(Here's To Hoping You're Prepared for the Next) Seventeen Years!

Good morning, Charlotte!

It is with a heavy heart that I am completing my last week working with AmeriCorps' Community Emergency Preparedness Corps and Hands On Charlotte. It has been an amazing past six months, and I am so happy I was able to take advantage of this opportunity to learn so much about preparedness and give back by keeping Charlotteans safe. This isn't a field in which I ever imagined I would find myself when I was studying economics in college, but I am so happy I fell into such a valuable and exciting line of work.

This might be the first time I've ever had a clear desk.

All that said, I would like to leave you all with some general links given that this will be my final blog post as an AmeriCorps member. Over the past ten months, I've tried to share as much as possible over an array of specific disasters. With this, I feel like you have been prepared for all sorts of potential emergencies, and I like to think I've kept you on your toes, adding potential new threats and preparation advice in more, and many times, less traditional scenarios. However, I would like to leave you with a few important links through which you would be able to filter to find many of the situations I have covered over the past ten months, if for no other reason than to have them in one place and not have you filtering through months of blog posts named after wacky song titles.

Need general preparedness advice for just about anything? Fire? Tsunami? Earthquake? The list goes on! Click here to link to Red Cross' general emergency preparedness page. They have links for steps to prepare, as well as advice for during a disaster and its recovery. Enjoy!

Further, and with some more detailed recommendations on things like what to include in your emergency preparedness kit, click here to check out Ready.Gov!

And, because I really can't sing their praises enough, click here to check out Do1Thing! As I've mentioned before, Do1Thing has one thing you can do every month to make yourself a little more prepared and not have to spend a ton of money or effort at one time. Getting yourself prepared can take time, and Do1Thing does all they can to help you get prepared in a realistic fashion!

It is my hope that these blog posts have made all your lives a little more entertaining and helped you all become that much more prepared. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much to any of you who have followed along, and I wish you the best for a fully prepared and happy life!

Stay safe, y'all, and enjoy some Ratatat in your day!

I Want You (To Have a Plan Ready for Emergencies)!

Good morning, Charlotte!

One part of this blog that I recently realized might be missing is the basic information to have on your person in case of emergency. Of course, we still recommend you keep a FEMA financial first aid kit in a safe place (You can download it from FEMA here!), but you don't need to keep all that information in your pocket all the time.

Not sure what information you should keep on you in case of emergency? You can download a really great foldable card from Ready.Gov here! This asks for the information you might need given a variety of places you (or someone taking care of you) may need to contact in a time of crisis.

Further, all of this is part of what we here in the Community Emergency Preparedness Corps would recommend as part of a larger strategy: creating a family plan just in case your family isn't together during an emergency. Want some information on considerations to make in your family plan? Check out this short page from American Red Cross!

We even have some simple worksheets here from FEMA for sitting down with those with whom you live and crafting your emergency plans and having contact information in one easy-to-find place.

Click here for the emergency planning worksheet for adults!

Click here for the emergency planning worksheet for kids!

At the end of the day, all we want is for you to have the information you need and know what to do to keep those you love safe. If you have any questions about the information presented here or emergency preparedness in general, feel free to e-mail me at rob@handsoncharlotte.org!

Stay safe, y'all!

(How Best To Be Prepared When Two Fault Lines Get) Abrasive!

Good morning, Charlotte!

The other day, Molly mentioned to me that she had recently read an article about a potential major earthquake, one which was overdue to hit the Pacific Northwest at a moment's notice. Given our field of emergency preparedness, I was hesitant to believe the imminent danger, as we are constantly bombarded with potential hazards that could make anyone paranoid beyond reason, and at the end of the day, I do really value my de-stressed low blood pressure. However, I made sure to research this potential earthquake of legends, as I do have a really wonderful childhood friend in Portland, Oregon, and I wanted to see if there was anything substantive to back up these claims.

Want to read the article that sparked this earthquake preparedness conversation? Click here to read Kathryn Schulz's article from The New Yorker!

As fate would have it, it seems there actually is quite a great deal of scientific research behind this warning for "the big one," and the Pacific Northwest, statistically, is already overdue.

Want to check out an article from a more local source, too? Check out Richard Read's article in The Oregonian here!

But enough about my newfound worry. I'm all about sharing preparedness knowledge, not fear. What do you need to do to be ready for an earthquake? Check out these resources!

Click here to check out the CDC's earthquake preparedness page! This page has resources for everything from planning earthquake drills to making your evacuation plans. Want to know some more specific details about things to keep in storage in case an earthquake knocks out your access to electricity, water, and sewer services? Click here to check out the CDC's list of recommended emergency supplies to have on hand just in case!

Another important concern raised in the article was regarding the time of day the great earthquake might hit. What do you do if the earthquake hits while you're in your home in the middle of the night or while you're getting ready in the morning? Check out this page from FEMA about preparing your home and what to do if you experience an earthquake while you're there! What do you do (and the article points out this case could actually be more problematic if not planned in advance) if the great earthquake hits while you're at work? Check out this page on earthquake preparedness for the workplace from OSHA! The OSHA page also includes a pretty nifty map of seismic activity risk based on location within the United States that I found to be pretty interesting. Check it out!

However, as both Schulz and Read pointed out in their articles, the earthquake itself is not the only threat facing the Pacific Northwest, and by that same token, even Japan if a quake of this magnitude strikes the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Tsunamis are an important consideration to make, especially in the areas closest to the coast. A wall of water estimated to be up to sixty feet tall and seven hundred miles long could slam into the coast, and a quick jaunt to high ground could be what saves your life if tragedy strikes during a day on the coast.

Check out safety and preparedness tips from Red Cross for tsunamis here!

Red Cross even has an app for iPhone and Android for earthquake safety. Want to find out more about it or download it on your phone? Click here to check it out!

Also, think that just because you aren't on the West Coast that you're immune and don't need to think about earthquake safety? Check out this article about the 2011 earthquake that shook Virginia, DC, and much of the East Coast. I was in DC in college at the time, and it was a crazy surprise. It was a reminder to be prepared for anything, even if it's a 5.8 quake that does little more damage than throw a bag of sugar across your kitchen and unfold your laundry.

At the end of the day, we don't want to scare everyone into becoming a recluse living in a steel-walled fortress in seclusion to be safe from disasters; we want everyone to have fun and live exciting, productive lives while knowing how to plan in case nature (or man) decide to get in the way. Have any questions? Feel free to e-mail me at rob@handsoncharlotte.org. We love reaching out and engaging in conversation with anyone we can.

Enjoy this beautiful day, Charlotte, and to all of you reading this, please stay safe, and enjoy some tunes from the new Ratatat album. Molly and I are pretty excited about its release, and we figured if it brings us this much joy, it might do the same for you!

 

(How To Stay Safe When Storms Decide To) Flashdance!

Good morning, Charlotte!

Over the past few weeks, Molly and I have been rockin' and rollin' with Red Cross' and Disney's Pillowcase Project, a preparedness presentation aimed at 3rd through 5th grades. Thanks so much to every site that has hosted us; we truly have an amazing time working together, with other Red Cross volunteers, and with our host sites to bring some fun learning about how to be ready for everything to willing young ears!

With this, one component of the preparedness presentation does allow for the presenter to talk about specific local hazards, and Molly and I love to talk about thunderstorm safety. Imagine my happiness this morning when I found that the front page of NPR's website included an article using our favorite catch phrase: "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!"

To read the article, click here!

The article from NPR covers a lot of really important points about thunderstorm safety. For example, while many people think (and rightly so) that lightning strikes cause mainly burns, lightning is actually quite likely to cause brain damage, damaging nerves and causing chronic pain that can potentially last for life. It's definitely an interesting read about a very real danger in almost everyday life here in the Southeast.

Looking for some extra tips on thunderstorm safety to share with you and yours? Check out these awesome pages from Red Cross!

For thunderstorm and lightning safety tips, click here!

And for another recent article with our favorite catch phrase from Red Cross, click here!

And since I'm feeling myself with some 1980's cheesy realness at my desk this morning, I feel like I must share the music in my earbuds with you. Enjoy some Flashdance, and stay safe, y'all!

(Prepping Early So We Don't Have Any) Tears On My Pillow!

Good morning, Charlotte!

Last Thursday, Molly and I had the immense pleasure of helping out with a Red Cross/BB&T partnership to bring Disney's Pillowcase Project educational materials to the Boys and Girls Club at Charlotte's Marsh Road location. I would like to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone at Red Cross and BB&T, as well as at the Boys and Girls Club, for all you did coordinating this presentation, as we had about 100 kids in that huge gymnasium! Most of all, however, I would very much like to thank the kids who participated. You all were awesome and active participants, and I hope that everyone went home and was able to share what you learned with those you love most.

Want to learn more about the Pillowcase Project? Click here to learn more from the Red Cross' website!

Want to see some of the material we used to discuss thunderstorm safety for your own use at home? Maybe even to share with your family? Check out this info sheet on thunderstorm safety from Red Cross here!

And in case you want to know a little bit of the ins and outs of our everyday presentation, here are some pictures and blurbs about what exactly we like to talk about! Further, should you so desire a Pillowcase Project presentation (for grades 3-5) at your local organization, please e-mail me at rob@handsoncharlotte.org!

After Molly and I talked about thunderstorm preparedness (it is summer after all!), we broke up into small groups and leads from BB&T led discussions on general preparedness, like knowing how to exit the home quickly if need be (windows count!) and knowing where to meet your family outside or whom you might call if you needed to leave your home for a period of time!

After the general preparedness talk, the kids are able to draw on a pillowcase that they take home what all they might like to keep ready in case they had to grab a bag (or a pillowcase!) really quickly with enough things to make it for a couple days. Obviously this includes soap and toothpaste, among other essentials, but we want the kids to know to bring some items for comfort as well!

This awesome kid had some great ideas for what to include in his pillowcase, my favorite of which is a cheeseburger. We were definitely sure to include a quick chat about non-perishable food, but I like the enthusiasm.

The kids (and adults!) were treated to popsicles from King of Pops after the presentation. If you haven't ever tried their popsicles, check them out! They're local and they're delicious and all I want is another cookies and cream popsicle right now.

And lastly, because you all know I can't leave you without some trolly tunes for your soon-to-be afternoon, enjoy a nice throwback Monday. And most importantly, stay safe, Charlotte!

(Water Safety Tips for When Summer Takes You to the) Pools!

Good afternoon, Charlotte!

I don't know if you have stepped outside yet today, but in the case that you have, you may have noticed that it has gotten a little toasty outside. May I note that it isn't even technically summer yet? I'm about it, at any rate.

That said, with this heat wave comes a lot of incredibly fun activities. I know that I for one have already made a trip to the beach, and while a four hour drive each way does not likely make for an incredibly regular occasion for the average Charlottean, I am sure that many of you will be enjoying a few days by a local pool, whether at your home or at a local community center. While pools are great ways to stay cool in the sun while having a great time, there are definitely some important safety tips which we would love to share with you!

• First, if you have smaller children, always keep them supervised and within arm's reach. 
• Are you with a young or inexperienced swimmer? Give them a life vest!
• Small children do not have the ability to regulate their internal temperature in the same way that adults do. Be sure to be particularly aware of this if you are out in the sun and heat for a while!
• Be sure to maintain proper chemical levels in your pool at home. Levels too low can allow bacteria to grow, while excessive chemical levels can make the pool unsafe as well!
• Be sure to wash up before putting on swimwear, and don't spit in the pool! This will keep the water as clean as possible!

The ocean is really just one big swimming pool, right?

Find more in depth and specific tips at the following websites, and as always, feel free to contact us at rob@handsoncharlotte.org if you have any questions or want further resources about summer water safety!

• Home Pool Safety Guide from Red Cross
• General Water Safety from Red Cross
• Swim Safety from Red Cross
• Sun and Water Safety from American Academy of Pediatrics
• Summer Pool Safety Tips from Catawba County, North Carolina!

Also, after seeing them this past weekend in Richmond, I couldn't resist posting some Glass Animals for our return to regular blog posts. It's summer concert season, and I'm still just in awe of everything that happened on that stage on Saturday night. Y'all killed it! Enjoy, Charlotte, and stay safe!

(Tearing Up Pavement So We Don't Come Home To Our) Rooms On Fire!

Good afternoon, Charlotte!

Yesterday, Molly and I had the immense pleasure of joining forces with American Red Cross, the Charlotte Fire Department, and the infamous Sara to tear up some pavement and bring fire safety knowledge to the masses and offer free smoke alarms to those who need them!

Haaaay, Molly!

Sara sharing all that preparedness information!

On our trek, we distributed door hanger bags off Harrisburg Road including information from various organizations, including not only American Red Cross and Charlotte Fire Department, but Piedmont Natural Gas, Emergency Management, and others. If you aren't one of the lucky ones who received our door hanger bags yesterday, I have some links here so you can have the information as well! Check it out!

Are you Red Cross Ready? Click here to see what you can do!

Here's some natural gas safety realness from Piedmont Natural Gas!

Have you signed up for personalized local alerts through Char-Meck Alerts yet?

And don't forget to call 811 before you dig!

Molly and Sara with our Fire Department friends!

It was truly a wonderful time, and to CFD and ARC, we cannot thank you enough for allowing us to join you for an afternoon of safety spreading in east Charlotte. Can't wait to do it again!

As always, stay safe, y'all, and enjoy your weekend!