Emergency Preparedness In the Aftermath of Disaster ~ $25 Visa GC Giveaway

During the month of September I have joined The Clorox Company and Consumer Queen, along with several other bloggers, to spread the word about emergency preparedness. This will be the final installment in our series on Emergency Preparedness. If you are just joining us be sure to click on the links for important information on creating an emergency preparedness plan and building an emergency preparedness kit.

Emergency Preparedness Plan: Check!

Emergency Preparedness Kit: Check!

So, what happens AFTER disaster strikes?  What do you do when you get home?

In the wake of disaster there is often confusion and chaos. The most important thing to do before you return home is to check communication channels to ensure that local officials have declared it safe to return home.
Cleaning up after a natural disaster can be a daunting task. Ensure the health and safety of your family with the following:

• Before entering the home, look outside for loose power lines, damaged gas lines, foundation cracks or other damage
• During cleanup, wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots
• Look for flooding or large pools of standing water surrounding your home. These waters can be contaminated with high levels of bacteria that can make you sick, so disinfecting with a solution of bleach and water may help to remove mold and prevent the spread of infections and illness

General Health & Safety Tips:

• Keep your hands clean, either by washing your hands or using a hand sanitizer
• If you feel feverish or sick after a disaster or during clean-up, see a doctor immediately
• Eat healthy foods and drink lots of clean water

REMEMBER – your emergency preparedness kit should include a minimum three-day supply of water for evacuations (2 weeks for home) for your entire household.  This means approximately one gallon per person, per day for washing and drinking. If water supplies are compromised and you are unable to boil water for one minute (three minutes at high elevation), you can create drinkable water by using un-scented disinfecting bleach such as Clorox. You can also use bleach to clean non-porous surfaces in your home

• To Disinfect Surfaces: Use 1/4 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water, or as directed on the label, to disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces in your home.
• To Disinfect Water: If you need to purify water during an emergency, (and do not have the means to boil it for 3-5 minutes), you must disinfect your water using bleach. If water is clear, add 8 drops (1/8 tsp.) of bleach per gallon of water. If water is cloudy, add 16 drops (1/4 tsp.) of bleach per gallon of water. Mix the solution thoroughly and let it stand for about 30 minutes before using it. Properly treated water should have a slight chlorine odor. If it doesn’t, repeat dosage and allow water to stand an additional 15 minutes. The treated water can be made drinkable by pouring it between clean containers several times.



For more information please visit www.clorox.com/redcross and download the preparedness guide: Prepare Yourself Now for Peace of Mind Later

UPDATE: Congratulations to winner #343

ENTER TO WIN $25 Visa Gift Card From Clorox

I’m giving away another $25 Visa gift card again this week! Wouldn’t it be nice to be $25 closer to a completed preparedness kit?

Bonus Entries (leave one comment for each):

1. Subscribe to Bantering Blonde

2. Follow @banteringblonde on twitter

3. Like Clorox on Facebook and tell them I sent you!

4. Tweet this:      Enter to win $25 Visa GC from @Clorox @banteringblonde http://bit.ly/cHLB0X #preparedness

Winner will be chosen by random.org 12pm CMT Wednesday October 6th.

*As a blog tour participant, I received information and giveaways from The Clorox Company and Consumer Queen at no cost to me. I was compensated for my time by The Clorox Company for participating in this project. All views are my own.

Emergency Preparedness In the Aftermath of Disaster ~ $25 Visa GC Giveaway

During the month of September I have joined The Clorox Company and Consumer Queen, along with several other bloggers, to spread the word about emergency preparedness. This will be the final installment in our series on Emergency Preparedness. If you are just joining us be sure to click on the links for important information on creating an emergency preparedness plan and building an emergency preparedness kit.

Emergency Preparedness Plan: Check!

Emergency Preparedness Kit: Check!

So, what happens AFTER disaster strikes?  What do you do when you get home?

In the wake of disaster there is often confusion and chaos. The most important thing to do before you return home is to check communication channels to ensure that local officials have declared it safe to return home.
Cleaning up after a natural disaster can be a daunting task. Ensure the health and safety of your family with the following:

• Before entering the home, look outside for loose power lines, damaged gas lines, foundation cracks or other damage
• During cleanup, wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots
• Look for flooding or large pools of standing water surrounding your home. These waters can be contaminated with high levels of bacteria that can make you sick, so disinfecting with a solution of bleach and water may help to remove mold and prevent the spread of infections and illness

General Health & Safety Tips:

• Keep your hands clean, either by washing your hands or using a hand sanitizer
• If you feel feverish or sick after a disaster or during clean-up, see a doctor immediately
• Eat healthy foods and drink lots of clean water

REMEMBER – your emergency preparedness kit should include a minimum three-day supply of water for evacuations (2 weeks for home) for your entire household.  This means approximately one gallon per person, per day for washing and drinking. If water supplies are compromised and you are unable to boil water for one minute (three minutes at high elevation), you can create drinkable water by using un-scented disinfecting bleach such as Clorox. You can also use bleach to clean non-porous surfaces in your home

• To Disinfect Surfaces: Use 1/4 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water, or as directed on the label, to disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces in your home.
• To Disinfect Water: If you need to purify water during an emergency, (and do not have the means to boil it for 3-5 minutes), you must disinfect your water using bleach. If water is clear, add 8 drops (1/8 tsp.) of bleach per gallon of water. If water is cloudy, add 16 drops (1/4 tsp.) of bleach per gallon of water. Mix the solution thoroughly and let it stand for about 30 minutes before using it. Properly treated water should have a slight chlorine odor. If it doesn’t, repeat dosage and allow water to stand an additional 15 minutes. The treated water can be made drinkable by pouring it between clean containers several times.



For more information please visit www.clorox.com/redcross and download the preparedness guide: Prepare Yourself Now for Peace of Mind Later

UPDATE: Congratulations to winner #343

ENTER TO WIN $25 Visa Gift Card From Clorox

I’m giving away another $25 Visa gift card again this week! Wouldn’t it be nice to be $25 closer to a completed preparedness kit?

Bonus Entries (leave one comment for each):

1. Subscribe to Bantering Blonde

2. Follow @banteringblonde on twitter

3. Like Clorox on Facebook and tell them I sent you!

4. Tweet this:      Enter to win $25 Visa GC from @Clorox @banteringblonde http://bit.ly/cHLB0X #preparedness

Winner will be chosen by random.org 12pm CMT Wednesday October 6th.

*As a blog tour participant, I received information and giveaways from The Clorox Company and Consumer Queen at no cost to me. I was compensated for my time by The Clorox Company for participating in this project. All views are my own.

How to Build an Emergency Preparedness Kit ~ $25 Visa GC Giveaway From Clorox

Last week I shared my concern over the situation with the Fourmile forest fire in Boulder county. I outlined the three critical steps to creating an emergency preparedness plan for your household. Thankfully the fire in Boulder has been contained and residents are beginning to survey the tragically damaged landscape left behind. As officials in Boulder continue to monitor “hot spots”, the burn area remains dangerous. I imagine that residents who are able to return to their homes will have learned quite a bit about being prepared for a disaster like the one they have just witnessed. September is National Preparedness Month and I’m joining The Clorox Company and Consumer Queen, along with several other bloggers, to spread the word about emergency preparedness.

An important component of emergency preparedness is building a comprehensive emergency preparedness kit. Please feel free to use this emergency preparedness checklist as a base to building the kit specific to the needs in the area of the country you reside.

• Water (minimum three day supply for evacuations, two week supply for home)washing and drinking)
• Non-perishable foods (minimum three day supply for evacuations, two week supply for home)
• Assorted battery pack (purchase the pack that provides a variety of battery sizes so that you’re prepared no matter the need)
• Flashlight
• Multipurpose tool
• First aid kit
• Medications (at least a 7 day supply)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio if possible)
• Extra clothing
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Map(s) of the area
• Copies of important documents – In case of emergency, you’ll need copies of birth records, household lease or deed, medications list, passports and insurance policies
• Household liquid bleach. Did you know bleach, like Clorox Liquid Bleach, can not only disinfect surfaces but also can be used to create drinkable water? Here’s how:

To Disinfect Surfaces: Use 1/4 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water, or as directed on the label, to disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces in your home.
To Disinfect Water: If you need to purify water during an emergency, (and do not have the means to boil it for 3-5 minutes), you may disinfect your water using bleach. If water is clear, add 8 drops (1/8 tsp.) of bleach per gallon of water. If water is cloudy, add 16 drops (1/4 tsp.) of bleach per gallon of water. Mix the solution thoroughly and let it stand for about 30 minutes before using it. Properly treated water should have a slight chlorine odor. If it doesn’t, repeat dosage and allow water to stand an additional 15 minutes. The treated water can be made drinkable by pouring it between clean containers several times.

Visit your local home supply store. Many of them stock pre-assembled emergency preparedness supplies that you can use to as a foundation for the full kit you will build. Emergencies can happen ANYWHERE so be sure to keep a kit at work and in your car, as well as at home.

Lastly, discuss the contents and locations of your kits with all members of your household. It is essential that even your children are aware of the kit’s existence and it’s location.

I’m giving away another $25 Visa gift card again this week and for the next two weeks – wouldn’t it be nice to be $25 closer to a completed preparedness kit?

Bonus Entries (leave one comment for each):

1. Subscribe to Bantering Blonde

2. Follow @banteringblonde on twitter

3. Like Clorox on Facebook and tell them I sent you!

4. Tweet this:      Win a $25 Visa GC from @Clorox @banteringblonde to build a http://bit.ly/d1ciou  #preparedness kit!

Winner will be chosen by random.org 12pm Friday September 24th

Are your pets included in your preparedness plan?  If not, they should be!  Next week we will create a plan for your pets.

For more information please visit www.clorox.com/redcross and download the preparedness guide: Prepare Yourself Now for Peace of Mind Later

*As a blog tour participant, I received information and giveaways from The Clorox Company and Consumer Queen at no cost to me. I was compensated for my time by The Clorox Company for participating in this project. All views are my own.

CONGRATS Jessie C. Comment #13

Boulder Fire a Reminder that September is National Preparedness Month

EditAs I look out my window at the ashen sky, my heart breaks for the families who have lost their homes in the Four-Mile Canyon fire in Boulder County.  Situations like this are a reminder that disasters can happen at any time, with little or no warning.  Do you and your loved ones have an emergency preparedness plan in the event of an emergency or natural disaster?

September is National Preparedness Month and I’ll be joining The Clorox Company and Consumer Queen, along with several other bloggers, to spread the word about emergency preparedness.

Each week I’ll be giving away a $25 gift card so that you can create your own emergency preparedness kit.  To enter, simply leave a comment (be sure to include email) on this post, or re-tweet this post with hashtag #preparedness and leave a comment.

Disasters can happen quickly and unexpectedly. The most important step to staying safe is being prepared BEFORE an emergency occurs.

When designing your emergency preparedness plan, you can implement the following three easy steps

1. Purchase or build an emergency preparedness kit – Your kit should include enough supplies to last each member of your household a minimum of three days for evacuations and 2 weeks for emergencies at home.  Include things like: water, non-perishable food, flashlight, radio, first aid kit, a multi-purpose tool, important medications and copies of personal documents. You may also include household liquid bleach such as Clorox for cleaning and disinfecting and emergency water sanitation.  Next week, I’ll offer specific tips on building a disaster kit with your family.
2. Make an emergency preparedness plan for your family – Schedule a family meeting to create a plan so that you will all know what to do if you are separated in the event of an emergency. Choose two places to meet – one right outside the house and the other outside your neighborhood.  Be sure to practice and review the plan twice a year!
3. Get educated – Learn what types of disasters (e.g. hurricanes, floods or forest fires) are prevalent in your area in order to prepare a kit and plan tailored for specific emergencies. Find out how local officials will contact residents of your city to advise of important safety information.  Our experience with a failed reverse 911 system on Monday with the #boulderfire, has proven that more and more news and local agencies are turning to social media to spread news and information quickly.  Lastly, get first aid training. Learn critical techniques like CPR and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

For more information please visit www.clorox.com/redcross and download the preparedness guide: Prepare Yourself Now for Peace of Mind Later

DONT FORGET TO ENTER TO WIN $25 GIFT CARD! To enter, simply leave a comment on this post and/or re-tweet this post using hashtag #preparedness and leave a comment. Winner will be chosen at 12pm Monday September 13.

WINNER!! Congratulations #8 Chris Bird

State of Emergency Declared in Boulder, CO Fourmile Fire

Governor Ritter has declared a state of emergency to help fund the battle against a raging wildfire that apparently began in the Fourmile Canyon area of Boulder County on Monday. Recent reports indicate that the fire may have started when a car hit a propane tank and burst into flames. The Boulder newspaper The Daily Camera reports that 92 structures have been destroyed and that as of 8 p.m. Tuesday night, the fire was zero percent contained and had grown to 7,120 acres.