PsychSense: Sensible Psychological Solutions

Be Prepared

We have all been reading about the floods in the midwest, the tornados and the wild fires in California. While we feel for those affected there is always relief that it did not happen to us or someone we love. While this is understandable, don’t put your head in the sand, or use denial. Perhaps its time to review the things you need to do to deal with a weather emergency. Remember the first thing is to take a deep breath, try to remain calm and get your list of things to gather or do. Use the skills you have learned at this site to remain calm and help others stay calm.

You can print this off this page and keep it handy. Collect the suggested items (and any others you think you need) and put them in all one place.

Remain Calm by talking to yourself, slowing your breathing, and forcing yourself to speak and move deliberately. This will help you think clearer. Next assess the situation and make a plan. Avoid minimizing and denial. Better to overreact then underreact.

Know what the signs of a approaching storm are, keep a radio( a weather radio may be worth buying in certain parts of the country) on and listen for alerts. Have a fire escape plan from every room.

Plans should be made ahead of time and every family member should have a task to do and should know what it is and how to do it. Make them practice even if they roll their eyes. A meeting place is critical incase you get separated.

Sustinance:

• 3 days of supplies & food
• Water / hydration minimum 1gal per day per person
• 2 gal collapsible water containers
• Water purification tabs or water purification system, or make your own pure water with an eyedropper and iodine or chlorine bleach. Iodine works, doesn’t taste so good, 20 gtts per gallon of clear water, 40 gtts for cloudy water. 5 % chlorine bleach (usual strength of household bleach use plain bleach unsented)- Add 2 drops of bleach/ gallon of water
• Food 2000 cal. per day per person
• Can opener

Shelter / Protection

• Blankets / pillow
• Toilet paper
• Non-cotton clothing (fast drying synthetics or wool)
• Duct tape
• Emergency thermal blankets
• Leather gloves / rubber gloves
• Rain Poncho
• Face mask / N-95 respirator
• Moist Towelettes
• 1 roll plastic sheeting
• Garbage bags
• Hand sanitizer
• 12 hour light sticks / flashlights/wind up flashlight
• Extra batteries

Communication

• Cell phone & charger
• Whistle
• Important papers
• Wind- up radio

Other important items

• Multi-function tool
• Cash / change / travelers checks
• Prescription medication / other meds
• Bleach
• Pet food / extra water for pet
• Pet meds
• Waterproof container 1 large 1 small
• Paper and pencil
• First Aid Kit & Book
• Entertainment (cards, small games (many games come in travel size, pick up sticks, dominos, etc)
• Favorite Book, religious/ spiritual books that you use

Being prepared will help you feel in control, calmer and improve your decision making under stress. Here’s hoping you never need to test your preparedness.