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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!"
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!
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!
