Emergency Planning -
Be
in control of your future by being prepared for things you have no control over!
Objectives:
Protect your family and loved ones and be completely independent of the need to
be sustained by outside resources beyond your control. Keep a reserve of food to
lessen the worry of an uncertain future. Be prepared in the event of a
natural disaster, terrorist attack, pandemic or simply a loss of electrical power or
fuel shortage.
Things to think about:
Where do you live? If you live in a large urban environment when a disaster hits
there is a greater chance that it will affect you directly because travel
ability will be limited. Those who live in rural areas are somewhat sheltered
just because of the location. But that doesn’t mean that they are in the clear.
If there is a disaster in a large city where are those city people going
to go? You got it..... to the rural areas!
Here in Mid-Northern Canada we are particularly at risk if we lose communications
and the ability to travel in the dead of winter. Imagine if the trucks carrying
our food could not reach the grocery store or if you were not able to get to the
store due to deep snow or another ice storm.
All it takes is an pandemic type
illness or security breech at the US border and we are out of luck for those
fruits and vegetables from the US and the rest of the world, especially in the
winter. A
security breech in the USA would close the borders so tightly that trucks
bringing food into Canada would be delayed for long periods of time.
At the time of the SARS problem one of us worked at Mt. Sinai Hospital in
Toronto - the "epicenter" of the problem. We knew of people who when
quarantined travelled up to the cottage instead of at staying home.
These people first went to the local grocery store
to stock up and filled up with fuel on the way. Now imagine if we had an
airborne pandemic that affected
people locally! Would you want to go shopping or buy food others
have touched and breathed on?
It's a good idea to keep
your car's gas tank at least half full and keep some basic tools in the trunk.
Disaster and emergency kits are tools that are going to help you maximize your
safety and comfort levels in times of emergency. What are preparedness items?
Preparedness kits contain items like flashlights, candles, and solar powered
radios - items ranging from needles and thread to a family first aid kit, from
matches to a camp stove. They provide you with light, heat, and
communication. We
supply preparedness items such as first aids kits, 50 hr candles and
sprouting kits,
solar
radios (some are DC adaptable) to help you be self sufficient and relatively
safe & comfortable in the event
of an emergency or disaster. These items will supply you with light, heat,
safety and communications.
Prepare your family with items for emergency and disaster with preparedness kits and
long shelf life foods. We have some fabulous emergency preparedness books
on our "Books" page.
We
also sell water containers, pump, spigots, purifying tablets, water filter
systems, water purification drops, battery and solar
powered radios, heat reflective blankets and more.
Definitions:
Low moisture or dehydrated foods
have most of the water content drawn out through modern air drying methods. The
end result is a product that is much lighter and up to 80% less bulk than "wet
pack foods". This drying technique gives food an extended shelf life. When
compared to supermarket "wet pack" can goods, dried goods are 5 to 10 times lighter
depending on the product.
Nitrogen Packing
RRF are vacuum packed and during this process an inert atmosphere is introduced
into each can. This atmosphere consists mostly of nitrogen which displaces
the oxygen in the can. Since oxygen is the number one factor in the breakdown of
food and can support bacterial growth, the shelf life is extended to 7 to 15 years longer.
Freeze Dried Foods
These foods have almost all the moisture removed. The food is quick frozen and
then super heated causing all the water to vapourize into steam. The primary
advantage of this method is processing of meat products. However these products
retain their bulkiness as if they are still a wet product.
Extreme Survival
Having to survive under extreme conditions could be a result of many things. The
one thing we want to focus on is terrorism. Since 9/11 we have lived
under the constant threat of terrorism. Although not much has happened, it
certainly has made us more aware of what goes on around us. Many North Americans
have fallen back into their daily rituals and feel that it won’t or can’t happen
again. We strongly feel that this is a real possibility. The 3000+
people in the World Trade Center did not expect to die that day. Something you may want
to keep in mind is that terrorists have no time schedule. They will make
their move when it is least expected. They are prepared to wait for as long as
it takes.
So
what do you do to prepare? First consider your location. Watch the news and
decide if you are in a high-target area. Places such as New York, Toronto,
Montreal and Vancouver
fit this description. If you are in a high-target area, you will need to do more
in the way of preparation.
Make sure you know what you have on hand for an extreme emergency. Keep an
inventory and update it regularly. Food and water are the most important
followed by shelter, temperature protection & comfort and appropriate clothing. Be ready to
leave town if it is necessary.
Have a plan for your family. Set up a central location where you will all can meet in
the event of an emergency. Quickly assess whether you have to leave town or if
you can safely stay at home and wait it out.
Suggestion from FEMA - What to do in Case of Home Emergencies
Use flashlights
- do not turn on electrical switches if you suspect damage.
Check for fires
hazards and other household hazards.
Sniff for gas
leaks starting at the water heater. If you smell gas or suspect damage turn off
the main gas valve; open windows and get everyone outside quickly.
Shut off
any other damage utilities.
Clean up
spilled liquids, medication, bleach, gasoline and other flammables immediately.
Confine or secure
pets.
Call your family
contact and do not use the phone again unless there is a life-threatening
emergency.
Check on
your neighbours in an emergency, especially the elderly or disabled.
Make sure
you have an adequate water supply in case the main service is cut off or you are
unable to pump from your well.
Stay away
from fallen power lines.
Remember!
FIRE! WIRE! GAS! GLASS!
Be
in control of your future by being prepared for things you have no control over!
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