Category: Family Survival

OK, so you have been working for a while on being prepared for disasters. You’ve made it this far, and think you’re in pretty good shape, ready for whatever rain may fall! 

Maybe you even qualify as an expert?!

Last year Joe and I took an emergency preparedness quiz at a meeting sponsored by the Great American Shake-out. Sure enough, although we’ve been “Activists” for years, we were missing several key items!

That inspired me to put this quiz together for all the Emergency Plan Guide readers. (I’ve updated it for 2020, too.) The questions were gathered from a variety of sources. See how well you do! Score yourself at the end!

Emergency Preparedness Quiz

1-Is your house ready to take a hit from a disaster? Check if YES.

• No heavy/dangerous items over the bed, couch or desk (or wherever you spend a lot of time).
• Bookcases, TV, speakers, computers, printers, mirrors — bolted to table or to wall. Need a stud finder to finish this job?
• Water heater and other appliances secured.
• Outside of home squared away to protect against sudden fire (trash cleared away) or wind.
• Home adequately insured for standard risks also local risks (flood, earthquake, etc.).

2-Does your family know how to respond to a natural or weather-related disaster? Check if YES.

• Everybody knows and has practiced: Drop-Cover-Hold On (earthquake), Drop-Roll (fire). Grandma, too.
• Family members know and have practiced 2 ways to get out of house: doors, windows, second floor. Can you get down the escape ladder?
• Everyone knows where fire extinguishers are, and how to use them. How many fire extinguishers do you need, anyway? And are they all workable?
• Adults know where water and gas shut-offs are, and when to shut them off. Tools attached near shut-off valves.
• You have a back-up plan for pets if you’re not home. Decal on front door or window alerts emergency workers that you have a pet.
• Everyone in the family has memorized out-of-town contact phone number.
• Everyone who has a phone has a battery back-up (Power bank), knows how and to whom to text.

3-Are survival kits (72-hour kits) packed and ready to go?

• Do all evacuation and survival kits have masks so you can operate within COVID guidelines?
• A survival kit in the house for every family member, customized to size, skill, medical needs, etc.?
• A kit for every pet?
• A kit in each car?
• A kit at work for every worker?

4-What about handling the immediate aftermath of a disaster?

• Every room has emergency lighting – lantern and/or flashlight.
• All first aid kits are fully stocked with up-to-date items.
• We have at least one emergency radio (solar, hand crank, battery) tuned to local emergency station, with extra batteries.
• Everyone has sturdy shoes for safely getting around, clothing/gloves to protect against cold or broken items. Pets have protective booties/jackets, too.
• Supply of warm clothing, blankets.
• Everyone knows ways to report in that they’re OK.

5-Are you prepared at work for the immediate aftermath of a disaster?

• Every room has emergency lighting – lantern and/or flashlight.
• First aid kits are fully stocked with up-to-date items.
• Emergency radio tuned to local emergency station, with extra batteries.
• Everyone has sturdy shoes for safely managing stairs, getting out. (Particularly important for female employees whose footwear may be stylish but impractical. Stash an extra pair of tennis shoes in the bottom drawer of the desk.)
• Partners check on each other’s situation. People with disabilities have designated partners who know how to help them evacuate.
• People responsible for shut-down or evacuation procedures step into action.
• Everyone knows how to report in assuming phones are out.

6-How about an extended recovery at home after a disaster?

• Supply of food that doesn’t need cooking. Can-opener. Utensils.
• If camp stove, supply of food that uses hot water or heating. Fuel for stove. Fire igniter. Pot. (Have you practiced setting up and starting the stove? A challenge under the best of conditions!)
• Condiments: salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, chilies, soy sauce, sugar, honey, other.
• Water supply. Clean water supplies, a way to filter and/or disinfect other water.
• Pet’s food, water and hygiene supplies.
• Personal hygiene supplies: temporary toilet, toilet paper, wipes, paper towels, Clorox. Trash bags.
• Personal supplies: lotion, bug repellent, sun screen, soap, sanitary supplies, condoms, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.
• Medicines and prescriptions for at least 2 weeks.
• Clothing for cold, rain; ponchos, umbrellas.
• Tools appropriate for making repairs: saw, hammer, nails, tape, plastic sheets, tarp, crow bar, ax, shovel, emergency lighting.
• If someone can handle them and manage fuel: generator, chain saw.
• Emergency two-way communications: walkie-talkies, ham radios.
• Entertainment: books, games, cards, paper and pens.

(When it comes to extended recovery at work, that’s another quiz. It will be based on the type of work place, key functions of the business, number of employees, etc. Emergency Preparedness for Small Business can give you nearly all the guidance you’ll need to answer THAT quiz!)

7-And here’s a bonus emergency preparedness quiz item:

• I’ve completed CERT training. (I know, CERT training is being postponed until we can get back to meeting face to face. But at least, you can put it on your to-do list!)

And your score on this Emergency Preparedness Quiz?

There are 41 questions in this quiz, plus the bonus. They don’t have equal importance, so there’s no real way to rate yourself based on the number of boxes you checked off.  Still, just in reading the quiz you should have a FEEL for whether you are:

• Rookie – 10-15 check marks: A good start but still have a ways to go
• Solid – 15-30 check marks: Comfortable with your progress; won’t feel (too) guilty if something happens
• Expert – Anything above 30, plus the bonus! Heck, you should be teaching this stuff!

If you’re not actively “teaching this stuff,” you can use this emergency preparedness quiz to help yourself and other people you care about get started on their own preparations.

How to get started?

Start slowly — but get started!

Did some of these items jump out at you as being really important?

Start with just one or two. Work on a new one every week.

If you are part of a neighborhood group, maybe pick a couple of items to work on every month. (Our new Mini-Series was designed PERFECTLY for groups! Schedule one topic per week or per month, get people together — in person or via zoom — to discuss and share.)

Every small preparedness action you take will add to your family’s and your community’s resilience. Since your neighbors are most likely to be the people who end up rescuing you in a disaster, this step-by-step method has a double pay-off!

Let us know how it goes, and what YOU would add to the quiz to make it even more useful. We are all in this together!

Virginia
Your Emergency Plan Guide team

 

I have to assume your recognize the item in the photo. We’ve seen them all over the news in images of marathon runners, immigrant children, and earthquake survivors. These mylar space blankets are lightweight, cheap and versatile, and they are on every list of emergency kit supplies.

But even if you have one or two, do you really know much about them?

Today’s little quiz will give you a better idea of what you’re carrying. And if you don’t have several, why you might want to take advantage of BLACK FRIDAY SPECIALS and pick up one or two dozen!

FIRST QUESTION: HAVE YOU ACTUALLY UNFOLDED YOUR SPACE BLANKET?

How big is it? How sturdy? How slippery? How shiny?

As with everything else, space blankets come in different sizes and qualities. The least expensive are often the smallest – maybe only 35 in. wide. Personally, I prefer larger sizes. A standard large size is 55 x 84 in. and there are a few even bigger than that.

How sturdy? The blankets range in thickness from a minimum of 12 microns and then get thicker and thicker depending on how many layers are involved. The basis is just one sheet of stretched-out polyester. These are light and fragile – and are see-through. It’s only when another thin sheet of aluminum is fused to the plastic that you get what we know as space blankets. More than one layer of material can be added. The more layers, the heavier and sturdier.

Slippery actually translates to water repellent, which is good. But these blankets aren’t exactly cozy. Their job is to contain and reflect your own body’s heat. They don’t cling.

Shiny really refers to the reflective nature of the blankets. Some have a silver metallized surface, others gold. By the way, NASA first used thin metallic sheets to deflect heat from the Skylab that was becoming dangerous from temperature rise. That’s where the name “space blanket” came from!

SECOND QUIZ QUESION: LIST SEVEN THINGS YOUR BLANKET CAN DO FOR YOU IN AN EMERGENCY!

1. HEAT. Wrap up someone who’s exhausted or injured. Turn the space blanket into a sleeping bag of sorts (with the help of duct tape?) to make it through a cold night outdoors. Use as insulation over a window to keep heat in and cold out.

2. COOK. Yes, that’s right! According to one manufacturer, you could fashion a bucket shape out of your mylar blanket and hold it over the fire to heat water. You could put food in there to heat, too. Of course, don’t get the blanket IN the fire, because it will burn up. It’s plastic, remember.

3. COLLECT WATER. Use your blanket to capture rain or melt snow.

4. WATERPROOFING. Line your backpack and your boots with Mylar; wrap it around feet and legs to keep out the damp from snow. Use a space blanket with grommets to build a lean-to to keep off the rain. Use another space blanket as a keep-out-the-damp ground cover.

5. STORE FOOD. Hang food in a mylar package to keep it out of reach of animals. Keep food cold by sinking it in the creek in a carefully sealed mylar bag.

6. SIGNAL FOR HELP. Turn your blanket into a mirror to reflect light. Use torn off pieces to mark your trail.

7 AVOID BEING SEEN. The reflective metallic coating can reduce your infrared signature if that’s what you want. The Taliban has used blankets this way.

If you wanted to do all these, then obviously you’d have to have more than one blanket.

LAST QUESTION: HOW MUCH DO SPACE BLANKETS COST?

The VERY GOOD NEWS – Space blankets are amazingly inexpensive! Bought in bulk, you can get one for less than a dollar. And the concept of “bulk” starts with about 5 in a package!

I know that this year may be different when it comes to your holiday gift budget. But space blankets are so inexpensive and so useful that you can have several in every vehicle and every Go-Bag.

Here are some variations on the mylar space blanket theme that demonstrate just what we’ve written about above. The images and links will take you to Amazon, where we are Associates. If you buy through these links we may get a small commission — which will help support this website!

Space Blanket Sleeping Bag (with emergency whistle)

I have a number of plain space blankets like the one in the photo at the top of the article, but I am adding this space blanket sleeping bag to every one of our emergency kits (Go-Bag, car kit, etc.).

BesWlz Emergency Sleeping Bags,2 Pack Survival Sleeping Bags with Survival Whistle, Waterproof Portable Bivvy Sack Survival Gear for Outdoor Camping Hiking with 2 PCS Thermal Emergency Blankets

Insulated space blanket tarp with grommets

(This blanket is advertised to reduce your infrared signature. Check out the images on the sales page.)

In an emergency you could build a simple shelter using this blanket and some cord; lay down a second space blanket as ground cover; climb in your shelter and into your emergency sleeping bag.

Arcturus Heavy Duty Survival Blanket – Insulated Thermal Reflective Tarp – 60″ x 82″. All-Weather, Reusable Emergency Blanket for Car or Camping (Orange)

The basic blanket – pack of 20 (less than a dollar apiece)

Science Purchase 73MYLARPK20 Emergency Mylar Thermal Blankets, 54″ x 84″ (Pack of 20)

Mylar space blanket companion items

Paracord comes in over a dozen colors including olive drab and camo

Use this to build your shelter, string up your food, etc.

PARACORD PLANET Mil-Spec Commercial Grade 550lb Type III Nylon Paracord (Orange, 100 feet)

That all-purpose duct tape

This is black. You can get all other colors, of course! You may not need the largest roll. You may also want to mash it so it fits more readily in your pack.

Duck Max Strength 240201 Duct Tape, 1-Pack 1.88 Inch x 45 Yard Silver

You could probably buy everything on this page for the price of one ugly sweater. Having space blankets tucked in your car or in the kitchen drawer could provide a lot more serious warmth — and a bit more peace of mind as we head deep into winter.

Put some space blankets on your list!

Virginia
Your Emergency Plan Guide team

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Being stuck at home due to Covid-19 has given us the chance to finish our Mini-Series of booklets on emergency preparedness. As of this week, there are 14 booklets lined up and ready to go! Today I want to give you some insight into what we discovered along the way as we completed this project.

Why a Mini-Series?

We’re always trying to make it easier for people to get started on preparedness. The Mini-Series booklets cover just one topic each. Pick the topic you feel is most urgent or that you want more details on. (Here’s the link to a page that describes the “why” behind the series.)

Now, if you’re a writer, you know that writing even a short booklet takes a lot of time. And although we were comfortable with each of these topics, we wanted to be sure to add solid background so readers could make useful decisions. So we did research on every topic to see what more we should include.

The bonus from the Mini-Series research?

We learned a lot! And while we got great ideas for people just starting we also uncovered needs for those of us who have been working on preparedness for a while.  

Here are a few of my favorite discoveries from some of the booklets.

They may be just in time for Black Friday or whenever you start thinking seriously about holiday gifts! The links below take you to Amazon; if you buy through these links we may earn a small commission.  

Need #1 — Ever more clean water

And as I was reviewing how we will fare in an emergency, with no municipal water, I read more and more about FAMILY SIZED water purification systems. Yes, individual water purifiers like the LifeStraw are handy and effective, but in a longer term situation you’ll need more capacity. Check out this Berkey. (Berkey is hands down the favorite of so many of our preparedness colleagues.) As you might expect, there are several models and sizes. This travel version is gravity-fed, filters enough for 1-3 people a day. (Note it comes with two types of filters.)

Travel Berkey Water Filter with 2 Black Berkey Filters and 2 PF2 Fluoride Filters

Need #2 — More medical competence

I bought and devoured The Ultimate Survival Medicine Guide by Joseph Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP. And then I discovered there is a newer version, out now, and I recommend it highly! (There’s a deal whereby you can actually get 3 copies for the price of 2.) The Altons’ books are totally readable and make you fee a WHOLE lot better about addressing wounds, sickness, etc. I cannot recommend them more highly.

The Survival Medicine Handbook: THE essential guide for when medical help is NOT on the way

Along with the first aid Guide we all need a better quality first aid kit. I’ve complained consistently about cheap first aid kits. And I still will. It’s time to step up to a more complete collection of first aid tools and supplies.

The kit shown below comes from SurviveWare. At Amazon you’ll see several kit options: bigger, smaller, for home, for truck, etc. You may not be ready for the most comprehensive (and most expensive) kit, but you can certainly feel more confident with the basic pack shown here.

Surviveware Large First Aid Kit & Added Mini Kit for Trucks, Car, Camping and Outdoor Preparedness

Need #3 — Better emergency communications

Joe got it out (see photo above!) and used it to wake up neighbors in our immediate vicinity. Later we used an automated emergency telephone message to alert everyone. If power had been out, that bullhorn would have had a more important role to play!  

If you work with a group, you may want to take another look at having a bullhorn available. But first off, a cautionary note. While we consider this to be an important addition to your emergency equipment, many people report quality control issues on even the reasonably priced units. More professional products such as used by police and First Responders cost more but are likely to be more reliable. We like to recommend products with a high reliability — this is one area where we may be challenged to do that.

(Our own budget doesn’t allow for multiple high-end products. We have had good experience with the moderately priced one Joe is holding, but if our budget allowed we’d look at more expensive models.)

In any case, here are some features to compare: how is the bullhorn powered? Rechargeable or C batteries or either? Voice, siren and ability to record a message that can be repeated automatically? Built-in or handheld microphone? If there’s a question, remember that Amazon offers returns for items only within 30 days of receipt of shipment.

Pyle Megaphone 50-Watt Siren Bullhorn – Bullhorn Speaker w/ Detachable Microphone, Portable Lightweight Strap & Rechargeable Battery – Professional Outdoor Voice for Police & Cheerleading – PMP57LIA

 Need #4 — More emergency lighting

We have one in every single room in the house and one in the shed. We use them as night lights and when we work on the plumbing under the sink. We give them away as prizes and as Christmas presents. Other people seem to like them too, because they are the top seller of everything we write about! Lightweight, bright (adjustable), not expensive. And now, VONT has packaged the lamps with companion headlamps. When there’s no power, you’ll want both.

Vont 2-Pack Spark Headlamp + 4-Pack Lantern Bundle – Must-Have for Biking, Camping, Hiking, Hunting, Other Outdoor and Night Activities – Ideal for Emergencies and Outages During Storms, Hurricanes

The Mini-Series started it all.

We’ve highlighted a few volumes of the Mini-Series here. Just this week we came out with Protect Your Pet — a whole new adventure in emergency preparedness! You can see more about each book here on our site, or even jump directly to Amazon where the whole series is featured!

As I’ve mentioned, the next and final step with the series is to turn it into a course meant to help a group build community and skills at the same time. Watch for more!

In the meanwhile, take a closer look at some of the resources and equipment mentioned in this Advisory. I think they are all important.

Virginia
Your Emergency Plan Guide team

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Story from my neighbor, earlier this week . . .

“I was on my way home, zipping along on the freeway when all of a sudden BOOM, the rear end of the car shot up like it had gone over something BIG, then came down with a tremendous thump! Scared me to death!”

When she got home, we saw what had happened. The tread on the right rear tire had exploded, separating from the tire, wrapping itself around the bumper, flapping and destroying the back fender before the car could be brought to a stop!

What does this story have to do with the coronavirus? Well, read on!

During COVID, drivers are facing an elevated level of danger!

What?!

It only took an hour or so before both the friend and I had done some research about this accident, and what we found became the basis for this Advisory. And what we found is really worth a warning or two.

One result of the COVID shut-down – you may have let your car just sit for days or even weeks.

When was the last time you drove your car? If it’s been a while, you may discover an unpleasant surprise the next time you go to look for it. For instance,

• The car may be gone. In some urban areas, COVID means people aren’t going to work, so their cars are parkeded without being moved for days and weeks. Perfect targets for thieves. (In LA, car thefts doubled during the month of June!) And even if your car was just taken for a joy ride, the Insurance Information Institute reports that the average car theft costs $8,407. So, check on your car and move it to where you can see it!
• The battery may be dead. Which of your friends has jumper cables and is willing to come by to rescue you? (And will your newly chosen parking place still be available when you finally get there?)
• You may have new occupants – wild animals!  A car is a nice quiet, closed space, offering safety and comfort for rats, mice and/or squirrels. Not only can they build a nest under the hood or even inside, but they really like those tasty rubber wiring harnesses or hoses. (On this same topic, just yesterday I saw a “Ring video” of a bear going along, trying the handles of parked cars, finding a pick-up that was open, and crawling in! The owner of the pickup checked the footage in the morning when he looked out the window and saw the door still open!)

Now, raise your hand if you’ve ever experienced any of the above!  If you’re lucky enough to be sitting there motionless, keep reading. You may have a chance to participate at the end of the next section of the Advisory!

We go back to my neighbor. She’s a reminder to us all to

Pay particular attention to tires – and in this case, underinflated tires in the heat.

Blowouts and tread separations like our neighbor experienced are more common in hot weather, anyway. But cars that have been parked for a while . . .? Here’s what to watch out for.

Are your tires underinflated?

If you look down at the tire of your parked car, you’ll see that the bottom of the tire bulges out just a bit, or “flexes,” where the weight is on it. (The picture above shows an exaggerated “flex” because this tire is definitely underinflated!) As the tire turns, the flex point changes. On an underinflated tire, the “flex” area will be greater and as the tire turns, it will generate more friction and thus more heat.

This is why every tire has a recommended inflation level. It is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). You’ll see the recommended psi on the side of the tire itself — probably something like 32 – 36 psi..

When you’re driving, the faster you drive the hotter the tire will get. Add more weight, and you’ll add heat, too. When the weather itself is hot, every 10 degrees of temperature can raise the temperature of the tires another degree or so.

When tires are underinflated, they will get even hotter because reduced pressure results in more flexing.

How hot do tires get? Drive on the highway for a half-hour, and tire temperatures will increase 50 degrees. If it’s 95 degrees out, as it was the day of my neighbor’s accident, the roadway itself was probably close to 150 degrees. (We have actually measured 149 degrees right here in front of the house using a thermal imaging camera.)

Add it all up and her tires may easily have reached as high as 200 degrees! And if her tires were underinflated . . .?!

Check for the “heat” rating of your tires.

Tires are rated A, B and C, with A being best, for their ability to “run cool.” I ran out to check my own tires and here’s a picture of the tire and rating.

The point of it all? You can’t impact the weather, or the temperature of the road.

But you can easily keep your tires inflated per the tire recommendation.

This means you need to check them regularly, when the tires are cool, using a good quality tire gauge. We have several gauges in the car all the time – at least one of the inexpensive “pencil” type gauges, and also an easier to read circular gauge like this one, from Amazon:

Tire Pressure Gauge – (0-60 PSI) Heavy Duty, Certified ANSI Accurate with Large 2 Inch Easy to Read Glow Dial, Low – High Air Pressure Gauge. Tire Gauge for Car and Trucks Tires by Vondior

Check the overall condition of your tires, too.

Just sitting, tires lose a pound or two of pressure in a month. So when you check the tire pressure, particularly if you notice a loss in tire pressure, look for damage. The best way to really inspect your tires is when they are clean. (Getting off the dust and dirt and oil build-up will help your tire shed heat, too.)

Here’s what to look for:

• Is tread wear even? If your tires have worn tread on the outside but thicker tread on the inside you need to find out about an alignment!
• Do you see any bulges?
• What about cracks along the tread or sidewall? Don’t forget the inside of the tire, too.
• What’s the condition of the valve stem and valve cap?

Protect your tires from drying out and cracking.

You can also apply a protectant, typically wax-based, that will help keep tires clean longer, give them a nice shine, and protect them from drying out.

There are dozens of car products aimed at cleaning, restoring, lubricating, and rehydrating your tires. Read all the product info carefully to be sure you are getting protection and not just shine.

Apply on very clean tires. Don’t over apply! Follow directions on how to apply and how to let it dry and/or buff. Be sure to keep excess off the paint and brakes. If you’re using a spray, be aware that the spray may stain the concrete floor around the wheel. We have resorted to parking on an old towel!

Car tire products are fun and not too expensive.

You can get a couple or maybe even three to try for less than $20.  Here are two we have used over the years. (Car buff friends always have their favorites, so ask around!) Click and you’ll go to Amazon, where we are Associates and may get a commission if you buy.

A GEL product from ArmorAll

Armor All Car Tire and Wheel Shine Gel, Cleaner for Cars, Truck and Motorcycle, 18 Fl Oz, 9938

And a FOAM product (”Just spray and walk away!”) from Meguiars

Meguiar’s G2819 Hot Shine Reflect Foam, 19 oz.

Taking care of your car is always worth it. But today, with people driving less and at the same time faster and/or more erratically (!), it’s a good idea to head out today to check the condition of your tires.

I hope you’ll find them in good shape!

Virginia
Your Emergency Plan Guide team

P.S. If you are taking another look at your car in terms of general preparedness, don’t overlook our earlier Advisory about emergency car supplies “to get you home.” Here’s the link.

P.P.S. This has been a fun Advisory for me to write! Reminded me of trying all sorts of car care products on my own “daily driver” that I cherished for 33 years.

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You have surely read many articles about why and how to store water for emergencies. The picture above came from one of our own earlier Advisories! But with hurricane season starting, an a tornado having just hit last week, it’s time once again to address this most important preparedness topic.

If some of this looks familiar, please jump to the bottom half of the Advisory where we address Buckets, bladders and bags! All new!

Why is storing water so difficult? Consider these possibilities:

• Your household changes. What you needed to survive for 10 days a couple of months ago won’t be enough with the new baby plus your mother now living with you.
• You move to a new home in a new location with a totally different climate. You used to be near the Washington coast. Now you’re in the middle of Oklahoma.
• Another hurricane is threatening off the coast. Its storm surge will overrun your municipal water system — again.
• Carcinogens and toxic contaminants have been discovered in the drinking water in your state.

The point? You can’t just check the box one time and be done with it! Having enough water in the right place at the right time is an ongoing challenge.

So, time for another look at how best to store water for emergencies.

Plastic bottles of water? Handy but . . . maybe not!!

Here’s another photo from my own camera. The bottle is from a case of water that has been sitting in our HOA office for about a year.

Plastic bottles are NOT a good idea for long-term, emergency storage. (Not to mention the issue of plastic waste . . .) Plastic doesn’t stand up to weight or to heat. And that heat issue makes them particularly impractical for storage in the car.

On the other hand, high-quality BPA free plastic containers DO work for longer-term storage.

The following examples of storage containers come from Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links.

WaterBricks –In the past we’ve talked about WaterBricks – relatively expensive but of excellent quality and extraordinarily useful for apartments and condos where storage space is limited. They stack and fasten together for stability. The full-sized brick holds 3.5 gallons; the half-size holds 1.6 gallons. You can also get a spigot for a brick, so you could set it up on a counter for real dispensing convenience.  (I’d get more than one spigot.)

WaterBrick Blue Water Storage Container (6 pack) 3.5 Gallon

Last time I checked at Amazon, the WaterBricks were on back order. I soon discovered Saratoga Farms, another stackable container set, slightly different but just as useful. It’s “blocks” hold 5 gallons each.

Saratoga Farms 5-Gallon Stackable Water Containers (100 Total Gallons), 20 Pack, Blue, BPA Free, High Density Polyetholene (HDPE) with Built in Handle

Plastic containers for ice. Don’t forget to fill smaller-sized clean plastic containers with water and use them to keep your freezer tightly packed. (Be sure to leave plenty of space for the water to expand. And avoid containers marked “3” (for polyvinyl chloride, or PVC), “6” (for polystyrene, or PS), and “7” (for polycarbonate). Frozen plastic “cubes” will help save energy by maintaining the cold in the freezer, and if the power goes out they’ll give frozen foods a bit of a longer life. Finally, you can use the melted ice as a source of emergency water – for hygiene if not for drinking.  (Once-frozen water sometimes doesn’t taste so good.)

[16 Pack] Food Storage Containers with Lids, Plastic Food Containers with Lids, Airtight Storage Container Sets for Healthy Diet, Vegetables, Snack & Fruit (Small&Large Size), BPA Free & Leakproof

It’s probably best to recycle the water in your WaterBricks and your food storage containers every 6 months or so.

Aluminum cans – Good for 50 years!

Last year Joe and I participated in an Emergency Preparedness Forum north of Los Angeles and there we were introduced to canned water. Here’s a picture of one of our cans. You can buy cases of the stuff, easy to store. And here’s the most exciting thing – the water has a 50-year shelf life! 

As you can image, these aluminum cans are relatively expensive. You can get them at Amazon – and they will be delivered. Here’s the link:

Blue Can Premium Emergency Drinking Water – 24 Pack

If you live in or near California, you may be able to get discounted prices on cases of Blue Can Water from my friend Patty Kirby. She introduced me to canned water, and she works with HOAs, businesses and other groups. (Obviously, an order big enough to fill a pallet (100 cases) would get the best possible shipping price.) Contact Patty directly: patty@BlueCanH2O.com

Water Barrels – Good for at least a year and probably twice that long!

Quite a few years ago we got a great deal on blue barrels for our volunteers. These days prices are considerably higher, but the need to store water for emergencies is still there, and maybe even greater. In fact, you may need more water than you did before!

Augason Farms Water Storage Barrel 55-Gallon Drum

Some thoughts to remember when it comes to water barrels:

• When it’s full, the barrel weighs about 480 pounds. So – how are you going to get the full barrel to where you can use it? Not easily! That’s why you need a pump to get out a gallon or two at a time.
• Be sure your barrel is of food-grade plastic. Give it a good clean by adding a couple of gallons of water, a cup of fresh chlorine bleach , and rolling it around until every surface has been exposed. Drain and rinse.
• Find a good place to set the barrel because that’s where it’s going to remain once it’s filled. Keep it out of direct sunlight. Don’t place it directly on a concrete floor – put some boards down as a platform. And you may consider how to camouflage it. No use broadcasting that you have a lot of water available.
• Once your barrel is clean, fill it with tap water as is. (Make sure the hose isn’t dirty!) But you may wish to add another layer of protection by treating the water you are storing with bleach or water purifier. The water storage recipe: add 6 teaspoons of fresh, regular unscented bleach to your 55 gal. barrel of water.

NEW: Buckets, bladders and bags to fill at the last possible minute.

Recently one of my LinkedIn groups was filled with water storage ideas. Here are several more containers for you to consider, based on recommendations from that group. Consider how HEAVY the various containers will be once they are filled with water! 1 gallon (in its container) weighs about 8 1/2 pounds.

(So the 2-gallon bag Joe is holding in the picture above weighs about 17 pounds.)

	We own a couple of these, and have them tucked into our survival kits. Probably not too durable, but they have held up for us. Certainly convenient! Stansport 2-Gallon Water Storage Bag
	If your container doesn't have a spigot, consider how you are going to get the water out. This one has a spigot. WaterStorageCube BPA-Free Collapsible Water Container 5.3 Gallon with Spigot, Camping Water Storage Carrier Jug for Outdoors Hiking Hurricane Emergency, Foldable Portable FDA Water Canteen (1-Pack)
	Rigid container, bigger yet. Gets excellent reviews. Reliance Products Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Rigid Water Container
	This is a one-gallon collapsible container, which makes it easy to store until you want to fill it. 4-Pack Bundle | Reusable Transport and Storage Water Container Solution | 1-Gallon | Collapsible | Non-Toxic BPA-Free | Space Saver Solution | Proven no leaks
	Comes in a variety of colors, and has a lid. Freegrace Premium Collapsible Bucket Compact Portable Folding Water Container - Lightweight & Durable - Includes Handy Tool Mesh Pocket (Green(Upgraded), 23L (Lid))
	Efficient. BIG when filled! (Bad illustration. Click below to get the full "picture.") AQUATANK2 Water Storage Bladder (60 Gallon)
	Another poor image for a dramatic piece of equipment. Power outage threatened? Lay the liner in any standard bathtub, attach the fill sock to the faucet, and fill the bladder to capacity, which takes approximately 20 minutes. A siphon pump is included to easily dispense the water into jugs or pitchers, making it easy to use your water every day. WaterBOB Bathtub Emergency Water Storage Container, Drinking Water Storage, Hurricane Survival, BPA-Free (100 Gallon) (1)

I encourage you to get some containers like those above. Knowing that you have what you need when the emergency threatens will give you greater peace of mind. And you’ll have some credibility when you remind neighbors that they should be ready or already storing water, too!

Let us know if YOU have a favorite water storage container.

Virginia
Your Emergency Plan Guide Team

It’s one thing to make your lists and carefully assemble all your emergency supplies and equipment. I assume your stash includes walkie-talkies, or hand-held battery-operated radios.

But if you really build preparedness into your lifestyle, you’ll find yourself using walkie-talkies for emergencies but also for every day tasks!

We use walkie-talkies for emergencies but also for so much more!

If you haven’t considered getting radios for your own stash of emergency supplies, consider the following list of how you might use them if you had them.

Manage traffic using walkie-talkies.

Just yesterday Joe and I were asked to help direct traffic at a drive-thru food distribution taking place right down the street. (It was a last-minute call.) We grabbed our fluorescent-striped vests (always important for both visibility and authority), a couple of walkie-talkies each, and jumped into action. I stood at the distribution point, Joe positioned himself at the assembly point around the corner, and we made sure cars approached slowly, on the correct side of the street, etc.! Safe and easy because we could keep in constant touch!

Pickup at airport.

We always carry walkie-talkies when we’re picking up somebody at the airport. Joe drops me off and continues around the loop. (No parking and waiting allowed.) I run in, find our guest, keep Joe apprised of the timing, tell him exactly where we’re coming out – and he swoops right up in front of us! There’s no dialing, no answering of phones, etc. Joe just listens to my commentary so the pick-up is smooth and easy.

Convention contact.

In the days before COVID, we regularly attended industry conventions. Since the purpose is to network, that means you can easily get separated – one person stays to talk with a vendor, while the other cruises on down the aisle. Pretty soon you have lost each other in the crowd. But, with a handy walkie-talkie, you can let the other guy know right where you are. Again, no need to dial, no crossing your fingers hoping there’s reception within the conference hall. Works perfectly.

County fair.

This same concept works for any kind of fair, outing at a theme park, etc., but with an improvement: You can let the whole family know, all at once, that you’ve decided to take a rest by the Snow-Cone stand.  

Parking assistance.

Last week I watched as a neighbor tried to back his new camper into a parking space. (There was no option for a drive thru!) He was having a tough time. His wife was trying to help, but he couldn’t keep her in view because of the sharp angle. (And her hand signals weren’t too clear, either.) Joe and I have used walkie-talkies for years to safely back RVs (and RVs towing cars!) into campgrounds, storage areas, etc. It’s a lot easier to tell the driver when the hitch is just 6 inches from crunching into the corner of the rig than to try to SIGNAL it!

Tracking racers.

Our CERT group often participates when the city sponsors a long-distance race. People with walkie-talkies are positioned along the course and report as the runners come by, if there’s an emergency, etc. All the course monitors can hear as the race progresses and be ready as contestants approach. We’ve used walkie-talkies to track cars passing checkpoints in a hill climb, too.

Sporting events.

When you are in line at the stadium concession stand for hotdogs and beer, and your youngster needs to head to the bathroom, send him along with a walkie-talkie and instructions to check in at the top of the stairs, at the door to the restroom, etc. He’ll be fine – and you won’t have to worry.

Explore safely.

Part of the joy of camping is heading off into the trees just to see what there is to see! As a parent you want your kids to have that experience. But as a parent you naturally worry that they could get lost, injured, etc. Send your kids off with walkie-talkies so they can keep in touch with each other AND with you. Then let them all know when it’s time for lunch. One call is all it takes to reach the whole pack.

Car convoy.

If you’re traveling with a couple of cars it’s good to be able to agree to a stop, warn about something ahead on the road, report that you’ve lost sight of the other car, etc. Walkie-talkies are instantly available for messages like that! Now safe driving habits include not having to REACH for a phone and not having to use more than ONE FINGER to activate the phone. That’s why walkie-talkies are usually not included in legislation defining “distracted driving.” (At least, that’s what I’ve been able to discover. Check with your own state.) It’s best, of course, for the radio operator not to be the driver.

Construction and plumbing.

We occasionally find ourselves trying to figure out where there’s a break or an obstruction or a leak in a pipe. Picture Joe outside at the sewer cleanout, me inside at the sink.  “OK, turn on the water!” “OK, now turn it off.” No yelling. Easy and efficient. Or picture me on the roof, cleaning off dead branches. “Can you hand me up the leaf blower?” Again, no yelling!

I think you get the message! Walkie-talkies rock!

Of course, our walkie-talkies are our main resource for emergency communications. We fully anticipate that a wildfire could cause a complete communications shut-down. So we’ll be holding our monthly neighborhood group radio drill this very evening.

But having and using the walkie-talkies on a regular basis makes them even more valuable. If you haven’t yet considered adding them to your own supplies, now may be the time. Perfectly good ones are available for around $30 a pair.

Our walkie talkie reviews page goes over 6 things to watch for, and has links to examples of different styles and their costs. Our favorite for regular usage is the first in the list.

We think everyone can take advantage of walkie-talkies for daily living!

Virginia
Your Emergency Plan Guide team

P.S. Let us know how YOU use walkie-talkies — for everyday and also for emergency communications. Really, these are some of the most valuable and useful tools available! (They make great gifts, too.)

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If you’re reading this, you’re probably not considering evacuation. You are probably not one of the hundreds of thousands of people who, right now, are displaced, wondering when they can head back home, trying to figure out if home still exists!

It’s been an astonishing couple of weeks. Evacuation orders impacted tens of thousands in the Bay Area of California and over 1.5 million people in Louisiana and Texas!

The current evacuation situation is calming, but . . .

As of today (September 1, 2020), all hurricane evacuation orders have apparently been lifted. A few new orders are still coming out in California for specific wildfire hot spots.

For many, the nightmare of cleaning up has already begun – in the worst cases, with no safe water and no electricity. (Read on for some more details.)

When will it be your turn to evacuate?

My “job” here at Emergency Plan Guide is to help make people aware of potential disasters. Maybe you’ve never had to evacuate before. But that good fortune may be running out. Not because you “deserve” to have anything bad happen, but because the number and the intensity of disasters is increasing. Take a look.

Bigger and fiercer wildfires still threaten the West.

For example, in California, where wildfires are of course expected this time of year, we have never seen so many at one time!!  Two weeks ago there were 560 wildfires burning simultaneously! The fires grew so quickly and so big that they outgrew their original names and came to simply be called “complex” fires! 

We watched real-time maps that showed the creeping growth of the CZU Lightning Complex, in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the LNU Lightning Complex, in the North Bay near San Francisco, and the SCU Lightning Complex in the South and East Bay.

And did you notice the word “Lightning” in each of these names? The record-breaking heat I wrote about last week was accompanied by thousands of lightning strikes. These strikes sparked the smaller fires that joined to make up the complex fires.

Even today, while temperatures are somewhat cooler, more thunderstorms and lightning strikes are expected over the next few days. (And they don’t bring any rain with themselves.)

I have lived in CA for most of my adult life – and Lightning Complex fires are new to me! The way experts are talking, it looks as though this is just the beginning . . .

The peak for hurricane season has yet to arrive.

Thousands of miles away, along the Gulf Coast, it was a one-two punch as Louisiana’s first Category 4 storm made landfall. Tropical storm Marco was right behind. This year’s hurricane season had been forecast to be “extremely active.” and the forecast is proving accurate. This is the first hurricane season on record in which 9 tropical storms formed before August and 13 formed before September. And the historical peak of the season doesn’t come for another couple of weeks!

As I’m writing this, the National Hurricane Center warns that 3 more storms are forming in the Atlantic.

If an evacuation were called right now, would you be ready?

This year we added another book to our Q&A Mini-Series. It carries the title “Evacuate!”  (With exclamation mark.) The intro to this mini-book asks four simple questions that I think are worth reviewing right now.

1. Are you confident you would HEAR the call to evacuate?
2. Do you think you would BELIEVE whoever made the call?
3. Are you sure you would UNDERSTAND what you are being asked to do?
4. Are you PREPARED for what you would need to have and do?

Now like the other booklets in the Mini-series, this book goes on to discuss about a dozen preparedness issues associated with evacuations. Along the way, it helps you answer these four questions.

Do you need a quick review of your readiness to evacuate? Grab a copy of the booklet and take the time to read the questions, consider the answers and fill in the blanks about your own situation. Here’s the direct link to Amazon.

But wait, there’s more . . .

But because I wrote this before the continuing spread of COVID-19, here are some more evacuation issues that have come up. You’ll want to build them into your own evacuation planning.

COVID-19 has made recent evacuations more difficult and longer-lasting.

In California, the high heat, hundreds of fires and the number of fire fighters incapacitated because of COVID-19 (including the thousands of inmates that usually support fire-fighting efforts) means that resources have been stretched much thinner than usual. Even though National Guard troops have been activated, and crews, aircraft and bulldozers have been arriving from other states, the big complex fires are still less than 50% contained. Evacuees are facing more days of waiting to try to get back home.

Social distancing and quarantine requirements for ill patients have further complicated matters.

In Louisiana, one emergency planner trying to move people out of the way said that 2/3 of their bus capacity was lost because buses could be only filled up part way. It was the same story with community shelters. People were sent to hotels to maintain distancing.

In Texas, the Circuit of the Americas race track was being used as an intake center where evacuees could get a voucher for a local Austin hotel. But thousands showed up, where only hundreds were expected. Available hotel rooms were full by Wednesday, the day before the storm hit. In some cases, even where rooms were available, they couldn’t be used because staff had been furloughed or was sick because of the pandemic.

And more people could not afford to evacuate at all because they’ve been unemployed for weeks. They had to depend on public shelters or simply ride it out.

Recovery is now underway – but it’s going to be tough.

For hundreds of thousands of people, even if they can get back home to begin clearing debris and/or rebuilding, they’ll have to work and live without electrical power or water.

These difficult conditions add to the disaster. In Louisiana, half the 16 casualties of Hurricane Laura have come from carbon monoxide poisoning as people used generators to offset loss of utility electricity.

Mayor Nic Hunter of Lake Charles, Louisiana posted on Facebook: “There is barely a trickle of water coming out of most faucets in the homes of Lake Charles.” No estimated time of restoration for utilities was mentioned. “Make sure you understand the above reality and are prepared to live in it for many days, possibly weeks,” Hunter wrote.

Is it time to double down on your own preparations?

A doubling up of disaster – COVID-19 plus storm, or earthquake, or heat wave – will stretch everyone’s capacity. Now would be a good time to review your own preparations with regards to your emergency supplies (both home and Go-Bags) and your readiness to evacuate.

Virginia
Your Emergency Plan Guide team

P.S. Really, our Mini-Series booklets were designed just for this review purpose. Check them out.

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Yesterday morning our neighborhood emergency response team was asked to set up cones and direct traffic for a drive-through food-distribution program scheduled for next Monday. It’s an important event in our community.

Of course, our team members are all senior citizens, so the first thing I did was to check the weather forecast. (The last time we were asked to help it was pouring rain!)

And here’s the danger that popped out at me immediately, from The Weather Service:

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING for Southwestern California Friday 11 a.m. through Monday 9 p.m.

That means a heat wave will be starting at just about the time this Advisory arrives in your email box on Friday! And it will continue right through the mid-day Monday hours that the food distribution program was scheduled for!

What’s the news about heat-related deaths?

Now, earlier this week I read an interesting article that suggested that heat-related deaths in the U.S. are down because of the Coronavirus!  Why?  People are staying inside more! Today, however, coronavirus just wasn’t on my mind. I was worried about the danger of extremely high temperatures.

You may recall that I wrote about summer heat just a couple of weeks ago. This week, I was obliged to dig a bit deeper. Here are the highlights of what I found – and what I will be sharing later today with my neighbors!

Heat danger is clear for senior citizens.

• Heat deaths in the U.S. are generally trending down, because more people are getting air conditioning.
• On average, though, heat is the leading cause of death from natural weather or environmental events — between 700 and 1,000 deaths a year. (“On average” doesn’t mean “everywhere.”)
• The people most at risk? You might have guessed this: crop workers in California, Arizona and Texas, athletes (and fans) who insist on performing even in the heat, and people over 65.

Well, that last one was what I was looking for.

If you are over 65, or if you know someone over 65, here are steps to take to protect yourself from the danger of extreme heat.

I hope this is all review for you! But it may not be for some of your older friends or family members, so please read it with them in mind.

Level 1. (You should already know these.)

• Wear light clothing.
• Stay out of the sun. If you must go out, wear sunscreen, a hat, and dark glasses.
• Pace yourself; avoid strenuous activity altogether.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Keep the house dark; close curtains, reflect sunlight.
• Eat light meals. (Save on electricity, too, by not cooking.)

Level 2. (These should sound at least familiar if you read that earlier Advisory.)

• If you don’t have air conditioning in your home, do some research now to find a heat-relief center. If necessary, head for the library or even a mall for a few hours.
• Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, headache, dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, skin that feels cool and moist, and muscle cramps. If you experience them, take action immediately to cool off: get into the shade, apply cool wet clothes, drink cool water.
• Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which can be deadly. If the victim vomits or can’t drink, call 911. Other symptoms of heat stroke: the skin is dry and hot (no sweat); victim is confused, may see double. Have the person lie down; try to cool them down.

 Level 3. For people with medical conditions.

• If you are on water pills, find out from your doctor how much water you can drink when it’s hot.
• Avoid alcoholic drinks and very cold drinks. Alcohol is dehydrating; cold can cause stomach cramps.
• If you are on a low salt diet, have diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease, check with your doctor before drinking sports drinks. (They replace important lost electrolytes, but they are high in sugar and salt.)
• Some common medicines can INCREASE the risk of heat-related death because they interfere with sweating! They include antipsychotics, major tranquilizers, antidepressants, antihistamines, drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease and some over-the-counter sleep medications.  Check with your doctor!

One last bit of information concerns the use of fans.

As you know, fans are cheaper to run than air conditioners, and they can make a significant difference in your comfort as long as the air temperature is still reasonable.

(Here’s a random but current illustration of a situation where fans won’t make much of a difference.  Two weeks ago (July 28), temperatures in Baghdad (Iraq) hit 125.2. It was the 4^th day in a row they had topped 120 degrees!)

So, to sum up, before you experience extraordinary hot weather . . .

Check your home to close off leaks and figure out how to keep the sun out. Stock up on water. Postpone errands. Find out where a cooling shelter is located if you need it.

Consider getting a fan. A fan can make the air feel 4 degrees cooler just by evaporating your sweat!

The tiny 3 inch “personal” fans, while convenient, really don’t have much cooling power. But you can move a simple 8 in. table fan like the one pictured below with you from room to room. (It has to be blowing ON you, of course!) If you have air conditioning, you may want to get an 18-20 inch floor fan, often labeled “industrial.” Run in conjunction with the air conditioning, it can have a major cooling effect. (We have an old fan, very powerful. When the A/C goes on, we use that fan to spread cool air from the floor vents. Really works . . . but it is super noisy.)

Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Air Circulator Fan Black

If you have friends over 65, plan to check on them every day during a heat wave, and not just once. Older people’s bodies don’t respond to extremes. As mentioned above, they may take medicines that interact negatively with heat. And if they live alone, they may simply not notice changes that are taking place until it’s too late. Check on them!

Oh, to go back to the very first part of the story? We postponed the drive-thru food pick-up to avoid the possible danger for our volunteers — and to protect our senior neighbors from coming out, too. And our team members will be checking on them.

Virginia
Your Emergency Plan Guide team

P.S. What with all the changes going on with policing, the deliberate delays in postal service, and, of course, the pandemic, some of our neighbors are feeling less secure. Our next Advisory will be addressing the topic of home security. (Be sure to sign up so you don’t miss it.)

Preparedness is usually more of an attitude than an activity. But today we’re taking a look at actions to take for better home security. Most will require money. Some will require construction skills. We believe all are worth your consideration.

Strengthen Your Home Against Intruders

A Short Report from
Emergency Plan Guide

This Report introduces more ideas for avoiding trouble – what we refer to in the mini-book as the “outer ring” of protection for ourselves and our families.

Every one of actions listed here has to be dealt with before anything happens! in order for them to be effective.

The actions focus on your home. In a major disaster, we hope you can get home safely to shelter in place. But if the disaster lasts a while – like several days or weeks – your safety at home may be tested, as well.

You may be approached by family members, neighbors or strangers looking for assistance. Some of these people will be willing to share, while others will be intent on taking everything you have. You want more ability to handle these interactions.

We’re sure you have already thought about this topic, and we hope this short report gives you the chance to check off each suggestion as “already done.” If not, we’ve included a Personal Action Item List for your use.

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Six Steps to Better Home Security

Build an invisible supply of emergency food, tools, etc.

Nearly every one of our books emphasizes the importance of assembling emergency supplies. (Shelter in Place offers a plan for deciding what and how much.) But don’t store all your supplies in one place where someone desperate or determined could take them all!

Spread things around the house and garage, or in your apartment’s storage area. Camouflage by using mis-labeled cardboard boxes, hidden spaces beneath the stairs, or paint pails under a work bench covered with a dirty tarp. A repairman or visitor should not even notice them.

Above all, don’t brag to neighbors about all the effort you’ve put in.

Secure the perimeter to discourage casual trespassers.

We all know that people tend to take the easy way out. This applies to thieves or robbers, too. Don’t let your home be the “easy” target.

Put up a fence to keep people off your property. Install perimeter lighting that will automatically go on if someone trespasses. If you can, invest in a video doorbell to take pictures of anyone on the porch. At the end of the day, bring attractive furniture or toys (particularly bicycles) inside. Get a dog or a recording of a dog barking that you can play before opening the door to a stranger.

You can shutter the house down if you leave, but don’t let it look empty. Keep a car in the driveway, discontinue deliveries, etc. Consider interior lights on a timer.

Strengthen the doors and windows to prevent break-ins.

Most break-ins take place when a burglar or other criminal kicks in your front door. Consider stainless steel reinforcements for frame and hinges. And improve the strength of the deadbolt or replace it altogether. If you rent, and can’t always make these changes, at least invest in a heavy-duty door stop.

Don’t count on the latch of your sliding patio door, either. Use a rod to block it closed. As for windows, you can reinforce the glass with shatter-proof film. And be sure your windows have strong locks that are engaged.

(It’s a good idea to keep shrubs trimmed so they don’t block windows. You don’t want someone to be able to hide there. And you want to be able to get out safely in a fire or other emergency!)

Control any weapons in the home.

If you feel the need to protect your home from violent intruders, pick the right weapons and take responsibility for them. When it comes to firearms, assault-style weapons are usually not the best for home defense. (They are meant for assaulting, remember. And the likelihood of stray bullets striking unintended victims – next door or even down the street — is high.) A shotgun is probably a better choice for more control; you don’t have to be a crack shot to be effective at short or medium range.

Store all weapons so that others in the home – particularly children — will be safe. It should go without saying – become skilled at using your weapons.

Train family members in protection.

If you anticipate a threat, gather your family into a “safe room,” preferably an interior room with few or no windows and access to a bathroom. (You could have some emergency supplies there, too.) Agree on a signal and practice getting everyone into the safe room the minute they hear that signal. (A separate signal might be used to get them OUT of the house.) Teach kids how to call 911. Teach grandma how to text for help. Make preparedness part of your everyday lifestyle.

Build a neighborhood team you can count on.

You will always have a better chance of making it through a dangerous situation with the help of competent neighbors and friends. They are right there. They can take action immediately. This is why we emphasize building a neighborhood group of people who . . .

• You know and feel comfortable with
• Agree with you on the importance of being prepared
• Are willing to share skills, equipment and even their supplies

Building this group takes time and consistent effort. If you like the idea of “strength in numbers,” you’ll agree it’s worth that effort!

Which of the suggestions for better home security in this Report might fit your circumstances? If you want to get started on a checklist, you’ll find one in the PDF version of the Short Report. Download the PDF here.

Virginia
Your Emergency Plan Guide Team

Do you have more suggestions for better home security? This is, after all, a Short Report. Please add comments below!

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Do you or family members depend on electricity-powered medical devices?

Before you jump ahead, or jump off altogether because you think you don’t need “medical device back-up power,” please think again.

You may not use a medical device right now, but it’s certainly possible that at some point you, your parent, or a neighbor will look forward to having one of these very common “devices:”

• Motorized scooter or wheel chair
• Tilt-up recliner chair
• Adjustable bed

It’s also very possible that family members and neighbors already have devices you don’t even know about, like . . .

• Humidifier
• CPAP machine
• Oxygen concentrator

What will happen to these machines when the power goes out?

Unless the device has some sort of back-up power, it will stop working. End of story.

So imagine your aging father in his recliner, stuck half-up and half down! Or your husband who can’t sleep a wink without his CPAP machine! These are examples from real life.

Do you have a plan for your own medical device back-up power?

That power could come from a gasoline-driven generator – but that’s really overkill (and potentially dangerous) for a simple device like a humidifier.

Power could come from a solar generator – but only if that generator has been set up with a battery to store electricity during the day so it can be fed to your device at night.

Power could come from the right sized battery backup.  Here’s a sample of what I have found out.

Electric beds

Adjustable beds are plugged into the wall and their motor is operated with a hand-held remote. These beds should have an “emergency power down” function. If power goes out, the power-down function can be activated. All it takes are 2 or 3 small batteries inserted specially into the power-down device. The bed will come down until it is flat. The batteries will be exhausted. So, the question for you: if you have or are considering an electric bed, WHERE is the power-down controller and WHERE are the appropriate batteries for it? And if someone is trapped in the bed, could that person activate the power-down safety feature? (If you’re worried, be sure you get answers before you buy!)

Lift chairs and recliners

Tilt-up chairs also seem to have a battery back-up feature that can plug into the wall for charging. (Some people use the battery all the time to avoid having visible cords.) Again, the question. Does your chair have back-up power and do you know how it works? If it doesn’t have a back-up, what size/type does the manufacturer recommend? (Prices for these back-ups seem to hover around $100.)

Portable battery-back-ups for CPAP and other smaller machines

The back-up batteries for these devices are really just oversized “power banks,” designed so you can take them camping or traveling. Of course, you can use them when the power goes out, too.

But they are amazingly expensive! I saw prices starting at $200 and heading quickly up to $600. Still, if you need the CPAP machine, you need the battery back-up! Here are a couple of examples to get you started shopping. The first is sturdy and flexible with three ways to charge (plug into the wall when you have electricity, use a solar panel – not included – or plug into your car’s dashboard). The second example, smaller and more compact, weighs half as much – and costs around 3 times as much at Amazon. Click on the images or links to see details.

200W Peak Power Station, Flashfish CPAP Battery 166Wh 45000mAh Backup Power Pack 110V 150W Lithium Battery Pack Camping Solar Generator for CPAP Camping Home Emergency Power Supply

This second model, below, provides important information about exactly which models of CPAP machines it will work for. As you shop, be sure you are looking for back-ups that will fit your own product.

CPAP Battery/Backup Power Supply for Philips Dream Station, System One and other 12V Devices. Pilot12 Lite is the Smallest, Lightest and Longest Lasting Battery on the Market Today!

Since your utility is responsible for the outage, what will it do for you while the power is out?

This is the question that actually kicked off this whole Advisory. I was invited to attend a webinar about the subject. And after that webinar and some wide-ranging research, my answer is, “Not a lot.”

I searched out and reviewed a dozen or so “programs” offered by utilities across the country. The programs have names like “Medical Baseline Allowance Program” (CA), “Medical Support with Devices” (AZ), “Lifelight Service” (MA), “Medically Essential Service” (FL), and “Life Support Equipment Program” (WA).  I couldn’t find programs at all in several states.

Here are typical services. Not all programs offer them all.

1. Extra notifications (when possible) in advance of a shut-off (email, phone call, letter)
2. A lower monthly energy bill (extra kilowatt-hours every month and/or a discount on the bill)
3. Extra grace time before power is shut off due to bill not being paid

And here’s a statement that I saw, in one form or another, on nearly every site.

PLEASE NOTE: Backup generators and transportation services are not part of this program. Participation in this program does not mean your electric power will be restored sooner than others.

Now, if you do have medical equipment and would like to sign up, here’s how it works.

Go to your utility website and get the application. Basically, your doctor has to attest that you have a “qualifying medical condition” and require a “qualifying medical device” to treat your condition. (The application has to be renewed every year or every two years. Exceptions apply this year because of the Coronavirus.) Here are excerpts from the application site for the program where I live in California.

Some qualifying medical conditions include:

• Paraplegic, hemiplegic or quadriplegic condition
• Multiple sclerosis with special heating and/or cooling needs
• Scleroderma with special heating needs
• Life-threatening illness or compromised immune system, and special heating and/or cooling are needed to sustain life or prevent medical deterioration
• Asthma and/or sleep apnea

And, some qualifying medical devices include:

• Motorized wheelchair/scooter
• IPPB or CPAP machines
• Respirator (all types)
• Hemodialysis machine
• Iron lung

Here are examples of devices that do NOT qualify:

• Heating Pads
• Humidifiers
• Pool or Tank Heaters
• Saunas or Hot Tubs
• Vaporizers
• Whirlpool Pumps

(A link on this site leads to a list of 23 different devices that could qualify. It’s in the Find out if you qualify section.)

I did NOT see electric beds or chairs on any of these lists. Nor did I see any answer to the problem of needing to keep medicines refrigerated.

Since the utility can’t help with medical device back-up power, what do they suggest we do?

All the utilities stressed the importance of having a “personal emergency plan” for outages, and sharing that plan with family and friends.

Some specific recommendations included identifying people who will help if you need to evacuate, collecting names and locations of alternate doctors and pharmacies, and being sure you are signed up with any governmental and local programs that support people with disabilities.

We have addressed plans for people with disabilities and will be doing more. This Advisory on the topic was written for members of our local neighborhood emergency response group:

So should you sign up for a medical device program with your utility?

If you can save on your utility bill, why not? Just be sure you understand exactly how the program works before making any assumptions. And be sure whatever “medical devices” you have or are contemplating will qualify you.

Above all, program or not, it’s up to YOU to have a plan for medical device back-up power when the utility power shuts down. You’ll have to become the expert on your own equipment. Before you start shopping for a battery back-up or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) you need to know:

• Exactly how much current your equipment requires (amps and wattage)
• How long it has to run continuously (or how long you want it to run)

The more capacity you want, the bigger the unit (and the more expensive).  I’d recommend you get your specifications and then head to Amazon to see what is available. Below is a link to a medium-sized model (1500 VA) from APC, a well-known and respected manufacturer. This will get you started.

APC 1500VA UPS Battery Backup & Surge Protector with AVR, Back-UPS Pro Uninterruptible Power Supply (BR1500G)

And finally, don’t forget to have your device plugged in to the UPS so it can take over when the power goes out!

OK, that’s it for now. Summer is here, with a higher risk of power outages. Don’t overlook preparing for back-up power sources if you need them.

Virginia
Your Emergency Plan Guide team

P.S. What about Medicare/Medicaid? From the research I have done so far, it looks as though they won’t pay for back-up power supplies, even if they will pay for the medical device itself. What do you know about this?

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