National Preparedness Month And Readiness Challenge Giveaway

Last month the East Coast faced off with Hurricane Irene. When area residents realized that the hurricane was definitely going to hit our area people handled the situation in different ways. Some chose to voluntarily evacuate. Many, like us, decided to stay. Most people that stayed rushed to the store. As is common when we’re expecting a bad snowstorm like the Snowmaggedon winter storm of 2010, there was a big demand for bread, milk, water and batteries. By Thursday there were no batteries to be found in my area. I had plenty of AAs at home but none of the big ones needed for the flashlights or camping lanterns that we have so many of. Fortunately, in our case, we didn’t lose power. Even though we’d decided to stay, I’d packed away valuables in a small purse including jewelry, important documents. I figured if things got really bad and we had to get out or if our house was damaged at least I’d be able to bring them with us. Thankfully we remained safe.

September is National Preparedness Month. Some areas are doing a great job of promoting emergency preparedness. New York is leading the way with its Ready New York campaign. It’s especially relevant right now, with it being the middle of hurricane season and the anniversary of 9/11 having just passed. Plus, winter isn’t all that far away, and who knows what we’re in for this year.

The three important things you need to know about emergency preparedness are:

1. Make a plan.
2. Get a kit.
3. Be informed.

Here are the suggested items for making a useful emergency supply kit and go bag.

Emergency Supply Kit

Keep enough supplies in your home to survive on your own, or shelter in place, for at least three days. If possible, keep these materials in an easily accessible, separate container or special cupboard. You should indicate to your household members that these supplies are for emergencies only. Check expiration dates of food and update your kits when you change your clock during daylight-saving times.

• One gallon of drinking water per person per day
• Non-perishable, ready-to-eat canned foods and manual can opener
• First aid kit
• Flashlight*
• Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries (you can also buy wind-up radios that do not require batteries)
• Whistle
• Iodine tablets or one quart of unscented bleach (for disinfecting water ONLY if directed to do so by health officials) and eyedropper (for adding bleach to water)
• Personal hygiene items: soap, feminine hygiene products, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc.
• Phone that does not rely on electricity
• Child care supplies or other special care items

Go Bag

Every household should pack a Go Bag – a collection of items you may need in the event of an evacuation. A Go Bag should be packed in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or suitcase on wheels. A 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.

• Copies of your important documents in a waterproof and portable container (insurance cards, photo IDs, proof of address, etc.)
• Extra set of car and house keys
• Credit and ATM cards and cash, especially in small denominations. We recommend you keep at least $50-$100 on hand.
• Bottled water and non-perishable food such as energy or granola bars
• Flashlight (Note: Traditional flashlight bulbs have limited lifespans. Light Emitting Diode (LED) flashlights, however, are more durable and last up to 10 times longer than traditional bulbs.)
• Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries
• Keep a list of the medications each member of your household takes, why they take them, and their dosages. Medication information and other essential personal items. If you store extra medication in your Go Bag, be sure to refill it before it expires.
• First-aid kit
• Contact and meeting place information for your household, and a small regional map
• Child care supplies or other special care items

I’d thought I was ready for Hurricane Irene with my little purse. After reading this and thinking to how long folks in other parts of my state were without power after Hurricane Irene, I realized that I wasn’t physically ready and never have been. Prior to 9/11 we never even dreamed of such terror and how our lives could be effected by unnatural disaster. Hurricane Katrina reiterated to the US how hard people could be affected by a natural disaster. We have learned that we must always be ready – we never know for sure what’s coming our way.

How well are you prepared for a natural disaster or emergency? Visit the Ready New York’s Readiness Challenge tool to find out. The Readiness Challenge is also connected with the My Meeting Place Facebook application and other info from the OEM.

WIN IT!

ONE winner will receive a prize pack (shown above, cat tail and legs not included, LOL) that includes: Go-Kit Bag, Pocket Radio, Flashlight, First-Aid Kit, Batteries, Worker’s Gloves, Light Sticks, Emergency Blankets, and more! ($50 value)

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

Take the online Readiness Challenge and then leave a comment on this post telling me how you did or what you learned.

BONUS ENTRIES – LOTS OF THEM!

1 – Leave a comment on MY NEW FACEBOOK PAGE stating which giveaway you’re entering. (sidebar)
1 – Subscribe to my newsletter. (sidebar)
1 – Subscribe to my RSS feed. (sidebar)
1 – Follow me on Twitter AND leave your Twitter name here. (sidebar)
1 – Blog about this giveaway, including a link here.
1 – Place my button on your blog. (in sidebar)
1 – Visit one of my other blogs – From Val’s Kitchen, Val’s Views, Game Review Network and Living With Special Needs – and leave a comment on any post there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned there. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry.
1 – Visit HereAndThere.US (my Mom) and leave a comment on any post there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned on my Mom’s blog. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry. Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.

THE SMALL PRINT.

The winner will be selected using the “And the winner is” plugin. US addresses only please, no PO Boxes. This contest will end on Wednesday 10/12/11 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!

The product featured was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This post has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Tags: 9/11, emergency preparedness, featured, Hurricane Irene, National Preparedness Month, Ready NY, Snowmageddon

Category: Giveaways, Reviews