National Preparedness Month~ More Thank a Kit

 Drought. Hurricanes. Floods.  Fires.  Taking responsibility for oneself is the cornerstone of being prepared and being a blessing to the community we live in.   

The most important preparedness item is confirming within oneself and one's family the BELIEF and WAY OF THINKING that one's life is up to you.

Please take the time with your children to create a plan for your family.  Learn basic skills together to minimize the stress in an emergency situation.  Teaching skills gives confidence. Teach by example.  Being intentional with our words and our actions.  Things I used to say to my boys..."Choose with our feet."  "Take responsibility for choices, actions and feelings."  "Always be prepared."

I gave them opportunity to fail and find the way on their own with my support.  Of course this changed over the years with their development.

As toddlers, letting them zig zag their way over obstacles and pick themselves up.

Providing toys that required thinking and imagination such as blocks and functional objects such as tools and daily use items.

Spending time outside playing!

Giving jobs!

Showing them through my actions that I believe that they are smart enough, tough enough and capable enough to do it.

Asking questions, "What are you going to do about that?"

"Do you need me to help or can you do this yourself?"

I am worried that perhaps we have had it pretty easy for a long time and have therefore lost some of the observation skills and the independence needed.

An example.  Working at the lake this summer opened my eyes to how naive and clueless people have become when it comes to basic survival skills.  Basic directions (without the garmen) and elementary items needed to camp.  I was asked how to make a fire, how do you use a hydrant to get drinking water and if I knew when the wind would stop blowing.  "Are the fish in the lake the same as the ones we eat in the store?"

 Scarier then this is the inability of our children to critically think for themselves.  We have conditioned them to stand in a formal line and say, "o.k." to every single direction. Fear has dictated that all pain is bad and kids are not give the practice to make their own decisions.  To build the muscle of their character.

  Then we wonder when the unexpected happens...everyone stands waiting for someone to rescue them.

For ourselves, our families and our community...we need to take the pragmatic steps that used to be called....common sense.

http://community.fema.gov/connect.ti/READYNPM

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler’s checks and change 
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information
  from www.ready.gov
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
•  Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
•  Fire Extinguisher q Matches in a waterproof container 
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items 
•  Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels 
• Paper and pencil q Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

www.ready.gov

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities 
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food) 
• Local maps

Through its Ready Campaign,
the Federal Emergency Management Agency educates and empowers Americans to take some simple steps to prepare for and respond to potential emergencies, including natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Ready asks individuals to do three key things: get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses.

All Americans should have some basic supplies on hand in order to survive for at least three days if an emergency occurs. Following is a listing of some basic items that every emergency supply kit should include. However, it is important that individuals review this list and consider where they live and the unique needs of their family in order to create an emergency supply kit that will meet these needs. Individuals should also consider having at least two emergency supply kits, one full kit at home and smaller portable kits in their workplace, vehicle or other places they spend time.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Washington, DC 20472