PATCHS PROGRAM PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING ADVOCATES TEACHING CHILD HEALTH AND SAFETY HEALTH CARE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE (HCPCFC)
Volume 1, Issue 22		JAN 2006

Medical Information Fact Sheet

Emergency Preparedness:

            In light of recent events i.e. Hurricane Katrina, it is apparent the importance of being prepared for an emergency. For Americans, preparedness must now account for man-made disasters as well as natural ones.

            The American Red Cross has information that can help people be as prepared as possible should an emergency occur. The following six steps will help you through the process of being prepared: Talk, Plan, Learn, Check Supplies, Tell, and Practice.

Talk:
            Talk with your family about the type of disasters that can occur in your area.

            Talk with your family about the need to prepare. Calmly speak with your family about the potential dangers, and plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team. Make sure each family member knows their responsibilities. Designate an alternate in case a person cannot be there in time.

Plan:
            Plan where to meet following a disaster. Choose two places:

• Right outside your home, in case of sudden emergency such as a fire.
• Outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate.

After determining the meeting places, you should also:

• Determine the best escape routes from your home as well as your neighborhood/community.
• Find two ways out of each room.
• Ask an out-of-town friend or family member to be your family contact. Often following a disaster it is easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contacts number.
• Find out how to care for your pets. Many shelters do not allow them due to health regulations. For more information on how to care for your pets, visit www.redcross.org.

Learn:
            Each responsible family member should learn how and when to turn off utilities such as electricity, gas and water. Ask someone at the fire department how to use the fire extinguisher stored in your home.

• Learn about your community’s disaster warning signals: what they sound like and what to do if you hear them.
• Learn where the safe spots are in your home for each type of disaster.
• Learn about disaster plans at your work, your child’s school or daycare or other places where your family may spend time.

Check Supplies:

• Review your disaster supplies and replace food and water every six months.
• See below for the supplies that should be included in your disaster kit.
• Check batteries in smoke alarms every year and make sure one is installed on each level of your home.
• Check if you have adequate insurance coverage for each disaster.

Tell:

• Tell everyone in the home where the emergency contact information is kept. Make copies for everyone to carry with them. Be sure the out-of-town contact is included.

Tell your children how and when to contact 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services. Post emergency numbers near the phones.

Practice:
            Conduct fire drills and practice evacuating your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on a map in case main roads are impassible or gridlocked. Practice earthquake and tornado drills at home, school and work. Commit a weekend to updating phone lists, disaster supplies and reviewing your plan.

Chemical or Airborne Hazards:
            If there is a concern about a potential exposure to chemical or other airborne hazard, local officials will advise you to “shelter-in-place.” To shelter-in-place:

1. Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
2. Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems.
3. Close the fireplace damper.
4. Get your disaster supplies and make sure the radio is working.
5. Go to an anterior room without windows that is above ground level. In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is ideal since many chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed.
6. Use duct tape to seal all cracks around the door, and any vents into the room.
7. Listen to your radio or television for further instructions.

Building a Kit:
            There are six basics you should stock for your home: Water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, and special items for medical conditions.
            Keep the items that you will most likely need during an evacuation in and easy-to-carry container. Possible containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duffle bag.

Water:

• Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles.
• Store one gallon of water per person per day.
• Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation and sanitation).

Food:

• Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that do not require refrigeration, preparation, cooking and little or no water. If you must heat the food, pack a can of sterno. Select compact and lightweight foods. Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:
• Ready to eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables.
• Canned juices
• Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
• High energy foods
• Vitamins
• Food for infants
• Comfort/stress foods.

First Aid Kit:
            Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.

• (20) adhesive bandages, various sizes.
• (1) 5”x 9” sterile dressing.
• (1) conforming roller gauze bandage.
• (2) triangular bandages
• (2) 3x3 sterile gauze pads
• (2) 4x4 sterile gauze pads
• (1) roll 3” cohesive bandage
• (2) germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• (6) antiseptic wipes.
• (2) pair large medical grade non-latex gloves.
• Adhesive tape, 2” width
• Anti-bacterial ointment.
• Cold pack.
• Scissors (small, personal) and tweezers
• Thermometer
• CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield.

Non-prescription drugs:

• Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for upset stomach)
• Syrup of ipecac (use to induce vomiting if directed by Poison Control Center)
• Laxative
• Activated charcoal (use if advised by Poison Control Center)

Tools and Supplies:

• Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
• Emergency preparedness manual
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Cash or traveler’s checks, change
• Non-electric can opener, utility knife.
• Fire extinguisher: small canister ABC type
• Tube tent
• Pliers
• Tape
• Compass
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic storage containers
• Signal flare
• Paper, pencil
• Needles, thread
• Medicine dropper
• Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
• Whistle
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape
• Map of the area (for locating shelters)

Sanitation:

• Toilet paper, towelettes
• Soap, liquid detergent
• Feminine supplies
• Personal hygiene items
• Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
• Plastic bucket with tight lid
• Disinfectant
• Household chlorine bleach

Clothing and bedding:
Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.

• Sturdy shoes or work boots
• Rain gear
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Hat and gloves
• Thermal underwear
• Sunglasses

Special items:

• Remember family members with special requirements such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.

For Baby:

• Formula
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Powdered milk
• Medications

For Adults:

• Heart and high blood pressure medications
• Insulin
• Prescription drugs
• Denture needs
• Contact lenses and supplies
• Extra eye glasses.

Entertainment:

• Games and books

Important Family Documents:

• Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:
• Will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds
• Passports, social security cards, immunization records
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card account numbers and companies
• Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers.
• Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
• Store your kit in a conventional place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the supplies kit in your car.
• Keep items in airtight plastic bags. Change your stored water supply every six months. Replace your stored food supply every six months. Re-think your kit and family needs once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.
• Ask your physician about storing prescription medications.

There is further information available on the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org. There is more specific information regarding other types of disasters. There is also more information regarding preparation and storage of food and water.

If you would like more information regarding other types of disasters including biological, chemical, explosions, nuclear blast, radiation and natural disasters you can visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Website at www.ready.gov.

American Red Cross (2005). Prepare. Retrieved on November 29, 2005 from the World Wide Web: http://www.redcross.org/prepare/makeaplan-p.html

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2005). Ready America. Retrieved on November 29, 2005 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ready.gov

 

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HCPCFC PROGRAM UPDATES and ANNOUNCEMENTS!!! We would like to welcome our new staff. Terri Andrews will be covering the Southwest Court in Murrieta as well as the Banning and Hemet CPS offices.   Erin Chavez will be covering the Indio, Cathedral City and Blythe CPS offices. Becky Pack will be covering the Indio court.

 

Editor: Kristen Thompson, PHN
Contributors: Nicole Boyd, PHN, Judy Earp, MHA, Director of Public Health Nursing.