallon of water per person per day. Kits should include cash, blankets and sheets, matches, a first aid kit, prescription medications and copies of insurance policies, deeds, credit cards and IDs. Also store enough gas to fill your car.
Below are products to help keep you fed and informed during emergencies.
Non-perishable food (and a can opener): You can avoid hormone disrupting bisphenol-A in the linings of cans by choosing foods in recyclable cartons produced by Tetra Pak and Sig Combibloc. Eden Foods also does not use BPA in their canned organic foods line (www.edenfoods.com). Radios: Solar radios that can also be hand-cranked mean you have fewer batteries to worry about. Freeplay Eyemax ($50) includes an LED flashlight and their Summit includes short wave and long wave functions ($90; www.freeplayenergy.com ).
Flashlights: LED flashlights will extend battery life considerably or try a hand cranked model like the Sherpa
($40, www.amazon.com) ). Night Ize makes LED “upgrades” for MagLite flashlights ($7.95; www.niteize.com). The Solaris Solar Lantern runs 4-6 hours on a charge from an accompanying solar panel ($149; www.realgoods.com ).
Batteries and rechargers: Batteries are snapped up quickly in emergencies, but rechargeables can draw on solar energy to keep the power flowing. For rechargeable batteries of all types, see www.sundancesolar.com. The Solar BatterySaver SE 2, charges car batteries through the cigarette lighter ($34; http://www.batterystuff.com/). The Brunton SolarPort 4.4 recharges cell phones and other small devices and comes with the BattJack, which charges up to 10 AA and AAA batteries ($119; http://www.brunton.com/ ). To recycle rechargeable batteries at the end of their life, see http://www.call2recycle.org/. Dispose of non-recyclable batteries according to local solid-waste regulations.
Stoves: For extended emergencies, you’ll want to cook and may need to purify water by boiling it. Solar cookers have been used by refugees from Darfur and come in a variety of portable forms, including the CooKit ($25) which folds flat, the more durable Global Sun Oven ($229) which reaches temperatures in the upper 300 degrees F and the Teacher’s Kit ($50) which includes a pot, water pasteurization indicator (WAPI) and guide (www.solarcookers.org). Where sunlight isn’t consistent, the clean-burning Eco FuelXB Fold Flat Stove is a www.ecofuelxb.com handy, compact option.
Sewage: Properly handling human waste is a necessity when sewage lines have broken or been overwhelmed by flooding. You can convert your toilet to an emergency toilet by lining it (or a 5 gallon pail) with two heavy-duty garbage bags, placing kitty litter, fireplace ashes or sawdust at the bottom. Bags should be sealed at the end of the day and removed to a garage or outbuilding. The city may accept bags in the solid waste stream under emergency rules or they may be disposed of in a properly working sewage or septic system. Alternatively, the PETT Portable Toilet provides waste bags and powder to break down waste and render it fit for disposal in regular trash as well as a privacy tent ($329; www.gaiam.com). Or try the more affordable cardboard Outback Pack portable toilet ($15; www.outbackpack.com).
Resources
U.S. Federal Emergency Management Administration “Are You Ready?” Guide,
International Strategy For Disaster Reduction, http://www.unisdr.org/
First Aid Kit
Support Websites: ww.unishttp://wdr.org/
http://www.ready.gov/basic-disaster-supplies-kit
create inventory list and date items Basic Supplies
*Note -knowing how to treat minor injuries can make a difference in an emergency. Consider taking a first aid class, but simply having the following things can help you stop bleeding, prevent infection and assist in decontamination.
Things you should have:
Two pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves (if you are allergic to Latex).
Sterile dressings to stop bleeding.
Cotton Swabs
First Aid Tape
Cleansing agent/soap (antibacterial) and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect. Have some alcohol and
hydrogen peroxide as well.
Antibiotic Ointment to prevent infection.
Antiseptic Ointment (Neosporin, etc.): natural alternative that may be useful: d-Lenolate crème
(Olive Leaf Extract) or colloidal silver works well also
Burn Ointment (Hydrocortisone, Derm-Aid) to prevent infection – Aloe Vera helps to aid healing
Adhesive Bandages and Gauze in a variety of sizes (water resistant where possible).
Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminate.
Thermometer (no breakables)
Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers.
You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.
Lubricant, Water Soluble (K-Y Jelly): an alternative, Olive oil or Emerita Natural Lubricant
Tongue Blades
Tweezers (with magnifying glass helps)
Scissors (surgical pointed)
Tourniquet
Splint
Cold/Heat Pack
Snake Bite Kit
Additional Supplies:
Aspirin
Nonaspirin pain reliever (Tylenol)
Ibuprofen (Advil, Nurofen, Paracetamol) — Traumeel oral or topical
Antibiotic (Tetracycline for general infections): Grape fruit seed extract, colloidal silver and d-Lenolate (Olive Leaf Extract) have natural antibiotic qualities
Anti-diarrhea (Imodium, Diasorb): natural approach, Pro-biotics and activated charcoal tablets
Antacid for upset stomach (Mylanta, Tums, Pepto-Bismal), natural alternative…Calcium Lactate, Aloe vera, digestive enzymes and Apple cider vinegar
Potassium Iodate for radiation protection (Potassium Iodide-[KI] or Potassium Iodate–[KIO3] are fine)
Laxative
Bach Flower- Rescue Remedy: for calming stress
Analgesic Cream (Camphophenique): Traumeel by Heel Homeopathics
Anti-fungal (Desenex, Lotrimin, Micatin, Tinactin): natural approach, d-Lenolate, Pau D Arco
Antihistamine (Benadryl, Claratyne) – note: Homeopathics (Histamin by Heel, & BioAllers products) and Butterbur Extract have been known to relieve hay fever symptoms
Vitamin C complex, Echinacea and Goldenseal: cold/flu support
Cough Syrup (Robitussen, Dimetap): there are also homeopathic and herbal syrups available
(Herbal Expec good expectorant)
Eye Drops (Visine): Homeopathic (Allergy Eye Relief by Similasan)
Itching, Insect/Rash (Caladril, Calamine): Homeopathics available as well (Apis Hommacord by Heel)
For Poison Ivy/Oak (Dermarest Poison Ivy Mousse or Ivarest): Poison ivy/oak Hylands homeopathics and Histamin by Heel are available alternatives, as is Indian Healing Clay
Lip Balm (ChapStick, Blistex): Burt’s Bees, Alba
For Nausea, Motion Sickness (Kwells, Dramamine): natural possibilities, Crystallized Ginger or
Nox Vomica – Homaccord by Heel
Poison Absorber Packet (Activated Charcoal)
Vomit Inducer (Ipecac, Activated charcoal)
Sunburn Relief (Solarcaine, Paxyl): Aloe vera
Sunscreen (SPF 15 at least): Alba Sunscreen 30spf
Epson Salt
Things good to have:
First Aid Book
Cell Phone & Charger (crank & solar available if no power)
Hand & Feet Warmers
Electrolyte Drink
Masks, Respiratory, Surgical
Safety Pins & Rubber Bands
Razor Blades
Medicine & Eye Dropper
Extra Eye Glasses
Ace Bandage
Additional Supplies and Documents:
Medications and Medical Supplies
If you take medicine or use a medical treatment on a daily basis, be sure you have what you need to make it on your own for at least a week, maybe longer.
Make a list of prescription medicines including dosage, treatment and allergy information.
Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about what else you need to prepare.
If you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital or if you receive regular services such as home health care, treatment or transportation, talk to your service provider about their emergency plans. Work with them to identify back-up service providers and incorporate them into your personal support network.
Consider other personal needs such as eyeglasses, hearing aids and hearing aid batteries,
wheelchair batteries, and oxygen.
For those with special needs, teach others how to administer insulin, operate medical equipment, etc…
For People with Disabilities:
Create a support network to help in an emergency.
Tell these people where you keep your emergency supplies.
Give one member of your support network a key to your house or apartment.
Contact your city or county government’s emergency information management office. Many local offices keep lists of people with disabilities so they can be located quickly in a sudden emergency.
Wear medical alert tags or bracelets to help identify your disability.
If you are dependent on dialysis or other life sustaining treatment, know the location
and availability of more than one facility.
Show others how to operate your wheelchair.
Know the size and weight of your wheelchair, in addition to whether or not it is collapsible,
in case it has to be transported.
Additional Supplies for People with Disabilities:
Prescription medicines, list of medications including dosage, list of any allergies.
Extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries.
Extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen.
Keep a list of the style and serial number of medical devices.
Medical insurance and Medicare cards.
List of doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt.
More Information
For information and tools related to emergency preparedness for persons with disabilities see the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness for Individuals with Disabilities’ Resource Center.
Websites with products and information:
www.realgoods.com ( solar battery charges, ovens etc. )
www.seedsofchange.com ( organic seeds packaged to last !!)
www.youtube.com is a great resource for making almond milk, solar ovens, cooking ideas etc.
Just do a search when you are on the website
www.peggylayton.com ( storage and survival author )
www.earthstar-store.com ( go to emergency preparedness link for more info)
www.happyheartfarmcsa.com ( local csa for weekly food )
www.grantfarms.com ( another csa with meat and eggs )
Clean out your cupboards of any old food, check your freezer for outdated meats and veggies.
Put all of your camping and emergency products in bins and label them so you can find them.
Know We have a wonderful community and we can all support each other in time of need. Get to know the people on your street. Organize now while we can clean and prepare. Keep it simple and within your budget. This is not a time for fear, this is a time to prepare, be ready and have fun learning new things.
Here are a few tidbits that I learned along the way:
1. Bay Leaves keep moths and pests out of flour and dry goods
2. Peppermint oil keeps away ants and mice
3. sprouted wheat digests as a vegetable
4. sprouts are a great source of protein
5. you can cook just about everything in a Dutch oven
6. you can make a solar cooker out a aluminum foil and a pizza box
7. Sea Salt helps to balance the system. “A pinch under the tongue at least once or twice a day aligns the chemical structures housed within the brain” from And Then God Said, Then I said, Then he said.”
8. Head lamps give us a hands free way to see at night.
9. you can buy rechargeable batteries that are already charged and ready to go
10. A charcoal grill will cook loaves of bread
11. Dr. Bronner’s can be used to wash clothes, dishes, hair, teeth and just about anything else.
12. buy a dish pan and keep water in it to pre-soak your dishes
13. fill the bathtub for extra water
14. People in our community have the knowledge we lack.
Ask a Grandmother about canning food, share your experience and ask for help
