Food and water safety after a flood

Floods are the most frequent natural hazard in North America and we seem to have had to endure quite a number of them recently.

A devastating flood can occur at any time of the year and are most often caused by heavy rainfall, rapid melting of a thick snow pack, ice jams, or more rarely, the failure of a natural or man-made dam.

One of the major issues that will affect everyone living in an area that has been flooded is that of food and water safety.

Food safety after a flood

If in doubt - Throw it out!

You must inspect food that has come anywhere near flood water very, very carefully. Flood waters may carry contaminated mud, chemical waste, petroleum products and even raw sewage, which can make storm-damaged foods unsafe to eat.

Even the slightest contact with floodwater can lead to contamination. There is a simple, basic rule: all foods that have touched floodwater should be dispose of. This includes all fresh produce, meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. Food in glass jars, including all unopened jars. Discard all foods in bags and all opened containers and packages.

The only exception to this rule would be food in sealed in undamaged metal cans. These are safe for use, as long as you carefully clean and disinfect the cans before opening.

This means you must remove the labels and thoroughly wash them with a scrub brush in a strong detergent solution containing chlorine bleach and then rinse well in clear water. The bleach solution should be one half-cup of bleach to one gallon of water. You may wish to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands during this process.

Being Prepared

This brings up the issue of being prepared for a disaster. Nothing will help you and your family through any emergency situation as will being prepared for it.

It may be up to three days before Emergency Services are up and running in your area. Having an emergency preparedness kit, stored high and dry, can literally be a lifesaver.

A supply of Food, drinking water and some additional gear such as Light sticks, Dynamo FM Radio, Flashlight, Hygiene Kit, Waterproof Matches, Emergency Candles, Sanitation Kit and First Aid supplies will be priceless to you and your family.

Cookware and Cooking Utensils

If your cookware and kitchen utensils have come into contact with floodwater, they will require special treatment.

Take apart any item that can be cleaned in pieces. If possible, remove handles from pans.

Wash all china, glass dishes, cups and pots and pans that have been in contact with floodwaters. Use hot soapy water and a brush to remove dirt. Rinse and then place them in a sanitizing bleach solution for at least 10 minutes and then rinse well in clean water. The bleach solution should be one half-cup of bleach to one gallon of water.

Disinfect silverware, metal utensils, and pots and pans by boiling in clean water for 10 minutes.

Chlorine bleach should not be used in this case because it reacts with many metals and causes them to darken. Throw away dishes with cracks as well as soft, porous plastic or wood items saturated by floodwater, since they cannot be sanitized. These include baby bottles, nipples and pacifiers. They cannot be safely disinfected.

Potable Water

Water; water everywhere and not a drop to drink!

After a flood, you should assume that all water sources are contaminated until they have been proven safe.

Boil all rain and tap water and water from containers you’re not completely sure about. Use only bottled, boiled, or treated water for drinking, cooking or preparing food, washing dishes, cleaning, brushing your teeth, washing your hands, making ice, and bathing until your water supply is tested and found safe.

There are also a few excellent Water Filtration Bottles and Emergency Water Filters on the market that are very effective at producing clean drinking water from almost any water source. These are the same systems that were used by the US military during the Katrina disaster.

If you use a private well for your water supply, be sure to have the water tested before you resume use. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to wash your hands if you have a limited supply of clean water.

Floodwater

Avoid contact with floodwater if at all possible, but if you find yourself wading into the floodwater during or after the disaster, remember that you will be in contact with many harmful contaminants that can make you sick. Always wash after contact with floodwater.

I sincerely hope that you have found this article useful in planning your family’s preparedness.

Allan Wright

First Aid Kit Products

http://www.firstaidkitproducts.com

Are you and your family prepared for the first 72 hours?

  Experience gained from past disasters has shown that it can take 72 hours or more to mobilize a significant relief effort during an emergency.  Therefore everyone is encouraged to prepare to cope on their own for at least the first 72 hours – that’s 3 days – of an emergency.

  By being prepared ourselves allows emergency workers focus on people in urgent need. To support their efforts, the rest of us need to be prepared to look after ourselves.

 

  The San Francisco area is exposed to a wide variety of hazards, both natural and man-made.   The path of destruction that Hurricane Katrina left in its wake across the southern U.S. in August 2005 and the widespread flooding of 2007 – 2008 have provided a horrific reminder of the importance of being prepared for disasters. Unfortunately no part of our country is immune to natural or man-made disasters.

 

  Earthquakes, power outages, floods, fires, severe storms and acts of terrorism are just some of the potential emergencies. Many of these emergencies have been deadly in the past. Being prepared can save lives and can help to reduce the impact of a disaster on you and your family.

 

 

 

Why prepare your family?

 

  Imagine for a moment that you have no electricity, no gas, no water and no telephone service. Imagine that all the businesses are closed and you are without any kind of emergency services. What will you do until help arrives?

 

  While governments at all levels are working hard to keep its citizens safe, individuals also have an important role to play in emergency preparedness. By being prepared to take care of yourself, you allow community resources to be used more effectively during an emergency and you help keep your own family safe too. Very simply put, emergency preparedness must begin at home.

 

Start to plan today!

  Prepare your emergency kit and prepare your family – so in the case of a major emergency like a flood or blackout – you are ready to take care of yourself and your loved ones for at least 72 hours. You should be prepared to live without running water, electricity, gas, telephones and assistance from safety services for at least three days following a disaster.

 

Your family Emergency Kit is comprised of two separate parts; a First Aid Kit and a Go Bag.

 

  Your own 72-Hour Emergency Kit should be tailored to meet the basic survival needs of your family. Store your emergency supplies in an easily accessible if evacuation is required. Items may be stored in a trashcan, suitcase, duffle bag, backpack, footlocker or individual pack. 

 

Your First Aid Kit 

  In any emergency situation, you or a family member may be cut, burned or suffer other injuries. Keep basic first aid supplies handy so you are prepared to assist when someone is hurt.

 

Some items that should be in your First Aid Kit: 

• Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
• Butterfly Closure Bandages
• Sterile dressings to stop bleeding
• Elastic Wrap
• Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect
• Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection
• Burn ointment
• Sting Relief Pads (for insect bites)
• Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant
• Scissors
• Two pairs of disposable gloves
• First Aid Instruction Guide 
• Medicines such as Aspirin or other pain reliever, laxative, anti-diarrhea medication
• The prescription medications you take every day such as insulin or heart medication.
• All prescribed medical supplies such as glucose or blood pressure monitors

 

 

 

Go Bag:

 

  A major component of your disaster kit is your Go-bag. Every household should pack a Go Bag — a collection of items you may need in the event of an evacuation order.

Your Go Bag may be assembled or purchased as a ready-made kit for convenience. Your Go Bag should be packed in a sturdy backpack or suitcase on wheels.

The Go Bag should be easily accessible if you have to leave your home in a hurry. Make sure it is ready to go at all times of the year as an emergency evacuation can occur at any time.

 

  Prepare one Go-bag for each family member and make sure each is tagged with the name of the person it was packed for. You may not be at home when an emergency strikes so keep some additional supplies in your car and at work.

 

  Remember that if you have to leave your house you may be living and sleeping somewhere else for a while. It is therefore a good idea to add some activity items to the kids Go Bag.

  Some suggestions may be a couple of favorite books

• Crayons, pencils and plenty of paper
• A puzzle
• A favorite toy such as a doll or action figure
• One or two board games
• A deck of cards
• A Favorite stuffed animal or puppet
• Favorite blanket or pillow

Other items to add to your Go Bag are: 

• Water and non-perishable food such as energy or granola bars
• Manual can opener
• Plates, utensils and other cooking supplies
• Flashlight and extra batteries or Hand-charged Flashlight
• Pocketknife or Multifunctional Tool
• Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries
• Whistle
• Waterproof Matches
• A Dust mask
• Duct Tape, permanent marker, and paper
• Cable Ties
• Light Stick
• Rope or twine
• Emergency cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls
• Heavy work gloves
• Disposable lighters
• Phillips Screw Driver
• Standard Screw Driver
• Folding Shovel w/Sheath
• Trash Bags
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Personal Hygiene kit
• Shave Kit
• Maps
• Sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, gloves and a warm hat
• Emergency Survival Sleeping Bag
• Rain Ponchos
• Photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes
• List of emergency contact phone numbers
• List of allergies to any drug or food
• Copy of health insurance and identification cards
• Extra prescription eyeglasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items
• Prescription medications
• Extra keys to your house and vehicle
• Disposable camera
• Any special-needs items for children, seniors or people with disabilities.

Don’t forget to make-up a Go-bag for your pets.

   I sincerely hope that this article will provide the incentive for you to get prepared for an emergency now.  Don’t put if off for another day.  The safety and well being of your family is at stake.

 

Allan Wright

First Aid Kit Products

www.FirstAidKitProducts.com

 

Being prepared for a winter driving emergency.

There are many natural hazards that we must all deal with at one time or another, such as severe weather, including thunderstorms, snowstorms, floods and tornados.

We all watch the news programs and see the devastation that these storms can bring. However people still place themselves in jeopardy by not being properly prepared for them. Even when a major winter storm has been announced by the news media, people still venture out, unprepared for the worst.

 

Winter driving rules:

Winter driving does call for a little more clear thinking and preparation than is required on a beautiful summer day.

Lets go over a few of the things that we need to keep in mind.

The safest place to be is in your home, but if you must go out into a storm, or will be driving into an advancing storm front, be sure to tell someone your destination, timetable and your planed route.

Make sure your gas tank is full; you may be in your car for a longer period that you think.  Make sure that you have an Emergency Roadside kit or Disaster Pack in your vehicle.

If you find yourself stuck and unable to move due to sliding off the road or becoming stuck in deep snow, don’t panic. Stay with your vehicle for safety and warmth. Wait for help to arrive. It is easier for rescuers to see a vehicle than a person that has wandered off in the wrong direction.

If you attempt to free your vehicle from the snow, be careful. Dress warmly, shovel slowly and do not overexert yourself. Do not attempt to shovel or push your vehicle if you have a medical condition. Body heat is retained when clothing is kept dry. Wet clothing, due to the weather or perspiration, can lead to a dangerous loss of body heat.

Try to contact the authorities by phone and give them your location.

If you are unable to contact help, get your emergency auto pack out of the trunk and prepare to wait for assistance.

Run your engine for 10 to 15 minutes every hour for heat and turn on a directional indicator or emergency flashers. The flashing light will make your vehicle more visible, even in a storm. 
Be careful of exhaust fumes. For fresh air, slightly open a window away from the wind. Exit your vehicle occasionally to make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of drifting snow before running the engine.
Bundle up in a blanket. If there is more than one person in the car, share - two people sharing blankets will be warmer than either person alone in a blanket.
Wear a hat and scarf - the head and neck are major sources of heat loss from the body. Don’t stay in one position too long. Do some exercises to help your circulation - move arms and legs, clap your hands, etc.  

Conclusion:

With lots of gasoline and your emergency supplies, you should be fine until help arrives.

Your emergency kit should contain a flashlight, a blanket or emergency sleeping bag, drinking water and a non-perishable high calorie food bar. Food provides the body with energy produce its own heat.

A few candles will supply some heat and light and a roll of duct tape will help stop any drafts from around windows or doors. A shovel and a can of tire inflator would be excellent additions to your emergency kit.

 

   I sincerely hope that this article will provide the incentive for you to get prepared for an emergency now.  Don’t put if off for another day.  The safety and well being of your family is at stake.

 

Allan Wright

First Aid Kit Products

www.FirstAidKitProducts.com

     

What is the Most Important Item for a Car or Boat First Aid Kit?

  One of the most frequently asked questions that we receive is “What is the most important thing that I need to put in my First Aid Kit?”
  The answer to this question may surprise you.  

Are you Prepared?
  There is one item that is absolutely necessary to include in your car or boat first aid kit. No matter what else you pack in your first aid kit, it must have a cellular telephone.
  There is no better piece of equipment to have in your first aid kit in the event of an emergency; be it an emergency situation that you are involved in yourself or a situation that you witness. If you can’t access emergency medical services, you are not fully prepared!
  The first aid supplies that you have in your kit will definitely come into play as you administer assistance to the injured, but the knowledge that the authorities have been notified is invaluable. 

Don’t throw out that old phone!
   The Cellular phone only need to have enough battery power to turn on. Federal laws stipulate that cell phones must be able to reach a 911 operator anytime the number is called, regardless of whether a service agreement is in effect or not.
   Everyone has at least one old cell phone that they do not use any longer. Take that old cell phone of yours and put it in the first aid kit in your car. I am sure that you will also be able to find another couple of phones for your boat first aid kit and your ATV first aid kit.   You may also wish to include a Hand-crank style charging device to recharge the cell phone battery in case it goes dead when you need it the most. These are quite inexpensive, take up little room in your first aid kit and can make a great deal of difference in an emergency. 

Conclusion! 
  In the days before Cellular Telephones came into being, we had to rely on someone getting the message to the proper authorities in the event of a serious injury, when it occurred away from a land phone. Now, with the great quantity of cell phones that have found their way into the general population, there should be no problem for you to include one in all of your First Aid Kits.

A. Wright
First Aid Kit Products

http://www.FirstAidKitProducts.com      

Keeping You and Your Family Safe

 

 

 

 

Every Day is Safety Day:
  Safety is a state of constant awareness of our surroundings and a healthy fear of unpredictable situations. By it’s very nature, an emergency is a volatile situation. If everything were truly under control, the terrible situation that we are presented with would not have happened. 
  Safety is an ongoing concern that must never leave our thoughts.
  There is an instinct in all of us to race to the rescue of those in need of assistance and first aid. Regardless of the circumstance of the accident or injury that we witness, it’s imperative that we keep our wits about us and Stay Safe.

Accident Prevention:
  If, for example, you see a person struck by a car in a crosswalk; do not rush headlong into the street to help. You will no doubt find yourself lying next to them after being struck by the next car speeding down the street, requiring aid yourself. 
   If you witness an accident or injury, the first thing you must do is to make sure that you are not in immediate danger yourself. You will not be able to render first aid to anyone if you are caught-up in the same dangerous situation that resulted in the first accident.
  If you slid into the car ahead of you, don’t jump out of your vehicle without making absolutely sure that there is no one behind you. First check your rear view mirror, if there is another vehicle approaching, stay in your car any prepare for possible impact.
  Once you are sure that there is no other vehicle approaching, grab your first aid kit and any first aid supplies that you have on hand, leave your car and get well away from the road as quickly as possible. More than one person has been severely injured while standing on the road after an accident. Don’t be one of them!
  Once you see that the situation has stabilized, you can then return to the scene to render assistance and first aid to those that have been injured.

 

Conclusion:
  It is up to each one of us to be totally aware of our own surroundings no matter where we are, and to react to those surroundings accordingly.
  We are all guilty of going through the day, lost in our own thoughts and paying little attention to what is happening around us. We must all attempt to change these ways, keep our minds in focus and be SAFE.

http://www.firstaidkitproducts.com