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When planning for an emergency the rule of thumb is to plan for the “worst case scenario.” Out here on the west coast we always hear all this earthquake talk…the big one is coming…expect the unexpected.
Much of the concern centers on school safety, preparing a household kit, there is less discussion on how your business if going to be affected. The rule of thumb is for households to be able to manage without help for 72 hours after an emergency. Whether it be flood, earthquake or any other natural disaster. However, businesses really need to be prepared to survive for a lot longer than that. Businesses require more resources than you would expect to remain operational. We have to assume airports will be closed, bridges will be inaccessible and infrastructure will be compromised.
According to the Toronto based Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, “A quarter of businesses that close because of natural disaster never reopen.” It also says businesses with fewer than 10 employees are “especially vulnerable.”
FACT: Vancouver is at risk for a major earthquake.
According to Barbara Yaffe, a reporter for the Vancouver Sun, “Companies in this city that prepare for a Big One will have a much better chance of reopening and surviving financially.”
We at SOS understand that employers might have a hard time investing time and money in disaster planning when they are concerned about meeting the next payroll – but making the decision to be prepared now will aid local business should a natural disaster occur. The loss of jobs, life and property is a reality if businesses do not take the time to invest and plan properly. With a 1/3 of our time spent at work many of us could find ourselves at work when an earthquake hits.
Does your office have a plan? supplies?
Blog
On October 17th, a locally-driven, world wide “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” drill will take place called The Great ShakeOut. All residents, agencies, businesses, and organizations across the world are encouraged to take part in the largest earthquake drill in history! Register here http://shakeoutbc.ca/
With this fantastic event only 2 weeks away, we thought it be a great time to share some earthquake safety steps with you:
Before the next big earthquake we recommend these steps that will make you, your family, or your workplace better prepared to survive and recover quickly:
- Secure your space – identify hazards, secure bookshelves and heavy furniture
- Plan to be safe – create a family emergency response plan, have a meeting place
- Organize emergency supplies – ensure you have enough emergency food and water for a minimum of 72hrs. It should be easy to carry in case you have to evacuate
- Minimize financial hardship – organize important documents; keep copies in an alternative location if possible
During the next big earthquake, and immediately after, is when your level of preparedness will make a difference in how you and others survive and can respond to emergencies:
- Drop, Cover & Hold – when the ground starts to shake
After the immediate threat of the earthquake has passed, your level of preparedness will determine your quality of life in the weeks and months that follow
- Ask for feedback on how the drill went.
- Schedule the next drill for one year later (or sooner).
- Share photos and stories at Share the ShakeOut.
- Encourage your staff to prepare at home
Blog
The official Canadian Red Cross First Aid app puts lifesaving advice in your hands. Available for Apple and Android mobile devices, the app helps you maintain your first aid skills and respond to everyday emergencies. By downloading the app on your smartphone or tablet, you get instant access to videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice to help you maintain your life-saving skills and respond when needed. Download the app to keep lifesaving help in your hands.
Simple, step-by-step instructions guide you through everyday first aid scenarios.
- Fully integrated with 911, so you can call EMS from the app at any time.
- Videos and animations to help you sharpen your first aid skills.
- Safety tips for everything from severe winter weather to hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes, to help you prepare for emergencies.
- Preloaded content means you have instant access to all safety information at any time, even without reception or an Internet connection.
- Interactive quizzes allow you to earn badges that you can share with your friends and show off your lifesaving knowledge.
Available at the App store
Blog
Some of my friends call me a pessimist….
I think I am a realistic, well-prepared person.
Should there ever be a major disaster, or a minor one for that matter, I know my family and I might be on our own for days – maybe even weeks. I want to BE PREPARED. But then again, I am the mom who always has the extra sunscreen, water, and snacks!
Most people say, ‘I’ll get my emergency kits tomorrow,’ and tomorrow never comes. But I think: What if it happens tonight? What if you put it off and you’re sitting with your family? You don’t want to sit there wishing you had listened to that inner voice do you?
You can put emergency preparedness kits in your home, car, office and more. But why run around trying to collect everything? Afterall, you are busy person.
For as little as $150 CAD a family of four can have a starter home kit:
- backpack (you need those hands free)
- 4 x 3600 calorie food bars (shelf life 5 years)
- 24 x sterile water packets (shelf life 5 years)
- 1 x pkg of 20 water purification tablets
- 1 x hand crank flashlight, radio & USB cell phone charger
- 4 x 12hr light sticks
- 4 x whistles
- 4 x ponchos
- 4 x rolls of toilet tissue
- 4 x dust masks
- 4 x solar blanket
- 1 x signal mirror
- 1 x pr safety glasses
- 1 x pr work gloves
- 1 x “Call Police” sign
Blog
Well, it was a long time coming and a lot of hard work but our new site www.sostech.ca is launched and looking great. You will notice easy to use features, slider bars, updated images and descriptions and the ability to purchase our Survival Kits on-line. We will slowly be adding more products for on-line shopping so keep a close watch.
Tell us what you think of our updated site.
A very special thank you to Rebbekah White of Advantage Marketing For You and NewGen Technologies for endless support and patience.
Blog
Every year I get stumped on what to buy my dad for father’s day. This is the man who took care of me as a little girl and the man that kept me safe. So, I thought why not give him the gift of safety back.
Here are some ideas:
- first aid kit
- earthquake kit
- roadside assistance kit
Can you add anymore to this list?
Roadside Assistance Kit
