Daily Preparedness

While traipsing down the Yellow Brick Road of Life, it seems that we are faced with an ever-growing number of viral and bacterial Flying Monkeys waiting to swoop down and capture us. Avian Flu, Swine Flu (H1N1) and MRSA are just a few of the agents of physical misery and destruction that are lurking about the forest of our everyday lives.

Beyond the headlines, hypes and even hysteria, there is much we can do today and everyday to protect ourselves (and our little dogs, too). While we might be tempted to move into a germicidal bubble, we can effectively prevent, prepare, protect and pandemic-proof our families and ourselves.

In part one, we will follow the admonish of Benjamin Franklin, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In the case of serious illness, an ounce of prevention may be priceless.

What can you do to prevent being attacked by the Flying Monkeys of Disease?

The number one, simplest way to avoid an infectiouis disease is good hygiene, which consists of:

1. WASH YOUR HANDS! Yep, as Momma used to say, “Wash up, now!” Hand washing often and thoroughly may be the best defense against the leading causes of infectious diseases.

• Use soap and running water for at least 20 seconds.
• Thoroughly scrub all areas of the hand, including the top of hand, in between fingers, the palm of the hand, under nails and the wrist area.
• Rinse well under running water and dry thoroughly with clean towel or paper towel.
• If in a public restroom or a home where an ill person resides, once your hands are clean and dry, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.

If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer. Be certain that you use the hand sanitizer according to the following guidelines (or instructions on container):

• Squirt a quarter-sized dollop of hand sanitizer in palm of hand
• Thoroughly rub all surfaces of hand (as above for hand washing) with the hand sanitizer
• Sing the “Happy Birthday” song to yourself TWICE while scrubbing hands. Don’t stop until you have completed song
• If your hands are still damp with hand sanitizer—and they should be—allow them to air dry.
• Don’t touch contaminated surfaces—see above.

1. WHEN TO WASH HANDS:

• Before eating
• Before preparing food
• Handling any raw meat product, packaged or otherwise
• After using the bathroom…..EVERY SINGLE TIME, MALE OR FEMALE!
• After changing a diaper
• After cleaning the kitchen
• After cleaning anything, including handling dirty clothes
• Especially after cleaning up any bodily fluid.
• When you return home
• After known contact with an ill person
• Before and after cleaning a wound of any type
• After handling any animal, domestic or otherwise, including their food, dishes, bedding or cages
• After blowing nose or coughing into your hand
• Before cleaning out the dishwasher or putting away clean dishes
• Before setting the table
• After taking out the trash

3. Insist that ALL family members learn and follow hand washing rules.

4. Sneeze and cough into your elbow or better yet, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue!

5. Use disposable tissues instead of handkerchiefs. If you must use a handkerchief, wash it in hot water and strong laundry soap before using again. DO NOT just refold it and use day after day!

6. Avoid sick people as much as possible. If your friends insist on coming to public functions while they are sick, leave. Real friends do not share germs.

7. Do not share (and teach this to your tweens and teens!) make-up, food, drinks, shaving razors, chapstick, lip gloss, eating utensils, beverages, towels, washcloths, athletic equipment, toothbrushes etc with others. Sharing lip gloss and chapstick is a common habit among some teens. Both substances are superb carriers of a wide range of Flying Monkeys of Disease.

8. When using a public restroom, remember that many microbes, including MRSA, can live on hard surfaces for months at a time. Use common sense and at least these precautions:

• Cover the toilet seat with disposable covers or toilet paper. Be certain that the paper is dry. If fluid shows up from the seat, remove that cover and recover seat.
• Avoid contact with as many surfaces as possible. Utilize toilet paper, your own tissues and paper towels to open doors, lock locks, turn on water and turn off water. DON’T use the same paper for all of those operations.
• Don’t flush the toilet while you are on it or right over it.
• Wash hands thoroughly as above.
• Report dirty bathrooms to management.

9. Regularly launder bedding.

10. Replace hand towels daily. If your family is ill, consider switching to paper towels. Using clean & dry washcloths to dry hands, instead of larger hand towels, will cut down on laundry.

11. Re-use bath towels only if each person has their own, the towels are hung up to dry thoroughly, and are not used to dry hands. Even with those guidelines, wash after 2 or 3 re-uses. If someone is actively ill, switch to laundering bath towels after each use.

12. Keep your hands away from your face. Teach children to keep their fingers out of their mouths, nose, eyes and ears.

13. Utilize a shopping car seat cover for infants and toddlers. Wash frequently.

14. Utilize spray disinfectants for hard surfaces.

15. Consider wearing disposable gloves when cutting raw meat or cleaning seriously germy spots such as toilets. Remove and replace gloves if you must stop part way through the process. You will still need to wash your hands afterwards, but you will be less likely to cross contaminate other surfaces and make hand washing more effective.

In addition to practicing good hygiene, there are a few more things you can do to stop those Flying Monkeys!

• Stay as healthy as possible. Eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep, follow guidelines for screening exams, take medications and vitamins as prescribed, exercise moderately and reduce stress as much as possible.
• Avoid ‘communal’ foods..those big containers of food that lots of people can stick their hands in. This goes for open, large-scale samples in public areas.
• Avoid sick people. It is best to remain six feet from anyone who appears ill. It happens at every office party or social gathering. Someone arrives that is obviously ill, but felt they ‘had’ to come. See if you can’t encourage that person to go home and get back in bed where they belong! The same goes for co-workers. On public transportation, move if the person next to you is ill.
• Insist that all healthcare providers practice good infection control. This includes washing their hands before examining you and changing table covers between exams. Anyone breaking your skin (as in drawing blood, etc) should be wearing gloves and possibly a mask. Ask your doctors, especially your pediatrician, what infection control practices they use. Are there ‘well baby’ times?
• Bring your own entertainment for children in waiting rooms.
• Watch all food handlers and food service workers. Are they healthy looking or sneezing, coughing, etc? Is the food served at the right temperature? Hot foods should be delivered HOT and cold foods COLD. Are food handlers wearing gloves? Is the location clean? Do servers handle plates and glasses away from the drinking/eating surface? Is flatware clean and covered? If you see something questionable, speak up, request a replacement or leave.
• Research and discuss with your physician the need for vaccinations.
• Research and consider the need for facemasks and/or respirators. Learn the difference between the two and how to use them. For those with compromised immune systems, masks and/or respirators may be needed.
• If someone in your home is chronically ill, elderly, an infant or otherwise more susceptible to serious complications from disease, research and learn all you can about infection control.
• As much as possible, stay out of Emergency Rooms, hospitals and other crowded areas teeming with germy people.
• Ask about and double-check your children’s schools & childcare providers policies regarding infection control. Are personnel trained to handle bodily fluid spills, illness, food preparation safety and infection control? Do caregivers practice good diaper changing and toileting practices? Observe them carefully! Are sick children quickly isolated and parents called to pick them up? Are teachers supported in efforts to remain home when they are ill? Is food served at the correct temperature, in a clean environment and with good dishwashing practices? Is food prepared by at home served in your child’s classroom?
• Obey all declarations from public health officials should an epidemic or other widespread disease emergency occur! That may mean that ‘there’s no place like home.’

Prevention truly is the best medicine. By remaining healthy, adopting good habits of sanitation and insisting that those around you do, as well as being pro-active, you can avoid at least some of the Flying Monkeys of Disease!

——-This Week’s 10×100 Challenge Goals——-

8. Check the tire pressure and tread depth on your tires.

9. Clean out your medicine cabinet and dispose of out-dated medications.

10. Test your smoke detectors & change batteries as needed.

11. Set up a spot for your perpetual grocery list. Let your family know where it is!

12. Photocopy your credit cards & ID. Place copy in your “What If?” Notebook.

13. Check the outside dryer vent. Be certain that vent flaps open freely. Remove any visible lint.

14. Clean the inside of your car windshield. “Stuff” gathers on the inside of the windshield and can cause complete ‘white out’ when you are driving towards the sun.

15. Clean one pantry shelf. Move older food to the front.

In recognition of National Preparedness Month here in the U.S. (the rest of the world is welcome to join), it is time for a challenge! You can do it! With just over 100 days left in 2009, it is time to buckle down, dedicate yourself and set aside just 10 minutes or less per day. Yes, in less than 10 minutes a day and nearly no money at all, you can improve your preparedness status by leaps and bounds.

The extra days in 2009 can be set aside for holidays, vacations or, even better, utilized to do a more-than-ten-minute job. However you use the days, use them well!

Ready? Set? Go! Here it is, the first installment of 100 things you can do in 10 minutes or less:

1. Program your cell phone phone book with the word ICE (stands for In Case of Emergency). Under that listing, include the name & phone numbers for the person you want to have contacted first in case of an emergency. First Responders and ER personnel know to check your cell phone for this listing.

2. Check your car’s glove compartment and be certain that you have a current registration, inspection receipt, insurance card and insurance contact information.

3. Write down all of your family’s prescription drugs, their RX number, refill date, name of medicine, instructions and the pharmacy phone number. Make a copy for your 72-hour kit.

4. Write out a card for each child’s car restraint seat. Include child’s name, your contact info, another relative’s contact information, child’s pediatrician and important medical history. Attach to the bottom or back right rear of the seat.

5. Schedule your yearly health maintenance check-ups such as mammograms, pap smears, physical exams and immunization review.

6. Place water leak alarms near washing machine, hot water heater and any other area likely to suffer a leak.

7. Wash the dryer lint trap under hot water until water runs freely.

8. Check the tire pressure and tread depth on your tires.

9. Clean out your medicine cabinet and dispose of out-dated medications.

10. Test your smoke detectors & change batteries as needed.

11. Set up a spot for your perpetual grocery list. Let your family know where it is!

12. Photocopy your credit cards & ID. Place copy in your “What If?” Notebook.

13. Check the outside dryer vent. Be certain that vent flaps open freely. Remove any visible lint.

14. Clean the inside of your car windshield. “Stuff” gathers on the inside of the windshield and can cause complete ‘white out’ when you are driving towards the sun.

15. Clean one pantry shelf. Move older food to the front.

16. Write down neighbor’s phone number, doctor’s phone numbers, family contact numbers and place inside a cabinet near the phone.

17. Add at least one long-term storage food to your grocery list. Consider rice, dry beans, sugar, oatmeal.

18. Check outside lights. Replace burned out bulbs.

19. Check your supply of flashlights. Do they work? Do you have batteries for them? One for each room of your house?

20. Clean the trash out of your car.

21. Cook a double entree and freeze the extra one.

22. Make a list of everyone you plan to purchase Christmas gifts for.

23. Pick up Christmas Cards at a discounter or dollar store before the inexpensive ones are sold out.

24. Replace filters in your HVAC system. Write the date you replaced it on the filter. Mark your calendar for the next change date.

25. See what Christmas gifts you may already have on hand. Plan which ones you are going to make.

26. Do a quick comparison of current prices for internet providers. Do you need to change?

27. Clean out one kitchen drawer.

28. Have little ones at home or due to visit? Check childproofing & poison control.

29. Check 401K & pension plan balances. Do you need to save more for retirement?

30. Purchase at least one item for long-term storage.

31. Treat sink & tub drains with baking soda and vinegar.

32. Check children’s toys. Throw out broken ones.

33. Set budget for holiday gift giving. Do you need to save some money?

34. Check nightlights. Do they illuminate areas that need light? Do they work?

35. Find a backpack, tote or other container that can store items in your car.

36. Add jumper cables to your car pack

37. Put some bottled water in your car pack.

38. Put some long-term food such as granola bars in your car pack.

39. Put several ’space’ blankets or wool blankets in your car pack.

40. Add some matches and a candle to your car pack. Pack candle in an empty vegetable can and cover top with aluminum foil.

41. Add an all-in-one screwdriver to your car pack.

42. Add an ‘emergency’ flag to your car pack. This can simply be a piece of bright orange or red fabric.

43. Add a first aid kit to your car pack.

44. Stick a set of fuses in your car pack.

45. Put a flashlight in your car pack. Package the batteries outside of the flashlight.

46. Add a flare to your car pack.

47. Add a can of Fix-a-flat to your car pack.

48. Check your spare tire & tire iron.

49. Check the fluid levels in your car.

50. Put some paper and a pen in your glove compartment.

51. Check your gutters to see if they are running well.

52. Look at your roof from across the street. Does it look solid?

53. Add your doctor’s voice & fax numbers to your cell phone directory.

54. Add a worthwhile item to your 72-hour kit.

55. Grab some 3×5 cards. Write out personal information for each person & add to 72-hour kit. Include out of state contacts, medical information, etc.

56. Check the caulk around the doors and windows of your home. Note which ones need repair.

57. Add some cash and quarters to your glove compartment. An empty prescription bottle or tube from mini-M&M’s work well.

58. Check outdoor walkways. Are they clear? Free from tripping hazards? Cracks?

59. Add one item to your food storage.

60. Gather up your candles and see if you have enough to provide some light for 7-days. Store some matches (more than you think you need) with the candles.

61. Refill BBQ propane tanks if you have them.

62. Clean one pantry shelf. Move older food to the front.

63. Clean out your refrigerator. Discard old food and mark food that needs to be eaten up.

64. Do you need to have your chimney cleaned?

65. Read about one way to cook food without power. Order or gather supplies you would need.

66. Program your pharmacy’s phone number into your cell phone.

67. Check your computer’s firewall and anti-virus strength.

68. Do a quick comparison of auto insurance rates and coverage.

69. Set aside ingredients for a ‘no time to cook’ dinner.

70. Add one item to your two week supply of food that you could eat without cooking.

71. Store some water.

72. Plan holiday meals. Watch for ingredients to go on sale. Don’t forget potluck dinners, treats for neighbors, etc.

73. Do you need to have your furnace checked?

74. Check appliances for frayed cords.

75. Do you have de-icer in your windshield washer fluid?

76. Ice scrapers in each car….unless you live where it never gets cold!

77. Clean out one pantry shelf. Discard out of date food. Move older food to the front.

78. Try a new recipe that utilizes at least two items from your long-term storage.

79. Check supply of over-the-counter medicines such as antihistamines, antidiarrheal, pain killers & anti-inflammatories.

80. Check the caulk around tubs, showers and toilets. Repair or replace as needed.

81. Check your credit cards? Current? Do you have too many?

82. Check your credit report for errors.

83. Be certain your are shredding documents with personal information such as insurance numbers, birthdates, account numbers, social security numbers.

84. Google your name to make sure someone is using it online or writing about you in an unfavorable way.

85. Buy or obtain a free (try freecycle) transistor am/fm radio.

86. Clean out one closet.

87. Add one item to your food storage.

88. Check your doors and windows for air leaks.

89. Make certain that shrubbery around your house does not obscure windows. (burglars love it when they can hide behind a bush while they break your window)

90. Make a place for end of year tax information.

91. Try a recipe utilizing one or two items from your long-term storage.

92. Check your cell phone contract. If out of contract, compare rates.

93. Add a small flashlight to your glove compartment.

94. Check cash supply at home. Be certain you have bills in $20 or less denominations

95. Mail holiday gifts early to avoid paying express shipping charges.

96. Do you need de-icer for walk ways and driveway?

97. Collect loose change and establish place to store it.

98. Add one item to your 2 week supply of foods you could eat without cooking.

99. Add one item to your 72-hour kit.

100. Cook a double entree and freeze the extra!

See, you can do this!!! It is inexpensive, fast and all things YOU can do with little time and money.

Don’t worry, we’ll remind you periodically. Now, get to it! And good luck.

Whether you have bundled children off to school or are living life child-free, now is a good (and often neglected) time to hit clearance racks. The end of summer and back to school rush is over and the retail leftovers can be great budget savers. Think creatively, as many items marked 75 to 80% off can be re-purposed from their original intent. Beef up your preparedness status while preserving your financial well-being. Just a few tips to guide you:

Don’t forget to look for items in stores that don’t usually carry summer and back to school items. The greatest savings are often found in drug stores, grocery stores and some department stores.

Remember that Christmas is just around the corner. Many school supplies (think markers, magnets, crayons, cute notepads, colorful pencils, specialty pens, stickers, permanent markers, thumb drives) make great stocking stuffers. My grandchildren were thrilled one year when I gave each of them a large package of scotch tape rolls, one of their favorite craft items. The older children also received miniature staplers. Look for socks, fun t-shirts (maybe for pj’s), zippered pouches and organizing boxes.

Don’t forget children’s birthday party gift bags, gifts and activity days.

Many crafters will appreciate organizational tools, art supplies, etc.

Classroom teachers might appreciate a box filled with replacement supplies as a Christmas gift. Glue sticks, liquid glues, markers, white board erasers, stickers, etc. would be welcomed mid-year. Add some chocolate for the teacher and you have that item checked off your holiday ‘to-do’ list.

Accumulate enough art supplies to stock a ‘rainy day’ box. Again, a great gift or stand-by activity for snow days, rainy days or sick days.

Restock your own office supplies and organizational aids.

Check out clearance displays of dorm room ‘necessities’. You will often find over-the-door ironing boards & shoe holders (which can be used in any room to hold a multitude of little things), irons, plastic shoe boxes, folding hampers, under-the-bed storage, small book shelves, decorative items, organizational items of all sorts and sheet sets drastically reduced. Bedding in twin, x-long twin and double sizes are most commonly clearanced.

Don’t forget to stock up for your own gift wrapping supplies, such as tape, labels and markers. Some organizational items will be so inexpensive that they can be turned into gift wrapping. A shelf storage box lined with tissue paper makes a great gift box and a secondary gift.

Think 72-hour kits when you see flip-flops, zippered pouches, hand sanitizer, small notebooks, pencils, tape, markers, thumb drives and even flashlights.

Zippered pouches designed to hold small items in a notebook can be used in your purse, school backpacks, glove compartments, 72-hour kits, junk drawers, suitcases, overnight bags and craft rooms. Their size and transperant fronts make them ideal for organizing small items, while providing protection from dust and moisture.

Fill a zippered pouch with a pencil, your insurance information, a small notepad, a small flashlight, a disposable camera and a permanent marker. Store in your glove compartment. You might want to add a small bottle of hand sanitizer.

Look for kitchen items such as storage containers, food storage bags and even plastic dishes being clearanced out.

Snack and lunch box items packaged with summer or back to school themes may be greatly reduced. Freeze candies for Halloween or Christmas. Baking supplies such as cupcake papers may be reduced.

3×5 cards can be used for note taking, but also for labeling storage containers, recording important information for backpacks, glove compartments & 72-hour kits.

Use a thumb drive to record medical history, contact information, allergies, etc and attach it to your keyring. This can be a life-saver if you have significant allergies or other medical complications. Mark the thumb drive with a large red cross so that emergency personnel will notice it.

Purchase your family’s summer clothes for next year now. Don’t forget swimsuits, floaties, goggles, etc. Store them in a box clearly labeled and you’ll have a head start on next year. In many climates, ’summer’ clothes can extend well into fall. Don’t forget basic items such as underwear, socks, etc.

Office supply stores may clear out their specially packaged CD-R’s, DVD-R’s and other computer-related items.

Have fun shopping the clearance racks and look forward to the cooler days of autumn!