Carseat Needed

There is a Sister in our ward that is in need of a 5 point harness carseat for a 3-5 year old child. If you have one and are willing to let this sister use it for a few years or are willing to give it away, please contact me Lisa Bell at lisamarinagarcia@gmail.com

Housing Needed for Summer

We have a couple getting married in the next couple of weeks working with us for the summer. They are going to be on their honeymoon until early-mid June. They had a place to live but plans fell through. They could rent an apartment in the same complex as us but both being in college and newlyweds money is tight they would really rather not pay $1000+/month. If anyone has an available room, house, basement or studio apartment, town home… ANYTHING at all at a good deal! They would only need it through the first week of September.  So June- September, 3 months. They don’t have any pets, children, they’re clean people too! Please let me know! Contact Sadie Ely 281-730-3884 or you can email me at sadiecely@gmail.com Thanks!

72 Hour Kit

72 Hour Emergency Kit

• Update your kit every six months (put a note in your calendar/planner) to make sure

that all food, water, and medication are fresh (not expired), clothing fits, documents           and credit cards are up to date, and batteries are charged.

• Small toys/games are important too as they will provide some comfort and

   entertainment during a stressful time.

• Older children can be responsible for their own pack of items/clothes too.

• You can include any other items you feel are necessary for your family's survival.

• Some items and/or flavors might leak, melt, “flavor” other items, or break open.

  Dividing groups of items into individual Ziploc bags might help prevent this.

Food and Water

(3 day supply of food & water per person when no refrigeration/cooking are available)

_ Protein/granola bars

_ Trail mix/dried fruit

_ Crackers/cereals

_ Canned tuna, beans, meat, Vienna sausages, etc (“pop-top” cans might leak or &    jerky can “flavor” other items)

_ Canned juice

_ Candy/gum

_ Water (1 gallon/4 liters per person per day)

Bedding and Clothing

_ Change of clothing (short and long sleeved shirts, pants, socks, jackets, etc.)

_ Undergarments

_ Raincoat /Poncho

_ Blankets and emergency heat blankets

_ Cloth sheet

_ Plastic sheet

Fuel & Light

_ Battery Lighting (flashlights, lamps)

_ Extra batteries

_ Flares

_ Candles

_ Lighter

_ Water-proof matches

Miscellaneous

_ Bags to store and carry kit items (such as duffel bags or backpacks)

_ Infant needs (if applicable)

Equipment

_ Can opener

_ Dishes/utensils

_ Shovel

_ Radio with hand-crank/batteries

_ Pen/pencil and paper

_ Axe

_ Pocket knife

_ Rope

_ Duct tape

Personal Supplies & Medication

_ First-aid supplies

_ Toiletries (roll of toilet paper—remove center tube to easily flatten into a zip-lock bag,        feminine hygiene, folding brush, etc)

_ Cleaning supplies: mini hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc. (warning:

   scented soap may “flavor” food items)

_ Immunizations up-to date

_ Medications (acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, children’s medication, etc.)

_ Prescription medication (for 3 days)

Personal Documents and Money -Place these items in a water-proof container & consider using a flash drive)

_ Scriptures (miniature ones are lighter)

_ Patriarchal Blessing

_ Legal documents (birth/marriage certificates, wills, passports, contracts)

_ Vaccination records

_ Insurance policies

_ Cash (include some small bills)

_ Credit card

_ Pre-paid phone cards

Adapt this list to your own needs and family – don’t forget your pets.

Remember to START!!  Any effort is better than none; maybe set a goal to include a few items each week.  

Emergency Prep - Water

Water

A human can die in a few days without water. Having an immediate water supply and filtration or purification system is a top priority when it comes to storing supplies for emergencies.  We use water for everything from food preparation to cleaning the dishes, cleaning our bodies, brushing our teeth and for drinking. 

In a natural emergency the municipal water supply could be damaged and you could be without water for days or even weeks. Water is one of the first items to disappear off the store shelves when a disaster threatens.  Usually before, during and after a disaster, stores will not be able to keep water stocked due to the high demand.  Without water to drink, dehydration sets in, the body starts shutting down and then … well, it isn’t good.

Potable water is water that is safe for human consumption.  It is free of disease causing microorganisms, poisonous substances, minerals and organic matter, chemical, biological and radioactive substances.

Many people have other types of drinks stored such as juice and sodas. Although these are nice to have, have an ample supply of potable water. Drinking water is the best way to keep the body hydrated.

Disaster officials suggest having a 2 week water supply per household. Ensure you have 1 gallon of water per person per day.  If there are children, nursing mothers, elderly people or pets in your care, more water should be accounted for.  Very hot temperatures can double the amount of water needed, so take this into account as well.  If medical emergencies arise, additional water would be needed.  Some people like to play it safe and store 2 gallons per person/per day to ensure they have enough for their family and to be used for other purposes.

Emergency tip:  disposable cups, plates and utensils will cut down on using water for cleaning.

Safely Storing Emergency Water

Keep your emergency water supply safe.  When storing water follow these tips:

•           Keep emergency water in a cool, dark place in your home, each vehicle, and your workplace.

•           Like your food storage, rotate your water supply to ensure freshness.

•           Although bottled water can be stored indefinitely (even after the “best buy” stamp), according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the bottled water’s appearance, smell or taste may change somewhat, but the water will still be safe to consume.

•           It’s possible to keep water in food-grade containers intended for water storage. Containers must be thoroughly washed, sanitized, and rinsed.  Only store clean, ready-to-drink water. Tap water will probably need to be purified.

Ask public health authorities or the DWP if tap water should be used and how to treat it.  Do not use milk or juice containers for storing water.  Even if you try to thoroughly clean these plastic containers, left over sugars and proteins provide perfect places for bacteria to grow.

•           Plastic soft drink containers can be used in a pinch. Clean and sanitize containers before they are used.

•           FEMA advises when storing water in bottles, fill the sanitized bottle to the top with regular tap water. If the tap water has been commercially treated with chlorine, you do not need any further treatment. If the water comes from a well or other water source that is not treated with chlorine, treat water with purification methods.

•           Save your plastic bottles now and freeze the water. If a disaster strikes and the electricity goes out, the frozen bottles can be moved to the refrigerator to keep perishable food items cold. Once thawed, you have drinking water.

Protect Your Water Sources

If there are reports of broken water or sewage lines or if local authorities advise you of a problem, steps should be taken to protect your water sources.

To close the incoming water source, locate the incoming valve and turn it to the closed position. Be sure you and other family members know how to perform this important procedure.  Check with the DWP and other local sources.

How Do I Find More Water?

When water runs out, the race is on to find available and safe drinking water.  There are places around the house where safe drinking water can be found.

Safe Sources

•           Melted ice cubes

•           Water drained from the water heater (if the water heater has not been damaged)

To use the water in your hot-water tank, be sure the electricity or gas is off, and open the drain at the bottom of the tank. Start the water flowing by turning off the water intake valve at the tank and turning on the hot water faucet.  Refill the tank before turning the gas or electricity back on.  If the gas is turned off, a professional will be needed to turn it back on.

Tip: If you remove water from the hot-water tank, play it safe and treat the water.

•           Liquids from canned goods such as fruit or vegetable juices.

Unsafe Sources

•           Radiators

•           Hot water boilers (home heating system)

•           Water beds (fungicides added to the water or chemicals in the vinyl may make water unsafe)

•           Water from the toilet bowl

•           Swimming pools and spas.  Chemicals used to kill germs are too concentrated for safe drinking but can be used for personal hygiene, cleaning, and related uses (source – www.fema.gov).

Rain, clean snow, lakes, ponds and natural water sources are another way to find drinking water.  However, the water must be treated in order to drink.  The U.S. EPA states that 90% of the world’s natural water supply is contaminated. If any water looks suspicious, put it aside and drink the good water first.  If the suspicious looking water is going to be used, it should be treated.

Water Treatments

Water is only as safe as its source.  When there is any doubt about the quality of water to drink, treat it.  It is better to be safe than to have the possibility of ingesting unsafe drinking water.  Treating the water will eliminate any microorganisms and the possibility of contaminants in the water.  Microorganisms such as protozoa, bacteria and viruses can make a person very ill.  Some cases of water contamination have even caused death.  Some of the symptoms caused by drinking contaminated water are: severe gas,

diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, headache and weakness.

Epidemics such as cholera and typhoid have begun as a result of contaminated drinking water.  Making sure the water is safe is not only safe for the person consuming it, but also for the people in your local area.

Sanitizing treatments:

·      Boiling is the easiest and safest method of treating water. Bring the water to a rolling boil for 1 full minute, keeping in mind that some water will evaporate.  Let the water cool before drinking.   Boiled water will taste better if you put oxygen back into it by pouring the water back and forth between two clean containers.  This also will improve the taste of stored water.

·      Distillation involves boiling water and then collecting only the vapor that condenses. The condensed vapor will not include salt or most other impurities. To distill, fill a pot halfway full with water. Tie a cup to the handle on the pot’s lid so that the cup will hang right-side-up when the lid is upside-down (make sure the cup is not dangling into the water) and boil the water for 20 minutes. The water that drips from the lid into the cup is distilled.

Here are a few YouTube videos that would be helpful in creating a distiller for water:

·      Homemade Water Distiller

·      Solar Powered Water Distiller

Using Bleach

•           Filter the water using a piece of cloth or a coffee filter to remove solid particles.

•           Bring it to a rolling boil for about one full minute.

•           Let it cool at least 30 minutes. Water must be cool or the chlorine treatment described below will be useless.

•           Add 16 drops of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water, or 8 drops per 2-liter bottle of water. Stir to mix. Sodium hypochlorite of the concentration of 5.25% to 6% should be the only active ingredient in the bleach. There should not be any added soap or fragrances. Make sure the bleach is fragrance free before it is used.  Let stand 30 minutes.  If it smells of chlorine, you can use it.  If it does not smell of chlorine, add 16 more drops of chlorine bleach per gallon of water (or 8 drops per 2-liter bottle of water), let stand 30 minutes, and smell it again.  If it smells of chlorine, you can use it.  If it does not smell of chlorine, discard it and find another source of water.

Iodine tablets

Iodine must be stored in a dark container so that sunlight does not ruin the tablets.  Iodine has been shown to be more effective than chlorine treatments.  Follow the recommended instructions suggested by the manufacturer.  Beware: some people are allergic to iodine and would not be able to use this form of water purification.  Persons with thyroid problems or on lithium, women over fifty, and pregnant women should consult their physician prior to using iodine for purification.  Also, some people who are allergic to shellfish are also allergic to iodine.  If someone cannot use iodine, use another method.

 

Micropur tablets

These are the only disinfection system effective against viruses, bacteria, cryptosporidium, and giardia.  Follow the instructions recommended by the manufacturer.  These tablets have no residual chemical taste.

Water Filters

Anytime that water for the home has been interrupted, it is a good idea to use a good water filter to prevent ingesting harmful parasites.  If you are out in nature and need to purify water, try and find a running water source as opposed to a standing water source.  Using a water purification tablets in conjunction with a water filter is a good way of making sure that water is potable and ready to drink.  Water pumps may not remove viruses and at times giardia cysts, therefore if at all possible, treat the water.

Water filters come in all shapes and sizes.  Here are some things to look for when purchasing:

•           Find a system that captures bacteria and has effective filters to capture cryptosporidium and giardia.

•           Consider output and how much physical effort is involved from pumping.

•           Try and find a filter that can attach directly to your bottle.

NOTES:

Emergency Prep Week 2

Week 2: Hardware List

This week we are going to focus on investing in basic hardware items. In later weeks, we will add additional hardware items to the list, but this week we are going to build a foundation.

A good rule of thumb when planning for emergencies is that a person is only as good as their tools. Good, quality tools are a sound investment and can last a lifetime if they are properly cared for.  Please evaluate and decide if these items fit your needs before you make an investment.

Items to buy for Week 2:

•32-gallon garbage can or- a sturdy storage box to hold disaster supplies

•Flashlight with alkaline-batteries or a hand-crank flashlight for each member of household that is over the age of 6 (don’t forget extra batteries for the flashlights). Flashlights should also be purchased for each car as well.

•Batteries in multiple-sizes.

•Heavy rope

•Duct tape

•Bic lighter and matches- to be stored in a waterproof container

•Multi-tool (i.e. Leatherman)

•For furry friends, purchase a leash, or pet carrier and an extra set of I.D. tags.

Action Items:

1. Involve your children in your family preparedness efforts. Educate them on the different types of disasters and on your family’s disaster plans. Check out websites like Ready Kids for methods to teach your children about what to do in an emergency.

2. You should ask your child’s school and/or day care about what their disaster plans are. Here are a few questions that I asked our school:

•How will you communicate with a child’s family during a crisis?

•Do you store adequate food, water, and supplies for a disaster?

•Are you prepared for a shelter-in-place situation?

•If you have to evacuate, where do you go?

3. Find up-to-date pictures of each family member in case one of them gets separated from you during a disaster event, put the pictures in a waterproof or Ziploc bag, and place it in your emergency kit.

4. Prepare a personal information card for each family member.

5. As a family, discuss your emergency meeting places, contacts, and plans. Give your children the opportunity to express their feelings and to ask questions so they fully understand the disaster plan.

6. For family members who have special needs, ensure that those needs are accounted for in your emergency plan.

Create-A-Letter Night

Shannon Stahura, “Create-a-Letter Night,” Ensign, Sept. 2000, 69

Some of our most successful family home evenings focus on building relationships with our extended family, which stretches from California to Florida. Because it is impossible for us to visit everyone, our children have never even met some of their relatives, such as their Great-grandmother Roepke in Minnesota.

One way to establish and maintain long-distance relationships is through our family home evening create-a-letter night. First, each person draws or chooses the name of an extended family member or missionary. Then we set out paper, stickers, punches, and markers and start creating a variety of unusual letters. We make puzzle letters, fold others in a funny way and fill them with confetti, and add family photos to others. The children decorate some of the letters with their artwork.

Next we write the letters with each person adding something. The final product is several fun letters, each authored by different people. We address and stamp the letters and put them in the mailbox.

The best part comes when our letters are answered. Grandparents are especially diligent in sending a reply, and the children love to receive the mail. Although our children have never met Great-grandmother Roepke, they have come to love her through our letter writing.

Another benefit of letter writing comes when we write to family members with whom we have had a disagreement. As love softens hearts, the differences that once injured the relationship begin to seem minuscule. Through letters, all are reminded of the love that binds families for eternity.