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February 17, 2006
Before The Going Gets Tough -- Get Prepared
We have all seen on the news the recent storms that have pummeled the United States in the past few years. Many of us have lived through them. For many people, the world will never be the same again.
(PRWEB) February 17, 2006 -- It may seem that the government is slow to react, but in reality it is not. However, due to the sheer size of their organization, it takes time to implement and stage, to go through the chain of command. It takes time to assess the needs of disaster areas, to organize the needed people and determine where it’s safe to send them. The people coming to the rescue don’t need to end up being rescued themselves.
While these terrible events can’t ever be undone, the next one coming can be made less severe with the proper preparation. When these disasters strike, the first place people should turn is to their own resources. One of the most important elements of this preparedness is the 72-hour kit for your family.
Experts warn that you should be prepared to be on your own for a minimum of three days after a disaster. A perfect example of this: it took about 3 days for help to arrive in New Orleans.
Your family 72-hour kit should contain at least the following items: (at minimum)
• One gallon of water per person per day. This means at least three gallons of water per person. (for convenience, these can be stored under the bed, in the garage or some other out of the way place)
• Sufficient non-perishable food for three days. Ideally, these foods will be lightweight and high in energy. If you pack canned foods, remember a can opener! (Nuts make a nutritious and lightweight snack, and give a great punch of sustained energy that sugar based snacks lack.)
• Prescription and non-prescription medications. Include a spare set of glasses, if you need them. (Diabetics need to make special preparation to guarantee their supplies are safe.)
• Battery powered or hand cranked portable radio. This may be your only source of information during a disaster. (Hand cranked radios and lights are also a good item to keep on hand – and dead batteries won’t be an issue in the height of a crisis)
• First aid kit. The small camping kits work well. Remember to get enough supplies for the number of people who may be using them. (Reminder: make sure your tetanus shots are up-to-date. Downed debris and other potentially dangerous items can be an accident waiting to happen, and getting to medical facilities may be nearly impossible)
• Personal hygiene items. (Who knows you may be asked to be on CNN news – you’d like to be able to spiff up a bit.)
• Clothing and bedding. A spare pair of socks and a space saver blanket would be a minimum. (Keep in a water tight container.)
• Special items such as baby needs or contact lens supplies, etc. (again put items in a water tight container, contaminated formula and soaked diapers will be useless)
• Personal comfort items. Books, games, personal electronics, etc. (opt for items which don’t require batteries, they are heavy and expensive may be needed to lighting and radio)
• Make a list of names, numbers and address of people you’ll need or want to contact after a disaster. Put copies of insurance papers and a list of household items in a ziplock or other water tight container. After a storm, contacting family members and insurance companies may be of utmost importance and you may not be able to retrieve their numbers – especially if you had to evacuate or your home is badly damaged.
• Remember Fido: before a disaster strikes, make preparations to make your pet as safe as possible. Some shelters will allow pets and some will not. Find out beforehand where you’d need to go in an evacuation situation. Make sure their collars identify who they belong to incase you’re separated from each other.
• Make a disaster plan: each member of your family should have an idea of where to meet if they can’t go home. Do they find their way to Grandma’s home or do they just meet across the street? Whatever it the plan, make sure everyone knows what to do and where to go.
ProGrade Tools has also felt the effects of the recent hurricanes in Florida which damaged a portion of their warehouse in Kenansville (just southeast of Orlando). We’ve learned a lot of lessons the past few years in how to react and prepare for incoming storms. Florida has learned a lot.
To help bring focus to getting prepared for the upcoming 2006 hurricane season, ProGrade Tools is having a drawing for one (1) of their 7200 Watt Portable Electric Generators. To find out more about ProGrade Tools and their line of generators and power tools; go to http://www.progradetools.net.
Contact: Kaitlyn Murray
(407) 436-1633
(863) 229-1168 – direct line
ProGrade Tools, Inc.
950 US Hwy 441
Kenansville, FL 34739
Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at February 17, 2006 03:03 AM