Emergency Preparedness

Family Emergency Plan

2008-12-01T12:45:00.000-08:00

Assisting Others to Become Prepared. Plus

-How to Create a Family Disaster Plan

President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “The Lord expects us to be Latter-day Saints. That isn’t just an appendage phrase on the end of the name of the Church. It signifies something of tremendous importance. He expects us to show love of God by the way we conduct our lives. He expects us as those who have taken upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ to walk in His way, to do unto others as we would have them do unto us, to go the second mile. He expects us as His children to reach out to those around us, not only to members of the Church but to others. As sure and as certain as the sunrise in the morning, we Latter-day Saints and members of this great Church of the Lord should reach out in a spirit of neighborliness and helpfulness” ( Woods Cross, Utah, regional confere nce, 11 Jan. 1998; printed in Oct 2000 Ensign).

During His ministry on the earth, Jesus Christ spent His time serving and helping others. True disciples of Jesus Christ do likewise. The Savior said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). Emergency preparedness should extend further than the walls of our homes. Using the information from the previous lessons, it is time to reach out to neighbors, friends and others and experience the joy of the Christmas season. Ideas For Service
· 12 Days of Christmas - plan small items that can assist in building a first aid kit.
· Create a 72 hr kit for a college student
· Assist elderly couple to secure their water tank, large bookcase, etc to the wall.
· Distribute “out of area” contact cards to neighbors and assist in filling them out.
· Create chart of emergency numbers (fire, police, poison control, utilities) and distribute to neighbors.
· Invite someone who has not been to the cannery to attend with you.
· Have a neighborhood or other group FHE “white elephant” party using only items related to emergency preparedness
. Simple Gifts
· Candles or Flashlight – May the Spirit of Christmas “light” up your holiday
· Hot Chocolate or Gloves – To help you stay “warm” this Holiday Season
· New Slippers (to put by the bed) – Put up your feet and rest from the hustle and bustle
· Raman Noodles – Hope you have “oodles-n-oodles” of fun this holiday season
· CHEER detergent – Wishing you a holiday full of “cheer”
· Nuts – From your “nutty” neighbors
· Chili – To warm you up on a “chili” night
· Sewing Supplies – I “sew” hope your holiday are happy
· Honey – Have a “honey” of a Christmas
· Can of Soup – You are “soup-r” Merry Christmas
· Oven Mitt – We have to ad-“mitt” you are great neighborUse your imagination to think of additional ideas of service or simple gift ideas and share the holiday spirit!
President Spencer W. Kimball said, “God does notice us, and watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom. The people of the Church need each other’s strength, support, and leadership in a community of believers as an enclave of disciples. In the Doctrine and Covenants we read about how important it is to “…succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” (D&C 81:5) So often, our acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving mundane help with mundane tasks, but what glorious consequences can flow from mundane acts and from small but deliberate deeds! (Ensign Dec 1974)

Family Disaster Plan

Here is how to create your Family Disaster Plan Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather, and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team. Keep it simple enough so people can remember the important details. A disaster is an extremely stressful situation that can create confusion. The best emergency plans are those with very few details.Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen.Explain what to do in each case. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing disasters ahead of time will help reduce fear and anxiety and will help everyone know how to respond.Pick two places to meet:
1. Right outside of your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
2. Outside of your neighborhood in case you can’t return home or are asked to leave your neighborhood.
Everyone must know the address and phone number of the meetinglocation.Develop an emergency communication plan. In case family members are separated from one another during floods or other disasters, have a plan for getting back together. Separation is a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school.Ask an out-of-town relative or friend to be your “family contact.”Your contact should live outside of your area.
After a disaster, it is often easier to make a long distance call than a local call. Family members should call the contact and tell him or her where they are. Everyone must know the contact’s name, address, and phone number.Discuss what to do if authorities ask you to evacuate.
Make arrangements for a place to stay with a friend or relative who lives out of town and/or learn about shelter locations.Be familiar with escape routes. Depending on the type of disaster, it may be necessary to evacuate your home. Plan several escape routes in case certain roads are blocked or closed. Remember to follow the advice of local officials during evacuation situations. They will direct you to the safest route; some roads may be blocked or put you in further danger.
Plan how to take care of your pets. Pets (other than service animals) are not permitted to be in places where food is served, according to many local health department regulations. Plan where you would take your pets if you had to go to a public shelter where theyare not permitted. WHERE TO GO AND WHO TO CONTACT IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY OUT OF STATE CONTACT:Name: _______________________________________________________________Address: _______________________________________________________________Telephone: Daytime: ____________________ Evening: ______________________ LOCAL CONTACT:Name: _______________________________________________________________Address: _______________________________________________________________Telephone: Daytime: ____________________ Evening: ______________________ NEAREST RELATIVE:Name: _______________________________________________________________Address: _______________________________________________________________Telephone: Daytime: ___________________ Evening: _______________________ FAMILY WORK NUMBERS:Father: _______________________________________________________________Mother: _______________________________________________________________Other: _______________________________________________________________ CHILDREN:Name: _______________________ School: ________________________________Name: _______________________ School _________________________________Name: _______________________ School: ________________________________Name: _______________________ School _________________________________ TEMPORARY CAREGIVER:Name: _____________________________________________________________Telephone: _____________________________________________________________ SPECIAL CONCERNS/MEDICATIONS: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ REUNION LOCATIONS:___________________________________________________________________________________ Family Disaster Plan Wallet Card (fill out & copy for each Family member) Emergency Meeting Place _________________________________ (outside your home) Meeting Place ___________________________________________________ Phone #_________________________________________________ (outside your neighborhood) Address___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________ Family Contact ________________________________________________ ( Out of state contact Name ) Phone #_______________________ Phone #___________________________ daytime Evening or Cell

Special thanks again to Sister Marcia Lind for her helpful information and inspiration in dealing with Emergency Preparedness.

Fire, EMS and Police "A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY".

2008-11-24T13:29:00.000-08:00

The purpose of this post is to illustrate the false sense of security that exists in our communities.
Below, I have listed the census numbers that reflect the populations of the community that I live in and the other communities, which I assist as a Firefighter. A large duty of a Firefighter is to educate the public in an attempt to mitigate future problems. It is not good for job security, but it is necessary for life safety.

You will notice that the combined numbers of residents who reside in the 3 communities within my fire district, totaled well over 30,000 people. By and large, the communities and its residents enjoy fast emergency response, with well trained personnel. This is in large part, because of the strategic locations of stations, and a full/part time staff who are available at almost any time.

For most, this service is sufficient and barring multiple, simultaneous call outs, will provide the citizens with adequate emergency care, but emergencies are rarely planned and rarely prepared for. I believe this is in part, because of the great job of most emergency responders. Do not get caught in a false sense of security zone.

At any given time within our district, 8 Firefighter, EMT/Paramedics will be working. Typically this is more than adequate coverage, however, if a mass emergency befell these cities, 8 trained personnel will simply not be enough. They will be overwhelmed immediately.

What does this mean?

It means that you will have to fend for yourself.

The Fire EMS system and departments will become triage centers. If you can get to them, the likelihood of their having supplies to treat you will be slim. The stock of emergency equipment would be exhausted within the first hour of triage.

What does this mean?

It means you will have to fend for yourself.

You will not be able to look to your 72 hour kit for help when dealing with a medical issue. You will not be able to go to the food storage shelves to find the necessary equipment you will need.
You will not likely have access to the neighborhood Physician. This WILL be a STRESSFUL time. ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THIS? Do you have more than a 5 dollar first aid kit? Have you had basic medical training? Do you know CPR? Can you control Bleeding? Do you have to tools to perform these functions if you know them? If you answered no to any of these, YOU ARE NOT PREPARED!

Do you rely on your spouse to know and be trained in these areas? Most of the time, the mother is with the children and the father is away. Moms, are you prepared? Can you give your child the Heimlich properly if he/she is choking? Parents, do your children know where to meet in case of an emergency, has a plan been established? Do you have a fire evacuation plan?

WE MUST BEGIN NOW TO PREPARE FOR AND MITIGATE POSSIBLE OUTCOMES

72 hour kits represent the need to be self sufficient for 72 hours. Could you assist an injured friend or relative if it took that long for professional help to get to them?

In this worse case scenario, we will have to be self reliant. We will need more than a box of bandaids. We will need to know how to treat a variety of issues that we may be faced with. We will need the tools. Knowing how to eat does nothing for us if we lack the food.

Not long ago, we went on a call of a man who was in cardiac arrest. When we arrived, we found that the man's son was and Emergency Room Physician. After many failed attempts at reviving the man, his son ultimately had to call time of death. Could this have been different? He had the knowledge and training, but he lacked his tools. By the time our tools arrived it was simply too late. He expired on scene.

We must gather and train now. We must not feel safe because some imaginary, public service box has been checked. Fireman will risk their lives to save others, but there are simply not enough of them.

Please seek out local resources for first aid training. The Red Cross and American Heart Association conduct regular CPR/AED trainings. This blog has many resources that should help you. Please prepare for your familie's sake.

-Jonathan
http://prepare4emergencies.blogspot.com/2008/10/cpr-cardiopulmonary-resuscitation.html

http://prepare4emergencies.blogspot.com/2008/10/building-proper-first-aid-kit.html

Many other first aid resources can be found under the October section of the blog.

Population in July 2007: 9,583. Population change since 2000: +29.9%

Population in July 2007: 14,591. Population change since 2000: +72.4%

Population in July 2007: 8,957. Population change since 2000: +175.7%

Light and Heat

2008-11-10T12:42:00.001-08:00

“Let There Be Light (and Heat)”

November 10, 2008

Lighting

During our long winter nights, that are 12 to 15 hours long, you need some type of alternate lighting resource. Every family has different needs, so the decision of what to use is quite personal. Experts recommend that each family have several types of lighting options available. There are kerosene lanterns, propane lanterns, hand crank flashlights, candles, flashlights, and many more things to use. You can check out the discount stores and sports stores to find a variety of choices.

Candles
Candles are a very reliable source because they need no other fuel and you can make them if in dire need. You also need to store matches to light candles and lanterns. When you get a lantern, you will need to purchase the fuel supply.

Candle Lighting	Burn Time Per Inch	Inches Burn Per Hour
½"	20 minutes	3"
3/4	45 minutes	1 1/3 "
7/8"	1 hour	1"
1"	1 hour/10 minutes	8/10"

A few notes:
Taller candles seem to give more light than shorter ones.
Make sure you have adequate candle holders so they don’t tip or create a fire hazard.
Make sure you have fire extinguisher for any open flame you use.
For 3 hours of light every day you would need:

Diameter	1 day	1 month (30 days)	1 year
½ " x 4 "	1 1/4 candle	37 ½ candles	447
3/4"x 4"	1 candle	30 candles	360
7/8" x 4"	3/4 candle	22 ½ candles	270
1" x 4"	2/3 candle	20 candles	240

Tallow Candles

½ " diameter	6 " high	3 hours burn time	3hrs@day=30 candles/mo
1 " diameter	6 " high	8 hours burn time	3hrs@day=11 candles/mo
2 " diameter	9 " high	48 hours burn time	3hrs@day=2 candle/mo

Trench Candles

One of the easiest and cheapest versions of an emergency candle is the trench candle. It can be used to cook as well as give light. (This is a great FHE activity)
1- Place a narrow strip of cloth or twisted string (for a wick) on edge of 6-10 layers newspapers.
2- Roll the newspaper tightly, leaving about 1 inch of wick extending at each end
3- Tie the roll firmly with string or wire at 2-4 inch intervals.
4- With small knife or saw, cut 1" above every tied place and pull the end sections into cones
5- Melt paraffin in large can or saucepan. Soak candle for about 2 minutes.
6- Place on newspaper to dry. Store in cool place until ready to use.
Flashlights
Flashlights are a great directional light. They don't light up a room very well. The batteries can be expensive to store, unless you can get solar rechargeable ones with a solar re-charger. You can also get hand crank/ solar recharge flashlights that work quite well.
One of the advances in preparedness is the LED (light emitting diode) bulb. These bulbs use space-age technology that allow an incredible life span of thousands of hours and emit a bright light. They do not have a sensitive filament to break and withstand much abuse. Re-chargeable batteries can be recharged with a small solar panel, or from your car 12 volt power supply.
Lanterns
A tip from my many years living without electricity: Kerosene lanterns offer the least expensive, longest lived source of light. They are safer than candles and give off more light, but do need to be watched so as not to knock them over. They do have a bit of a smell, and can smoke if turned too high. Of course you need to store fuel.

Kerosene lantern

3/4 cup/day

6 quarts/per month

18 gallons/per year

Propane lanterns are the brightest and cleanest but are more expensive to operate. Good for short term, but may not be as good in the long run. Propane lights work great as long as you can get or afford propane.
Battery powered lanterns can be charged with rechargeable batteries, hand crank generator, or solar panel.
We are setting up a combination of solar, wind power at our cabin to provide on demand power for lights, small refrigerator, and TV/DVD. (The essentials of life)

Emergency Heat

The other challenge during power outages is keeping warm. Examples of emergency heating include wood stove, propane heater approved for indoor use i.e. Mr. Buddy, generator and portable electric heater, gas fireplace, etc. Blankets and sleeping bags do wonders in an emergency. Make sure you have a plan in place and get the supplies needed.
Thanks again to
Marcia Lind

Sanitation/ Personal Hygiene

2008-10-28T10:44:00.001-07:00

Sanitation - Personal Care

Bathing: (We discussed soap inventory needs in soap section)

In the event you had limited water for bathing, your choices for cleaning up would be:
1 - Shallow baths in your tub if you could use it (no broken pipes) and didn’t want to keep the water.
2 - Bath in extra large round tub near heat source. (Do you have something you can use for this if need be?)

3 - Chilly dips in outside water

4 - Camp shower bags (pre bought) hung (either in existing tub or in an out doors area) water is heated by the sun. You would probably need several for a family.

5 - There are clever ways to make showers out of 5 gallon buckets with spigots or holes that are placed on a ladder or high shelf, filled with warm water, you stand underneath, and shower quick

6 - Sponge bath
Shampoo
Each family member needs as an average minimum, one gallon of shampoo per year. That would be enough to wash your hair about once a week, depending on how much shampoo you use.

Shampoo Alternatives:
1 - Work some dry baking soda (dip damp fingers into a small bowlful) into hair and scalp, then rinse it off with warm water, you will have squeaky clean hair.

2 - Homemade Shampoo

4 oz of castile soap with any scent is that available –– plain, peppermint, eucalyptus.
Choose whatever herbs you feel like your hair needs
½ oz of rosemary - stimulates the hair follicles and helps to prevent premature baldness
½ oz of sage –– has antioxidants and keeps things from spoiling and is antibacterial

½ oz of nettles –– acts as a blood purifier, blood stimulator, contains a large source of nutrients for hair growth

½ of lavender –– controls the production of sebaceous gland oil and reduces itchy and flaky scalp conditions

Mix the herbs in a mason jar, which has a lid. Boil 2 cups of distilled water. Add 3 heaping tablespoons of the mixed herbs into the boiling water. Pull the boiling water and herbs off the stove. Let the herb mixture sit for 30 –– 40 minutes. Strain the herbal mixture into a bowl.

Pour 2 to 2 1/2 oz of strained herbal tea into the 8 oz plastic bottle. Now, pour the 4 oz of castile soap into the 8 oz plastic bottle. Cap the bottle and shake to mix the ingredients.

The shampoo is now finished and ready for use. Use this as a base for all of the shampoos you make. You can add different herbs as you learn what these herbs do and how they help your hair. You can vary the ingredients according to your taste.

3 - Shampoo Recipe from Scratch
2 lb 10 oz olive oil
1 ob 7 oz solid vegetable shortening
1 lb of coconut or other oil
10 1/4 oz lye
2 pint water
1 ½ oz glycerin (available at pharmacies)
½ oz alcohol
1 ½ oz castor oil
Mix oils together. Place in a container and set the container in a large pan. Mix the lye solution - pour the lye into an enamel coated container of 2 pints cold water and stir steadily (How to make lye instructions are in the soap section) When cooled pour lye solution into a glass container and set in another large pan. Bring both to between 95* and 98* (candy thermometer works perfectly for this) this will mean pouring either cold or hot water into the pans, depending on original temperature of the ingredients.

Add the lye solution to the oils, pouring in a steady stream while continuing to stir. This mixture will turn opaque and brownish then will lighten. It is ready when its surface can support a drop of mixture for a moment/ the consistency should be like sour cream. Pour Mixture into molds and allow to harden. Make the shampoo as you need it by shaving off flakes and boiling in water until they dissolve, about one pond of shavings per gallon of water. You can add more water to the mixture, boil and allow to cool then place in bottle for use.

Hair Conditioner
½ cup olive oil
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup honey

Combine ingredients and heat until boiling. Remove from heat and let cool. Pour into a plastic spray bottle and spray wet hair. Wrap in damp cloth and leave for one our. Shampoo and rinse.
Hair Spray
Can be made with watered down corn syrup
Toothpaste

To determine your yearly needs, track your families tooth paste use for a week and times that by 52. The general rule is one large tube per family member per month.

You also need to have extra toothbrushes and floss stored as well. One way to extend your toothbrushes in a survival situation is to boil them for 5 minutes once a month.

1 - Here is a good recipe—>Ben Franklin used this.
Mix honey and ground charcoal, mix into a paste and rub on teeth for whiteness...I read where he only had 2 teeth left when he died, maybe this is why!

2 - Seriously here is a toothpaste mixture -
Mix 3 parts baking soda with one part salt.
Add 3 tsp of glycerin for every 1/4 cup of this mixture. Then add enough water to make a thick paste. Add peppermint oil for better taste.

3 - Toothpaste Mixture #2 -
1/4 tsp peppermint oil
1 tsp spearmint
1/4 cup arrowroot
1/4 cup powdered orrisroot
1/4 cup water
1 tsp ground sage

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Add water until paste is desired thickness and consistency.
4 - Indians used sage to clean their teeth. They plucked a leaf and rubbed all over their teeth until they were clean.
5 - Another thing used was strawberries.
6 - Pine needles have also been used.
Mouthwash
1 - 2 cups water
3 tsp parsley
2 tsp whole cloves
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp peppermint extract
Boil water and remove from heat. Add dry ingredients and allow to steep for 10-15 mins. Strain and store in a tightly covered container. You can substitute other flavorings fro peppermint if desired.
Hand Lotion (This is the old RS lotion that used to be sold at Church Bazaar’s)
12 oz glycerin
½ ox 28% ammonia
½ oz boric acid
4 oz steric acid
½ oz cocoa butter or beeswax
2 cup hot water.
Melt glycerin, steric acid and cocoa butter in glass or enamel double boiler. Remove from heat and stir until milky with a wooden spoon, Add boric acid already dissolved in 2 cups hot water, Add ammonia. Beat 10 minutes with mixer.
You can do searches on the internet and find many more recipes. These are recipes that have been tried and used by myself or people I know.

Sanitary Pads
Attached are the instructions to make sanitary pads. These have many uses as well as what they are meant for. This pattern is for you to use if you ever run out of this particular item. (Heaven Forbid!)

Look through this personal care area and determine what your family needs to keep clean. I read a talk once by Brigham Young, I don’t know where it is right now, but he was talking to the Priesthood Brethren about the need to take a bath more than once a month as their wives were complaining!
Evaluate your family’s personal care needs.
How much shampoo do you use? How much would you need in an emergency situation?
How much toothpaste and tooth brushes do you need? If the electricity went out, you would need toothbrushes to take the place of electric toothbrushes.

How much soap do you use and need
also look at your toilet paper needs.

_________________________________________________________________

Sanitation/ Soap

2008-10-28T10:26:00.000-07:00

Sanitation- Soap

During any type of disaster one of the biggest challenges is cleanliness. Disease and sickness are spread because of lack of ability to wash hands and dispose of garbage and waste.

It is so important to keep our hands clean, have the ability to wash clothing and keep our area of living clean from refuse, waste and garbage.

Soap is a great item to add to your storage. It is a great morale booster and is one of the top 10 things on barter lists. It is also one of the top 10 things to disappear in a disaster.

There are soaps for different purposes:
Hand Soap
Shampoo
Dish Soap
Laundry Soap
Cleaners for your house
Hand Soap:
When you purchase hand soap, make sure you buy the antibacterial soap.
Your supplies need to include one bar of soap per person per month.
Before you use your bars of soap, let them dry out to last longer.
When you get down to slivers of soap left. Put them in a nylon sock, tie the end shut and you will have the best hand, foot, and elbow scrubber!

Dish Soap
You need the basics to keep your dishes clean, such as dish soap, dish cloths, dish towels, a drainer, SOS pads, and scrubbers.

You need enough dish cloths to trade them everyday. Dish clothes and sponges harbor all kinds of things that will make you sick. I read a report that said many people who think they have the flu often, in reality are having small cases of food poisoning from the dish clothes they do their dishes with. They leave them out and use them for several days. What would happen if you left bits and pieces of food out and they were dampish then you ate them after several days? Wash your cloths at the end of each day!

If you do not have hot water, you will need some type of pot that can heat water over a fire. No, not your kitchen pots unless they are specifically designed for fire. Direct fire heating is much hotter than your stove. Cast iron works the best over a fire.

If you can’t use your sink you will need two dish pans, one for rinsing and one for washing. Three works even better so you can have a bleach final rinse.
Remember, if you are now using a dishwasher you will need quite a bit more than you are used to using.
Wash your dishes for one day, all of them. Make note of how much dish soap you use and times that by 30. The general rule is you need one small bottle of dish soap per month per person. If you are cooking with a fire, you will use more dish soap than you do now cooking with your stove. (Remember, do not use soap on cast iron or you will lose your cure. Salt works great instead)

Laundry Soap
We wash our clothes a lot. In a crisis they could be washed less often. You will need supplies to wash your clothing by hand if we didn’t have electricity. Generations past used rocks, then washboards. You will need a big tub to wash in and something else to rinse in. The fine things such as underwear are the easiest to wash. Using a plunger works much like a washing machine does....you would need to enlist several people to do this, because it takes a lot of muscles!
Soap–get antibacterial
Washboard
Plunger
Baking Soda

Clorox
If you have a baby you will need some type of diaper pail once your disposables run out.
Cleaners for your house
Look at the items you use to clean your home with. Every month add a few of these to your storage. Look to see what cleaners can do several jobs so you don’t have to store as many supplies. You will also need rags, buckets etc.
Another thing to have a back up of is a good broom. If you can’t vacuum your home, you would have to sweep your carpets.
Keeping clean with limited water in a crisis
Heat water in a large kettle on cook stove
Take out what water is needed for dishes and to keep counters clean for the day
Reserve one cup of water for brushing teeth
Reserve another quart for each person to wash their hands through the day.
Water that is used for rinse water for the dishes can be used to bath children and wash faces. Any extra used to flush potties.

Water that has been used to wash dishes can be used to mop floors or saved to flush the toilet if you are able to use it.

You can also purify it as listed in the water section to water plants and gardens.
Before mopping the floor add some spic and span to cut the grease

Add a dash of Clorox to bucket before flushing the toilet.

Here is a great article about making basic soap should you run out of your supply. You can do searches on the internet and find a lot of soap and cleaner recipes. If you do that, make sure the recipes you find have basic ingredients that you would have in your storage.

How To Make Soap (I found a lady, or rather she found me at the preparedness fair who will come next spring and teach us how to make soap if we are interested. I thought it sounded like fun.)

The intention here is to provide the basic data on how to make soap from the most basic materials. There are many fancier soap recipes which make better soaps, as long as you have all the ingredients.

The first write-up assumes you can just go to a store and buy the ingredients. The second only assumes you have some animals you will be butchering and that you have been burning wood fires and cleverly saved the ashes.

Basic Method

[A. This first write-up is taken from Hulda Clarkíííís book, "The Cure for All Diseases," pages 529-530.]

A small plastic dishpan, about 10" x 12" A glass or enamel 2-quart saucepan 1 can of lye (sodium hydroxide), 12 ounces 3 pounds of lard, Plastic gloves [really; use eye-protection too] Water

1. Pour 3 cups of very cold water (refrigerate water overnight first) into the 2-quart saucepan. 2. Slowly and carefully add the lye, a little bit at a time, stirring it with the wooden or plastic utensil. (Use plastic gloves for this; test them for holes first.) Do not breathe the vapor or lean over the container or have children nearby. Above all use no metal. The mixture will get very hot. In olden days, a sassafras branch was used to stir, imparting a fragrance and insect deterrent for mosquitoes, lice, fleas and ticks. 3. Let cool at least one hour in a safe place. Meanwhile, the unwrapped lard should be warming up to room temperature in the plastic dishpan. 4. Slowly and carefully, pour the lye solution into the dishpan with the lard. The lard will melt. Mix thoroughly, at least 15 minutes, until it looks like thick pudding. 5. Let it set until the next morning, then cut it into bars. It will get harder after a few days. Then package.

If you wish to make soap based on olive oil, use about 48 ounces. It may need to harden for a week.

Liquid soap

Make chips from your home-made soap cake. Add enough hot water to dissolve. Add citric acid to balance the pH (7 to 8). If you do not, this soap may be too harsh for your skin.

Basic Method When There Are No Stores!

[This write-up was taken from one done by Marietta Ellis concerning the soap-making practices of colonial America, with the tense mainly changed from the past into the present.]

Saponification is a very big chemical word for the rather complex but easy to create soap making reaction. Saponification is what happens when a fatty acid meets an alkali. When fats or oils, which contain fatty acids, are mixed with a strong alkali, the alkali first splits the fats or oils into their two major parts fatty acids and glycerin. After this splitting of the fats or oils, the sodium or potassium part of the alkali joins with the fatty acid part of the fat or oils. This combination is then the potassium or sodium salt of the fatty acid. As we said at the start, this is soap.

Soap Making Takes Three Basic Steps

1. Making of the wood ash lye. 2. Rendering or cleaning the fats. 3. Mixing the fats and lye solution together and boiling the mixture to make the soap.

First Let's Make the Lye

In making soap the first ingredient required is a liquid solution of potash commonly called lye.

The lye solution was obtained by placing wood ashes in a bottomless barrel set on a stone slab with a groove and a lip carved in it. The stone in turn rested on a pile of rocks. To prevent the ashes from getting in the solution a layer of straw and small sticks was placed in the barrel then the ashes were put on top. The lye was produced by slowly pouring water over the ashes until a brownish liquid oozed out the bottom of the barrel. This solution of potash lye was collected by allowing it to flow into the groove around the stone slab and drip down into a clay vessel at the lip of the groove.

Some colonists used an ash hopper for the making of lye instead of the barrel method. The ash hopper was kept in a shed to protect the ashes from being leached unintentionally by a rain fall. Ashes were added periodically and water was poured over at intervals to insure a continuous supply of lye. The lye dripped into a collecting vessel located beneath the hopper.

Now the Fats Are Prepared

The preparation of the fats or grease to be used in forming the soap is the next step. This consists of cleaning the fats and grease of all other impurities contained in them.

The cleaning of fats is called rendering and is the smelliest part of the soap making operation. Animal fat, when removed from the animals during butchering, must be rendered before soap of any satisfactory quality can be made from it. This rendering removes all meat tissues that still remain in the fat sections. Fat obtained from cattle is called tallow while fat obtained from pigs is called lard.

If soap is being made from grease saved from cooking fires, it is also rendered to remove all impurities that have collected in it. The waste cooking grease being saved over a period of time without the benefits of refrigeration usually become rancid, so this cleaning step is very important to make the grease sweeter. It will result in a better smelling soap. The soap made from rancid fats or grease will work just as well as soap made from sweet and clean fats but not be as pleasant to have around and use.

To render, fats and waste cooking grease are placed in a large kettle and an equal amount of water is added. Then the kettle is placed over the open fire outdoors. Soap making is an outside activity. The smell from rendering the fats is too strong to wish in anyone's house. The mixture of fats and water are boiled until all the fats have melted. After a longer period of boiling to insure completion of melting the fats, the fire is stopped and into the kettle is placed another amount of water about equal to the first amount of water. The solution is allowed to cool down and left over night. By the next day the fats have solidified and floated to the top forming a layer of clean fat. All the impurities being not as light as the fat remain in water underneath the fat.

You may have observed this in your own kitchen. When a stew or casserole containing meat has been put in the refrigerator, you could see the next day the same fat layer.

Finally the Soap Making Can Begin
In another large kettle or pot the fat is placed with the amount of lye solution determined to be the correct amount. This is easier said than done. We will discuss it more later. Then this pot is placed over a fire again outdoors and boiled. This mixture is boiled until the soap is formed. This is determined when the mixture boils up into a thick frothy mass, and a small amount placed on the tongue causes no noticeable "bite". This boiling process could take up to six to eight hours depending on the amount of the mixture and the strength of the lye.

Soft and Hard Soap

Soap made with wood ash lye does not make a hard soap but only a soft soap. When the fire is put out and the soap mixture allowed cooling, the next day reveals a brown jelly like substance that feels slippery to the touch, makes foam when mixed with water, and cleans. This is the soft soap the colonists had done all their hard work to produce. The soft soap is then poured into a wooden barrel and ladled out with a wooden dipper when needed.

To make hard soap, common salt is thrown in at the end of the boiling. If this is done a hard cake of soap forms in a layer at the top of the pot. As common salt may be expensive and hard to get, it is not usually wasted to make hard soap. Common salt is more valuable to give to the livestock and the preserving of foods. Soft soap works just as well as hard and for these reasons the colonists, making their own soap, did not make hard soap bars.

Difficulties in Making Soap

The hardest part is in determining if the lye is of the correct strength, as we have said. In order to learn this, the soap maker floats either a potato or an egg in the lye. If the object floats with a specified amount of its surface above the lye solution, the lye is declared fit for soap making. Most of the colonists felt that lye of the correct strength would float a potato or an egg with an area the size of a modern quarter above the surface. To make weak lye stronger, the solution can either be boiled down more or the lye solution can be poured through a new batch of ashes. To make a solution weaker, water is added [more data to be added here on how to determine the correct strength of lye].

A Pennsylvania Dutch recipe once carefully warned that a sassafras stick was the only kind of implement suitable for stirring the mixture [see Hulda Clark comment above re sassafras] and the stirring must be done always in the same direction [?].

Potash and Pearl ash Trade

Soap making and the manufacture of potash and pearl ashes were closely related trades of colonial America. Pearl ash, purified potash, because of its many industrial uses, was an important item of export for the colonies. Pearl ash, in addition to soap making, was used for making glass both in the colonies and in Europe....

Potash is the residue remaining after all the water has been driven off from the lye solution obtained from the leaching of wood ashes. Pearl ash is then made from the potash by baking it in a kiln until all the carbon impurities were burned off. The fine, white powder remaining was the Pearl ash....

End of article-----

There are several things you need to know before you begin your soap making experience.

Lye which you can either make yourself from wood ash, or purchase at a grocery store, is very irritating to the skin and can do severe damage to eyes and throats. Use extreme caution when using lye, always keeping it away from children. You should use rubber gloves and safety glasses when using lye. Follow the directions on the back of the lye box on how to handle lye. Red Devil is a popular brand of lye. You can also make your own lye by pouring water over wood ashes and saving the bi-product--lye water. The lye water is then added to fat to make soap.

Although lard is the main ingredient in soap, one can successfully substitute other oils to use in its place. Possible substitutions for lard can be sunflower, canola, or just vegetable oil. (Soap made from oil is greasier than that made of lard.) Lard can be purchased at a grocery store or a butcher shop. Crisco works!

The utensils you use in soap making should be saved for soap making use only and should not be used thereafter for food purposes. This goes for the kettle you cook the soap in too, although you might use an enamelware canning kettle to can in after using it for soap making as long as there is no direct contact with food items. Give it a good scrubbing, of course. You must not use metal pans and utensils, like aluminum, iron, tin, or Teflon for soap making. You can use cast iron (as in a kettle, if you are making it outside over a fire) or enamelware, stoneware, wood, glass or plastic.

Always add lye to cold water. Not vise-versa. Remember to stir slowly to avoid splashes. The water will start heating up once the lye is added, due to a chemical reaction. Afterwards, pour the lye solution into the fat, once again stirring slowly.

Chunks in your bar soap is caused by the separation of the lye and the lard. The chunks are the fat. If this happens, melt the mixture and add a cup of water at a time, until the mixture is thick and syrupy again.

You can make your own soap molds out of a rag-lined box or glass cake pans or casseroles. Simply slice the bars with a knife after the soap has cured for a week.

You can use kitchen grease, (drippings off meat etc.) you will need to boil it to get rid of any meat residue, the grease will float to the top and you can skim it off.

To make 9 lbs of soap you need 6 lbs of grease

Homemade soap is not as drying as commercial
To make your own lye—Place wood ashes in a cut off Clorox bottle which has small holes punched in the bottom. Place several layers of cloth in bottom, then ashes on top. Pour boiling water over ashes, allowing the water to slowly drip through into suitable container do not use aluminum (lye is very poisonous keep out of reach of children)
Keep vinegar handy in case you get lye on your skin.

How to Make Laundry Soap-----
You will need a big pot. Do not use aluminum,
Wooden stick, a tree branch works
Cheese cloth or sieve (sieve is easer to clean after
Something to pour the soap into, either glass or enamel or you can use little boxes or cartons, or a pan and cut it into chunks. (Shoe boxes work great)

Bar Soap for Laundry
10 cups animal fat (clarified and strained)
1 lb lye
1 cup bleach
1 qt of rain water
Warm the fat to consistency of warm honey. If fat is too hot it will curdle the soap. Add cool water into another pot. Add lye and stir hard until it is dissolved. Don’t stand over the mixture. Add bleach and continue to stir until mixture is cool. (Lye heats the water) Pour fat into lye mixture very slowly. Stir constantly for 25 minutes until thick and creamy. Pour into molds and allow to stand several days before set. Cut into bars and wrap in brown paper sacks.
Granulated Soap for Laundry
2 ½ quarts cleaned grease
2 ½ qts. water
1 can lye
½ cup borax
1 cup bleach
½ cup ammonia
Warm the fat to consistency of warm honey to be poured into lye mixture. Put water into container and stir till dissolved. Add borax and stir until dissolved. Add grease slowly. Add bleach slowly and continue stirring until mixed. Stir very 30 minutes through the day. Next morning break up as much as you can or grate with a cheese grater.
House Cleaners
Wall or Floor Cleaner
1 gallon water
1 cup ammonia
1/4 cup vinegar

1/4 cup soda.
(Leave out soda if your walls are shiny.)
Window Cleaner
1 pint rubbing alcohol
1 ½ tbls ammonia
1 tsp dish detergent
Wallpaper Cleaner
1 cup flour
1 T. salt
1 tsp. kerosene
2 tsp. ammonia
2 tsp. vinegar
1/2 cup warm water
Mix and boil for 2 or 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Cool, knead and form into balls. Rub over paper, discarding the balls as they become soiled.
Floor Cleaner
1/2 c. white vinegar
1 c. warm water
Mix and use on vinyl floors.
Drain Opener
1/2 c. baking soda
1/2 c. vinegar
Pour baking soda and then vinegar down the drain. Seal for 10-15 minutes then rinse with boiling water. Repeat if necessary.

Glass Cleaner
1/4 c. white vinegar
1 quart water
Pour into a spray bottle and spray on windows. Wipe dry with a crumpled newspaper.
Dishwasher Detergent
Sprinkle dirty dishes with baking soda and start machine. During the wash cycle, add a small amount of bleach to sanitize your dishes.
Scouring Powder for Sinks
Use Baking soda to scrub grime. Vinegar will loosen lime deposits, and a bit of bleach will disinfect
Challenge -
Buy a package of soap for your storage!

Used with permission from Marcia Lind of the Maple Valley Stake, WA

Sanitation

2008-10-28T10:05:00.000-07:00

"Sanitation"

If you have food to eat, you have a sanitation issue, from personal cleanliness to food preparation. This is a most critical area of concern especially if we are in a disaster type situation. If your family gets sick from poor hygiene or poor habits, it won’t matter how much food you have stored.

"After awhile, even gold can lose its luster. But there is no luxury in war quite like toilet paper. Its surplus value is greater than gold." (Sorry I can’t find the author of this truism! After the info I present to you, I think you will agree with this assessment!)

Toilet paper is a recent luxury, so what did all our ancestors use???
- Corn cobs soaked in a rain barrel

- Mussel shells

- A "gompf stick" that was kept in a container by the privy, but this was late period

- Irish and Scandinavian ancients used moss

-Romans washed up with water

- Both linen and wool cloth scraps have been found in ancient privies, scraps from old clothing

- discarded locks of sheep's wool, which would make sense from skirting fleeces

- Hay-balls
- Straw

-smooth rocks

- sailors used the ends of frayed anchor ropes On Frontier House, they said settlers in the 1800's each used their own rag and washed it after.

A little about the corn cobs - Old privies had a hole in the side wall to dispose of the corn cob and this was called a "corn hole." Now you know where the expression ("corn holed") comes from. To prepare the cob, you take two dried corn cobs, and rub them together so as to make a nice soft frayed surface. Then you use it and dispose of the cob through the corn hole afterwards. Those were plowed under since there was such a small percentage of offensive material in them.

When I was a little girl my grandparents lived in Gem, Kansas. They didn’t get an indoor bathroom until the late fifties. They had the coolest three hole outhouse, two adult size and one little one built for my mom and her sister. I remember toilet paper out there but my mom says when she was growing up they used the prior year volume of Sears Catalog. It was made at that time of the same paper that phone books are made of. The idea was to take a page and smash and rub it in your hands to soften it up.

What do people use now if they do not use TP?

The Europeans have had this down for a while, they are called Bidet's.

Others use a damp cloth, and then wash the cloth. Use a diaper pail or something until a washing load is ready. By the way, half diapers are great - dampen one end, wipe, and use the dry half to dry. (Make sure not to use these cloths to wash your face) Some cultures use their left hand; their right hand is for eating. Other’s use leaves, (be watchful for poison ivy!)
I myself would put toilet paper high on my storage list!

How much Toilet Paper do I need to store?
It has been suggested that each person needs a roll per week. The best brand of TP I have found so far to be the best value is Scott. Try to buy a big package of it every time you go shopping, or buy it on sale. It is bulky and cumbersome to store, but that is ok!

Babies and Diapers
Since most people use disposable diapers, many do not have cloth diapers in storage. If disposables were not available, you would need cloth diapers, pins and plastic pants. You need to make note of how many diapers your baby goes through each day. You need at least 3 days worth of diapers. You also need to have 2-3 pairs of plastic pants per day and at least 4 sets of pins. I don’t like to mention store names, but Wal-Mart is the only store that carries these things regularly.) You also need to make sure you have a rash cream for your baby; you need 20 oz for every year of age your child is that is in diapers.

Baby Wipe Recipe
1 cup warm water, 1 tablespoon lotion, 1 tablespoon baby wash. Mix well. Put soft paper towels that have been cut in half in air tight container and cover with liquid.

Waste Disposal (It shows how blessed we are that we really don’t know how to deal with this subject and turn our noses up at it.)
What would happen to our world if the toilets no longer flushed? Few things can spread disease faster; attract more flies, vermin and rodents than the improper storage of human waste. It has been speculated that some of the deadly diseases of the Middle Ages in Europe were spread mainly by the inadequate sewage systems of the time. Failure to properly dispose of human waster can lead to epidemics such as typhoid, cholera, dysentery, nausea and diarrhea.

This is a very brief outline of these things.
So how do we deal with this waste?
Toilet - No running water. We could still use our potties if there weren’t any broken sewer lines. The water uses the gravity system. You would need to use grey water to flush the toilets. They would have to be flushed less often to save on water use.

Toilet - Can not flush Place a one gallon bucket inside the empty toilet and a plastic bag inside the bucket. When the toilet is used, tie up the bag and dispose of. You will need to bury it, if garbage services are not available. Buckets - This is the easiest thing for an indoor waste disposal system if the toilets couldn’t be used. Put a heavy duty trash bag inside a 5 gallon bucket as a liner. You will need a bucket for urine and a bucket for excrement. After each use add a little dirt, kitty liter, or sawdust. When they are full, pour out the urine in a location far from your water source. Use a shovel to dig a hole and bury the excrement. You can even add a comfortable toilet seat to the bucket. A family of four will fill this in about 4 days.
Portable Toilet - Portable toilets are available in the camping section of your local retail store and are miniature versions of a porta potty. They hold a reservoir of water that flushes the waste into a storage container. (Keep in mind you would have to empty this often. When we were at girl’s camp we had 200 people and we filled about 4 full size porta potties in 4 days.)
The Outhouse - This is very efficient and low cost. Find a place away from your water source, dig a hole, place a protective covering around it, with a with seat with a hole in it. and it is ready to go. This is one that you don’t have to worry about sanitation and moving waste from in the house. Make sure that everyone washes their hands after. (Also make sure the door has something on it a leather strap split to go over a nail or whatever to keep little children from wandering in and falling in the hole.) (Lime can be used but must be used with caution to keep the smell down.)
What if I Run Out of TP - You can use a cake pan that has a sealed cover on it. Put several layers from magazines, newspapers, telephone books etc. Add a little water to the paper and seal it up. It softens the paper and moistens it just a bit so there isn't the irritation that too rough of paper can create.
Other ideas - duplicate what has been done in the past.
Preventing the Spread of Disease
It is vitally important to wash your hands after using the bathroom, particularly if there are water shortages. If you have to use outside facilities like an outhouse you might want to hang a water bag filled with water with bleach in it to rinse your hands after going potty.
Other suggested items to be stored would be:
Antibacterial soaps
Baby wipes
Bar soap
Liquid soap with pump
Hand towels-(you will need more than you normally do)
“Rags” for cleaning up messes
Paper towels for the short haul
Used with permission from Marcia Lind Maple Valley Stake, WA

Family Home Evening Activity #4 Water Storage

2008-10-09T10:11:00.000-07:00

Summary

FHE Water Supply Acitivity

Storing Safe Water

Your family’s health and well being will certainly depend on having a safe, clean supply of water in the event of an emergency. Water supplies can quickly be compromised in numerous ways, so make sure you have plenty on hand.

Prior to Family Home Evening

Parents and adult family members should be familiar with all lesson information. Purchase or gather plastic containers to store water. Refer to lesson specifications and pick up any other supplies you might need to have on hand.

Activity

Explain to the family the vital need for clean, safe drinking water and brainstorm other water needs.
Prepare and clean used containers and lids with hot, soapy water. Sanitize using the process described in the lesson.
Give children a math problem to figure out how much drinking water will be required by the family for two weeks.
Label all the water containers “drinking water” and include the current date. Fill the containers and find a cool, dry storage place away from harmful chemicals and fuels. Water can also be stored in the freezer, if you have space available. Be sure to add the recommended amount of chlorine bleach per gallon of water.
Talk about additional sources of water that might be available. Demonstrate ways to disinfect water.

Follow Up

Stored water should be rotated 3-4 times a year. Enlist the aid of the family to accomplish this process. Water you are replacing could be used on plants or gardens, or simply work out a rotation schedule.

Storing Safe Water

Preparation: Consider short-term and long-term water storage

· Short-term: water needs for up to 72 hours. PORTABLE. Small water containers easily used and replaced. Swap every 6 months.

· Long-term: Large barrels for 72+ hours- several months. Swap every 6-12 months

Purchase or gather plastic containers to store water. Food-grade plastic containers are suitable for storing water. One-, three- and five-gallon water containers can be purchased from most outdoor or hardware stores. Any plastic container that previously held food or beverages such as 2-liter soda bottles or water, juice, or punch containers may also be used.

Activity:

Clean used containers and lids with hot soapy water. Once the containers have been thoroughly cleaned, rinse them with water and sanitize the containers and lids by rinsing them with a solution of 1 tablespoon chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Leave the containers wet for two minutes, then rinse them again with water. Remember to remove the paper or plastic lid liners before washing the lids. It is very difficult to effectively remove all residue from many containers, so carefully clean hard-to-reach places like the handles. Never use containers that previously held chemicals.

Calculate how much water you/your family needs for a two week period (1 gallon per person per day). Fill the needed number of containers with clean water and, as an additional precaution, add 5-7 drops, about 1/8 teaspoon, of chlorine bleach per gallon of water. This precaution protects you against any lingering organisms in storage containers that may have been inadvertently missed during the cleaning process. *Use liquid household bleach that contains 5.25 percent hypochlorite. Do not use bleaches with fresheners or scents as they may not be safe to consume.

Clearly label all water containers "drinking water" with the current date. Store the water in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources like clothes dryers and chimneys. Do not store it near gasoline, kerosene, pesticides or similar substances.

NOTE: When water is properly stored, it should have an indefinite shelf life; however, it's a good idea to use and replace the stored water every 6 - 12 months. Rotating water this way provides you with an opportunity to experiment and check the amount of stored water against what you require. It also serves as an additional precaution against bacteria or viruses growing in containers which may not have been thoroughly or properly cleaned and sanitized.

If you have freezer space, storing some water in the freezer is a good idea. If you lose electricity, the frozen water will help keep foods in your freezer frozen until the power is restored. Make sure you leave 2 to 3 inches of space in containers because water expands as it freezes.

Additional information: Sources of water within your home include your water heater, toilet tank (not toilet bowl), and plumbing (you can drain your pipes). It is also a good idea to have a rain barrel as an additional method of water collection for use in emergencies.

Safe Water in Emergencies

In addition to having a bad odor and taste, contaminated water can contain microorganisms that cause diseases such as dysentery, typhoid and hepatitis. You should purify all water before using it for drinking, food preparation or hygiene. There are many ways to purify water. None is perfect. Often the best solution is a combination of methods.

1. Clarify cloudy water by adding a small amount of powdered kitchen alum—about 1/4 level teaspoon per gallon. Larger amounts are not more effective! Crystals take much longer to dissolve than does powder. The alum reacts with the water, producing a precipitate which slowly settles and absorbs impurities. After settling is complete (fifteen minutes to an hour or two, depending on the water) pour the water into another container, being careful not to stir up the sludge at the bottom. Discard the sludge, and the water is ready to be disinfected. If you don’t have any alum, filter the water through a tightly woven cloth. Clarification is important; clear water can be purified using less chlorine or iodine than you need for cloudy water. When the water is clear, you are ready to disinfect it.

2. Disinfect the water by one of the following methods:

Boiling. Boiling is the safest method of purifying water. Bring water to a rolling boil and boil for 3-5 minutes, keeping in mind that some water will evaporate. Let water cool before drinking. This is the best method if fuel is available. (At elevations of ten thousand feet or more, water should be boiled for 15 minutes because it boils at a lower temperature at higher elevations.)

Chlorine. Add 4-5 drops of chlorine bleach solution (4 to 6 percent hypochlorite solutions such as Clorox or Purex work well) per quart of water (16 drops per gallon of water). Let the water stand for 30 minutes. If the water does not have a slight bleach odor, repeat the treatment and let it stand another 15 minutes. A small plastic bottle of bleach solution will purify a lot of water, but the chlorine solution deteriorates with time, so replace your bottle on a yearly basis. Halazone tablets release chlorine slowly, but they are expensive, have a relatively short shelf life, and are less effective.

Iodine. Add 8 drops of a 2% tincture of iodine solution (obtainable at most pharmacies) to a quart of water, and let stand for 30 minutes. (Note: persons who are sensitive to

iodine or who have hyperthyroidism should not use this method.) Check products carefully and do not use them unless they contain 5.25% sodium hypochlorite as the only active ingredient.

3. Distillation. Distillation involves boiling water and then collecting the vapor that condenses back to water. The condensed vapor will not include salt and other impurities. To distill, fill a pot halfway with water. Tie a cup to the handle on the pot’s lid so that the cup will hang right-side-up when the lid is upside down (make sure the cup is not dangling into the water) and boil the water for 20 minutes. The water that drips from the lid into the cup is distilled.

NOTE: While boiling or disinfecting will kill most microbes in water, distillation will remove microbes that resist these methods, heavy metals, salts, and other chemicals.

As a reminder, put labels on the alum, bleach and iodine containers:

Kitchen Alum 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of cloudy water. Let stand until clear

Chlorine Bleach 4-5 drops = 1/8 teaspoon per quart of clear water.

Iodine Solution 3 Tablespoon per gallon of clear water. Let stand approximately 30 minutes.

Additional Hint -

Nursing mothers and persons with special dietary needs or medical conditions may require more than 1 gallon/day. They should plan accordingly.

Family Home Evening Activity #3 First Aid

2008-10-09T10:06:00.000-07:00

Summary

First Aid FHE

Family Home Evening First Aid Activity

This Family Home Evening Activity is meant to encourage individuals and family members to discuss potential emergencies, refresh skills and review basic first aid knowledge. We hope that each participant will seek to obtain a working fundamental understanding of basic first aid. We also hope that each family will work together in gathering first aid supplies in preparation for various potential emergencies. Some preparation or advance planning may be required to secure first aid supplies. We encourage families to review, assemble, and store basic first aid supplies for your family’s benefit.

· Prior to Home Evening:

It may be a fun activity to have family members shop together for supplies prior to assembling family first aid kits. Some additional supplies should be made available for demonstrative purposes in preparing, practicing and role playing during your family home evening activity. Remember planning, preparation and practice improves performance and saves lives. If you are unable to secure additional first aid supplies, have family members gather items already within the home.

· Activity:

1. Discuss the ABC’s of First Aid for establishing priority in rendering assistance.

2. Assemble First Aid Kits for each vehicle and individual 72 hour kit.

3. Practice with each family member by role playing to ascertain if each family member understands how to treat common emergencies. The following scenarios are but a beginning of what could be asked during your family home evening: “What would you do under the following conditions, if a family member sustained any of the following injuries?”

a. Minor cut

b. Severe bleeding

c. Not breathing

d. In shock

e. Poisoned

f. Burned

4. Look up on the internet first aid websites or review the Boy Scouts of America First Aid Merit Badge booklet.

5. Optional: Invite a boy scout or registered nurse to teach basis first aid to your family.

· Follow Up:

Evaluate the activity with your family to determine what additional training and review is deemed necessary to improve your family’s first aid skills and knowledge.

Basic First Aid

DISCLAIMER: This information should not be construed as a First Aid Manual. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical services, advice, and/or treatment. It is not intended to provide formal first aid training; rather, it is only intended for educational and discussion purposes. When faced with a medical emergency immediately seek out and consult qualified medical personnel.

FIRST AID—PRIORITY (REMEMBER YOUR ABC’s)
The logical order in assessing an emergency should carefully be followed.

Airway:

Assess the situation.
Is victim responsive, ask “Are you okay?”
If not responsive, send someone for help.
Is the victim breathing? If not, open the victim’s airway (push back on forehead while lifting up on the chin).

Breathing:

Look, Listen and Feel for breathing (look to see if chest is rising, listen for sounds of breath, and feel for air coming from nose or mouth).
If not breathing, rescue breathing is immediately required (encourage family members to enroll in a red cross CPR course). Give victim two breaths, check pulse to ascertain heartbeat.

If heartbeat, but not breathing, then rescue breathing would be required.
If no heartbeat, CPR would be immediately required.

Circulation:

To stop bleeding, do the following:

Apply Direct pressure -- place a clean cloth firmly over the wound and press hard.
Elevation -- if on an extremity, lift the limb over the person's heart.
Pressure point -- place direct pressure at one of the "pressure points". On the arm, this is between the bicep and tricep on the upper arm (a pulse is normally palpable). Learn the locations of pressure points on the body.

TRAVEL FIRST AID KIT

1 Chemical ice pack, Two 2" roller bandages, roll of adhesive tape, 12 3x3 sterile pads, adhesive bandage strips, 3 elastic bandages, thermometer, scissors, tweezers, safety pins, calamine lotion, 2 pair examination gloves, antiseptic, antibiotic ointment, water based burn gel, mouth barrier device and a bottle of water.

Materials & Ideas retrieved from the following websites: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Scouting:BSA_-_First_Aid_Merit_Badge

http://www.survival-center.com/firstaid/order.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-shock/FA00056

Shock: First aid (Remember: If red lift the head and if pale lift the tail).

Shock may result from trauma, heatstroke, allergic reactions, severe infection, poisoning or other causes. Various signs and symptoms appear in a person experiencing shock:

§ The skin is cool and clammy. It may appear pale or gray.

§ The pulse is weak and rapid. Breathing may be slow and shallow, or hyperventilation (rapid or deep breathing) may occur. Blood pressure is below normal.

§ The eyes lack luster and may seem to stare. Sometimes the pupils are dilated.

§ The person may be conscious or unconscious. If conscious, the person may feel faint or be very weak or confused. Shock sometimes causes a person to become overly excited and anxious.

If you suspect shock, even if the person seems normal after an injury:

Dial 911 or call your local emergency number.
Have the person lie down on his or her back with feet higher than the head. If raising the legs will cause pain or further injury, keep him or her flat. Keep the person still.
Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If absent, begin CPR.
Keep the person warm and comfortable. Loosen belt(s) and tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket. Even if the person complains of thirst, give nothing by mouth.
If the person vomits or bleeds from the mouth, turn the person on his or her side to prevent choking.
Seek treatment for injuries such as bleeding or broken bones.

Severe bleeding: First aid

If possible, before you try to stop severe bleeding, wash your hands to avoid infection and put on synthetic gloves. Don't reposition displaced organs. If the wound is abdominal and organs have been displaced, don't try to push them back into place. Cover the wound with a dressing.

For other cases of severe bleeding, follow these steps:

Have the injured person lie down. If possible, position the person's head slightly lower than the trunk or elevate the legs. This position reduces the risk of fainting by increasing blood flow to the brain. If possible, elevate the site of bleeding.
While wearing gloves, remove any obvious dirt or debris from the wound. Don't remove any large or more deeply embedded objects. Don't probe the wound or attempt to clean it at this point. Your principal concern is to stop the bleeding.
Apply pressure directly on the wound. Use a sterile bandage, clean cloth or even a piece of clothing. If nothing else is available, use your hand.

Maintain pressure until the bleeding stops. Hold continuous pressure for at least 20 minutes without looking to see if the bleeding stopped. You can maintain pressure by binding the wound tightly with a bandage (or even a piece of clean clothing) and adhesive tape.
Don't remove the gauze or bandage. If the bleeding continues and seeps through the gauze or other material you are holding on the wound, don't remove it. Instead, add more absorbent material on top of it.
Squeeze a main artery if necessary. If the bleeding doesn't stop with direct pressure, apply pressure to the artery delivering blood to the area of the wound. Pressure points of the arm are on the inside of the arm just above the elbow and just below the armpit. Pressure points of the leg are just behind the knee and in the groin. Squeeze the main artery in these areas against the bone. Keep your fingers flat. With your other hand, continue to exert pressure on the wound itself.
Immobilize the injured body part once the bleeding has stopped. Leave the bandages in place and get the injured person to the emergency room as soon as possible.

If you suspect internal bleeding, seek emergency help. Signs of internal bleeding may include:

§ Bleeding from body cavities (such as the ears, nose, rectum or vagina)

§ Vomiting or coughing up blood

§ Bruising on neck, chest, abdomen or side (between ribs and hip)

§ Wounds that have penetrated the skull, chest or abdomen

§ Abdominal tenderness, possibly accompanied by rigidity or spasm of abdominal muscles

§ Fractures

§ Shock, indicated by weakness, anxiety, thirst or skin that's cool to the touch

Burns: First aid

To distinguish a minor burn from a serious burn, the first step is to determine the degree and the extent of damage to body tissues. The three classifications of first-degree burn, second-degree burn and third-degree burn will help you determine emergency care:

First-degree burn
The least serious burns are those in which only the outer layer of skin (epidermis) is burned. The skin is usually red, with swelling and pain sometimes present. The outer layer of skin hasn't been burned through. Treat a first-degree burn as a minor burn unless it involves substantial portions of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or a major joint.

Second-degree burn
When the first layer of skin has been burned through and the second layer of skin (dermis) also is burned, the injury is termed a second-degree burn. Blisters develop and the skin takes on an intensely reddened, splotchy appearance. Second-degree burns produce severe pain and swelling.

If the second-degree burn is no larger than 2 to 3 inches in diameter, treat it as a minor burn. If the burned area is larger or if the burn is on the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or over a major joint, get medical help immediately.

For minor burns, including second-degree burns limited to an area no larger than 2 to 3 inches in diameter, take the following action:

§ Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cold running water for at least 5 minutes, or until the pain subsides. If this is impractical, immerse the burn in cold water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Don't put ice on the burn.

§ Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Don't use fluffy cotton, which may irritate the skin. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the burned skin, reduces pain and protects blistered skin.

§ Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Never give aspirin to children or teenagers.

Minor burns usually heal without further treatment. They may heal with pigment changes, meaning the healed area may be a different color from the surrounding skin. Watch for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or oozing. If infection develops, seek medical help. Avoid re-injuring or tanning if the burns are less than a year old — doing so may cause more extensive pigmentation changes. Use sunscreen on the area for at least a year.

Caution

· Don't use ice. Putting ice directly on a burn can cause frostbite, further damaging your skin.

· Don't break blisters. Broken blisters are vulnerable to infection.

Third-degree burn
The most serious burns are painless and involve all layers of the skin. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected. Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white. Difficulty inhaling and exhaling, carbon monoxide poisoning or other toxic effects may occur if smoke inhalation accompanies the burn.

For major burns, dial 911 or call for emergency medical assistance. Until an emergency unit arrives, follow these steps:

Don't remove burnt clothing. However, do make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smoldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat.
Don't immerse severe large burns in cold water. Doing so could cause shock.
Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If there is no breathing or other sign of circulation, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

4.Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist, sterile bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist towels.

Electrical burns: First aid

An electrical burn may appear minor or not show on the skin at all, but the damage can extend deep into the tissues beneath your skin. If a strong electrical current passes through your body, internal damage, such as a heart rhythm disturbance or cardiac arrest, can occur. Sometimes the jolt associated with the electrical burn can cause you to be thrown or to fall, resulting in fractures or other associated injuries.

Dial 911 or call for emergency medical assistance if the person who has been burned is in pain, is confused, or is experiencing changes in his or her breathing, heartbeat or consciousness.

While helping someone with an electrical burn and waiting for medical help, follow these steps:

Look first. Don't touch. The person may still be in contact with the electrical source. Touching the person may pass the current through you.
Turn off the source of electricity if possible. If not, move the source away from both you and the injured person using a nonconducting object made of cardboard, plastic or wood.
Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If absent, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.
Prevent shock. Lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk and the legs elevated.
Cover the affected areas. If the person is breathing, cover any burned areas with a sterile gauze bandage, if available, or a clean cloth. Don't use a blanket or towel. Loose fibers can stick to the burns.

First-aid kits: Stock supplies that can save lives

A well-stocked first-aid kit can help you respond effectively to common injuries and emergencies. Keep at least one first-aid kit in your home and one in your car. Store your kits in easy-to-retrieve locations that are out of the reach of young children. Children old enough to understand the purpose of the kits should know where they are stored.

You can purchase first-aid kits at many drugstores or assemble your own. Contents of a first-aid kit should include:

Basic supplies

§ Adhesive tape

§ Aluminum finger splints

§ Antibiotic ointment

§ Antiseptic solution or towelettes

§ Bandages, including a roll of elastic wrap (Ace, Coban, others) and bandage strips (Band-Aid, Curad, others) in assorted sizes

§ Instant cold packs

§ Cotton balls and cotton-tipped swabs

§ Disposable latex or synthetic gloves, at least two pair

§ Gauze pads and roller gauze in assorted sizes

§ Eye goggles

§ First-aid manual

§ Petroleum jelly or other lubricant

§ Plastic bags for the disposal of contaminated materials

§ Safety pins in assorted sizes

§ Save-A-Tooth storage device containing salt solution and a travel case

§ Scissors, tweezers and a needle

§ Soap or instant hand sanitizer

§ Sterile eyewash, such as a saline solution

§ Thermometer

§ Triangular bandage

§ Turkey baster or other bulb suction device for flushing out wounds

Medications

§ Activated charcoal (use only if instructed by Poison Control Center)

§ Anti-diarrhea medication

§ Over-the-counter oral antihistamine (Benadryl, others)

§ Aspirin and nonaspirin pain relievers (never give aspirin to children)

§ Calamine lotion

§ Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream

§ Personal medications

§ If prescribed by your doctor, drugs to treat an allergic attack, such as an auto-injector of epinephrine (EpiPen)

§ Syringe, medicine cup or spoon

Emergency items

§ Cell phone and recharger that utilizes the accessory plug in your car dash

§ Emergency phone numbers, including contact information for your family doctor and pediatrician, local emergency services, emergency road service providers and the regional Poison Control Center

§ Small, waterproof flashlight and extra batteries

§ Candles and matches for cold climates

§ Sunscreen

§ Mylar emergency blanket

Give your kit a checkup
Check your first-aid kits regularly, at least every three months, to be sure the flashlight batteries work and to replace supplies that may have expired.

In addition, take a first-aid course to prepare for a possible medical emergency. Be sure the course covers cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). Renew your CPR certification at least every two years.

Prepare children for medical emergencies in age-appropriate ways. The American Red Cross offers a number of helpful resources, including classes designed to help children understand and use first-aid techniques.

Poisoning: First aid

Many conditions mimic the signs and symptoms of poisoning, including seizures, alcohol intoxication, stroke and insulin reaction. So look for the signs and symptoms listed below if you suspect poisoning, but check with the Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222 (in the United States) before giving anything to the affected person.

Signs and symptoms of poisoning:

§ Burns or redness around the mouth and lips, which can result from drinking certain poisons

§ Breath that smells like chemicals, such as gasoline or paint thinner

§ Burns, stains and odors on the person, on his or her clothing or on the furniture, floor, rugs or other objects in the surrounding area

§ Empty medication bottles or scattered pills

§ Vomiting, difficulty breathing, sleepiness, confusion or other unexpected signs

When to call for help:

Call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately if the person is:

§ Drowsy or unconscious

§ Having difficulty breathing or has stopped breathing

§ Having seizures

If the person seems stable and has no symptoms, but you suspect poisoning, call the Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222. Provide information about the person's symptoms and, if possible, information about what he or she ingested, how much and when.

What to do while waiting for help:

If the person has been exposed to poisonous fumes, such as carbon monoxide, get him or her into fresh air immediately.
If the suspected poison is a household cleaner or other chemical, read the label and follow instructions for accidental poisoning. If the product is toxic, the label will likely advise you to call the Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222. Also call this 800 number if you can't identify the poison, if it's medication or if there are no instructions.
Follow treatment directions that are given by the Poison Control Center.
If the poison spilled on the person's clothing, skin or eyes, remove the clothing. Flush the skin or eyes with cool or lukewarm water, such as by using a shower for 20 minutes or until help arrives.
Take the poison container (or any pill bottles) with you to the hospital.

Family Home Evening Activity #2/Lesson B, Earthquake Preparedness

2008-10-09T10:03:00.000-07:00

Family Home Evening Preparedness Activity

Lesson B.

Summary

Earthquake Drill

Feeling the effects of an earthquake is truly an unsettling experience. As we carefully prepare for this possibility, it will help to relieve stress and uncertainty for our families. When we practice safe behaviors for an earthquake beforehand, we increase the odds that we and our children will act appropriately when the real quake strikes.

· Prior to Family Home Evening

There is much excellent material in this lesson which should be taught. Select those that are most crucial according to the ages of your family members. You might need to purchase extra batteries, a tool for shutting off the gas, or supplies if you will be demonstrating how to set up an emergency toilet.

· Activity

1. After dinner, turn off the lights and tell the family you are having an earthquake drill. Talk each other through the “quake”, moving to safe areas, and reassuring each other as you would do if the quake were real.

2. When the quake is over, tell family that you are left without power and ask children what they would do if you were not at home. Have them find the emergency supplies.

3. Pretend you smell gas and teach older children how to turn off gas, water, and power. Help them secure the house. Talk about any pets you might have and how to help them through an emergency.

4. Take emergency supplies and packs to car and travel to your area evacuation site. Discuss the things you did during drill, the proper use of items in packs, and what you will do next.

· Follow Up

This drill could be repeated on a smaller scale when you are driving in a car or in other locations such as the store, church, office, or other places family frequents.

Earthquake Drill

Just before dinner, turn off every light in the house except the kitchen light. When dinner is over, turn off the kitchen light as well. At the same moment, tell your children you are having an earthquake drill. Talk each other through the “quake,” explaining to the children the need to take cover under the table or in the doorway and reassuring them, just like you would do if the quake were real.

After two or three minutes, tell your children that the imaginary earthquake is over but that it has left you with no electricity. Ask the children to show you what they would do if they were at home without you. Ask them to find where you keep your emergency supplies-- as well as flashlights and extra batteries.

Then pretend that you can smell gas, and teach the older children how to turn off the gas, water, and power before evacuating from the house. Secure the house, take your emergency supplies/packs, and get into the car (or designated mode of transportation).

Go to your designated meeting place (or make believe the nearest safe place to go is a local park), travel there and unload your emergency packs. Discuss the things you did during your earthquake drill, the proper use of each item in your packs, and what you will do next.

Suggestion: Keep an emergency notebook in the pocket of your emergency pack/kit. In this notebook record the names, birth dates, medical needs, and other pertinent information for each member of the family. On another page list telephone numbers of extended family members and friends, including the number of the designated contact person living outside your geographic area. On another page keep an inventory of everything in your emergency pack/kit and basic instructions on how to use some of the items. Also, if applicable, list simple games and activities to help you and your children pass the time.

During the Quake

Try to stay calm and reassure others.

Indoors

Stay inside until the shaking stops and you're sure it's safe to exit.

· DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON! Then WAIT 30 SEC. That way, anything that is going to fall will do so, while you are still safe, under cover.

Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place.
Take cover under or next to a heavy desk, bed, or table.

· Absolutely avoid doorways. The doors can swing back and forth with enough force to injure you. Also, other people may be panicked, try to get out through the doorway that you are blocking. This can get you seriously hurt.

Stay away from glass windows and doors.
Move away from bookcases, ceiling fixtures, or china cupboards.
Try to keep your children with you.
Never take an elevator
If you are in bed, hold on, stay there, protect your head with a pillow.
If you are in a crowded store, do not rush for a doorway since hundreds may have the same idea. If you must leave the building, choose your exit as carefully as possible.

Outdoors

Find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power lines.
Drop to the ground until the shaking stops.

In A Car

Slow down and drive to a clear place (as described above).
Turn on emergency flashers on and slow to a stop. Do not stop on overpasses, underpasses, or bridges. Be careful of overhead hazards such as power lines or falling building debris.
Turn off the ignition and set the parking brake.
Stay inside the car until the shaking stops. A car is a fairly safe place to be.

PETS: During and after

Don't try to hold your pet during a quake. Animals instinctively want to hide when their safety is threatened. If you get in their way, even the nicest pets may hurt you.
Watch animals closely. Leash dogs and place them in a fenced yard.
Pets may not be allowed into shelters for health and space reasons. Prepare an emergency pen for pets in the home that includes a 3-day supply of dry food and a large container of water.
If you can't find your pet or must leave it at home after a quake, leave fresh water in non-spill containers such as bathtubs and sinks. Leave plenty of low-fat dry food, which deteriorates more slowly and is less tasty so pets won't try to eat it all at once. Leave a note indicating that you have a pet, where you will be, and the date.

AFTER THE QUAKE

Personal Safety

Expect aftershocks. Although most of these are smaller than the main shock, some may be large enough to cause more damage. Each time you feel one, DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON!
Check yourself for injuries. Protect yourself by wearing long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, work gloves and a hard hat.
Listen to a car radio or a wind-up or battery-operated radio or television for the latest emergency information, damage reports and instructions.
Check others for injuries. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
Implement your Neighborhood Response Teams as planned. Help your neighbors who may require special assistance--infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Don’t wander or drive around outside to see the damage; you may hamper rescue. Keep the streets clear for passage of emergency vehicles.
Cooperate fully with public safety officials. Respond to requests for help from police, fire fighters, civil defense and relief organizations.
Do not go into damaged areas unless your help has been requested. Stay away from damaged buildings. Aftershocks can collapse them.
Do not touch downed power lines or objects touched by the downed wires.
Stay away from beaches and waterfront areas. Not all quakes cause tidal waves/tsunamis, but many do. If you are near the ocean or tidal inlet following an earthquake, be alert for tidal waves. Move inland.
Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass. Strain liquids through a clean handkerchief or cloth if you think broken glass may be in them.

· Kent, Covington, King County do not have Neighborhood Response Teams, they use Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). CERT usually has a higher degree of training.

· Power lines do not need to be arching and sparking to be live. You do not need to physically touch a live power line to be electrocuted by it.

· Large enclosed or partially enclosed bodies of water may experience a seiche (a large displacement of water) after an earthquake. A seiche is not a tsunami, but can be very destructive.

· Simple cord-line telephone will work during a power outage after an earthquake

· Aftershocks may occur repeatedly after an earthquake.

· 2 faults that are capable of catastrophic devastation in the Puget Sound area:

· 9.0 Cascadia Subduction Zone quake (http://www.crew.org/)

· 6.7 or greater shallow earthquake along the Seattle Fault Zone (http://seattlescenario.eeri.org/documents/EQScenarioFullBook.pdf)

Home Safety

Inspect your home for damage. Immediately clean up spilled medicines, drugs, and other potentially harmful materials. Get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
Use the telephone only for emergencies. Check to make sure the receiver has not been shaken off the hook and is tying up the line.
Locate your fire extinguisher and look for and extinguish small fires.
Gas: Check your gas line: If there is a gas line into your home or building, turn off burners and pilot lights. Check for gas leaks. Do not light candles, matches, or lighters until you determine there is no leak. Do not operate electrical switches or appliances if you suspect a gas leak. They can create sparks which can ignite gas from broken lines. If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window, get out of the house and stay out. Turn off the gas at the outside main
valve if you can and call the gas company. **Remember, only a professional can turn the gas back on.
Electricity: Check your electrical lines and fuse box: Electric lines can cause fire. Shut off all electrical power if there is damage to your house wiring. Look for electrical system damage. Turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker if you see sparks, broken or frayed wires, or if smell hot insulation. If you would have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
Water: Check for sewage and water line damage. If there is a major leak or you suspect the public water system is contaminated, turn off the main water valve in your home in order to preserve the water inside the pipes and prevent contamination from the public water source.
Drinking Water: If water pipes are damaged, do not use any water until it is clarified and disinfected using one of the recommended methods (boiling, distilling or adding bleach or iodine). If water is off, you can get emergency water from water heaters, toilet tanks, melted ice cubes, and canned vegetables.
Report damage to the appropriate utility companies and follow their instructions.

To report a power outage contact ___________________________________________

To report a natural gas leak contact ___________________________________________

To report a propane gas leak contact ___________________________________________

To report a water main leak contact ____________________________________________

· Sewage: If a toilet or faucet line is broken, only turn off the water under the sink and/or toilet. Do not flush toilets until you know that sewer lines are unbroken. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets, set up an emergency toilet and contact a plumber.

How to Set Up an Emergency Toilet for safely collecting and handling human waste until normal sewage operations are restored.

►Convert a flush toilet or make an emergency toilet from a pail

►Line the inside of a toilet bowl, 5 gallon pail, or another appropriately sized waste container with two heavy-duty plastic garbage bags.

►Place kitty litter, fireplace ashes, or sawdust into the bottom of the bags.

►Locate the toilet away from food preparation or eating areas.

►Locate toilet at least 100 feet away from water bodies such as lakes, rivers, streams, and at least 100 feet downhill or away from any drinking water source (well or spring), home, or apartment

►Provide a place next to the emergency toilet to wash hands that offers soap, running water, and paper towels, anti-microbial hand wipes or waterless hand cleaner.

►Keep doors and covers closed when the toilet is not in use to keep out insects and animals and to prevent injury.

►Always supervise small children when they are using the emergency toilet.

►At the end of each day, the bagged waste should be securely tied and removed to a protected location such as a garage, basement, outbuilding, and so on, until a safe disposal option is available.

Note: During a declared emergency, these bags may be included with the regular garbage if a public announcement has been made that allows this method of disposal.

Family Home Evening Activity #2/Lesson A, Earthquake Preparedness

2008-10-09T09:41:00.000-07:00

Family Home Evening Preparedness Activity/ Earthquakes

Lesson A

Summary

Home Safety – During an Earthquake

There is no preparation plan that can eliminate all earthquake danger. You can, however, greatly reduce damage and injury by securing your home beforehand.

· Prior to Family Home Evening

Adult family members should be familiar with the lesson. Prior preparation might include gathering necessary tools to complete tasks or other items such as storage containers for toxic chemicals or medications. Parents should select those things they will do on the list which are age appropriate to their children.

· Activity

1. Discuss with family what happens in an earthquake. Describe the shaking motion and the damage it can cause. Reassure them that this lesson is to help your home and family members avoid the accidents this type of disaster can cause.

2. Give each family member a paper and pencil and tell them they are now safety detectives who will hunt down any areas of the home that might be compromised by an earthquake. Send them out individually or as teams. After 10 minutes, return and report your findings to the family.

3. Have family members help out with correcting problems they see and also any selected items you have from the home hazard hunt list. Older children can accomplish some of these tasks on their own.

· Follow Up

Fill out the action list and complete each task. These could be assigned to family members, but be sure to calendar a completion date for each and follow through with assignments. Use younger children when possible to help with tasks, it will help alleviate their fear and anxiety to be part of the family preparations.

There is no preparation plan that can eliminate all earthquake danger. But you can greatly reduce damage and injury by securing your home beforehand.

Earthquake Safe Home Hazard Hunt

Date completed: ___/___/___ Date of next review: ___/___/___

Put a check mark by the following items that are completed. On the next page note those that are not completed and state the specific action/tools required to correct each problem.

Move beds away from large windows and out from underneath hanging lights.

❑ Do not place beds near heavy mirrors, large pictures, bookcases, or shelves.

❑ Use light, non-breakable lamps on bedside tables.

❑ Remove all heavy or breakable objects from high shelves.

❑ Hang plants in light, non-breakable pots.

❑ Use closed hooks for all hanging plants, lamps, and other suspended objects

❑ Make sure all hooks for hanging objects are securely attached to studs.

❑ Use earthquake-proof picture hooks to secure all heavy wall hangings such as mirrors and pictures to walls.

❑ Secure all cabinets with strong latches that will not open during an earthquake (magnetic latches usually aren’t strong enough).

❑ Remove all glass bottles from bathroom medicine cabinets and put them in drawers or in a cabinet that is strongly latched. Remove all glass containers around the bathtub.

❑ Move all flammable materials away from any heat sources. Store gasoline in vapor-proof containers. Keep them away from your water storage and out of the reach of children and pets.

❑ Move heavy objects away from exit routes.

❑ Secure all wheeled objects so they cannot roll.

❑ Firmly attach all tall, heavy furniture such as bookshelves and china cabinets to wall studs.

❑ Use flexible connectors where gas lines meet appliances (stoves, water heaters, and dryers).

❑ Securely attach all heavy appliances such as water heaters, refrigerators, and stoves to wall studs or the floor, and make sure air conditioners are well braced.

❑ Secure electronic equipment (stereos, computers, etc.) and appliances (microwaves, toaster, etc.) which may slide off their cabinets by using double-stick tape or velcro-like fasteners, or provide a restraining edge on the cabinet or shelf.

❑ Secure all roof tiles. Remove or replace any loose tiles or bricks from your chimney and roof.

❑ Nail plywood to ceiling joists around the chimney to prevent bricks from falling through the ceiling and injuring people in the house and securely brace chimney to the building.

❑ Make sure your house is firmly bolted to the foundation.

❑ Remove dead or diseased branches from trees in your yard so they don’t fall on your house..

Move poisons, toxins, or solvents (especially those in breakable containers) to a safe, well-ventilated storage area. Secure all poisons, toxins and solvents.

❑ Store ammonia and bleach in different locations. If these liquids mix, they create toxic fumes.

❑ Place pesticides, gasoline, paint thinners, etc. on the floor, on a low shelf with a guard rail, or in a locked cabinet that is securely fastened to the wall. Close lids tightly on all containers.

HAZARDS REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ACTION

□ Top-heavy free standing furniture______________________________________________