December is First Aid Month

Do 1 Thing…First Aid

The mission of www.do1thing.us is to move individuals, families, organizations, businesses, and communities to prepare for all hazards and become disaster resilient.

THE GOAL: Be prepared to deal with medical emergencies while waiting for first responders.

Do One Thing (choose one thing to do this month):

*Buy ready made first aid kits for your home and your car.

*Make a first aid kit from items you have at home or can purchase for low cost.

*Make sure everyone knows where the first aid kits are located.

*Take training in first aid, CPR and AED usage.

*Take a pet first aid class.

First Aid: Knowing What to Do
Do you know what to do in a medical emergency? Actions you take in the first few minutes after an injury or other medical incident may save someone’s life.

An emergency can happen at any time and any place. Many public locations have a first aid kit, oxygen, or an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to treat people. Airports, workplaces, places of worship, and malls are placing these items so that quick access can make the difference between a tragic incident and a temporary setback. These items can only save lives if someone knows how to use them.

Knowing how to apply a bandage, take care of a broken limb, knowing the signs and symptoms of shock, how to properly maintain an open airway, perform CPR, use an AED, and knowing the information a dispatcher will need when you call 911 is not as hard to learn as you might think.

Contact your local fire department or American Red Cross chapter to learn what first aid classes are available in your area. Ask your employer if they will sponsor a class for your workplace, or take a class with your family or on your own. Many classes are offered free of charge. Courses may also be offered at your place of worship, school, or community organization. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training also includes first aid training.

First Aid: Having the Things You Need to Help
Ready made first aid kits are available at most department stores or your local American Red Cross chapter. These kits come in a variety of sizes and prices. You can also make your own kit from supplies you already probably have around the home.

Some items that should be included in a basic first aid kit are:


• Adhesive Tape
• Antiseptic Ointment
• Band-Aids (assorted sizes)
• Blanket
• Cold Pack
• Disposable Gloves
• Gauze Pads and Roller Gauze (asst sizes)
• Hand Sanitizer (liquid or wipes)
• Plastic Bags
• Scissors and Tweezers
• Small Flashlight and Extra Batteries
• Triangular Bandage

http://www.do1thing.us/december.php

Stash Some Cash for Emergencies

Many things that we take for granted are not available when there is no power. ATM machines may not work. Grocery and other stores, if open, may not be able to accept your credit or debit card. Cash could be the only acceptable means to make a purchase. Some experts say you should have at minimum $150.00 in cash stashed away. Realizing this may not be possible for everyone, any amount is good to start with. Take $1.00 dollar a week and place it in an envelope in your emergency kit. In just a little time, you will have some cash stashed away for use in emergencies.

Emergency Supplies for your Pet

Think about your pet. Can your pet tolerate the cold for a period of time? Is your pet on special medications or a specific diet? If lost, could your pet be identified? These are things that must be considered when gathering supplies for your pet. An emergency supply list for your pet may include:

• An additional leash with collar, and identification tag for your cat(s) and/or your dog(s)
• Verification of rabies and other vaccinations, registration paperwork, or adoption papers placed in your family emergency kit
• Pet sweater or blanket, especially if your pet can not tolerate cold temperatures
• A supply of prescription medication
• Special dietary food, if needed
• A crate or carrier appropriate to your pet’s size

Consider micro-chipping and enrolling your pet in a recovery database. Talk to your veterinarian for more information. If you have unusual pets such as birds, lizards, fish, etc., talk to your veterinarian or local pet specialty store for advice on protecting them during emergencies.

Emergency Supply Kits

Emergency Supply Kits
During an emergency, a small kit containing important emergency items will make any situation easier to handle. This kit can be developed for different situations depending on what you and your family need to better survive an emergency. Determine the type of kit to make, then look around the house for supplies that you already have on hand. The following is a list of emergency supply kits that are simple to create using just a few items:

•Sanitation kit – moist towelettes, garbage bags, toilet paper, waterless hand cleaner
•Breathing protection kit – dust masks, plastic sheeting, duct tape
•Cooking kit – waterproof matches, a manual can opener, paper plates, plastic utensils, a small pot or pan, portable grill or camp stove (never use indoors!)
•Lighting kit – windup flashlight, car cigarette lighter rechargeable lantern, extra batteries, or light sticks
•Basic tool kit– hammer, wrench, utility knife, screwdriver, nails
•Medical kit- extra prescription medication (or a list of medications, doses and prescribing doctors), band-aids, pain relievers, antacids, vitamins, first aid kit
•Communication kit – phone with cord (landline phone), prepaid calling card, car charger for cell phone, important contact numbers

Other emergency items may include a whistle to signal for help, battery-powered radio, local maps and important documents, such as insurance policy numbers.

November- Getting Emergency Supplies Month

You have probably heard of a "72 hour kit" or a "disaster supply kit", but what does that really mean for your household? Disasters are stressful times. By taking a few minutes now to think about what you would need in a disaster you save a lot of anxiety and inconvenience later on.

THE GOAL: Be prepared to handle emergencies without outside assistance for 72 hours.
Do One Thing (choose one thing to do this month)

Gather your emergency supplies in an accessable place.
Stash some cash in case ATMs and credit card machines are not usable in a disaster.
Create an emergency supply kit for your pet.
Have at least one regular phone that is not cordeless.

November Getting Emergency Supplies

Do1thing is a easy way to be prepared, if you do each month in a year you are prepared!

Hope everyone has had a chance to look at October on our website: http://www.do1thing.us/october.php



It's almost November, check out next month's information at: http://www.do1thing.us/november.php

Halloween

Halloween is spooky...but what is really scary is being unprepared for emergencies..check out http://www.do1thing.us/


If you are going out for Halloween you may need a flashlight, why not get some to have on hand in case of emergencies. http://tiny.cc/15Mtb

Do 1 Thing...October is Power Month

Do 1 Thing…Power

The mission of Do 1 Thing is to move individuals, families, organizations, businesses, and communities to prepare for all hazards and become disaster resilient.

THE GOAL: Be able to safely meet your basic needs during an electrical outage.


Do One Thing (choose one thing to do this month)

- Have flashlights ready in an easily accessible place
- Check batteries in flashlights and radios
- Create a power outage checklist and review it with your family
- Learn how to safely use portable generators


Emergency Lighting
When the lights go out, the safest way to provide emergency lighting is with flashlights or battery-powered lanterns. If you must use candles during a power outage, make sure that you use them safely. Keep flashlights with fresh batteries in several places throughout your home and check them for proper operation regularly. Always keep a supply of extra fresh batteries. Consider purchasing a rechargeable flashlight that will always stay charged until ready for use.

Find out more: www,do1thingus/

October Power Month

Electricity is something that we take for granted every day. How long could you stay in your home without electricity? Would you have heat, and a way to prepare food? By planning now you can be ready when the lights go out. THE GOAL: Electricity is something that we take for granted every day. How long could you stay in your home without electricity? Would you have heat, and a way to prepare food? By planning now you can be ready when the lights go out.

Do One Thing (choose one thing to do this month)
Have flashlights ready in an easily accessible place.
Check batteries in flashlights and radios.
Create a power outage checklist and review it with your family.
Learn how to safely use portable generators.