earthquakes

Work-Life Balance

What to Keep at Home to Prepare For Natural Disasters

Even if you don't live within Hurricane Sandy's vicinity, it's always smart to prepare for any natural disaster given how unpredictable nature can be.


Even if you don't live within Hurricane Sandy's vicinity, it's always smart to prepare for any natural disaster given how unpredictable nature can be. Whether it be preparing for an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, or snowstorm, below are basic suggestions for what to keep in your disaster supply kit:

  • Water. It's recommended to have one gallon of water per day per person or pet. You should keep at least three gallons each per person or pet at home.
  • Food. You should have at least three day's worth of food. Concentrate on non-perishable food that doesn't require refrigeration or much prep and water. Consider cereal, ready-to-eat canned fruits, veggies, juice, and meat, energy-rich snacks like trail mix and granola bars. Remember to have vitamins and special supplies around for anyone with special needs, such as pets, babies, and the elderly.
  • Medication. Have some extra medication on hand for times when disaster strikes and you can't leave your home to refill your prescription. Remember to also store over-the-counter medication like painkillers, antihistamine, calamine lotion, alka seltzer, laxatives, anti-diarrhea medication, sterile eyewash, and contact lens (if you use them).

Read on for more.

Advice

To the Rescue: Earthquake Safety For Pets

This morning, many of us felt a small earthquake here in San Francisco .

This morning, many of us felt a small earthquake here in San Francisco . . . yikes. While it's scary for everyone involved, the pet owners at Sugar HQ began wondering about furry friends back at home. First off, even though there are no guarantees, I get extra peace of mind by having a decal with my pet's name and my phone number on my door in case of emergency personnel – the ASPCA will send you a safety pack for free by simply requesting this online.

  • Check crate placement. If you crate a pet, make sure you position it far away from windows and any shelving with large objects that could topple or break. (North's crate is under my solid wood desk.)
  • Put a backup plan in place. Both my dog walkers and a pal who live nearby have keys to my apartment. If you work far from home, it's a good idea to make sure someone close by has easy access to a pet in case of a disaster.
  • Have leashes/crates ready. Even if your pet roams free during the day, have a travel crate on hand in case you need to leave suddenly. Kitties can get very spooked (and harder to catch) so make sure you have a way to secure a feline if you need to evacuate. Also, if taking an animal out of a crate, have the leash ready to immediately snap because even the calmest, well-trained pet can get spooked and get hurt with any broken items around the home.

PS, don't ever leave a pet at home – if you're evacuating, take your furry friend with you!

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