Health & Fitness
ARE YOU READY if the Lights Go Out?
A neighbor shares a Get Ready List in the event of disaster.
Recently, the nation of India found itself in the dark, and yet again it illuminated how vulnerable we all are, because of our interconnectivity and our dependence on electricity, for almost everything. There had been 620 million affected, with coal miners trapped and the metro shutdown, after 3 electrical grids collapsed all on the same day. Fortunately, the hospitals and airports turned on their backup generators, but everyone else had to deal with it, as best they could.
We can convince ourselves that something like this couldn't possibly happen right here in Brooklyn, but last year alone we had a bonafide earthquake and Hurricane Irene gave us a scare, and something to think about. Emergencies don't always call ahead, and let you know they are coming. Sometimes they show up unexpectedly, like unwanted guests, but none the less, they're here!
So, let's be on the safe side and not be caught unprepared. Here is a list of things you should have on hand at all times. Go through the list and slowly, but surely get everything on the list. Print out the list and give to a friend.
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Bottled Water: You will need 1 gallon per person/per day. I suggest reuse glass bottles (rather than keeping plastics bottles, because the plastic over time can leach into the water) and put water in the fridge or on a shelf that will last you and your family at least several days. I also have a glass jug with a spigot that holds about a gallon ½ on my kitchen counter that I purchased from Bobby's on Church Avenue (btwn East 18th St & Buckingham Rd) at a cost of abt $20.
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Canned Food: protein (beans/meat/fish), vegetables, fruit and crackers.
Candles: 4-5 Fat candles, not the tapered kind, because they burn out too quickly and won't last for very long.
Lanterns: battery powered or hand cranked.
Two Flashlights: One for home and the other for work. (My flashlight was used at my job, to get everyone down 6 flights of stairs during the power grid failure of 2003.)
First Aid Kit: Should have bandages, band-aids, antiseptic, tweezers, scissors. Bottle of peroxide.
Manual Can Opener: Many of us have electric can openers, but when push comes to shove, you will need the old fashioned kind to open your canned provisions.
Matches/Lighters: I say, make sure you have both lighters and matches on hand – you don't want to find out the lighter isn't working for some reason, and visa versa with the matches. You will need to light candles and most likely your electric ignition gas stove, in the event that you will still be able to use it. DO NOT USE STOVE AS A LIGHT OR HEAT SOURCE DUE TO THE RISK OF CARBON-MONOXIDE POISONING DURING PROLONGED USE.
Two Transistor Radios: Get the portable ones that run on batteries or handcranks, that won't be a pain if you need to take it with you. I say have one at home, but also have one in your desk at work. This will be your means of getting accurate and authoritative information. (This had been our source, at my job, during the 2003 power grid blackout.)
Batteries: Have on hand extra batteries for the radio/flashlight.
Medication: Try not to get down to the wire with your meds, and have enough on hand that if can't get to a pharmacy for a few days you won't be in trouble. Have aspirin/tylenol that is not expired on the shelf.
Barbecue Charcoal: If you have meat that is in the freezer melting, get out the grill, cook and eat.
MAKE A PLAN: Decide where the family will meet. Discuss ahead of time where you might leave messages, such as a friend/relative (perhaps out of state). This person will be responsible for receiving and passing along information. They can even post it on Facebook.
Remember Seniors – Don't forget to check in on the people around you, that will need your help.
Carry Your Cell Charger: You should always have your cell charger with you, in the event you can't get home, for whatever reason. Even in a disaster you might be able to get to an electrical source, and your carrier may be working.
Link to Get Ready New York – You can send away for booklets on different emergency situations.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/get_prepared/ready.shtml
Link on helpful reminders about what to do for your pet in event you need to evacuate with them.
http://gothamist.com/2011/08/26/hurricane_irene_evacuatingwith_chil.php