Showing posts with label emergency preparedness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label emergency preparedness. Show all posts
Monday, November 12, 2012
Let’s Be Thankful for Technology
Hurricane Sandy really reminded all of us how
much we rely on today’s technology. Without power, many people are suffering in
the dark without a way to cook or keep warm. Even some of us on the West Coast
were affected when we couldn’t conduct business or access our favorite
websites, which seems trivial by comparison.
It does remind us to stop and be grateful for
what we have. It hasn’t been that long ago that many of the things we take for
granted didn’t exist. What would we do without…
Electric lights, Security systems, Garage door openers,
Running water in the house, Flush toilets, Water heaters,
Washing machines, Dryers,
Electric ranges, Gas ranges, Ovens with accurate
temperature sensors, Microwaves,
Radios, Televisions, DVDs, TiVo,
Computers, Laptops, Nooks, Kindles, Blackberry, Ipads,
Ipods,
Telephones, Cell phones, Smart phones, Answering
machines,
Copiers, Fax machines, Calculators,
Electric razors, Curling irons. Blow dryers, Electric
toothbrushes,
Furnaces, Air conditioners, Heat pumps, Generators,
Comfortable automobiles, Airplane travel, Gas stations,
And Grocery stores full of wonderful produce from all
over the world?
Compare our lives to the early settlers of
California. They cooked over an open fire. They knew how to split wood and
stockpile for the winters. They knew how to scrub clothes on a scrub board or
in the river. They walked or rode horses, mules, or a buggy to the store a few
times a year to get the essentials like flour, sugar, and coffee. They knew how
to grow a garden and preserve food throughout the year. They lived without our
technology. Can we?
What would you do tomorrow if you woke up and
it was all gone? That’s what people are facing on the East Coast. Do you have
your emergency
kit ready to go? Have you fixed
potential hazards in your home? Do you know how to shut off the water to
your house? Don’t expect someone else to shut the gas off for you, either. If
there’s an emergency, you won’t have time to ask.
And if a disaster occurred and technology was
gone, what would you be left with? Wouldn’t you be grateful to have your life,
your family and friends?
Doesn’t that highlight that human relationships are most important ultimately? Which brings up the thought that we shouldn’t
allow today’s
preoccupation with technology rob us of time for caring for our family, our
friends, and ourselves.
We, at Simplify, are very grateful for
today’s technology. Without it, it would be extremely difficult to manage all
of the
services that make your life easier. If you live in the Silicon Valley, schedule a free
consultation today so you can maximize technology to give you more time for
the most important things.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Be Prepared – Create an Emergency Kit You Can Grab and Go
In a disaster, you don’t want your children hungry, thirsty, and dirty because you didn’t think to pack an emergency kit. Of course, no one likes to think about it, but it’s really a simple thing to get a backpack ready for every family member. Then you know you’re prepared, even for the worst.
Keep one emergency kit in your car. You may be far from home when an emergency occurs and these items will become your lifeline if you’re stranded. Pack enough essential survival supplies to last 3-5 days. This amount is recommended because packing too much will make it impossible to carry, and you won’t have time to sort it at the last moment.
Here are items you should consider including in your emergency kits:
Identification and copies of important papers - Current family picture with names, contact numbers (designate someone far outside your area as your primary contact), immunization and health records, social security number, birth and marriage certificate, banking/credit card phone numbers, will, insurance policies, etc., also some extra cash in small bills and coins.
Tools - Matches or lighter, scissors, can opener, spoon, fork, pocketknife, duct tape, sewing kit, battery powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, small cook stove, a pot, large sheet of plastic for shelter if you don’t have a tent, thin emergency blanket, and a small trowel for burying human waste.
Clothes - Long sleeve shirt, sweat pants, three pairs of underwear, two pairs of socks, jacket, poncho, and walking shoes tied to the outside of the pack.
Water - A gallon per person per day is recommended, but children can only carry 3-5 smaller bottles. Water pouches are available online for easier packing, however they can be punctured. Another option is using water purification tablets, although you’d need to find a water supply to use them.
Non-perishable food that requires no cooking and very little water - MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) are best because of long storage life. Check out camping supply stores or order online. Avoid foods that make you thirsty. If there are special dietary needs, including baby food, research online to find good suggestions. Nuts, dried fruit, and energy bars are okay, but you’ll have to remember to rotate them out, or they’ll be too stale to eat. Include comfort food like chocolate and if you’re used to a lot of caffeine, make sure you have some with you or you’re going to have a huge headache.
Medical supplies - Pack a week’s supply of prescriptions (put it on your calendar to rotate new ones into the kit every 6 months so they don’t expire). Also include a first aid kit - various sizes of adhesive bandages, ace wrap bandage, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, and laxatives.
Hygiene - Toothbrush and paste, chap stick, soap, hand sanitizer, deodorant, sunscreen, shampoo, comb, razor, flushable wipes, washcloth and towel.
Paper products - This includes toilet paper, paper towels (remove inner cardboard tube for easy packing), feminine products, and diapers. Add a deck of cards, small notebook and 4-5 crayons to keep kids busy.
Put things in Ziploc bags as there’s a real likelihood the packs will get wet. As you fill each backpack, create a spreadsheet. List items under each category and color code what needs to be rotated every 6 or 12 months. That way you don’t have to unpack everything – only that specific Ziploc bag.
In disaster situations, being prepared makes all the difference. Don’t forget that this March we’re offering an additional 10% off on all handyman services. Simplify has qualified handymen who can get your Silicon Valley house prepared for any emergency.
Call us for a complimentary consultation and we’ll be happy to talk about how we can help you be prepared.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Be Prepared – Fix Potential Hazards in Your Silicon Valley Home Before the Next Earthquake
Over a year ago, on March 11, 2011 the fourth largest recorded earthquake in the world since 1900 took place in Japan. It was 300 times stronger and lasted 15 times longer than the 1994 magnitude 6.7 Northridge Earthquake. This is a stark reminder of how important it is for those of us here in the earthquake-prone Silicon Valley to be prepared to reduce the risk to our lives and our pocketbooks.
Sadly several people died and thousands were injured in the Northridge earthquake because of unsecured building contents like toppling bookcases. A lot of this damage and injury could have been prevented in advance. Never forget that what’s inside your home can be just as dangerous as the building structure itself.
How prepared is your home?
It doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, there are simple steps you can take that will protect you if an earthquake happens tomorrow. Here’s a good rule of thumb: you should secure anything 1) heavy enough to hurt you if it falls on you, or 2) fragile and/or expensive enough to be a significant loss if it falls.
Walk through each room of your home and make note of what simple, yet lifesaving, precautions you should be taking. Here’s a list to get you started:
In Your Bedroom - Earthquakes often happen at night so make sure to move bookcases away from beds where you sleep. Only “soft art”, such as a tapestry, should be placed over your bed.
In Your Kitchen - Start by securing your refrigerator and other large appliances to walls using earthquake appliance straps. Then add latches (child-proof latches will work) to cabinet doors so they don’t fly open and allow glassware and dishes to come crashing down. Also, if you have gas appliances make sure they have flexible connectors to reduce the risk of fire.
In Your Garage - Secure items stored in your garage so that they won’t block access to your vehicle and your exits. Move any flammable or hazardous materials to a closed cabinet with latches and place these items on the bottom shelf.
Throughout your home - Collectibles, vases, and lamps can become deadly projectiles so use fasteners or a non-damaging adhesive such as earthquake putty. Mirrors and hung frames should be hung from closed hooks so that they can't bounce off the walls. Your electronics are heavy (and costly to replace) so secure them with flexible nylon straps and buckles so you can easily relocate them. Anchor the tops of all top-heavy furniture, such as bookcases and file cabinets, to a stud in your wall. Finally, don’t forget to brace overhead light fixtures since they often come down and cause serious damage or injury.
Your Water Heater - Unsecured water heaters often fall over so make sure yours has two straps around it that are screwed into the studs or masonry of the wall.
This list will get you started but it isn’t all inclusive. Take a look at FEMA’s website for more information on how to prepare your home for an earthquake.
Imagine the relief of knowing you’ve done everything you could to get your house ready for an earthquake to keep your family safe! If it sounds overwhelming, because you just don’t have the time or the expertise, Simplify has qualified handymen who can get your Silicon Valley house prepared for any emergency.
Don’t wait! We’re offering an additional 10% off on all handyman service through March 31, 2012. Call us for a complimentary consultation and we’ll be happy to talk about how we can help you be prepared.
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