PREPS - Emergency supplies to have, tips, emergency plans, etc...

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They have upped it from just three days to now 3-7 days (and even upwards, "if you feel comfortable..."). Also "suggesting" that you have food packed up and "ready to move" - meaning evacuation.

http://www.redcross.org/services/di...d/supplies.html

Disaster Supplies Kit

There are six basics you should stock for your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, and special items. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to carry container-- suggested items are marked with an asterisk(*). Possible containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duffle bag.

Water

Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more. Store one gallon of water per person per day. Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).*

Food

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight.

Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:

Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables, Canned juices, Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.), High energy foods, Vitamins, Food for infants, Comfort/stress foods

First Aid Kit Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.

Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes, Assorted sizes of safety pins, Cleansing agent/soap, Latex gloves (2 pairs), Sunscreen 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6), 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6), Triangular bandages (3), Non-prescription drugs, 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls), 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls), Scissors, Tweezers, Needle, Moistened towelettes, Antiseptic, Thermometer, Tongue blades (2), Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant, Non-Prescription Drugs

Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever, Anti-diarrhea medication, Antacid (for stomach upset), Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center), Laxative Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

Tools and Supplies

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

Sanitation

Toilet paper, towelettes* Soap, liquid detergent* Feminine supplies* Personal hygiene items* Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses) Plastic bucket with tight lid Disinfectant Household chlorine bleach Clothing and Bedding *Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.

Sturdy shoes or work boots*, Rain gear*, Blankets or sleeping bags*, Hat and gloves, Thermal underwear, Sunglasses,

Special Items

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

For Baby*

Formula, Diapers, Bottles, Powdered milk, Medications For Adults*

Heart and high blood pressure medication, Insulin, Prescription drugs, Denture needs, Contact lenses and supplies, Extra eye glasses, Entertainment

Games and books

Important Family Documents

Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:

Will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds

Passports, social security cards, immunization records

Bank account numbers

Credit card account numbers and companies

Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers

Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)

Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members.

Keep a smaller version of the supplies kit in the trunk of your car.

Keep items in airtight plastic bags.

Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh.

Replace your stored food every six months.

Re-think your kit and family needs at least once a year.

Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.

Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications.

General Disaster Preparedness Materials Children & Disasters

"Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book" (ARC 2200, English, or ARC 2200S, Spanish) Children & Disasters ages 3-10. "Adventures of the Disaster Dudes" (ARC 5024) video and Presenter's Guide for use by an adult with children in grades 4-6.

To get copies of American Red Cross Community Disaster Education materials, contact your local Red Cross chapter.

The text on this page is in the public domain. We request that attribution to this information be given as follows: From "Disaster Supplies Kit." developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross.

Fair use, for educational purposes.

-- Anonymous, October 20, 2001

Answers

Regarding prescription medicines. I don't know of any health plan that allows a patient to obtain more than one month's supply of a presciption medicine per month. There are three practical solutions:

1. Ask your doctor for an extra month or two of prescription meds. You will have to pay for this yourself.

2. Start now to work the system to your advantage. Your health insurance will likely allow you to refill your prescription at the 21-day point (ask your pharmacist what your plan allows). Hence, by filling your prescription every 21 days, you can accumulate a stash. But this takes time. You might be able to persuade your doctor to increase the rate at which you take your meds--stash the increase.

3. Go to Mexico and buy your own prescription drugs or--if you get VERY lucky as I did, someone will be visiting there and will buy them for you. Some time before Y2K rollover, a very kind person got six months of my then-two (now five) prescription meds for me and I managed to stash another six months via the 21-day method and an "increased" dosage. Even though I used three months of those meds when Sweetie was laid off, I've been stashing again and have made up about a month already.

There is another option of buying over the Internet, but I don't know how reliable that is.

-- Anonymous, October 20, 2001


Good morning all!

OG,

If you're speaking of an antibiotic therapy (no, not Cipro), then Lambriar's has a great selection available and has excellent service:

http://www.lambriarvet.com/directory.htm

http://www.lambriarvet.com/catalog/antibiotics1.htm

As for regular medications, agreed - best to order from Mexico...

-- Anonymous, October 21, 2001


Oh hell, how could I forget about vet antibiotics when I had a stash of those myself? (They're out dated now, must get more.) Out of sheer loyalty (15 years), I'll have to order from drsfostersmith.com. I need cat meds too.

-- Anonymous, October 21, 2001

Okay, I'll make a confession: I've not been able to bring myself to stock prescription antibiotics: I spend more time than most people I know watching for sources of potential problems. For example, I buy local meat. I know where the animal was grown, under what conditions it was slaughtered, and how it was handled. I then use proper sanitation procedures when I prepare meals. When I eat out, I'm careful about where and what I eat. When I'm around people with conditions, I wash my hands more frequently. I carry disinfectant and wipe down phones in public places. I carry my own water (and snacks).

The last time that I needed an antibiotic was right before I had my root canal.

I'm getting a cold right now because one of the eighteen-year-olds sneezed on me. ):

-- Anonymous, October 21, 2001


Morning everyone!

Meemur and all,

If you have hesitations about buying vet. antibiotics, it's understandable, but personally, I wouldn't worry about it.

I don't have any concerns about taking them. Why?

1. My mom is a medical transcriptionist. One of her co-workers, who is also a long-time transcriptionist used to work for an internationally-renown university, in the veterinary school. Her former boss was a vetrinarian for 20+ years and NEVER used human meds. Said that the animal meds are the same quality as human meds - made by the same companies with the same ingredients.

2. My mom has checked the PDR i.d. # which appears on the side of the capsules. It's turned out as legit and produced by a high- quality laboratory.

Personally, I'd steer away from injectibles, as they're supposed to not have a local anesthetic (unlike human injectible drugs), so it'd sting like heck. Powders can be a pain trying to calculate dosages. Imo, if you're thinking of buying vet meds, stay with the capsules...

OG,

How are their prices? Lambriars just raised prices a little, so I don't mind shopping around. All in all, from other places I've checked, they seem pretty competitive. How is your source - local? If I could find one closer to home, I just might switch...

-- Anonymous, October 21, 2001



Nah, not local, just a pet catalogue I've used for years. They give good veterinary advice, free, hae some of their own housebrand products, high quality, good prices, fast service, yada, yada. Don't know how much they are. With something like this, quality and time saved through lack of hassles are premium for me.

-- Anonymous, October 21, 2001

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