The 72 Hours Formula for Typhoon Preparedness

-

We all need to prepare for a coming typhoon before it hits us directly. Preparation is the key so that we will not be caught off-guard and we will not be helpless. We can easily make preparations inside our homes.  It usually takes 72 hours for rescue and relief efforts to reach disaster victims and for utilities to resume normal operation. A lifeline kit is what we need to tide us over for 72 hours.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), in one of their Facebook posts, suggests that we should have a lifeline kit on hand to allow us to survive for 72 hours. 

I read online that typhoons and floods are recurring events. The Philippines, alone, experiences an average of twenty typhoons yearly. In that case, we have no choice but to prepare for them when they hit us directly. 

Usually, a typhoon brings heavy rains and floods that could turn into a disaster.  That situation might isolate us in our homes or force us to evacuate. Utilities such as power, water, cellphone, and fuel may not be available during those times. Also, government and private rescue teams might not reach us immediately, so everyone should be self-sufficient and capable to survive for three days until help arrives. 

Each of us must have a lifeline kit in a small lightweight bag to tide us over for three days. That kit should contain the necessary items needed to survive for the first seventy-two hours, especially if we are trapped in our homes or if we decide to evacuate. If there's a need to evacuate your home, the kit should be easily carried at moment's notice. The kit is exclusively for immediate survival and not for long-period survival. It is different from a fixed-site disaster kit. 

When the need arises, the items inside the kit must always be usable. The contents should be checked every six months to see whether the consumable items inside will be expiring, especially water and food. They should be replaced to ensure that they are safe to consume.  

Older children should be involved in preparing their own kit before a typhoon arrives. That activity makes disaster preparedness a part of their lives. 

What are the things that should be placed inside the lifeline kit?

Water

A person can survive without eating food for 5 days, provided that water is available for drinking. That is the most important item to have. Place clean water in airtight containers. The water should be safe for drinking and can be used for washing and cooking. 

How much water do we need for 72 hours?

Each person needs 1 gallon (3.78 liters) per day. One liter can be allocated for drinking and three liters for washing. We also should have water purification supplies (One purification tablet can purify a liter of water. 1 tablet per person per day for water purification.)

Food 

The next important item to prepare is food. The members of the family should have enough food for three days. Stack only non-perishable food like canned goods, cereals, crackers, dried fruit, protein bars. Canned juice or hard candies should also be available in case a family member experiences hypoglycemia. Bring disposable plates and utensils too.

Since we receive news ahead of a coming typhoon, I suggest that we prepare those two consumable items to ensure that they are fresh.

Other items:

  • Emergency tools & gears
  • Personal effects and hygiene kit
  • Important documents and money
  • Special needs
  • First-aid kits

You can also prepare your own lifeline kits, provided they contain the necessary items like the PRC's lifeline kit. Lastly, If you need to leave your homes you can bring small toys for children so that they can be comforted at the evacuation site.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/rcmuntinlupa/posts/philippine-red-cross-lifeline-kitthe-first-72-hours-after-a-disaster-is-critical/627915720580434/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Seventies - The "Disco" Era

-
Image
The seventies was undoubtedly the "disco" era.  As a teenager, I listened and danced to the distinct sound of that era. When "Saturday Night Fever" hit the movie theaters in 1978,  I became an avid fan of the Bee Gees and other bands that played the disco sound.   Besides listening to disco sound, I also mimicked dance steps like the "swing" and "L.A. shuffle" from a local popular TV show the "Penthouse Seven." I strutted my stuff every time  I danced with a partner at birthday parties held in friends' residences. Bands that dished out disco tunes during the '70s were  ABBA  with their  song "Dancing Queen";   Donna Summer 's   goosebumps-raising song "Last Dance."  Other bands like  KC and the Sunshine Band ,  The Trammps ,  Van McCoy ,  Gloria Gaynor ,  The Village People ,  Chic , and  The Jacksons   also flooded the radio airwaves in the '70s .   I even followed their progress over...
Read more

Grandfather@50

-
Image
I will be turning 50 before the  end of this year, and what better way to usher in my golden boy status is becoming a bonafide grandfather.  I now have a grandson, his name is Samien. He was born on April 25, 2012. His parents say that the name means "to be heard".  I guess their choice was right because when Samien cries, he is really heard by everybody. I noticed remarkable things in Samien.  While just a new born, he showed to us that he has strong legs and arms.  He can push himself upwards in the crib and was tireless in raising his small arms every  now and then.  Also, he is not the quiet type because he always cries and laughs unlike other babies inside the nursery who are peacefully asleep.  At three months old, he speaks amusing although unintelligible syllables.  Also, at three months, he is rather long for babies his age and quite heavy for a three month old baby.  He weighed in at 5 kilogram during his visit to his pedia...
Read more

Organic Rice in the Philippines For Healthy Living

-
Image
Do you prefer healthy living? Go organic rice! Health buffs would like to get their hands on real organic rice. If you're one of them, do you know which ones are authentic organic rice? This blog will tell you all you need to know about organic rice. Some people think that organic rice is red and brown rice variety only.  Not really. It comes in other varieties and colors such as white, black, etc.  The idea that red and brown alone are organic rice is wrong.  These rice varieties are now sold under specific brands in leading supermarkets in the Philippines, however, not all of them are organic rice. But how will you know if you're buying organic rice or not? Organic rice is farmed without using synthetic fertilizer and chemical pesticide inputs. Besides the inputs, there are other things to consider such as -  How was it planted? What were the farming methods used? Was there contamination along the supply chain until it has reached the end consumer? There...
Read more