Week 6 - Earthquake Preparedness and the Time Change

By Jackie Kloosterboer – Author – My Earthquake Preparedness Guide

Last week I ended this blog post saying Week 6 our focus would be looking at methods to connect with your family after an earthquake or disaster, but I am going to postpone that to Week 7. 

Instead, we are going to look at how you can use the upcoming Time Change to help you, your family and pets get better prepared and stay prepared for an earthquake or any other disaster you may be faced with.

 

Spring Forward – Fall Back – yes its that time again to change our clocks Saturday night before going to bed.  In addition to setting our clocks back one hour we need to test our Smoke Alarms and check our earthquake supplies. If you don’t have earthquake supplies this is a great weekend to get them in place so you, your family and pets will be able to better survive an earthquake.  

When facing an earthquake we need our earthquake supplies, but more important - we need supplies that haven't expired.  You don't want to be looking at your medications that are 13 months past their expiry dates, wishing you had updated them.  You must do it now!

When teaching Earthquake Preparedness Workshops to families and businesses I encourage everyone to go through each of their kits (don't forget your work kit) and create a list of items that have an expiry date and either attach this list to the outside of your kits in a pouch or put inside right on top of the kits - so you have easy access to the list.   

When the clocks change you can easily refer to the list and see what needs to removed and replaced. It really doesn’t get any easier than that.  Some of the key items with expiry dates are:

1. Food
2. Water
3. Medications
4. Light Sticks
5. Batteries
6. First Aid Kit
7. Any other Items with an Expiry Date

Your Task for Week #6:

1. Go through each of your Earthquake Kits and create a list for each Kit of the items that will expire along with their expiry date.
2. Attach this list to each of your kits so its easy to access when the clocks change.
3. Replace all of the items that are expired or will expire before the Spring when you will once again check your Earthquake Kits.

Week 7 we will look at how to connect with your family after an earthquake including identifying your Family Meeting Places.  

Until then – stay safe and get you, your family and pets prepared.

The time to prepare is NOW – once the earthquake strikes it will be too late!

Happy Halloween to all!

Jackie Kloosterboer

Jackie Kloosterboer has been leading the way in earthquake preparedness for 2 decades presenting more than 100 Earthquake Preparedness sessions each year to groups and businesses. She is often interviewed by a variety of media outlets across Canada as she promotes the importance of earthquake and disaster preparedness.

As an Emergency Preparedness Specialist and an Instructor with the Justice Institute of BC Jackie travels across Canada teaching people how to respond to disasters to help those who have been displaced. Throughout British Columbia Jackie has taken on leadership roles assisting those who have been impacted by disaster.

Contact Jackie at (604) 355-2414 or email her at jackie@survive-it.ca to answer any questions you may have or to book her to speak at your next group or business meeting or event. 

www.survive-it.ca

Week 5 - Will your Family Survive the Earthquake?

By Jackie Kloosterboer – Author – My Earthquake Preparedness Guide

Sitting at your desk when all of a sudden the ground beneath your feet starts to shake - with each passing moment the shaking grows stronger and stronger. Your heart sinks as you realize your worst fears are being met. This is an Earthquake!

Immediately your thoughts race to your family.  Where are they?  How are they?  Have they even survived it?

You pick up your cell phone and hit send and nothing – your phone is dead. You wonder how you will find out if your family is OK.

Week 3 of my Blog was about the importance of having your Out of Area Contact in place for your family to connect when phone lines are down after an earthquake.  Simply put, your Out of Area Contact is a friend or family member who lives out of the province or state that you and your family will call if unable to connect using local phones. Often long distance will work when local lines do not work. You call in and get updates on family members who have already called in.

Following an earthquake there is no guarantee what will be available for you connect with your family. Until the earthquake happens we just don't know.  What we do know is - you need to have options!  If plan A doesn’t work, you have a plan B, a plan C and so on and so on.  The more options you have the better your chance to connect with your family. 

Today the focus is on some of the additional options you and your family need to put into place so you will have the ability to connect following the earthquake.

Social Media 

With many recent disasters around the world we have seen and heard the success of people being able to connect with their families and loved ones using a variety of social media channels. With so many options you need to plan with your family how you could best connect using Social Media.  It is important to remember that when planning with your family you need to do what works best for you.

We have seen success with FaceBook in connecting people.  You post on Facebook advising your location and that you are ok. This information gets out very quickly - keep checking back until you hear from your family members.  You also may see updates from other people you know and may be able to help others connect.  However - like anything there is no guarantee this will work.

Texting is another great option that may be available to you and your family. A word of caution – don’t assume the person you are texting has received your text.  Just because you were able to send it doesn't mean he or she have received it.  They may not have their phone with them or their battery may be dead. You need to receive a response back.

Social Media is not only an excellent option to connect with your family, it can also provide you with important information about the earthquake or disaster you are facing. A word of caution. Make sure the reports you are reading are from a reliable source.  We have seen situations using social media where people are receiving information that may not be correct.  Be Cautious!

Your Task for Week #5:

1. Sit down with your family to identify what your best options would be to connect - FaceBook, Twitter, etc. 
2. You may want to include your extended family - they will want to know how you are doing after a major earthquake.  Keep in mind if someone doesn't have a Facebook account that may not be your best option. Remember its about doing what works for you and your family.
3. Kids spend time with two parents - make sure your plans will work at both homes and have a conversation with your kids about this. 

Next week we will look at additional ways to connect with your family including identifying your Family Meeting Places.  

Until then – stay safe and get you your family and pets prepared.

The time to prepare is NOW – once the earthquake strikes it will be too late!

Jackie Kloosterboer

Jackie Kloosterboer has been leading the way in earthquake preparedness for 2 decades presenting more than 100 Earthquake Preparedness sessions each year to groups and businesses. She is often interviewed by a variety of media outlets across Canada as she promotes the importance of earthquake and disaster preparedness.

As an Emergency Preparedness Specialist and an Instructor with the Justice Institute of BC Jackie travels across Canada teaching how to respond to disasters to help those who have been displaced. Throughout British Columbia Jackie has taken on leadership roles assisting those who have been impacted by disaster.  

Contact Jackie to speak to your group or business or to ask any questions at (604) 355-2414 or jackie@survive-it.ca

www.survive-it.ca

Week 4 - ShakeOut BC Earthquake Drill

By Jackie Kloosterboer – Earthquake Preparedness Specialist &                  Author – My Earthquake Preparedness Guide

Living along the West Coast it should be no surprise we live in an area that can be impacted by earthquakes. What I find surprising is how very few of us are prepared to deal with an earthquake - many have no plans for themselves, their families or pets. 

This is frightening when you think of what it would be like after an earthquake in our communities. Think back to late August when the Windstorm ravished our neighbourhoods and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people.  That is small potatoes when compared to what the aftermath of an earthquake would look like.

That is why you need to join over 760,000 BC residents and be a part of the annual ShakeOut BC Earthquake Drill. You and your family need to practice what to do when facing an earthquake. 

Turn on your radio prior to 10:15 and experience what an earthquake would be like.  In addition to practicing what to do - take it a step further - think about where your family are.  If phone lines are down - would you be able to connect with them, would they be able to get home if roads and bridges are damaged - could you get home. This my friends is what you need to be prepared for living in an area that can be impacted by earthquakes. 

"DROP, COVER & HOLD ON" needs to become second nature to all of us. As soon as you feel the earth start to move you need to drop down underneath a table or desk or against an interior wall if no table or desk is available, cover your head and hold on. Wait for the shaking to stop then count to 60.  Slowly get out from underneath the table or desk, looking for fallen debris, broken glass. 

When we feel the earth start to move it is human nature to want to run to safety. This is the last thing you want to do. This is when many injuries occur as debris will be flying across the room.  That is why you need to practice "DROP, COVER & HOLD ON"  as that is what is going to protect you.

Go on - set your alarm for 10:10 and get ready to practice "DROP, COVER & HOLD ON." This action could save your life when facing an earthquake.

Next Thursday we will be picking up where we left off with your OUT OF AREA CONTACT and look at other ways to connect with your family when phone lines are down. 

Until next week - stay safe and get those plans in place.

Be Prepared - Not Scared

Jackie Kloosterboer has been leading the way in earthquake preparedness for 2 decades presenting more than 100 Earthquake Preparedness sessions each year. She is often interviewed by a variety of media outlets across Canada as she promotes the importance of earthquake and disaster preparedness.

As an Emergency Planner and an Instructor with the Justice Institute of BC Jackie travels across Canada teaching volunteers how to respond to disasters to help those who have been displaced. Throughout British Columbia Jackie has taken on leadership roles assisting those who have been impacted by disaster.

Contact Jackie at (604) 355-2414 or jackie@survive-it.ca

www.survive-it.ca

Week 3 - Your Family's Out of Area Contact

By Jackie Kloosterboer – Author – My Earthquake Preparedness Guide

After an earthquake our number one concern will be our family!  Where are they? How are they? Have they survived it?

So how will you contact them?  Today when you need to reach your family you simply grab your cell phone, hit the call icon and it goes through.  After an earthquake it will not be that easy.  Chances are - your call will not go through. 

That is why you need an t Out of Area Contact.  Your Out of Area Contact is one potential way you can connect with your family if phone are overloaded or not working.  Over the coming weeks we will look at other ways to connect with your family during times of disaster but we will start with your Out of Area  Contact.

STEP 1 - Identify a friend or family member who lives out of the province to be your Out of Area Contact, Alaska, Washington, Oregon or California are not great choices as they too could be affected by the earthquake.  Where possible go east of the Rockies.  For people with family overseas that is a good choice for your Out of Area Contact.

STEP 2 – Ensure your friend or family members are willing to be your Out of Area Contact.  Make sure you have their home and cell phone numbers and also  their email so you can contact them.  A word of caution - we all put our contact numbers in our cell phones – but if power is out and you can’t charge your cell phone you won’t have access to your Out of Area Contact.  Make sure you carry your Out of Area Contact number in your wallet.  

STEP 3 - Ensure you have a hard wired phone line and a phone that does not require power. (I keep mine stored in my closet.)  If electricity is out your phone will not work.  If you don't have a hard wired phone line pay attention to those around you that do .  You may need to ask them if you can make a call to your Out of Area Contact from their phone. 

STEP 4 - When faced with an earthquake and you are unable to connect with your family, you will call your Out of Area Contact.  You will be able to provide your info and get updates on other family members who have already called in.  Keep your calls short as others may also be trying to use the phone lines. If family members have not yet checked in try calling back a little bit later.

With the many presentations I do on Earthquake Preparedness, I am often asked what is the point of having an Out of Area Contact - if our  phone lines are going to be down – why bother?  

It is important to realize that there is no guarantee this will work – we don’t know what we will have available to us after an earthquake. But wouldn't it be worse if you could make a long distance call and you just never bothered to follow up on this!

Remember – your family is counting on you.  Follow the simple steps above and get your family’s Out of Area Contact in place.  You will certainly be glad you did when facing an earthquake.  

Check back over the following weeks for other ways to connect with your loved ones during times of disaster.

Your Task for this Week:

1. Select a friend or family out of the Province to be your Out of Area Contact
2. Talk to your family about how and when to call your Out of Area Contact
3. Create Out of Area Contact Cards for your family to keep in their wallets

We know it’s only a matter of time before the big one strikes.  Make sure you, your family and pets are prepared to Survive-It!  The time to prepare is NOW – once the earthquake strikes it will be too late!

As Always,

Be Prepared – Not Scared

Jackie Kloosterboer has been leading the way in earthquake preparedness for 2 decades presenting more than 100 Earthquake Preparedness sessions each year. She is often interviewed by a variety of media outlets across Canada as she promotes the importance of earthquake and disaster preparedness.

As an Emergency Planner and an Instructor with the Justice Institute of BC Jackie travels across Canada teaching volunteers how to respond to disasters to help those who have been displaced. Throughout British Columbia Jackie has taken on leadership roles assisting those who have been impacted by disaster.

Contact Jackie at (604) 355-2414 or jackie@survive-it.ca

www.survive-it.ca

Week 2 – Grab and Go Kits - Specific Items

By Jackie Kloosterboer – Author – My Earthquake Preparedness Guide

Last week our focus was how to develop your Family’s Grab & Go Kits to ensure your family will have the items they need when you must evacuate from your home to safety.  

With your Grab & Go Kits now stocked with the basic items, its time to think about additional items to include in your Grab & Go Kit.  These items can sometimes be overlooked.

The focus for Week 2 – What other items do you need to include in your Grab & Go Kits?

CASH: 

If I was to ask you right now to open your wallet and see how much cash you have on hand – you would probably be like me - I have a $5.00 bill, a Loonie and a couple of quarters. Most people do not keep much cash on them - we all rely on our bank and credit cards.  $6.50 will not carry me too far when facing a disaster.

If you have to evacuate your home you may face some unexpected expenses.  You may need to pay for a hotel, purchase some extra supplies or any number of things that require cash.  If power is out you will not be able to use your bank or credit cards.   

I can hear the flood of questions already – will stores be open? Will there be anything left to purchase in the stores?  The answer is - we just don’t know. There may be stores that can open and after some time supplies will start to arrive that we can purchase. There may be hotels available, there may not. Will we have power – we may or we may not.   Until the earthquake happens, we just don’t know how our communities will be affected or what will be available.  That is why we need to be prepared!

One word of warning – if you borrow from your stash of cash make sure you repay it. You don’t want to think you have money stored only to find it is no longer there.  

MEDICATIONS:

If you, your family or pets take medications this requires some planning.  I am a diabetic and if I don’t get my insulin I will not survive–it! As you may know insulin must be kept refrigerated or it will lose its potency. I don't want to be facing a disaster with insulin that is not going to work.

To make sure this won't happen I have talked to my family Doctor to see how to best store my insulin. This way I will always have insulin available to me.  In my Grab & Go Kit I keep all the other bits and pieces I need for my diabetes such as pump supplies, test strips, syringes etc., but my insulin is safely rotated through my kit.

If you, your family or pets take any medications talk to your family doctor or vet about how to best store your medications.  You don't want to be facing an earthquake without your medications. 

IDENTIFICATION

Ensure you have copies of all your important documents safely stored away in your Grab & Go Kit. If you have to evacuate and you forget your wallet this will provide you with the ID you may need. Rather than photocopy ID some people prefer to keep it on a password protected memory stick.

In addition to your Driver’s License, Credit Cards and other important ID  make sure you copy your insurance documents. I can’t tell you how many fires I have responded to where people have insurance but can’t remember who their insurance company is. Having a copy with you makes it much easier to be able to call your insurance company quickly.

Think about other impotent documentation you and your family should include in your Grab & Go Kit such as phone numbers and your OUT OF AREA CONTACT card which we will look at next week. Your Out of Area Contact provides a way to connect with family members if phone lines are down.

Until then – make sure your family’s Grab & Go Kits are safely stored away in the closet with all the supplies you  need so when disaster strikes you will be ready!

Your Task for this week:

1. Determine how much money to store away and put the money into your Grab & Go Kit.
2. Talk to your Family Doctor and Vet about storing medications for your family and pets.
3. Photocopy your insurance papers, ID, credit cards and other documents you need to keep on hand.

We know it’s only a matter of time before the big one strikes.  Make sure you, your family and pets are prepared to Survive-It!  The time to prepare is NOW – once the earthquake strikes it will be too late!

As Always,

Be Prepared – Not Scared

Jackie Kloosterboer has been leading the way in earthquake preparedness for 2 decades presenting more than 100 Earthquake Preparedness sessions each year. She is often interviewed by a variety of media outlets across Canada as she promotes the importance of earthquake and disaster preparedness.

As an Emergency Planner and an Instructor with the Justice Institute of BC Jackie travels across Canada teaching volunteers how to respond to disasters to help those who have been displaced. Throughout British Columbia Jackie has taken on leadership roles assisting those who have been impacted by disaster.

Contact Jackie at (604) 355-2414 or jackie@survive-it.ca

www.survive-it.ca