Blog invitado: Preparacíon marca la diferencia

Marcela Campoli, MHA, blog invitado de hoy, es una consultora negocios en Washington, D.C. Tiene experiencia en la preparación para emergencias y trabajando con los promotores de salud en la salud comunitaria y prevención. Campoli es un miembro del Comité de Igualdad de Oportunidades de la Salud de APHA.

Preparacíon puede ser la diferencia entre la vida y la muerte en un caso de desastre; sin embargo para muchos no es tan fácil llevar la teoría a la práctica, especialmente en el devenir diario de las actividades cotidianas.

La Agencia Federal de Manejo de Emergencias sugieren:

•  Informarse sobre los peligros y emergencias que pueden afectarlo a usted y a su familia y mantenerse informado: Vivimos en una comunidad que elegimos conscientemente por su seguridad, por sus vecinos, por las escuelas, y por muchas tantas razones; sin embargo vivimos en un mundo globalizado donde los riesgos pueden alcanzarnos de muchas y variadas maneras, incluyendo derrames de materiales peligrosos, accidentes aéreos y descarrilamiento de trenes.

 Es necesario ser realista en los riesgos a los que estamos expuestos y mantener una línea de comunicación diaria con la realidad comunitaria y social a través de las noticias.

• Elaborar un plan de emergencia: El dicho dice “prepárate para lo peor y espera lo mejor,” pero ¿para qué pensar en un tsunami cuando no vivimos cerca del mar? Por ello, el plan debe incluir esas posibles emergencias que puedan afectarnos a algunos o a todos los miembros de la familia. La lista puede empezar con aquellas a las que ya se han visto expuestos, directa o indirectamente en el pasado — tormentas de nieve en invierno, huracanes en verano, olas de calor en verano o inundaciones.

Una vez identificados los riesgos potenciales, es necesario escribir un plan con los pasos a seguir en cada situación, y comunicarlo a todos los que pueden estar involucrados, incluyendo familiares y maestros de los niños.

• Reunir y organizar un equipo de suministros para desastre: Comprar los suministros necesarios cuando las señales de alerta han comenzado, se convierte en una pesadilla rápidamente. Por lo que es importante tener una reserva de alimentos no perecederos almacenados, agua embotellada,  lámparas, radios, bolsas de dormir, ropa de acuerdo al clima y aquellos artículos de uso específico de la familia, como medicina. Las mascotas son parte de la familia, es necesario tener reservas para ellos también.

Al preparar los suministros, es importante mantener en el auto, una mochila — impermeable en lo posible — con una porción de mismos suministros mencionados con anterioridad. Es importante recordar los documentos importantes y dinero en efectivo. Siempre es bueno hacer una lista adicional de aquellas cosas que es necesario recoger a último momento.

• Saber dónde buscar refugio para protegerse de todo tipo de riesgos: Al hacer la lista de los posibles refugios a los que acudir en el barrio o la comunidad, es conveniente que tenga al menos dos teléfonos y direcciones de amigos y familiares fuera del estado, en caso de una evacuación.
• Identificar los sistemas de advertencia y las rutas de evacuación en su comunidad: Debo conseguir mensajes de texto de alerta en el celular y correos electrónicos en la computadora. Muchos gobiernos locales lo ofrecen gratis. Recorra su barrio e identifique las rutas demarcadas de fácil salida del área. Considere que tipo de transporte que utlizaría.
• Incluir en su plan la información requerida de los planes comunitarios y escolares. Determinar un lugar y hora de encuentro para facilitar la evacuación conjunta.
• Practicar y mantener su plan: Realizar un simulacro y que en él participen los niños es fundamental para entender si el plan funciona, ya que algunas acciones pueden corregirse y aprenderse de manera de reaccionar naturalmente durante la emergencia. Lo más importante es entender que ante una situación de emergencia es necesario conservar la calma.

Preparacíon puede ser la diferencia entre la vida y la muerte en caso de una emergencia, sin embargo es necesario fomentar la cultura de la protección civil entre los miembros de la familia y la comunidad — y esta es una tarea diaria.

Para obtener más información, visita nuestra hojas informativas de Get Ready. Lea este publicacíon en inglés en el Get Ready Blog de APHA.

Guest blog: Preparedness makes a difference

Today’s guest blog is by Marcela Campoli, MHA, a Washington, D.C.-area business consultant. She has experience in emergency preparedness and working with health promoters in community health and prevention. Campoli is a member of APHA’s Equal Health Opportunity Committee.
 
Preparedness can be the difference between life and death in a disaster. However, it’s not always easy to put that idea into practice, especially in the daily course of everyday activities.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency suggests that you:

• Be informed about hazards and emergencies that may affect you and your family and stay informed: We live in communities that we chose for their safety, for neighbors, schools and for many other reasons. Yet we live in a globalized world where hazards can reach us in many and various ways, including hazardous material spills, plane crashes and train derailments. You need to be aware of the risks. Keep track of what is happening at the community and global level through the news. 
• Develop an emergency plan: As the saying goes "Be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.” But would you think of a tsunami if you don’t live near the sea? Your plan should include all possible emergencies that may affect some or all family members. The list can begin with disasters that you have already been exposed to directly or indirectly in the past — winter snow storms, summer hurricanes, summer heat waves or floods.

Once you’ve identified your risks, write down a plan with specific steps to follow in each situation. Inform all who may be involved, including family members and children’s teachers.

• Collect and assemble a disaster supply kit: Buying supplies after warning signs of a disaster occur quickly becomes a nightmare. So it is important to have a store of nonperishable food, bottled water, lanterns, radios, sleeping bags, weather-appropriate clothing and other family items, such as medicine. Pets are part of the family, so it’s necessary to have supplies for them, too.

It’s also important to keep a backpack — waterproof if possible — in your car with some of the same items mentioned above. Remember important documents and money. Make a list of additional things that need to be collected at the last minute.

• Know where to seek shelter from all types of hazards: Make a list of potential shelters to turn to in the neighborhood or community. Know at least two phone numbers and addresses of family and friends out of state in case of an evacuation. Consider what transportation you would use. 
• Identify warning systems and evacuation routes in your community: Sign up to get alert text messages on your cellphone and via email. Many local governments offer such services for free. Walk through your neighborhood and identify emergency routes that would facilitate evacuation. 
• Include information from your community and schools in your preparedness plan. Set a meeting place and time where your family can meet up to make the evacuation together easier.
• Practice and maintain your plan: It’s critical to involve your kids in the plan to determine if the plan works. Correct and actions and learn how to react naturally during an emergency. Remember that in an emergency, you need to stay calm. 

Preparedness can be the difference between life and death in an emergency. It’s important to develop a culture of preparedness among the members of your family and community. This must be a daily activity.

For more information on preparing for disasters, check out our Get Ready fact sheets.  Read this post in Spanish on APHA’s Get Ready Blog.

Are you winter ready? Tips from APHA’s Get Ready campaign can help you prepare

Winter is approaching, and with it even more things to get ready for. APHA’s Get Ready campaign has the resources you need to be prepared and stay safe during the season.

 

Here are some things to think about this winter:

• Winter storms: Winter storms can be mild and relatively harmless. But they can also cause some serious damage. Now is the time to get your home, workplace and car ready. Read our Get Ready winter storm fact sheet for tips.
    
• Colds and flu: It’s cold and flu season, so now’s the time to stock up on supplies you’ll need in case you get sick. You don’t want to have to run out to the store with a cold! Also, learn how you can tell if you have a flu or a cold with our tip sheet. Don’t forget: It’s not too late to get your flu shot, as flu season usually peaks in January or February.
   
• Power Outages: Losing power can be frustrating. During an outage, unplug any appliances that were on when the power went out to avoid damage. Also, keep your refrigerator door closed as much as possible to keep it relatively cold. After the power has returned, make sure to get rid of any food items that might have gone bad. Read our power outage fact sheet for more info.
   
• Emergency preparedness kits: It’s always a good idea to prepare kits to keep both at home and in your car. Make sure you have an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, non-perishable foods, plenty of water and a first-aid kit. Check out our full checklist to see what supplies you’ll need.
   

Get Ready fact sheets are also available in Spanish. Visit our Winter Ready page now to download and share our materials.
 
Don’t let the cold weather ruin your wintertime fun!

You’ve changed your clocks, now check your stocks

Daylight saving time is over, which means that we’ve all changed our clocks back (except for Arizona and Hawaii, which don’t take part in the practice).

But there’s one more step you may still need to take: checking your emergency preparedness supplies.

It’s easy to forget about your emergency stockpile, particularly if you have it tucked away into a closet or basement. But if an emergency occurs, you want it to have everything you need — and that means checking up on it every once in awhile.

APHA’s Get Ready: Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks campaign recommends using the twice-annual time change as a reminder to check your stockpile.

You should make sure nothing’s been removed from your emergency stockpile, that batteries or water haven’t leaked and that food hasn’t expired. Use our supplies list to double-check that you have everything you need in your stockpile, and add items as needed. If your life has changed since you assembled the stockpile, such as the addition of a new family member or a change in medical condition, you should add supplies to account for that as well.

If you haven’t created a stockpile yet, now is the time to put one together. (And if you haven’t tested your smoke alarm and changed its batteries, you should do that as well.) All Americans should have at least a three-day supply of food and water stored in their homes, with at least one gallon of water per person per day. If you have the space, experts recommend a week’s supply of food and water. Choose foods that don’t require refrigeration and are not high in salt. Your stockpile should also contain flashlights, a manual can opener, a radio and batteries, among other items.

Visit our Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks page for tools and tips for creating the perfect stockpile. If you are on a budget we have you covered. See our fact sheet for compiling an emergency stockpile without spending a fortune.

Get ready! It’s National Preparedness Month

It can be impossible to prevent disasters, particularly when it comes to something like tornadoes or earthquakes. But you can be better prepared for them. As September is National Preparedness Month, now’s a great time to get ready!

Here are a few quick steps to put you on the road to readiness this month:

• Build an emergency supply kit. Make sure to include the basics, such as at least a three-day supply of food and water. Choose foods that don’t require refrigeration and are not high in salt. Other items to include are batteries, flashlights, a manual can opener, a radio, a battery-operated cellphone charger and copies of important documents.
• Create a family communication plan so everyone knows what needs to be done before and during an emergency or in an evacuation. Review and practice the plan with all family members. If you need to evacuate, know where the nearest shelter is and how to get there safely.
• Stay informed! Keep up to date on all the information your local emergency management officials send out during an emergency. Make sure to heed all advice from local emergency officials, such as evacuation notices.

Your organization or business can become a part of National Preparedness Month by joining the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Preparedness Community. Members — who include APHA’s Get Ready campaign! — pledge to promote preparedness and have access to free resources and a planning toolkit.

For more preparedness tips and tools, check out our Get Ready fact sheets, perfect to hand out at community events, on campus or at work and to share with those you care about.

Preparing for hurricane season: New podcast features tips from National Hurricane Center

The 2013 hurricane season is now officially underway. To help Americans be prepared, the Get Ready Report Podcast team spoke with staff at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Hurricane Center.

According to NOAA, there’s a 70 percent likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms this season, well above the seasonal average of 12. The agency says as many as 11 of those storms could become hurricanes.

Hurricanes can cause three major hazards: strong winds, storm surges and inland flooding, according to James Franklin, branch chief at the National Hurricane Center.

“People need to know what those hazards can do, and then know which of those hazards you’re particularly vulnerable to, depending on where you live,” Franklin says in the new podcast.

Anyone who lives along the East Coast from Texas to Maine is at potential risk. But Franklin notes that hurricanes are not just coastal threats, citing 2012’s Hurricane Sandy as an example of when wind gusts were produced as far as Wisconsin.

Here are some tips to use this hurricane season:

• Become familiar with information and alerts from both the National Hurricane Center and your local weather center. 
• Understand the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning. During a watch, prepare your home, review your plan for evacuation and listen closely for instructions from local officials. During a warning, finish preparations and immediately leave the threatened area if directed by officials.
• Develop a plan that includes an evacuation strategy and an emergency supply kit, including enough water and nonperishable food to last at least three days, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, a battery-operated radio, extra batteries and medical supplies. 

 For more tips on how to prepare for hurricanes, check out our Get Ready hurricane fact sheet.