5 Ultimate Tips – Emergency Preparedness for Traveling

5 Ultimate Tips for Emergency Preparedness for Traveling

Traveling is an adventure that can be unpredictable, and sometimes things don’t go as planned. To ensure that you have a stress-free trip, it’s important to be prepared for anything that might come your way. Here are 5 Ultimate Tips for emergency preparedness for traveling and how to be prepared for anything while traveling.

But first a case study!

Imagine you’re on a plane, excitedly anticipating your vacation destination. The captain announces that you’ll be landing in just a few minutes. But suddenly, the plane’s engines roar as the pilot abruptly pulls up, and you hear the sound of the landing gear retracting.

You’re confused and a little scared as you feel the plane ascending instead of descending towards the runway. Then, the captain explains that there has been an earthquake in the area, and the airport control tower has suspended all landings until further notice.

Finally after flying around the airport, the pilot receives the clearance to land and that all is well. Apparently, earthquakes are a regular occurrence in that region.

Great! You’ve picked an earthquake prone destination for your vacation.

How can you prepare?

1. Create an Emergency Preparedness Plan

Having a well-thought-out emergency preparedness plan is crucial for ensuring your safety during unforeseen circumstances. Consider different scenarios and how you would react to them. Make a list of essential emergency contacts, both at home and at your destination, and share your travel plans with friends or family members

TIP: Using a checklist when creating your emergency preparedness plan is one of the best and organized ways to make sure you cover all the important bases, so
you don’t miss any key details.

2. Research Your Destination

Before embarking on your trip, it’s important to research your destination thoroughly. This will help you prepare for any possible challenges you might face. Some things you can research include the weather, local customs, culture, and language. Knowing what to expect will help you pack the right clothing, plan your activities, and avoid any potential mishaps. Prior to your trip, get travel advice and advisories by destination from the Government of Canada here.

TIP: Sign up for government alerts: Many countries have official alert systems that provide warnings for emergencies, natural disasters, and severe weather. Research your destination’s system and register for notifications via text message or email and add it to your plan.

3. Pack a First Aid Kit

A basic first aid kit should include items such as band-aids, adhesive tape, gauze pads, and antiseptic. These items will help you treat cuts, scrapes, and other minor wounds. Additionally, it’s important to include pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, which can help alleviate headaches, muscle aches, and other common ailments. Additionally, it’s important to pack any prescription medications in your carry-on bag, along with a copy of your prescription, in case your luggage gets lost.

TIP: If an earthquake should occur you will have your own first aid kit to treat yourself, family or anyone needing help of any injuries, while others may not have access to one during or after the disaster.

4. The Emergency Preparedness for Traveling Kit

When it comes to emergency preparedness for traveling, having an emergency kit with essential items can make a significant difference in an unexpected situation. We know that when traveling you are limited to what you can pack in your luggage. But by planning ahead you can create a basic and compact version of what you might have available to you if you were at home.

Some important items to include in an emergency kit are non-perishable food items such as granola bars, trail mix, and powdered drink mixes, emergency water pouches as well as water treatment tablets or a small portable water filtration system. You can also purchase food items at your destination to keep in your room or with you in a bag.

TIP: Include an emergency lightstick that is lightweight for packing and doesn’t require batteries, a multi-purpose tool, and a whistle for a signaling device to help you navigate and communicate in an emergency.

5. Research Local Emergency Services

Preparing for a trip involves much more than just packing your bags and booking accommodations. It’s essential to take precautions and plan ahead for unexpected situations, especially emergencies. Before embarking on your journey, it’s wise to research the local emergency services available in the area where you’ll be staying. This includes identifying the nearest hospital, police station, and embassy. In case of an emergency, knowing where to go and who to contact can make all the difference in ensuring your safety and wellbeing

TIP: Make copies of your important travel documents such as your passport, visa, and itinerary. Keep a physical copy with you and also scan and email yourself a digital copy that you can access from anywhere with an internet connection. If traveling internationally, know where the local embassy for your home country is located, they can provide additional information in the event of an emergency.

Summary: Keep and Open Mind

It’s important to keep an open mind while traveling. Things might not always go as planned, but having a positive attitude and having an emergency preparedness for traveling plan can help you make the most of any situation.

BONUS TIP: Visit tourist information centers: Upon arrival, visit a local tourist information center to gather valuable resources and ask staff members about any current alerts or warnings. They can also provide recommendations on staying safe and informed during your stay.

Tsunami Preparedness Week April 9 – 15, 2023

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Tsunami Preparedness Week – Be Tsunami Smart

Tsunami Preparedness Week British Columbia Richmond BC Vancouver BC Vancouver Island

During Tsunami Preparedness Week in British Columbia, various activities are organized to educate people about the warning signs of a tsunami and the necessary steps to take in case of an emergency. These may include public information sessions, evacuation drills, and social media campaigns to spread awareness. It is important for everyone living in coastal areas to be prepared and informed about tsunamis, as they can strike without warning and have devastating effects on communities.

Understanding Tsunamis

What Are Tsunamis and how do they occur?

A tsunami is a series of ocean waves that are caused by large disturbances, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or meteor impacts, but the most common cause is an underwater earthquake. These waves can reach great heights and travel great distances, making them extremely dangerous to people living in coastal areas. The size and strength of a tsunami depend on several factors, including the magnitude of the earthquake and the depth and location of the underwater disturbance.

Tsunami Preparedness Week

Develop a Plan

Developing a tsunami preparedness plan is crucial to staying safe during a tsunami. The plan should include evacuation procedures, communication methods, and emergency supplies. All members of the household should be aware of the plan and understand what to do in the event of a tsunami.

Learn the Warning Signs

Learning the warning signs of a tsunami can save lives. Tsunami warning signs include strong earthquake activity, a sudden rise or fall in sea level, and a loud roar from the ocean. It’s essential to stay informed of any tsunami warnings and follow any instructions given by local authorities.

Emergency Supplies

It’s important to have a 72 Hour Emergency Kit with essential items such as food, water, portable power, communications, basic personal protection items, a First Aid Kit, and emergency contact information. The emergency kit should be easily accessible and ready to grab-n-go!

What to Do During a Tsunami

Evacuation Procedures

When a tsunami warning is issued, it’s essential to evacuate as quickly as possible. Follow any instructions given by local authorities and head to higher ground or inland immediately. Do not wait to see the tsunami or try to gather belongings.

Stay Safe Indoors

If evacuation is not possible, it’s essential to stay safe indoors. Move to higher floors or the roof of a sturdy building, and stay away from windows and doors. Do not use elevators and avoid rooms with heavy objects that could fall.

Stay Away from Shorelines and Low-Lying Areas

During a tsunami, it is essential to stay away from shorelines and low-lying areas. Tsunamis can cause dangerous and unpredictable currents, debris, and flooding, which can pose a significant risk to individuals. Even if you are a strong swimmer, it is best to avoid going near the water during a tsunami warning.

Stay Informed

It is important to stay informed about any tsunami warnings or alerts. Listen to local news and radio broadcasts, and follow any instructions given by local authorities. Keep your phone charged and within reach to receive any updates or emergency alerts.

Check for Injuries

After a tsunami, check yourself and others for injuries. If you are injured, seek medical attention immediately. If someone is injured, provide first aid if you are trained to do so, and call for emergency medical assistance.

Be Patient

Recovery after a tsunami can take time, so it is important to be patient. Listen to local authorities for updates on the situation and follow any instructions given. Do not return to your home or community until it is deemed safe to do so.

Developing a tsunami preparedness plan, learning warning signs, and evacuating to a safe location as quickly as possible are crucial steps to take to stay safe during a tsunami. After a tsunami, it is important to assess the damage, follow safety precautions, and be patient during the recovery process.

Community Support

You can play an active role in creating a safer and more resilient community. Remember, every action, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in saving lives during a tsunami. So, let’s come together and help spread the word about Tsunami Preparedness Week to ensure that our communities are prepared for any future tsunami disasters.

Check out the Tsunami Preparedness Week High Ground Hike 2023 community event.

Resources

Earthquake and Tsunami Guide from PreparedBC here.

Back to School – Emergency Preparedness

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Every year at this time of year we hear from schools, daycares and parents inquiring about what should be in a comfort kit. Ensuring your child has what they need in the event of an emergency does not need to be overwhelming, costly or time consuming. However, it is of the upmost importance that their comfort kit does not exist of granola bars and apple juice. After all, who wants to deal with a hyped up sugar kid in an emergency situation. Comfort kits can be used in any emergency situation. Power outage, evacuation, flood and even an earthquake. Currently, daycares and elementary schools request that parents provide kits but increasingly high school students should be prepared as well (my daughter high-school was on lock-down for 7 hours 2 years ago). High school students can leave their comfort kit in their locker or carry it in their backpack. Alternatively, PAC’s can encourage high-schools to store these kits in the homeroom classroom.

The SOS 72 hour Child Comfort Kit has everything your child needs in a Ziploc bag:

Emergency Food Rations
Emergency water packages
12hr emergency light stick
Solar blanket
poncho

New Years Resolutions

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Each year it seems we all rotate the same resolutions in order to achieve a longer life: eat healthier, exercise more or quit a bad habit. All of these changes are controllable throughout the whole year, but what about unexpected events that can threaten your life? Unfortunately many people don’t think about emergency preparedness until they hear about a disaster that has happened somewhere else.

What if the disaster hits closer to home? Are you and your family prepared? Do you have an emergency plan?

December 2016 the earthquake in BC had people reacting and our phone lines lit up. People jumped to action and purchased kits for their homes, car and workplaces responded by wanting to ensure that they had supplies on hand to support staff. But then the event passes. Everyone gets complacent and doesn’t think about what if.

Instead of recycling those usual and tired resolutions, this year make a resolution for you and your family to be safe. To help you out, we at SOS Emergency Response Technologies have come up with 3 quick and easy steps to achieve this goal, so you can sit back and boast to your friends that you accomplished your resolutions for the year.

Step one – Check the batteries in your smoke detector. If you don’t have a smoke detector time to install one.

Step two – Check your first aid kits. Take a look and see if any products are expired and need to be replaced. If you don’t have a first aid kit we have several options to get you organized starting from $14.95 for our General Purpose First Aid Kit FK1021. This is a great starter kit for the home, car or truck.

Step three – Check your emergency preparedness kit and update your emergency plan/contacts if needed. If you use bottles of water they have to be replaced yearly. Emergency Food Ration Bars and Emergency Sterile Water Packets last longer (5 years). Double check your contact lists to make sure it is up to date with current information and remind your family about the emergency plan you put in place.

If you don’t have an emergency plan there are many sources on the internet. These days we find ourselves working and running errands at all hours of the day so the chances of your family being split up when a disaster hits are larger. Make sure you set a meeting point.

If you don’t have an emergency preparedness kit SOS Emergency Response Technologies has a variety of options to choose from. A family of four can be prepared for 72 hours for as little as $145.00.

That’s all there is to it! Although, there are a few extra steps you could take to make sure those around you are safe as well.

Ask the human resources team if your workplace has an emergency plan as well as emergency kits. If you are on the safety committee make a point to bring it up at the next meeting and set up an emergency plan for your work place. SOS Emergency Response Technologies can also provide emergency preparedness kits and products for your workplace. Call our office 604.277.5855 to speak with a consultant about the best option for your workplace.

FUNDraising You Can Feel Good About – Earthquake Kits

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Earthquake. Natural Disaster. Hurricane. Our newspaper headlines have been talking non-stop about these events, while the kids were getting settled back into school. Now your PAC needs to do some fundraising. But your tired of selling the same old thing to your family, neighbors and friends. Does anyone really need more chocolates, flowers and wrapping paper? Okay, we all need more chocolate! Launch a fundraiser that provides your community an opportunity to get prepared while raising those important dollars at the same time. By selling 72 hour Emergency Preparedness Kits, you provide the tools necessary for families to survive ANY emergency and/or earthquake and your PAC can earn up 10% per kit sold for your PAC.

On October 19th at 10:19am, over 500,000 will join with ShakeOutBC and practice DROP, COVER & HOLD. Register your school and join in to practice being safe during an earthquake https://www.shakeoutbc.ca/

PROTECT your loved ones. RAISE money for your school.

Call 604.277.5855 to get started now

SOS-Fundraiser-Poster-2017

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