Ready? Or not?

Ready for what? Earthquake? Wind Storm? Fire? Alien invasion?

Any of these things and more can happen here but one thing is certain--something WILL happen. Personally I am taking the long odds and betting on the polar magnetic shift!

Whatever happens, we all must be prepared. I have been working hard to get ready and so are most of the people I know. That is why it amazes me that in spite of all the warnings and advice some people haven’t started getting even basics together or even think it is necessary.

It is necessary and for all of us. We are all in this together and so each one of us must do our part. If we have the supplies to take care of ourselves and our family, then not only are we helping our own family  we are in a better position to help others as well.

As I said, I have been working on getting prepared for quite a while now so I am beyond the essentials in emergency prep but for those of you new to the game. Let’s start with basics.

You need supplies to last you and your family for three days. They will probably be three days without power and, most likely in cold and/or rainy weather. You also might not be at home so you’ll need some supplies in your car and at your work.

Food and water are top priorities. So is first aid. Start with one gallon of water per person per day and basic canned or packaged food that stores well and doesn’t need a lot of preparation and include a manual can opener.  Get a basic first aid kit and learn some basic first aid. Include a blanket, space blankets are compact and inexpensive, and a flashlight and portable radio and the appropriate batteries. Keep your gas tank at least half full. Gas stations might not have power, might run out or ration fuel.

Make a plan on how or where to contact other family members and close friends in an emergency. In emergencies like earthquakes, often the long distance phone lines are easier to get through than local numbers and locations to the east are easier than those to the south, so, if possible get a contact out of the Seattle area to the east and make sure your family has the number. Write it down as well as including it in your phone contacts.

King County has a campaign promoting emergency preparation called Three Days Three Ways. Their website is http://3days3ways.org/  and has a lot of information.

Now is the time to stop with excuses, make the time and start getting ready for coming emergencies. Get ready and encourage your friends to do the same. Now might be the only time you have to GET READY!