Stay Prepared While Traveling
The summer months are a perfect time to travel - the kids are out of school, the weather is great, and it’s a great way to spend some quality time with your family. We know you’re prepared at home for a disaster or emergency, but are you prepared while traveling? Whether you’re flying, road tripping, or going somewhere close to home, it’s important to always stay prepared for the unexpected, check out some tips below.
Always Carry a First Aid Kit
Wherever you’re traveling, be sure to carry a small first aid kit with you with items like band aids, over-the-counter remedies, and any other common items you feel you might need. Sure you may get the help you need if a problem arises, but take as much action as you can by being prepared. Afterall, at the very least it can help you feel much more comfortable and at-ease when traveling. Did you know our TWDZPAK includes several emergency and first aid supplies and doubles as a water bottle? Check it out here.
Keep Emergency Cash and Back Up Cards
When you’re traveling it’s important to have back up cash and credit cards in case your belongings get lost or stolen. Remember the unexpected happens at the worst times, prepare yourself from as many situations as you can. Stay prepared and make sure you have the means to get your family home.
Have Travel Insurance
A great preparedness step you can take is to get yourself and your family travel insurance. Travel insurance will cover you in case you or a family member gets injured, your belongings get stolen, in many cases of emergencies, if you have to head home early, or if there are any unforeseen cancellations in your itinerary. If you can, try to get a high coverage limit on your policy that also covers emergency evacuations or care if you happen to be hiking in the woods.
Mosquito Protection and ZIKA Awareness
Mosquitos are everywhere in the Summer, but areas near water are their favorite place to hang out. If you’re traveling to an area you believe might have some sort of mosquito population, it’s important to wear bug spray repellent and to wear long pants and shirts in order to protect your skin from bites. Usually, you’ll just get an uncomfortable lump that can itch, but will go away in a few days. Right now however, there is an outbreak of Zika Virus that you have to be very careful about if you’re traveling anywhere in the Caribbean, Central and South America, and The Pacific Islands. There also have been cases in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami, Florida. It is often advised that pregnant women should NOT travel to those places - the most common effect of the Zika Virus is severe birth defects of unborn children. If you are traveling to these places use powerful bug spray, and again, wear long pants and shirts, sleep with the air conditioning on and make sure there are screens on every window. Zika is extremely dangerous and should be avoided as much as possible.
Have fun and stay safe for the remaining of the summer!
Top Survival Tips for Winter Storms!
It’s that time of the year again where storm after storm keeps hitting the U.S. with what seems to be endless snow on the East Coast and flooding from the drought on the West Coast. During #WinterStorm Juno, New York State Governor Cuomo even issued a state of emergency and ordered everyone to stay off of the streets and to stay indoors. I don’t think the snowboarders took him seriously but I think we should. Severe weather, closed roads and dangerous conditions are a serious risk and not only to those on the streets but also to the emergency workers who do an amazing job trying to help people during an emergency. My wife is a nurse and believe me, she rocks at helping people and it is a very hard job.
With winter storms still coming and lots and lots of more rain on the way, here are some great #Winter Survival Tips to keep you and your family safe.
- Charge Your Cell Phone. Before a winter storm knocks out your power, make sure your cell phone is fully charged. Power can go out and using text to keep people informed of how you are doing or if you need help is a great way to communicate and saves power.
- Stock Flashlights throughout the house. Check to make sure you have the right batteries for your devices. Try not to use candles in an emergency as they pose a serious fire risk if left unattended.
- Build an Emergency Kit for home. Emergency kits or grab and go survival kits should have a minimum of 72 hours of emergency food, water, first aid and warmth to keep you safe. This is a minimum. Don’t have a kit or don’t know where to start, visit us at First My Family.
- Be Careful with Gas Appliances. If you are trying to heat your home with an emergency generator or stove, make sure it is completely ventilated. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer.
- Communicate to your Family. If you are leaving your home during severe weather or even heading up to the snow for vacation, have a plan and let your family know where you are going and when you will arrive. That way if you don’t arrive as scheduled, they can call for help.
- If traveling by car, build or buy an emergency kit for each car. Each car should enough emergency food; water, first aid and ability to keep you warm for at least 72 hours (for each person). We actually plan for a lot longer and include additional items like: Winter clothing, flares, jumper cables, snow chains, flashlights, mylar space blankets, waterproof matches, can opener, canned food, spam, water filter, cable jumper, cell phone charger that is hand cranked, board games, toiletries and a reflective vest to hang in the window for help.
- If you are stuck in the snow, stay put and wait for help? Hypothermia can happen very quickly and exposure to the snow can kill. If you and your family are stuck in the snow the safest thing you can do is wait for help.
- Stuck in the Snow and Trying to Stay Warm? Don’t forget to drink plenty of fluids to help your body regulate the cold, clear your car’s exhaust regularly to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, turn your car on and off to conserve fuel. For additional safety tips, click here for additional tips from FMF and Ready.gov.
- Traveling home from work and stuck for hours and hours on the road. Before leaving work in a storm, bring extra food, water and first aid. During the storms a few weeks ago, people were stuck for 7-8 hours trying to get home. Don’t have these items at work; bring your own emergency kit. Backpacks are great options and should always include walking shoes.
- Keep your tank full? Fill up when your tank is less then half full, just in case you get stuck and if you do get stuck, turn your car on and off to conserve fuel and stay warm.
Helpful Resource Information
- http://www.ready.gov/winter-weather
- Al Rokers "How to Survive if You're Stranded in a Blizzard"
- Don't have an emergency kit, get one from us today. Click here.