As Hurricane Irene was making its way up the East Coast to NYC last weekend, I received emails from Brooklyn and Queens clients trying to get organized for the oncoming storm who wondered if I knew how long canned goods were safe to ingest. Apparently, both of these clients had an emergency supply they had bought so long ago in anticipation of weather events that might cause power outages that they couldn’t remember how long it had been. Just to be on the safe side – though I assumed they already had – I replied that most canned goods had expiration dates on them so they should check the label, the lid or the bottom of the can. If the cans didn’t have an expiration date, I suggested that they contact the manufacturer of the food for information or look on the company’s website. I also suggested that they check out StillTasty, a shelf life guide where you can find out how long your favorite food or beverage will stay safe and tasty and what’s the best way to store it. Additionally, I recommended that they check the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service website. Because time was of the essence, I emphasized that, if they couldn’t get the information they needed quickly and easily, common sense should prevail and they should toss or set aside to investigate later items they were unsure of and get fresh supplies in the meantime.

When food is involved, the wise thing to do to protect yourself and your loved ones is either use up your emergency supply cans BEFORE they expire or give them away or donate them well in advance of their expiration dates and replace them with new ones. To avoid the potential unwelcome surprise of emergency food cans past their expiration dates, review your stash of supplies at least once a year. Put a reminder on your calendar so you don’t forget or tie your review in with a yearly event or ritual like New Year’s or turning your clocks backward or forward. It’s also a good time to review/update other in-case-of-emergency items like your insurance policies, emergency contact list, evacuation plans and the contents of your Go (emergency) Bag.

Many of us prefer not to think about bad things happening, but major weather events like Hurricane Irene can and do occur. No one is immune. It could happen to you, so be prepared.

Many of us prefer not to think about bad things happening, but a major weather event – like the one the East Coast of the U.S. just experienced – or any number of other natural disasters or emergencies can occur at any time. No one is immune. IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU. 

If you had to evacuate your home right now, would you be prepared or scared? No matter where you live, you should always be ready to expect the unexpected. The best way for you to be safe is to be as prepared as possible for any potential disaster.

HAVE A HOUSEHOLD DISASTER PLAN:

It’s important that you develop a household disaster plan so you are ready in case you ever need to evacuate your home quickly. A household disaster plan means that every household member knows what to do, how to find each other and how to communicate in an emergency. Decide where your household will reunite after a disaster. Identify two places to meet: one right outside your home and another outside your neighborhood at a library, school, community center or place of worship.

• Make sure everyone knows the address and phone number of your second meeting place.
• Know and practice all possible exit routes from your home and neighborhood.
• Designate an out-of-state friend or relative that household members can call if separated during a disaster. If phone circuits are busy, this out-of-state contact can be an important way of communicating between household members. When local phone circuits are busy, long-distance calls may be easier to make.
• Practice your plan with all household members.
• Make sure that all household members have a copy of your household disaster plan in their wallets and backpacks.

GET YOUR GO BAGS READY:

For those of you who don’t know, a Go Bag is an emergency bag you pack today and hope you never need…

• Prepare one Go Bag for each family member and make sure each has an I.D. tag. It should be ready to go at all times of the year.
• Each Go Bag should be packed in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container like a backpack or suitcase on wheels.
• Store your Go Bag(s) near the exit door so you can just grab and…GO.
• You may not be at home when an emergency strikes so keep some additional supplies in your car and at work, considering what you would need for your immediate safety.

Depending on your particular situation, you should have the following items in your Go Bag(s):

• Flashlight - crank style. Also, snap lights such as glow-sticks.
• AM-FM Radio - crank style. Get one now, so you have it when you need it.
• First-aid kit
• Lighter - matches will be useless if they get wet. Or get waterproof matches at a camping store.
• Whistle - good for locating people in a crowd, at night or in low visibility conditions. Devise an easy-to-remember signal with family members and loved ones, so that they can recognize your whistle and make their way toward you. Add a lanyard or chain so your whistle is always with you.
• Goggles - protect your eyes. The best ones are heavy-duty “soft side” vinyl with ventilation and have fog-less lenses and an adjustable strap.
• Dust masks (2 per person) – heavy-duty, respirator-type masks are preferable.
• Pocket knife - multi-use. Buy a Leatherman, Gerber or Victorinox Swiss tool. Get one with a saw blade, if possible. Get the best one you can afford. Your life may depend on it later.
• Emergency cash in small denominations and a couple of rolls of quarters for phone calls, vending machines, laundry, etc. Consider having $100-$200 in ones so you never need change. Depending on the event, credit cards may not be useful. A word to the wise: to avoid being robbed or assaulted, be careful about letting others see your money.
• Change of clothes - cotton is useless once it gets wet; add thermal wear. Be sure you have comfortable, sturdy shoes, a warm hat and carbon activated hand and feet warmers. Include a pair of leather work gloves – think rescue and retrieval, just in case you are on your own for this.
• Mylar emergency blanket – it’s lightweight and compact.
• Local map of the area you plan to go.
• Crow Bar - in case the emergency has caused your path to be blocked. Rope and rubber bands have endless uses, bring various sizes.
• One gallon of drinking water per person per day and/or iodine tablets or one quart of unscented bleach (for disinfecting water ONLY if directed to do so by health officials) and an eyedropper (for adding bleach to water).
• Ready-to-eat foods like granola or power bars and nonperishable, canned foods and a manual can opener.
• Duct tape, plastic sheeting, permanent marker. Paper, sticky pad and pen, in case you need to leave a note for family to let them know where you went or where to meet. Big black trash bags to cut open to make a poncho or a tent, if necessary.
• Photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes. This is crucial in case you get separated and need to enlist the help of others to find your loved ones.
• List of emergency point-of-contact phone numbers.
• List of allergies to any drug (especially antibiotics) or food.
• Copies of your important documents in a waterproof container. Keep copies of health (and other) insurance and identification cards, passport, driver’s license, proof of address, etc. inside.
• Vital personal items, like extra prescriptions for eye glasses, hearing aids, etc.
• Prescription medications – keep a list of the medications each member of your household takes, why they take them and their dosages. Also, include all relevant doctors’ names and phone numbers.
• Personal care items - toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, feminine hygiene products, etc. Gel antibacterial hand wash (non rinse) for cleaning hands and even wounds, in a pinch. You never know what you may have to touch in an emergency.
• Extra keys to your home and vehicle.
• Any special-needs items for children, seniors or people with disabilities.
• Pet care items.

Now in its sixth year, National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort sponsored by the Ready Campaign to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. Are you ready? If not, I urge you to visit their website for more about how preparedness goes beyond fire alarms, smoke detectors, dead-bolt locks and extra food in the pantry.