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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.
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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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Back to School Safety and Planning for Emergencies
Now is a good time to review back-to-school safety with your children and check school safety policies. Here are four tips for a safe return to school:
- Review your family emergency plan and check emergency kit supplies
Sit down with your children to talk about different kinds of emergencies and review your family emergency plan. Talk about what to do and where you will meet if you are not together when an emergency takes place. Involve your children in preparing an emergency kit or checking your emergency supplies to make sure you have key items on hand and check expiry dates on batteries and food.
- Be aware of school emergency procedures Make sure you read information from the school about their plan for emergencies, emergency procedures and alternate locations should an emergency take place. Also be sure to check that the school has current emergency contact information for your children, including work, mobile and home telephone numbers.
- Watch for children walking, cycling and coming off school buses
Children are small and easily distracted, and for drivers, this can create dangerous situations on the roads. Be vigilant and alert behind the wheel, especially in school zones. You never know when a small child might step out from between parked cars or off a sidewalk. And parents, take time to remind your children about crossing the street safely, wearing a helmet while cycling, and staying safe on buses.
- Obey crossing guards A crossing guard is there to keep children safe. If you come up to a set of lights while driving, and the light turns green, but the crossing guard still says stop, follow his/her direction and not the traffic light. There might be a child still crossing the street that you can’t see.
Back to School FUNDraising
Tired of the same old fundraisers? In British Columbia, all levels of government recommend that EVERY family should be self sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours in case of ANY emergency. Have your PAC committee sell 72 hour emergency preparedness kits and get YOUR community PREPARED and earn up to $14 for EVERY kit purchased. Call today 604.277.5855 x. 221
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72hr kit for car
When we think of emergency preparedness it is human nature to think on a grand scale – of an earthquake, major flood and/or fire. Although it may be unlikely to be faced with one of these major disasters, there is no doubt that you will be faced with personal emergencies in your lifetime. Major traffic jam due to accident, rain, snow or wind;, power outage, bridge closure or snow storm. Carrying an emergency and/or emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle in case of earthquake will help you in ANY emergency. If you do not want to make something on your own – go to www.sostech.ca and purchase SQ6009 or SQ6010 (images shown) – these are perfect sized kits for the car.
We have created a list of items that you should consider in your kit – we have also rated the importance of each item.
M – MUST have – must have in order to survive
R – RECOMMEND – not required for survival but useful in an emergency
N – NICE to have – not necessary for survival but will make the experience more tolerable
M Water; 2 litres per person per day
M Food Bars; while granola bars and energy bars can be used they are thirst provoking. Try our Coast Guard approved 3600 calorie meal replacement bars
M Running shoes or walking shoes; always keep an extra pair in the car. You may have to walk home or long distances
M Hat; to serve as sun block or cover in the rain
M Gloves; for warmth or to move debris out of the way
R Blanket;
R Emergency (foil) Blanket; small and compact this can be used for shelter and warmth
N Change of clothes;
M First Aid Kit;
M City Map; If you are on foot or a disaster has changed the landscape a good map will help you find your way around
M Paper & Pen;
M Flashlight;
M Toilet paper or kleenex
M Whistle; to alert for help if required
R Duct Tape
R Swiss Army Knife
R Variety of hand tools; think about carrying screw driver, folding shovel & hammer
R Money; $20 in change can come in handy
N AM/FM radio; to keep informed
N Rope; useful for securing shelter
N Garbage Bags; provides protection from rain and can be used for emergency shelter
72hr EP Kit for car
