I love the way that smartphones bring libraries-full of information to our pockets. That includes the information we need to prepare for emergencies as well as instructions to respond to emergencies in the moment. For the iPhone, there is a wonderfully complete and easy-to-navigate app by evolvingmonkeys.com called simply Emergency Preparedness Checklist and Guide. Developed…
Category Archives: First Aid
Are You Emergency-Ready? Use the Start of Summer to Update Your Preparations
Once you’ve set up your basic emergency plans and gathered supplies, do you have trouble remembering to do the little tasks of maintaining your emergency preparation? Use the change of the seasons as a reminder to update your plans and supplies. Here is a checklist of simple steps to keep your preparations up to date:…
More Lessons Emerging From New Zealand’s Latest Earthquake
Early Wednesday afternoon local time a devastating 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck New Zealand’s second largest city, Christchurch. The city has been suffering numerous smaller quakes, sometimes called aftershocks, since a major earthquake last September, and I have posted several items from my friend and Christchurch resident Wendy Davie, who has endured every day of it, sometimes…
Be ready for medical emergencies: CPR and AED training begins in May
Learn CPR and AED in three short hours at classes offered by the Central County Fire Department this month. Registration is $40 for Burlingame and Hillsborough, CA, residents, $50 for non-residents. Classes are taught at Fire Stations 34 (799 California Drive) and Station 36 (1399 Rollins Road). Training in the use of an AED, or…
Hang on to your medical data for dear life
Quick – when was your last tetanus shot? Don’ t wait until your foot finds a rusty nail in the back yard to find out. To avoid unnecessary duplication in tests and treatments, or confusion about dosages and instructions, be sure to have a record of your medical treatments. There are plenty of reasons why…
Can we count on our public officials in an emergency?
Not long ago, I heard a man say, “If there’s an emergency, I’m not worried. Our fire and police departments will take care of me. They’d better. That’s what I pay taxes for.” Here is the situation in his town of Burlingame, CA: The town of 50,000 maintains five fire engines and one truck, with…
In case of emergency, apply ICE
My professional organizing colleague Stephanie Callahan writes from Illinois about a great new service in her state to alert your emergency contacts if you are unable to communicate for yourself. (If you don’t live in Illinois, don’t stop reading yet. There’s something here for everyone.) The Illinois program is called the Emergency Contact Database, and…
First-aid boxes with flair
Jeri Dansky’s organizing and decluttering blog has tons of fresh and interesting ideas for products. She recently provided a selection of first-aid boxes to motivate your emergency preparations. Are fabulous containers are what it takes to motivate you? Great! Now you have everything you need to get ready of medical emergencies. Here’s a list of…
Face mask or respirator?
If you’ve purchased a ready-made kit of emergency supplies, you may have a face mask, an N95 respirator, or both on hand. What’s the difference? Briefly, both are made for one-time use. If you are ill with a disease, such as influenza, that is spread by airborne droplets, both types will help prevent you from…