1. Start the disaster plan by identifying what your operation needs to do to protect itself in the face of a natural disaster. Even if you don’t own the building where you do business, take steps to protect your assets.
2. Determine what production machinery, computers and other essential equipment is needed to keep your business open. Store extra supplies offsite, and make a plan for a temporary location if your company is forced to relocate after the disaster. Be ready for utility disruptions with a portable generator.
3. Find escape routes from the business and establish meeting places. Make sure everyone understands the emergency plan before the storm hits. Designate a contact person to communicate with other employees, customers and vendors.
4. Review your insurance coverage to make sure you understand what is not covered. Most policies don’t cover flood damage.
5. The National Flood Insurance Program provides coverage to property owners. Go to the NFIP Web site at www.floodsmart.gov.
6. Consider business interruption insurance. It covers operating expenses, like utilities, and compensates you for the income lost after a temporary closure.
7. Make back-up copies of all tax, accounting, payroll and production records and customer data on computer hard drives, and store the records at an offsite location at least 100 miles away. Important documents should be saved in fireproof safe deposit boxes.
8. To protect your property from wind damage, install impact-resistant windows and door systems, or plywood shutters. Hire a professional to evaluate your roof to make sure it can weather a major storm.
9. Develop a post-disaster communications strategy. Keep current phone numbers for your suppliers, employees, customers, utility companies, local media, and emergency agencies. Appoint a spokesperson to get the word out that your company is still open and on the road to recovery, to dispel rumors of business failure.
10. More preparedness tips for businesses, homeowners and renters are available on the Institute for Business and Home Safety (www.ibhs.org ) also has information on protecting your home or business. The federal government’s preparedness Web site www.ready.gov is another helpful resource.

Storm shutters remain the most economical solution for most homeowners to protect windows. When installing any type of shutter system, be sure to wear protective gloves. Here are four basic shutter designs.

Barrel-bolt plywood shutters
Use on concrete-block stucco homes that have windows inset at least two inches from the exterior wall.

Buy plywood ahead of time, before the rush. Make sure it is at least 5/8 of an inch thick.

Buy 3- or 4-inch barrel bolts, enough for one bolt for a minimum of every 12 inches of plywood.

Cut the plywood sheets to size for each window, allowing for a snug fit in the inset.

For larger windows or sliding doors, attach two pieces of plywood with 2-by-4s or a piano hinge.

Attach bolts to plywood, mark where you need the holes to be drilled in the concrete stucco.

Drill holes, in marked spots in concrete stucco.

Overlapping plywood shutters
If your windows do not have a 2-inch inset, plywood shutters can overlap.

Buy plywood ahead of time, before the rush.

Make sure it is at least 5/8 of an inch thick.

Cut the plywood sheets to size for each window, allowing for an overlap of at least 4 inches. Label each panel.

Drill corresponding holes in the plywood and walls. Use a 1/4-inch drill bit for the wood. Use a masonry or carbide-tipped bit for concrete or stucco walls.

Hammer 1/4-inch lead sleeve anchors – not plastic – into the holes in the wall. The anchors should be at least 2 inches long.

When a hurricane threatens, use tapping screws at least 2 inches long to bolt the plywood in place.

Average cost: $1 - $5 per square foot
Preparation time: 1 - 1 1/2 hours per window.

These one- or two-piece hurricane shutters are housed beside the windows or doors when not in use. They unfold accordion-style to cover and protect during a storm.

Pros
Permanently affixed beside the windows and don't require any extra storage space.

Can easily be made storm-ready by one person.

Some models can be locked with a key and may be used as a theft deterrent.

Cons
Can look bulky and out of place on some houses.

Consider the aesthetics before having them installed.

Glide on wheels, have the potential to break more easily than some of the other systems.

Average cost: $16 - $20 per square foot
Preparation time: 15-30 minutes for an entire house

Storm Panels

                                   

These steel or aluminum shutters attach to the walls
around windows and doors on bolts or tracks.

The first style incorporates both tracks and bolts. The top of the panel is slipped into a track above the window, and the bottom of the panel is secured to bolts that are permanently attached beneath the window.

The second style uses a set of C-shaped tracks above and below the windows and doors. Bolts slide into the tracks from either side and must be manually aligned with the holes on the panels.

The third style uses only bolts permanently set into the wall beside the windows and doors. They can be loosened as the panel is hung horizontally, and screwed down to secure it.

Pros
Most inexpensive of the permanent shutter systems.

Removable, so they don't change the look of the house when not in use.

Strong, and can provide excellent protection for both doors and windows.

Cons
Require storage, but usually stack together tightly and take up little space.

Can be difficult to handle; hanging can require more than one person.

Sometimes don't line up properly.

Have sharp edges.

Average cost: $7 - $8 per square foot;
Preparation time: 15 minutes per window depending on the style.

Roll-Down Hurricane Shutters

Pros
Are permanently affixed above the windows and don't require any extra storage space.

Can easily be made storm-ready by one person.

Offer some of the best protection, and make an excellent theft deterrent.

Cons
Most expensive of the popular shutter systems.

Push-button-operated roll-down shutters require a battery backup system so the shutters can be lowered and raised during power outages.

Average cost: $30 - $55 per square foot
Preparation time: Minimum; probably the easiest shutter to operate.

And please always remember to have a 2 to 3 day hurricane survival kit available for home or on the road as most electricity will be out for days. Here is a good selection of hurricane survival kits to choose from Hurricane Survival Kits

Best regards,

Mina

Pandemic Flu Vaccine Prioritization Guide

In the event of a flu pandemic, an effective vaccine may not be widely available. A prioritization plan determines which individuals and groups will be vaccinated first.

Pandemic planning requires that people and entities not accustomed to responding to health crises understand the actions and priorities required to prepare for and respond to these potential risks. Information is provided on these pages to help every sector of society, from federal, state and local government to individuals and families, participate in our national planning efforts.

Pandemic Flu: Good Health Habits

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.

1) Avoid close contact.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

2) Stay home when you are sick.

If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

3) Cover your mouth and nose.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

4) Clean your hands.

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

5) Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

6) Practice other good health habits.

Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

If you are looking for even more ways to plan for pandemic flu, you might want to consider the following items:

Pandemic Flu Kit

Be prepared to stay healthy when everyone around you is sick. Kit contains the following:

•(1) Impervious gown
•(1) Goggles
•(2) FDA-approved pandemic flu respirators
•(2) Pairs of nitrile gloves
•(10) Antimicrobial wipes
•(1) Antiseptic hand gel
•(2) Tissue packs
•(2) Biohazard waste bags

Please be safe during this flu season!

Regards,

Mina

CERT Team - Emergency Portable Restrooms 

Whether you are camping, traveling or you want to be prepared for an emergency when plumbing is down, don't forget one of life's necessities; a clean and sanitary bathroom. ThePETT complete system includes thePETT toilet, thePUP privacy shelter, theTOTE backpack and 15 WAGBAG Toilet in a Bag waste kits. All items fit in the backpack which has an expandable pocket and contains an additional collection bag to transport used waste bags.

The Pup Privacy Shelter is made of a flame retardant gray Taffetta 10C, the PUP privacy shelter requires no assembly and sets up in seconds. Poles and connectors are attached. Simply pull up on the lanyard at the top of the tent and lock the legs in place. Tent stands 6' 6" tall with a sanitary floorless base that measures 4' x 4' and ground secure flaps on 3 sides. The PUP privacy shelter has three screened privacy windows with covers for cross ventilation; a 63" high zip close door and a utility storage pocket. A flap and loop at the top of the tent allows for a shower head or a light.

The PETT Portable Toilet is made of injection molded plastic with three locking legs, ThePETT toilet is the same height and bowl size of a standard toilet, yet folds to a mere 5" x 19" x 14" (the size of a briefcase). Weight limit tested by supporting the front end of a truck on 2 PETT toilets! The patented drip edge under the seat keeps the top of the waste collection bag clean for easy disposal.

The PETT Toilet System Backpack is made of a sturdy black fabric with heavy duty zippers and padded adjustable straps for easy transport, the Tote backpack is custom designed to hold the entire PETT toilet system. The TOTE backpack meets current airport carry-on size with dimensions of 25" x 15" x 6". There are separate storage areas for the PETT toilet; the unused waste kits; straps to secure the PUP privacy shelter in the gusseted outer pocket, and an expandable compartment to pack out used kits.

The WAG BAG Toilet in a Bag Waste Bags is a biodegradable double bag system made from puncture resistant materials. Each waste kit includes a zip close disposal/transport bag, a waste collection bag preloaded with Poo Powder waste treatment, toilet paper and a hand sanitizer. Our non-toxic Poo Powder waste treatment treats up to 32 ounces of liquid and solid waste allowing for multiple use. It turns liquid waste to a solid for hygienic and spill-proof transport. The Poo Powder waste treatment controls odors and contains a decay catalyst that breaks down solid waste.

ThePETT Complete System weighs 17.5 lbs.

Kit Includes Everything below:

+ +

For more information about this product for you community CERT Team:

please visit us at MorePrepared.com

(CERT, shelter-in-place, portable restrooms, portable bathrooms, portable toilets, disaster supplies, emergency planning supplies)

Philips HeartStart Onsite

Every single American knows someone or has had someone in his or her workplace or family suffer from a heart attack. That's why more and more families and businesses are taking steps to increase the chances of savings someone's life if a heart attack should happen at home or work. Today's technology allows most homes and business affordable life saving technology that can make the difference in the time of an emergency. We have researched the various portable heart defibrillators on the market and our top choice is the Philip's HeartStart defibrillator. At $1,200, this unit is highly reliable and affordable and should be included in your home or office emergency and disaster planning kits.

Weighing just 3.3 lbs., this small and lightweight defibrillator can be easily carried to the patient's side. Using clear, natural voice instructions, the OnSite Defibrillator guides you, the first caregiver on the scene, through each step of defibrillation and CPR. Integrated SMART Pads placed on the patient's bare skin transmit information to the defibrillator, which senses and adapts to your actions every step of the way.
HeartStart AED includes proven Philips technologies for heart rhythm assessment (SMART Analysis) and defibrillation energy delivery (SMART Biphasic). And like all HeartStart defibrillators, it can be used to treat infants, children and adults.

HeartStart AED is powered by a disposable battery, the same technology used in cameras. Just click the battery in place, and the defibrillator is in standing by, ready for use.

Between uses, the defibrillator performs daily, weekly, and monthly self-tests of its electrical components, subsystems, and battery to help ensure continued reliability and readiness. A pads integrity test, which checks daily that the cartridge is properly installed and that the defibrillator pads are in working order, provides an additional level of assurance.

As long as the green Ready light on the defibrillator is blinking, you can be certain the HeartStart AED is ready for use. If any part of the defibrillator needs attention, the Ready light turns off and the defibrillator will chirp to alert you. Pressing the flashing blue Information button provides verbal guidance to help you identify and correct the situation.

As always,

Please plan ahead!

Regards,

Mina

Good luck making your first-aid kit for your dog! 

Regards, 

Mina