Here is your shopping list for Week #8:
[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Screen-Shot-2016-07-28-at-3.21.41-PM.png” align=”center” lightbox=”on” captionposition=”center”] My last article covered items that should be available in your car if you are travelling during an emergency. So, as promised, this article discusses items to have available at your place of work. I have taken these suggestions from thesurvivalmom.com. While few of us would relish the thought of having to spend extra time at the office or workplace, it is conceivable you could end up stranded there overnight. If severe weather rolls in, or a local or regional disaster occurs, travel could be treacherous. Rather than take your chances on hazardous roads, you may be better off just hunkering down at your desk. By planning ahead and assembling a workplace emergency kit, you can turn such an event into nothing more than an inconvenience.
Here is a basic kit of supplies to place in a duffle bag or backpack and keep stashed at your work desk or in your work locker. As with every emergency kit, whether for home, car or workplace, a printed list of emergency phone numbers, an out-of-state contact and family contacts as well as vital personal information should be with each kit.
[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Screen-Shot-2016-07-28-at-3.21.47-PM.png” align=”center” lightbox=”on” captionposition=”center”] If the power remains functioning, you might want to hit up the vending machines. So toss some cash and coins into your kit. Just a few bucks will probably be enough.
Have a good flashlight with extra batteries, should the power go out. Many of us work in office buildings where the bulk of the work space has no exterior windows. If all the lights go out, it gets mighty dark in there.Â
A few hygiene items can help greatly. These include a toothbrush, toothpaste, a small bar of soap, a hand towel and a package of baby wipes. Another thing to keep in your kit is your preferred feminine hygiene.
If your job requires you to wear business attire or, conversely, you end up dirty and sweaty from working in a factory, a change of clothes would be nice to have on hand. Pack comfortable jeans, perhaps, and an old flannel shirt, as well as thick socks and sneakers. The idea is to have clothes you won’t mind staying in for hours on end, rather than spending the night in a skirt or dress slacks. A hooded sweatshirt might also be desirable.
It’s very possible that you might have to do some walking to get home or to another shelter. Sturdy, warm, waterproof shoes with wool socks are an absolute must.
Many workplaces have first-aid kits, but it’s a good idea to either buy a small first-aid kit or assemble one with supplies you have at home. Adhesive bandages, pain relievers and meds for stomach ailments should all be included. If you regularly take any sort of prescription medication, keep in your kit enough to last a day or two, at least.
The next article will feature our newly implemented Map Your Neighborhood (MYN) program that will help you and your neighbors coordinate an emergency response and assessment immediately following any incident or disaster.
There are still seats available for the free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training scheduled for September at the City of Signal Hill Emergency Operations Center located in our police department. Contact Richard Johnson, Emergency Operations coordinator for Signal Hill, at (562) 989-7239 or rjohnson@signalhillpd.org to reserve your seat and for more details.
