The North Coast CERT 26-week Disaster Preparedness Planner
Week 4: January 23 – 29, 2012
- This list is designed to be a starting point. Be sure to adjust each item to suit your own specific needs.
- For more information about this planner click here.
Things to buy this week:
- Crowbar
- Carbon monoxide detector and battery
- 1 extra month prescriptions or a written prescription marked “For Emergency Use”
Things to do this week:
- Install and test your carbon monoxide detector
An indispensable tool
If you do not have a good crowbar in your toolset, this week is a good time to buy one. These iron wonders can be immensely useful for prying your way through earthquake damage. But it can only be useful if it’s stored where you can get to it, so consider where the best place is to locate it.
A deadly and invisible gas
Carbon monoxide is one bad gas. Also known by its chemical signature CO, it has no smell nor can it be seen. Yet when humans and other living creatures are exposed we become sleepy and can quickly die from its toxic effects.
Carbon monoxide in the home most often comes from improperly vented devices burning propane and kerosene. It is a by-product of the burning process, and if it is not effectively vented out of a closed building, inhabitants can suffer the deadly effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Be sure to check your gas appliances at least twice a year to ensure that the integrity of their vent pipe joints is still maintained. Come to think of it, now that we’re on the subject, this week would be a good time to take a good look.
CO detectors are the law
In California, the law states that “all single-family dwellings with attached garage or a fossil fuel source to install carbon monoxide alarms” by July 1, 2011. That means that if you own your own home, you must have (at least) one installed to be in compliance with State law and your insurance policy.
If you rent, your landlord has another year. In the official words, “Owners of multi-family leased or rental dwellings, such as apartment buildings, have until January 1, 2013 to comply with the law.” But don’t let that stop you from purchasing a CO detector if your landlord doesn’t respond immediately. The life you save could be your own.
See the California State website Frequently Asked Questions regarding carbon monoxide detectors in the State of California for more information.
A prescription for preparedness
Do you take daily prescriptions to keep your body alive or at a minimal level of function? Ask your doctor if you can get a one-time month’s supply to rotate through so you always have at least a 30 day supply on hand. Explain to your pharmacist that you are establishing an emergency supply, and ask if they can help to work with your insurance company to help you with the co-payments. Even if you have to pay for a month out-of-pocket, having your medications in-hand in the emergency situation can bring great peace of mind.
The North Coast CERT 26-week Disaster Preparedness planner is your tool to ensure your household and workplace are prepared. By following this weekly planner, in 26 weeks you will have established a disaster preparedness plan and supply kit for your home and/or workplace.
When the 26-week planner is complete, preparedness continues by following the “maintenance” section. This will help you keep your plan and your disaster supplies up to date.
Never fear if you are joining us partway into the planner: you will have the opportunity to catch up on missed weeks when the Planner begins again in July. The Planner is about ongoing preparedness.
Join us at North Coast CERT in taking the 26-week Disaster Preparedness challenge. As a community and a region we can become prepared. The time we spend now can make all of the difference when the worst happens.
Be aware. Be prepared.