Flood Preparation

Before a Flood
To prepare for a flood, you should:

• Elevate your water heater, furnace, and electrical panel if susceptible to flooding


• Install backflow devices in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home.


• Seal the walls in your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage

During a Flood
If a flood is likely in your area, you should:

• Listen to the radio or television for information.


• Develop and maintain an emergency preparedness kit that will get you through the first 72 hours of an event. Emergency supplies should be gathered in a portable and flood/rodent-proof container with food, water, safety and hygiene supplies for all family members and pets.


• Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.


• Be aware of streams, drainage channels, and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.

If you have to leave your home, even if only running to the grocery store, remember these tips:

• Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. if you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.


• Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.

If you must prepare to evacuate, you should do the following:

• Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.


• Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in the water.
  

After a Flood
The following are guidelines for the period following a flood:

• Listen for news reports to learn whether the community's water supply is safe to drink.


• Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.


• Avoid moving water.


• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.


• Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company.


• Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations. Service damaged septic tanks, damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards. Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.

Winter 2010

We here at Red-E Supply would like to wish you and your family the best this holiday season. Enjoy being with the ones you love and eating some great food before kicking off 2011.

We are feeling the chill here in Oregon. Hand warmers have been a hot items these past few days as we received the first snow and ice this Winter. We have both small and large sizes. Any walk is better with a pair of these in your pockets. Come over to the site and check them out!

Glove-Sized Hand Warmers

Large Hand Warmers

Still need to find a gift for that adventure enthusiast in your life? We have it covered. We have supplies, gear, tools, and gadgets galore.

Best wishes from Red-E Supply!

CERT/NET/SAR class supplies

Well it's September once again. This means back to school for many kids, as well as adults. Are you taking a CERT (community emergency response), NET (neighborhood emergency team, or SAR (search & rescue) class this season? We have kits built specifically for members of each of these groups/classes. Start with one of our standardized kits. Add any additional equipment that you may need. You'll be fully equipped for your class within 15 minutes! (plus shipping time)

NET Section: http://www.redesupply.com/NET/c40/index.html
CERT Section: http://www.redesupply.com/CERT/c37/index.html

Feel free to contact us with questions or comments!

New product: Wound Seal

Wound Seal: Blood-Stop Powder

Wound Seal: Blood-Stop Powder w/ Applicator

Here at the Red-E Shop we are carrying several new products designed to immediately stop bleeding from external wounds. One of these products is QR Wound Seal. We are thrilled to be carrying this product, as it is one of the most effective products we have come across to immediately stop bleeding from a cut or puncture until one can make it to a hospital or clinic. It's a great addition to any first-aid kit, and a must-have for hikers, bikers, boaters, or any other kind of adventurers.

The QR Wound Seal comes as a packet of powder. We sell 2 types at www.redEsupply.com. Essentially, the only difference is that one includes an applicator which is used to dip into the powder and spread across the wound. The other just pours onto the wound directly.

Some more information about QR Wound Seal... The FDA has classified this product as an Exempt Class I Device. This is the same as bandages, gauze, etc. It is hypoallergenic, meaning that it has a low risk of causing allergic reactions. It is not metabolized by the body, and introduces nothing into the bloodstream. Because of this, it is also not a drug, and will not conflict with any medications. It is highly effective, and will even work on people with bleeding disorders, or people on anti-coagulant medications. QR Wound Seal does not cauterize the wound. It coagulates the blood at the surface of the wound, forming a scab, which seals and protects the wound from further infection. The powder itself contains strong anti-microbial properties.

Each box contains 2 applications of Wound Seal. We recommend adding this product your existing medical kit right away! We do carry a similar product QuikClot that is also very effective. We will dedicate another post to that product in the near future. Feel free to check them both out and compare on www.redEsupply.com...

Have a good day!

FEMA Reminds Americans to Make Sure Their Family is Prepared as They Spring Forward this Year

Release Date: March 12, 2010
Release Number: HQ-10-039

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is encouraging Americans to take advantage of the March 14 time change for Daylight Savings as a reminder to ensure their families are prepared for a possible emergency. A few simple steps like checking smoke alarms, developing a family communications plan, and putting an emergency kit together can go a long way toward keeping families safe.

“No matter how much the federal government, the state, or local officials do to prepare, we can’t do it alone – individuals and families must do their part to be ready in case of an emergency,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “The public is the most important member of the nation’s emergency management team, and so I encourage everyone, as they spring forward this year, to also take a few minutes to check their smoke alarms and talk through what your family would do during an emergency.”

Information on preparing for emergencies can be found at Ready.gov. Steps include developing a communications plan to ensure family members know how to get in touch with each other during an emergency, putting together an emergency kit, and staying informed of potential risks. It’s important to remember that an emergency could be a large scale catastrophic disaster, or a smaller-scale event like a car accident or house fire.

In addition to visiting Ready.gov, the United States Fire Administration is encouraging families to ensure their homes are equipped with working smoke alarms. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire so it’s important to test alarms regularly and keep them properly maintained. This includes checking the manufacture/expiration date on the label, replacing the batteries, and cleaning dust away from the slots so that smoke can enter freely.
For more information about home smoke alarms and fire sprinklers, please visit: www.usfa.dhs.gov/smokealarms.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
****

See www.RedEsupply.com for emergency kits and all the supplies to put together your own kit.

RED CERT HARD HATS

Red CERT Hard hats? I thought that CERT hard hats were supposed to be Lime or Green?? Well, it ends up that some CERT teams prefer red hard hats, and others have the team leaders in red hard hats. If you think about it, how many "civilians" recognize green as an an emergency responder color? We are all trained to recognize red. Firefighters all have red helmets. EMTs often have red caps. Fire trucks are red. Ambulances are red. I am sure you can think of more examples. And, the idea of having the team leaders with a different color hard hat than the rest of the team makes a lot of sense. In a real disaster, chaos reigns supreme. With everyone milling about trying to help, how do the teams find their leaders and get organized. Flashing lights help, but a red hard hat on the team leaders also will help make them stand out. But, does anyone actually sell RED CERT hard hats? It ends up that you can get them at a discount price here: RED CERT HARD HAT

When Temperatures Soar – What if You Don’t Have Air Conditioning?

Many households are not equipped with air conditioning. Extreme heat events may be few and short in duration where you live, and many people may anticipate that they can cope … for a while. For some, however, extreme heat poses a serious health risk and their ability to tolerate even short periods of high heat is poor: examples include infants and small children; people who are sick, persons with chronic disease, mental illness or who are physically fragile; and those who cannot escape exposure such as outdoor workers.

According to the Center for Disease Control, these are the main things affecting your body’s ability to cool itself during extremely hot weather:

• High humidity. When the humidity is high, sweat won’t evaporate as quickly, which keeps your body from releasing heat as fast as it may need to.


• Personal factors. Age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use can play a role in whether a person can cool off enough in very hot weather.
  

In 2002 a major heat wave triggered outages in the US as demand for power overwhelmed supply in some areas. Residents and visitors were left to creative and sometimes dangerous devices and sadly, some others perished. Wildfires and other natural disasters can also interrupt power during heat events, leaving everyone without air conditioning. It makes sense to also consider how you would cope in an extreme heat event, even if you normally have air conditioning available.

In General

• Stay out of the direct sun.
  

• Protect your skin if you must be out of doors; cover arms, legs, head, neck with lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Use sunscreen, SPF 30 or greater.


• Postpone physical activity until the heat wave passes or to cooler parts of the day: early morning or late evening.


• If you must be active, slow down and take frequent breaks in the shade.


• Drink water or dilute sports drinks; stay hydrated. Drink regularly and before you are thirsty. Avoid dehydrating beverages such as those with caffeine or alcohol in them.


• Check on others – particularly those who may be more at risk for heat sickness. Keep an eye on coworkers and fellow recreationists for signs of illness. Collapse, confusion, seizure, vomiting, diarrhea, are all signs of serious heat illness, possibly heat stroke or shock, and require immediate medical attention.


• NEVER leave children, frail persons or pets in a car or confined in a hot place – not even for a few minutes.



At Home


• In your home, use fans* to cool and move inside air when outside temperatures are hotter than inside.


• Move to cooler parts of the house. Basements, lower stories and rooms on the north side of the house are often significantly cooler.


• Turn off lights and appliances that are not needed and that generate heat. Defer using appliances such as your oven, cook top, dishwasher until it cools down.
  


• If you have an attic ventilation fan* – turn it on to circulate trapped hot air to the outside.


• Wipe your face, neck and chest with cool, wet washcloths and take cool showers for added comfort. Ice packs, wrapped in a towel, may be used for short periods of time.


• Close curtains to insulate and keep sun and radiant heat from warming inside.


• When temperatures cool, (often when afternoon winds pick up), open windows to allow the breeze to flow through. Note: be careful about open doors and windows when you are not home or when you are asleep. Consider upper story windows that would be out of reach to would-be intruders.


• Consider air-conditioned* activities during the hottest part of the day: visit the library, see a movie, do some light shopping.


• If you’re having trouble staying cool, let family, a friend or neighbor know. If you’re feeling ill from the heat, call for medical help!



* assumes no power outage


Reprinted and edited from original posting from:
Peggy Peirson, Emergency Services Coordinator
Benton County Emergency Management, Search & Rescue
180 NW 5th Street, Corvallis, OR 97330