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.

Getting – and staying – organized don’t happen overnight and they aren’t always easy to achieve, but they can be well worth the effort. Almost everyone has his or her own reasons for wanting or needing to get organized. If, however, you fail to see why getting organized is so important, perhaps one, some or all(!) of the reasons on this list will enlighten, inspire and motivate you to bring more order and organization to your life.

11 GREAT REASONS TO GET ORGANIZED

• Reduce stress – A clean, clutter-free, organized space helps to lower stress and generally improve your health.
• Save time – You won’t waste valuable minutes or hours searching for lost or misplaced items. You’ll have more time to spend with loved ones or doing things you really want to do.
• Save money – No more late payment fees. No more purchasing duplicates of items you know you have but can’t locate.
• Regain your energy – Clutter is a drain on you physically, mentally and emotionally. Clearing it out helps you to regain your vitality and enthusiasm.
• Increase productivity and efficiency – You’ll meet deadlines, keep appointments and be able to devote more time, attention and energy to the things you really need or want to do.
• Make money – Sell your clutter and turn it into cash. Save or spend it on something you truly want or need. At work, you’ll do your job better if you’re organized and will be more likely to get a promotion.
• Be a good influence – Children learn what they live. Set a positive example by modeling good organization for them and you’ll impart a valuable life skill.
• Be proud – A clutter-free space is something to be proud of so invite people over. Share it with them and enjoy!
• Increase your self-confidence – You’ll feel better about yourself because you’re able to function at a high level.
• Eat better – Planning meals and grocery shopping are easier when you’re organized. Cooking is more enjoyable – and more likely to happen – in an organized kitchen.
• Safety – Removing unneeded and potentially dangerous items will help to create a safer environment for everyone using the space: yourself, a child or other loved ones, a person of limited mobility, a pet or a co-worker.

As you can see, the benefits of living an orderly life are many. Get organized now and experience them for yourself!

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.

Did you know that every year getting organized is one of the top five New Year’s resolutions? January is well underway but, unfortunately, if you’re like most people, you’ve probably already broken some or all of your resolutions. If that’s true, the good news is that even though we’re already half way through the month, there’s still plenty of time for you to fulfill the promise of National GO – Get Organized – month and accomplish your goal of getting organized this year.

Changing even just a single habit or routine can be very difficult. If it wasn’t, there would be no need for New Year’s resolutions because we’d all be able to make a change as soon as we recognized the need for it. The important thing is to get started and chose just one, simple goal, something that you know you can accomplish before the month comes to a close. Break your goal down into small steps and reward yourself when you accomplish it. By focusing on just one goal, you can devote all the necessary attention and effort to it, greatly improving your chances of success.

Begin with a small, manageable project. For example, organize your sock drawer. If you’re like most people, being able find a pair of matching socks every morning will inspire you to tackle organizing additional drawers, your closet and other spaces. Experiencing the benefits of organization – more time to spend with the people you love; more energy for the things you want to do; more money in your pocket and less anxiety in your life – breeds the motivation to do more. Accomplishing your organizing goal this month will make it easier to accomplish another organizing goal next month and the month after that and the month after that and so on.

Regardless of whether the past year was good or bad for you, focus now on what the new year may bring and what you can do to conquer your organizing challenges. Happy New Year. I hope that 2010 will be one of your best years ever!

So, what are you waiting for? G.O.!

My job is to help make other people’s lives better. I think it’s the BEST job in the world that anyone could have. Along with having the BEST job in the world, I’m also very fortunate to have the BEST clients in the world. One of those clients – the one with the BEST cats in the world (trust me, they really are the BEST!) – sent me this lovely email yesterday and I thought I would share it in the hope of inspiring and encouraging others to get organized. Thank you, dear client, for taking the time to write and let me know how you feel about the progress we’ve made in getting you organized. It means a lot to me.

“Something happened that made me think of you. I was sitting at my desk paying a bill. And after sealing the envelope, I looked up at my bookshelf to get an address label and a stamp. Purely out of habit, my brain started the, “Okay, where did I put the address labels and stamps?” quest. And I immediately saw the box labeled, “Envelopes/Stamps/Address Labels/Packing Tape”. And I felt giddy all over again.

It’s like the gift that keeps on giving, every time I go to look for something and find it in a box, neatly labeled for easy finding.

While I am very much looking forward to more progress when I finish this particular busy period, it is so wonderful to have so much progress to see already. ”