I am sure that most of you are as shocked and devastated by the tragedy in Japan as am I, this terrible string of events not only has affected a vibrant country, but it has reminded us of the frailty of all life and circumstance. This has also been an opportunity to discuss empathy for others and disaster preparedness with my children. While my kids are too young to fully understand the magnitude of this natural event, they do have fears regarding random acts of nature. The best way to alleviate fears is to discuss them and to get you and your family as prepared as possible, in the event that a natural tragedy.
DONATE TO THE RED CROSS
The Red Cross is a national organization with International branches that provides aid and relief to disaster victims and
the general public. It is good to know their information and have it handy should a disaster occur in your community as they are often the best resource for safety, shelter and provisions during a crisis. If you have the means consider donating to the rescue and rehabilitation efforts in Japan by making and online donation to Japan’s Red Cross or text 90999 to give $10 to the aid relief workers in Japan.
BUY VIRTUAL CROPS
Online game provider Zynga has partnered with Save The Children, Japan to offer special virtual goods that are available in FarmVille (buy radishes) in CityVille (buy sweet potatoes) and in FrontierVille (buy Kobe beef) you can buy these virtual items and 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Save the Children, Japan who is providing relief efforts to those affected by aftermath of the earthquake and Tsunami.
DONATE ON FACEBOOK
The Causes Facebook
page has a Helping Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Victims page where you can donate in increments of $10, $25, $50,$100, $500 to help support relief efforts. They have information and video showing the devastation in the affected areas to help educate the public about the need of these victims in Japan.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
What are the things that you will need to be prepared for a disaster, should something happen where you were unable to leave, get supplies or contact anyone in the event of an emergency. The FEMA website has an Are You Ready? Page that gives very specific instructions, tips, lists and guidelines to follow in the event of any emergency. Please browse the website for more detailed instructions, but FEMA suggests that you have a plan and prepare an emergency kit. Below I have copied the list, so that at the very least you can prepare these items in a sturdy, sealed container.
EMERGENCY KIT
| Supplies | Home | Vehicle | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adhesive bandages, various sizes |  |
|
|
| 5 ” x 9 ” sterile dressing | |
|
|
| Conforming roller gauze bandage | |
|
|
| Triangular bandages | |
|
|
| 3 ” x 3 ” sterile gauze pads | |
|
|
| 4 ” x 4 ” sterile gauze pads | |
|
|
| Roll 3 ” cohesive bandage | |
|
|
| Germicidal hand wipes or waterless, alcohol-based hand sanitizer | |
|
|
| Antiseptic wipes | |
|
|
| Pairs large, medical grade, non-latex gloves | |
|
|
| Tongue depressor blades | |
|
|
| Adhesive tape, 2 ” width | |
|
|
| Antibacterial ointment | |
|
|
| Cold pack | |
|
|
| Scissors (small, personal) | |
|
|
| Tweezers | |
|
|
| Assorted sizes of safety pins | |
|
|
| Cotton balls | |
|
|
| Thermometer | |
|
|
| Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant | |
|
|
| Sunscreen | |
|
|
| CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield | |
|
|
| First aid manual | |
|
|
Non-Prescription and Prescription Medicine Kit Supplies
| Supplies | Home | Vehicle | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspirin and non-aspirin pain reliever | |
|
|
| Anti-diarrhea medication | |
|
|
| Antacid (for stomach upset) | |
|
|
| Laxative | |
|
|
| Vitamins | |
|
|
| Prescriptions | |
|
|
| Extra eyeglasses/contact lenses | |
|
|
Sanitation and Hygiene Supplies
| Item | Item | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Washcloth and towel | |
Heavy-duty plastic garbage bags and ties for personal sanitation uses and toilet paper | |
| Towelettes, soap, hand sanitizer | |
Medium-sized plastic bucket with tight lid | |
| Tooth paste, toothbrushes | |
Disinfectant and household chlorine bleach | |
| Shampoo, comb, and brush | |
A small shovel for digging a latrine | |
| Deodorants, sunscreen | |
Toilet paper | |
| Razor, shaving cream | |
Contact lens solutions | |
| Lip balm, insect repellent | |
Mirror | |
| Feminine supplies | |
||
Equipment and Tools
| Tools | Kitchen items | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries | |
Manual can opener | |
| NOAA Weather Radio, if appropriate for your area | |
Mess kits or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils | |
| Flashlight and extra batteries | |
All-purpose knife | |
| Signal flare | |
Household liquid bleach to treat drinking water | |
| Matches in a waterproof container (or waterproof matches) | |
Sugar, salt, pepper | |
| Shut-off wrench, pliers, shovel, and other tools | |
Aluminum foil and plastic wrap | |
| Duct tape and scissors | |
Resealable plastic bags | |
| Plastic sheeting | |
Small cooking stove and a can of cooking fuel (if food must be cooked) | |
| Whistle | |
||
| Small canister, ABC-type fire extinguisher | |
Comfort Items | |
| Tube tent | |
Games | |
| Compass | |
Cards | |
| Work gloves | |
Books | |
| Paper, pens, and pencils | |
Toys for kids | |
| Needles and thread | |
Foods | |
| Battery-operated travel alarm clock | |
||
Food and Water
| Supplies | Home | Vehicle | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | |
|
|
| Ready-to-eat meats, fruits, and vegetables | |
|
|
| Canned or boxed juices, milk, and soup | |
|
|
| High-energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, low-sodium crackers, granola bars, and trail mix | |
|
|
| Vitamins | |
|
|
| Special foods for infants or persons on special diets | |
|
|
| Cookies, hard candy | |
|
|
| Instant coffee | |
|
|
| Cereals | |
|
|
| Powdered milk | |
|
|
Clothes and Bedding Supplies
| Item | |
|---|---|
| Complete change of clothes | |
| Sturdy shoes or boots | |
| Rain gear | |
| Hat and gloves | |
| Extra socks | |
| Extra underwear | |
| Thermal underwear | |
| Sunglasses | |
| Blankets/sleeping bags and pillows | |
Documents and Keys
| Item | Stored |
|---|---|
| Personal identification | |
| Cash and coins | |
| Credit cards | |
| Extra set of house keys and car keys | |
| Copies of the following: | |
| Birth certificate | |
| Marriage certificate | |
| Driver’s license | |
| Social Security cards | |
| Passports | |
| Wills | |
| Deeds | |
| Inventory of household goods | |
| Insurance papers | |
| Immunization records | |
| Bank and credit card account numbers | |
| Stocks and bonds | |
| Emergency contact list and phone numbers | |
| Map of the area and phone numbers of places you could go | |
This list covers the basics, but you may want to have family photos, important documents, external computer hard drive and other essentials ready to grab and add to your box at a moment’s notice.
The Red Cross actually sells already prepared emergency preparedness kits. http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=3
TALKING TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT EMERGENCIES AND NATURAL DISASTERS
Finally, you will have to have the cooperation of your children to make a solid disaster plan. This is hard to do when they may be fearful of the subject, while I was a little disappointed that I didn’t readily find a good book on the subject, I did find a great interactive tool on the FEMA website for kids. http://www.ready.gov/kids/home.html This site guides kids through preparing for a plan and kits for disaster awareness, for the younger ones, the Seasame Street gang comes on board in a great video that explains emergencies to the younger kids. http://www.sesamestreet.org/ready.
Make sure your kids know, their first and last name, phone number, address and the full name of both of their parents.
So I hope these ideas helped you talk to your kids about disaster planning, help a country in need and get you better prepared in the event of an unexpected crisis.
