NEW: Check out JDRF’s latest edition of their type 1 Toolkit for Adults Hey Juvenators,Happy Friday! Me and the rest of the east coast are all preparing for Hurricane Irene who is arriving this weekend. When you have a health condition you should always prepare for the worst and here are five tips for you to prepare for natural disasters or emergencies. 1. Plan. If you have a plan in place, you will be ready to just get up and go in case of any sort of emergency situation.
2. Supplies • Prescription medicines and other special medical supplies. (insulin, glucose, pills, etc) • You should have at least 3-5 days of water for each person in your house. • 3-5 days of non-perishable food. • First aid kit • Radio, flashlights, extra batteries. • Sleeping Bags and blankets • Water-purifying supplies, (chlorine or iodine tablets, household chlorine bleach) • Baby food, formula, diapers, other... • Hygiene supplies: soap, toothpaste, sanitary napkins, sanitzers. • Emergency kit for the car, food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, first aid kit, fire extinguisher.• Fill your automobile's gas tank. If no vehicle is available, make arrangements with friends or family for transportation.• Fill your clean water containers.• Review your emergency plans and supplies, checking to see if any items are missing.• Tune in the radio or television for weather updates.• Listen for disaster sirens and warning signals.• Prepare an emergency kit for your car with food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc.• Secure any items outside which may damage property in a storm, such as bicycles, grills, propane tanks, etc.• Cover windows and doors with plywood or boards or place large strips of masking tape or adhesive tape on the windows to reduce the risk of breakage and flying glass.• Put livestock and family pets in a safe area. Due to food and sanitation requirements, emergency shelters cannot accept animals.• Place vehicles under cover, if at all possible.• Fill sinks and bathtubs with water as an extra supply for washing.• Adjust the thermostat on refrigerators and freezers to the coolest possible temperature.
3. Prepare for evacuation know where your routes and shelters are. Take only essential items with you.• If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water.• Disconnect appliances to reduce the likelihood of electrical shock when power is restored.• Make sure your automobile's emergency kit is ready.• Follow the designated evacuation routes—others may be blocked—and expect heavy traffic. Identify and secure home hazards and secure them. If you aren’t ordered to evacuate:• Monitor the radio or television for weather conditions, if possible.• Stay indoors until the authorities declare the storm is over.• Do not go outside, even if the weather appears to have calmed—the calm "eye" of the storm can pass quickly, leaving you outside when strong winds resume.• Stay away from all windows and exterior doors, seeking shelter in a bathroom or basement. Bathtubs can provide some shelter if you cover yourself with plywood or other materials.• Prepare to evacuate to a shelter or to a neighbor's home if your home is damaged, or if you are instructed to do so by emergency personnel.
3. Locate and secure your important papers.
5. Inform local authorities about any special needs that you or family members have.
Be Safe out there everyone!
Gina
Hurricane Readiness sources:CDC - http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/readiness_factsheet.aspAmerican Diabetes Association - http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/medication/tips-for-emergency-preparedness.htmlFEMA - http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/