iPrepare Blog

Earthquake Preparedness Checklist

2010-03-17T07:35:00.000-07:00

A quick earthquake preparedness checklist to include in your emergency preparedness plan. Print a copy of this list for quick access, and include this list with your emergency kits.

Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation. Consider storing more water for extended periods of time if possible.
Food - at least a three to nine day supply of non-perishable food and a portable stove.
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 foods)
Local maps
Cell phone and chargers
Prescriptions medications and glasses
Infant formula and diapers
Pet food and 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
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person; consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate and rain gear.
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
Matches in a waterproof container
Candles
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Californians not adequately prepared

2010-03-09T07:13:00.000-08:00

Californians are aware of major earthquakes and the effect from temblors, but many have not taken necessary steps to make their homes safer and protect their personal finances, according to a just-released report.

Residents are better about doing the obvious — such as collecting supplies and making backup documents — in the case of a major earthquake, but many have failed to increase the safety of their home or purchase earthquake insurance, according to the California Earthquake Preparedness Survey conducted by the University of California Los Angeles School of Public Health for the state Emergency Management Agency.

Read more: http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2010/03/08/daily8.html

Los Angeles County emergency guide now available

2010-03-08T07:21:00.000-08:00

LA County has issued a comprehensive FREE pdf guide to emergency preparedness to help residents better prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters that affect the region. The goal is to provide tips that will assist residents become self-sufficient after a disaster. The guide has some specific LA County information, including a list of radio stations. But it includes tons of information that can be useful to people from any location. Information on CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams), emergency checklists for horses and large animals, info on disaster-related stress, and much more. Check it out!

Tips for Communication & Family Emergency Planning

2010-02-06T15:20:00.000-08:00

How are you going to communicate with your family in a disaster? Will phone lines or mobile phones work? What other options are there? How can we quickly and efficiently contact our family members? Do you know the addresses, phone numbers and e-mails of your family members including home, work and school? Is that information just in your mobile phones or do you have paper copies? These are questions we need to consider and remedy before we are faced with an emergency situation. Keep copies of your lists in all 72 Hour Kits and all other emergency supply locations.

Organize a Family Calling Tree where each person is responsible to call one person in the family. If one person is unable to contact their assigned person, they call the next person on the list. The last person on the list calls the first and reports any important information gathered in the tree. Practice this every few months and work out any problems.

Have a “secret code word” between you and your child to share with a trusted person only when they are asked to pickup your child from school. Impress on your child the importance of keeping it a secret, not to be shared even with their friends.

If we are stranded in the wilderness or trapped in a disaster area, how can we help rescuers find us? Learn how to give signals in an emergency situation.

New Pricelist Available!

2010-01-26T09:18:00.000-08:00

Check out our latest pricelist!
http://www.iprepare.com/onlinepricelist.html
iPrepare.com Price List - January 26, 2010

Earthquake Monitoring made Easy

2010-01-26T07:12:00.000-08:00

Want to keep up on the very latest Earthquake info in the California Bay Area? Check out the twitter account @sfusgs! This account automatically tweets with USGS data when a new earthquake hits in the Bay Area. Each tweet also includes what time the quake hit, how far it was from San Francisco, and the depth at which it took place. It also includes a link back to the USGS site with more info.

http://twitter.com/sfusgs

New Pricelist Available!

2009-12-24T09:54:00.000-08:00

Check out our updated pricelist!

iPrepare.com Price List - December 24, 2009

The Great California ShakeOut

2009-09-17T07:23:00.000-07:00

At 10:15 a.m. on October 15, 2009, millions of Californians will participate in the largest earthquake drill ever! The purpose of the ShakeOut is to practice how to protect ourselves during earthquakes, and to get prepared at work, school, and home.

We all must get better prepared for major earthquakes, and also practice how to protect ourselves when they happen. While the potential earthquake hazards you will experience depend upon your location, everywhere in California is considered at high risk compared to the rest of the country. Visit the Great California ShakeOut to read more and to register.

From an Inland Empire News article:

“September is National Preparedness Month and is a time for individuals and families to prepare for all potential hazards, including earthquakes. In California, Preparedness Month will be followed with an earthquake drill in October to test our readiness–it’s called the Great California ShakeOut,” added Matthew Bettenhausen, California Emergency Management Agency Acting Secretary.“ So act now to secure contents in your home or office so they won’t fall, organize your emergency supplies, and update your family emergency plan. Then on October 15 practice Drop, Cover and Hold On.”Drop, Cover and Hold On is the recommended procedure in an earthquake. People should quickly get under a heavy table or desk to avoid being hit by falling objects–or get on the ground next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms. People can learn what to do, no matter where they are when the earthquake strikes, at ww.dropcoverholdon.org. Regional information, such as details about earthquake hazards, lists of participants, and much more can be accessed using a clickable California map on http://www.shakeout.org/.

All areas of California have experienced earthquakes in the past and there are hundreds of faults throughout the state that can have large earthquakes. A 2008 report (www.scec.org/ucerf) estimates that there is a 50% chance of a magnitude 7.5 or greater earthquake somewhere in California anytime in the next 30 years. While some areas are less likely than others to have such earthquakes, residents in those areas may visit more active areas. So everyone should know what to do during strong shaking.

Top 10 List for Preparedness on a Budget

2009-09-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

READYColorado offers a great resource: “Top 10 List For Preparedness On A Budget”. Here are a few of the tips they offer:

Plan for the types of disasters that can happen in the area where you live. You may need to plan for a snowstorm instead of a hurricane.

Budget emergency preparedness items as a “normal” expense. Even $20.00 a month can go a long way to helping you be ready. Buy one preparedness item each time you go to the grocery store.

Request preparedness items as gifts. We all receive gifts we don’t need or use. What if your friends and family members gave you gifts that could save your life? Don’t forget to protect them by sending preparedness gifts their way, too.

Trade one night out to fund your 72-hour kit. Taking a family of four to the movies can cost upwards of $80-$100. Just one night of sacrifice could fund a 72-hour ready kit.

Visit their site for a complete listing.

Utahns Warned to Prepare for the Big One

2009-09-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

The Department of Homeland Security has tapped Salt Lake City as one of 62 urban areas facing the highest risk for a natural or man-made disaster.

The Deseret News reports that Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and emergency management director Cory Lyman urged Utahns to prepare in case the "Big One" ever hits the Wasatch Front. Their comments were given as part of a kick-off for National Preparedness Month in September.

"The threat is real here," Lyman said, urging residents to take steps to protect themselves and their families against the problems caused by a major earthquake. Prepare evacuation and communication plans, he said. Have a 72-hour kit filled with food, water, medication, clothing, vital records and other supplies that is easily accessible. Keep your car's gas tank full, and keep a "go kit" in the car.

Mitigate hazards inside your home by keeping heavy objects on lower shelves and securing bookcases, Lyman added. Keep vital records in a safe deposit box, and complete an inventory of your property and insurance, making sure property is covered for specific hazards.

Read the entire article at the Deseret News website.

Ready.gov & Ad Council Launch PSA's

2009-09-03T06:34:00.000-07:00

US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today joined with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate and the Ad Council to launch a new series of Ready Campaign public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to encourage all Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies, kicking off September's National Preparedness Month.

"Preparedness is a shared responsibility that begins with the American people," said Secretary Napolitano. "These public service advertisements highlight the simple steps everyone can take to prepare for disasters, enhancing the safety and security of our country."

Below is one of the Ads from the AdCouncil's Youtube site:

Produced pro bono by advertising agency Cramer-Krasselt in conjunction with the Ad Council, the new Ready PSAs—produced for television, radio, print, outdoor and the Web—direct audiences to visit http://www.ready.gov/ to find national and local preparedness information and resources.

The Ready Campaign encourages Americans to take three simple steps to prepare for emergencies: (1) Put together an emergency supply kit; (2) Make a family emergency plan; and (3) Get informed about the types of emergencies that could take place in their communities and appropriate responses.

In addition to the national Ready PSAs launched today, New York City's new public service campaign— Ready New York —was also announced to encourage all New Yorkers to prepare for emergencies. The national Ready ads have also been localized for a number of other cities, including Austin, Texas, Atlanta, Chicago, Eugene, Ore., Houston, Kansas City, Mo., Los Angeles, and San Francisco—as well as the states of Utah and Virginia and the U.S. Navy and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Initiated in 2003, the Ready Campaign is a national public service advertising campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to all emergencies in order to raise the level of basic preparedness across the nation. In addition to outreach via traditional media, Ready also provides a series of social media tools to help Americans prepare for emergencies, including a downloadable family emergency plan, an interactive widget that provides users with updates on emergency situations, emergency kit checklists, and preparedness guidelines. To view the PSAs and for more information on the Ready Campaign, visit http://www.ready.gov/ or follow "ReadydotGov" on Twitter.

Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities

2009-09-02T07:13:00.000-07:00

People with disabilities have special needs in case of emergency. If you (or someone you know) have a disability or a mobility problem, you should take a look at these resources and tips.

iPrepare.com has an article entitled, Family Disaster Plans - For People with Disabilities. It includes many tips - including how to prepare your service animals, and things to consider with your wheelchair.

Also, the U.S. government has revamped its Web site on disabilities, and it now includes a section on emergency preparedness. Click here to take a look.

September is National Preparedness Month

2009-08-31T07:41:00.000-07:00

This September 2009, the sixth annual National Preparedness Month will focus on changing perceptions about what real emergency preparedness is and helping Americans to be truly Ready.

The Department of Homeland Security through its Ready.gov public service campaign will launch a massive effort throughout the month to heighten awareness of the importance of being prepared for emergencies. They will focus on changing perceptions about emergency preparedness and will help Americans understand what it truly means to be Ready. Ready.gov will illustrate how preparedness goes beyond fire alarms, smoke detectors, dead-bolt locks and extra food in the pantry and help you communicate important preparedness messages to your family, your business and your community with a new series of customizable materials.

iPrepare hopes to be a key player in promoting and supporting this important national effort.

During National Preparedness Month, iPrepare urges everyone to take the time to ready themselves and their loved ones by creating an emergency plan, and gathering proper supplies to ready your family and home in case of emergency.

Follow iPrepare during National Prepardness Month on twitter @iPrepare, on facebook at iPrepare or read the iPrepare blog at http://blog.iPrepare.com.

Also, keep an eye on the Ready.gov website:

http://www.ready.gov/america/npm09/index.html

Preparedness Events Directory-FREE

2009-08-19T01:08:00.000-07:00

We just launched a brand-new feature at iPrepare.com. It is our Preparedness and Safety Events Directory. Now, we are just starting, so we don't have much information in the directory yet - but that's where you come in :) We are counting on our customers, visitors and fans to input information about events in their area. This way you can promote your event (for FREE) and also see what other events might be going on in your area.

To view the list of events, please visit
http://www.iPrepare.com/events-list.html

And if you would like to add an event to the directory, please visit
http://www.iPrepare.com/events-submit.html

The directory will highlight Upcoming events that will be held within the next 4 months. So if you enter an item and don't see it appear on the listing, please be patient - it will appear once we are within 4 months of the start date.

We are excited about this new feature and hope you are able to benefit from it!

iPrepare now on Facebook!

2009-08-16T08:44:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce the new iPrepare Facebook page! We're excited about this opportunity to be able to connect with our friends, customers and fans in a new way. Along with our Twitter updates and our Blog posts, we'll be sharing a lot of information, including:

Preparedness tips and information
Important links to relevant and emerging emergency preparedness topics
Company news, pictures & events
Preparedness events
Special Offers & Promotions

We invite you to become a fan, and become a member of our preparedness community!

CDC Changes Recommendations Regarding Flu

2009-08-16T08:05:00.000-07:00

The CDC has recently changed their recommendations for the amount of time persons with influenza-like illness should be away from others. The CDC now recommends that people with flu-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Decisions to extend the exclusion period should be made after consulting with local health officials. More stringent guidelines and longer periods of exclusion (for example, until complete resolution of all symptoms) may be considered for people returning to a setting where high numbers of high-risk people may be exposed, such as a camp for children with asthma or a child care facility for children younger than 5 years old. High-risk groups for influenza complications include:

children younger than 5 years old;
persons aged 65 years or older;
children and adolescents (younger than 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection;
pregnant women;
adults and children who have asthma, other chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders such as diabetes;
adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV);
residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.

Read the entire notice here.

Disaster Drills Help Agencies Prepare

2009-08-07T06:55:00.000-07:00

There's probably no better way to assess city or county preparedness plans than by holding mock disaster drills. Alexander County in North Carolina recently held a disaster drill presenting the worst case scenario for local emergency officicals — a school bus full of children and a truck carrying hazardous materials — colliding on a rural road.

These types of drills can help expose areas of weakness, and ensure that the emergency plans already in place will work as designed. Alexander county experienced some communications issues during their drill, and were able to address those issues on the spot. The drill was funded by a Division of Emergency Management grant.

The key is to perform an honest assessent on the results of the drill. Be proud of the things you did right - but particularly focus on the areas where you can most improve.

Hurricane Felicia Prompts Preparedness

2009-08-07T06:36:00.000-07:00

As Hurricane Felicia approaches the Hawaiian islands, residents are encouraged to begin their preparedness actions. Felicia is currently a Category 4 storm system located approximately 1,475 miles east-south-east of Hilo with maximum sustained winds of 135 mph and higher gusts.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann has advised, "All residents should closely follow the track of Felicia, which is the strongest storm system in the Pacific since Hurricane Daniel in 2006. In addition we highly advise everyone to begin individual, family and business preparedness actions as soon as possible."

Preparedness actions include ensuring you have adequate emergency supplies. The Hawaii State Civil Defense website includes a listing of items to have. We encourage you to review the list, and feel free to browse our site to purchase any of the recommended items.

You can receive more information on Hurricanes and preparedness tips on the National Hurricane center website.

Hurricane Information Website - Free Information

2009-07-15T07:46:00.000-07:00

The City of Sunrise, in Florida, wants its residents to be prepared for hurricanes. They have launched a new website that includes a lot of information, including important phone numbers, how to deal with insurance, where to find shelter, disaster checklists and much more. Some great information here - all for free!

Emergency Grants Available for State Organizations

2009-07-14T06:53:00.000-07:00

The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) is encouraging state organizations to apply for grants available for disaster preparedness. Specifically, the AVMA discusses the grants offered by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. These grants assist states with ensuring their emergency preparedness plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency.

For more information, see the article here.

Free Child ID Kits at Red Robin

2009-07-13T07:16:00.000-07:00

Bring the kids to Red Robin July 13-19, and you’ll receive a free Child ID Kit for every kid’s meal purchased while supplies last. The Child ID Kit is a perfect resource for parents and guardians who may be faced with a missing or lost child. Once filled out, parents should keep the ID Kit in a safe place in case of emergency. ID Kit contains a child’s personal information including their physical characteristics, name, DOB, fingerprints, sex, address, etc.

For every kid’s meal Red Robin sells from July 13 – 19, they will donate 50 cents to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children – up to a maximum total contribution of $25,000.

Nice job Red Robin!

FEMA: Grab & Go Kits

2009-06-10T06:43:00.000-07:00

FEMA urges families to prepare for disasters. Grab and Go kits are easy and essential ways to be prepared.

"Preparing for the potential devastation of a hurricane isn't just the job of emergency management officials. It's also an individual responsibility...An emergency preparedness kit needs to include food and water for each member of your family for three days, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight, spare batteries, first aid kit, can opener, local maps, moist towelettes, toilet paper, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
Other items to consider include sleeping bags or blankets, paper towels, books, puzzles and games for children and pet food for family pets."

Read the full article here.

Free Disaster Preparedness Guide

2009-05-27T13:32:00.000-07:00

Santa Rosa County in Florida has prepared a disaster preparedness guide for 2009. The guide includes information on dealing with tornadoes, flooding, pandemics, terrorism, biohazards and more. Residents of the county can pick up copies at their local government offices, or at Wal-Mart and Winn-Dixie stores.

If you aren't located near this area, you can download a free copy at their website. What a great resource - and did I mention, it's FREE!

Prepare for Hurricane Season

2009-05-27T07:27:00.000-07:00

In Texas, Missouri City's Division of Emergency Management is encouraging citizens to prepare for emergency situations as the storm season begins June 1. Residents are encouraged to prepare emergency supply kits and to gather copies of important documents now.

“Having these supplies on hand will serve you and your families well, no matter what kind of weather hazard you may face this season,” says John Sheffield, Missouri City's Division of Emergency Management Chief.

Read the entire article here.

San Jose Preparedness Conference

2009-05-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

Last month we were invited to participate in the San Jose District 10 Preparedness Conference. The event was held at Pioneer High School in San Jose. It was a great success, and many people attended. They offered many different classes on emergency preparedness and had booths covering all other aspects of preparedness. I manned our booth all day, so unfortunately I couldn't attend the classes. But, I enjoyed meeting so many people from San Jose, and they all had great things to say about the classes and workshops. I even got to meet Smokey the Bear! The folks from San Jose Prepared were also there. They are a great resource for emergency preparedness information.

Here is a link to the event:

http://sjsummit.org/

A link to a picture of our booth:
http://sjsummit.org/D0600.html

If your organization is planning a preparedness event, we would love the chance to participate! Simply contact us with the details!