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We are very pleased to announce that Lieutenant General Russel Honore has become an adviser to the board of 1-800-PREPARE.com. We share the mission of changing the culture of preparedness in this country and are excited about working with the General.

Read our full press release here.

A Belgian company just released a new APP for use with iphone’s and IPAD’s that is free and could be very helpful for those who live in earthquake prone areas.

The APP can be downloaded from Apple’s App store, provides those living in earthquake prone areas with the latest earthquake information and news as well as a quick way to cry for help if caught in a devastating tremor.

The app also provides the latest earthquake news and information. The News part of the application provides the latest earthquake news directly to your device while the Quake section provides real earthquake data and maps.

For more information you can visit their website as well at quakesos.com

At 1-800-PREPARE.com we are always on the lookout for the latest preparedness products and services to help you better prepare.

Have you thought about how you’ll be able to complete important tasks during power blackouts? You’ll need to eat, drink, stay warm, sleep and even entertain yourself. It’s easy to take these simple things for granted when you have electricity, but you need to be prepared to do them without power. Here’s how to prepare for blackouts:

Decide on Where to Meet

If everyone is at home during a blackout then you won’t need to worry about getting your family together in one location. However, if family members are scattered at different locations, you’ll need to agree ahead of time where to meet. Your home may be the ultimate destination, but you might need to meet somewhere else first before you travel there. Come up with a plan to meet in a safe location, such as a close friend’s house or your workplace. Then come up with plan B and plan C, in case it’s impossible to get to certain places during a blackout.

Plan Who to Call

You may not be able to make local calls during a blackout. Choose a relative or friend who lives out-of-state for everyone to call. This is a way for everyone to “check in” and notify each other of where they’re located, if they can’t get to the designated meeting place. You should ask your contact ahead of time if they would be willing to be a point of contact during emergencies. It’s important to choose someone who is reliable and easy to reach.

Store Wool Blankets

If your only heating source is an electrical heating system, you won’t be able to warm yourself if a blackout occurs during the winter. One way to guard against losing body heat is to store wool blankets, which retain more body heat than other blankets available. Cotton blankets don’t store heat well, and won’t dry in cold weather if they get wet. If you can’t afford to buy (or can’t find) a 100% wool blanket, at least buy a wool blend.

Get an AM/FM Receiver

You don’t want to miss any announcements and news about the blackouts. How will you know what’s going on if you can’t turn on the television or radio? You can get updates with a hand-cranked AM/FM receiver. You don’t need batteries or electricity to operate these. Just crank one up, and you’ll be able to hear weather reports and other communications about any blackouts.

Buy an Emergency Backup Generator

You won’t have to worry about blackouts as much if you have a generator. However, it may not be a viable (or legal) option for you if you live in an apartment or an urban area.

If you can use an emergency backup generator, it’s a good idea to buy one for blackouts. These require gas, diesel, propane or solar power to operate, and provide you with electricity when your power company can’t. You can buy a temporary, portable generator or get a licensed electrician to install a regular one directly into your home’s electrical system.

How you prepare for blackouts is dependent on your location and unique family circumstances. However, everyone can benefit and be better prepared by following the above steps.

In addition to the above…a basic preparedness kit will give you most of the items you need to wait out the blackout. Having the right kit will keep you calm and allow you to address to situation knowing you have some options such as sheltering in place or evacuating the area.

New York, NY – May 11, 2010 – 1-800-PREPARE.com ™, the leader in preparedness information, products and services,  announced today that Paul Purcell and Thomas Buda have joined the company as advisors to the Board of Directors.

Paul Purcell is a widely-recognized expert in corporate preparedness and the author of Disaster Prep 101, considered by many to be the encyclopedia of preparedness.  He is a frequent keynote speaker to large and distinguished corporate audiences and outlines detailed preparedness plans and strategies for corporate America.

“I’m extremely excited to be associated with the leading brand in the preparedness space,” said Purcell.  “1-800-PREPARE.com is aggressively changing the definition of preparedness and I couldn’t be happier to partner with them to carry out their mission of bringing preparedness to the masses.”

Paul Purcell has a deep history in preparedness and his early cases included an informal security analysis of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.  In 1998, he, along with partners Frances Carter and Ben Willis, opened InfoQuest Investigators, Inc., and has been performing security analysis for corporate and industrial locations ever since.

Thomas J. Buda is currently with the U.S. State Department. In October of 2007 he was appointed as the Law Enforcement Liaison Officer at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. In August 2006 while on active military duty he was asked to manage the DOD distinguished visitors program at the U.S. Mission and coordinate DOD contacts with the UN.

“The United States Government has repeatedly made efforts to bring the concept of preparedness to the people of this country,” said Buda. “1-800-PREPARE.com is in a position to succeed where previous efforts have failed.  There are partnership opportunities with various government agencies and the private sector that will solidify 1-800-PREPARE.com as the premier name in all things preparedness.”

“Paul Purcell and Thomas Buda are two of  the most respected individuals in the preparedness space and will have an immediate impact on the government and corporate side of our business,” said Tony Fiorino, CEO of 1-800-PREPARE.com.  “To have people with such strong credentials on our team is a true testament to our value proposition and our unwavering commitment to making sure the people of America are prepared for whatever life throws at them.”

About 1-800-PREPARE.com: 1-800-PREPARE.com was founded by two emergency responders, Paul Faust and Gregg Hamerschlag and offers a full suite of disaster-preparedness supplies, products and resources to help people prepare for life’s everyday challenges as well as emergency situations. Visit www.1800prepare.com for more information.

The biggest threat from a tornado is its incredible winds. Here is an acronym to help you remember same basic things you can do to prepare and protect yourself.

W.I.N.D.S.

Warnings – Pay attention to watches and warnings, and be sure to warn others.    Get people and pets inside.

Interior – Prep the interior of your home by closing windows, and exterior and interior doors.

Now – Don’t waste time. Get to safety now. Don’t watch the storm, and don’t try to videotape the tornado.

Duck – Get in your safe room and get down. Even in the safe room duck under heavy items and cover yourself.

Signal – Signal for help if you are in any way injured or if your area sustained damages.

This great tip was taken from 1-800-prepare.com adviser Paul Purcell’s book, Disaster Prep 101. For more great information you can purchase a copy of this book at our store at www.1800prepare.com

And as always…remember….get a preparedness kit, make a plan, be informed

An emergency preparedness plan for your employees is essential to ensure the safety and survival of everyone in the wake of a disaster, and to minimize damages to your business. Talking with your employees about preparing for emergencies should be included in any orientation and ongoing training. There are also other opportunities to discuss the issue, and keep it fresh in their minds. With a plan in place, you’ll be able to continue operations if possible.

Revise and Review Employee Handbook

The easiest way to talk about emergency preparedness with employees is to include a plan in an employee handbook. If you’re a small business owner with no handbook, write a short document detailing your plan, which should include (if applicable):

• Procedures for employees to contact family members (if phone lines are limited)
• Checklist for closing the office
• Point of contact for employees to inform employers of their well being if at home or elsewhere
• Phone tree lists
• Wellness Check Form, asking questions such as: 1) Are you and your family safe, 2) Do you have power on, 3) What are your food, water and medical needs?

You can require employees to fill out a short form to verify that they’ve reviewed this section, and provide them an opportunity to ask questions or make suggestions.

Solicit Input on Preparedness Supply Purchases

Use a meeting to discuss emergency preparedness, and to solicit input from employees.  Introduce and couch the topic as something that makes sense in little areas, not just in major catastrophes. Use a whiteboard, computer and projector screen or large newsprint pad to record a list of suggestions made by your employees for preparedness related purchases. Ask questions as items are named, such as “Why would we need that?”, “Which Preparedness Kit would be best for our company” or “How could we use that in the case of a flood?”

Disaster Preparedness Plan and Training

Hold training for employees on emergency preparedness, during work time, so that they’re paid for attending. That will help to set the tone for the importance of preparedness, because you would have made an investment in your time and their wages to talk and learn more about the topic.  Purchase a DVD on the subject to show to employees and follow up with a discussion. Another alternative is to hire an expert to conduct a training session for a couple of hours or a half day session to address emergency preparedness in the workplace. Encourage employees to actively participate in the workshop and to ask questions. Provide an incentive if possible for completing related worksheets. If time permits, include training on disaster preparedness at home. You’ll keep the employees even more interested in the topic, and they’re more likely to remember and apply the information.

The more prepared your employees are, the better it will go in a crisis for their families and for your business. Make the purchases and hire the experts necessary to help in your discussions with employees about emergency preparedness.

At 1-800-PREPARE.com we care very much about supporting organizations and charities that respond to and help after a disaster or emergency. Another group of people near and dear to our hearts are the men and women in uniform who serve our country.

While there is no way to truly thank them all for their bravery, sacrifice and service we want to try and do our part.

We are very pleased to team up with SurvivalStrap to help support their Soldier Care Package Program by providing Survival Bracelets to our troops.

Survival Bracelets are made with up to 16′ of 550# military spec paracord. They contain approximately 1.75′ of paracord for every inch (wrist size) ordered. In an emergency situation, you can unravel the bracelet and deploy the paracord for use.

If you visit our site at 1-800-PREPARE.com and purchase a Survival Bracelet we will also send one to a soldier.

Spring is right around the corner, and one of the things that means is “tornado season!”

We’re going to cover the six main areas of tornado preparedness that will help you before, during, and after a tornado or heavy storm strikes.  Appropriately, we’ll use the acronym S.T.O.R.M.S.:

Shelter – Strengthen your home and know where to find expedient shelter.

Time – Increase your chances of getting the early warning.

Others – Safety and protection involves the whole family and communicating with others.

Resources – You’ll need everything from immediate supply to good insurance.

Medical – Help yourself now to save the injured later.

Sweeping Up – Tips and tricks for dealing with the aftermath.

Shelter

Severe storms with driving rain, possible hail, and projectiles hurled by strong winds offer extreme dangers from which we need to protect ourselves.  The best protection would be a steel-reinforced concrete safe room located in your basement.  Lacking that, let’s look at a few options:

1. Reinforce your house.  Ask your local home-supply store about angle brackets, strapping, and techniques to install them to make your roof, walls, doors, and connection to the foundation stronger.  Do an internet search for “hurricane retrofit” (including quotes) to find additional instruction.  One such source is http://www.ibhs.org/publications/downloads/128.pdf.
2. Create a safe room or area within your home.  The general rule is to pick an area near the center of your house and below ground if possible.  Consider these points:

• Turn your walk-in closet into a safe area.  Remove the sheetrock from walls and ceiling, add extra wall studs held in place with screws, strapping, and angle brackets, and then replace the sheetrock with one or two layers of ¾” marine plywood held in place with structural adhesive and screws.
• For some online sources of “safe-room construction” do an internet search or see:
  • National Hurricane Center http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/pdf/building_safe_room.pdf.
• If you live in a mobile home, your best bet for safety would be a storm cellar.  One simple and relatively inexpensive source is to have a septic tank company install a clean new unit in your yard.

1. Learn the “safe points.”  When a tornado strikes you might be at home, but it’s more likely you’ll be at work, out running errands, or on a trip.  Learn to recognize the locations that will provide protection.    Does the building have a basement?  Are you on the road?  How far are you from a known safe building, or from a deep ditch?

Time

In emergencies, our most important asset is time.  The two best ways to gain extra time in weather emergencies are to prepare now, and to get as early a warning as possible that severe weather is heading your way.

1. Buy an NOAA Weather Alert Radio.
2. Sign up for an alternate alert service such as the Weather Channel’s at www.weather.com/notify, or the Emergency Email & Wireless Network at http://www.emergencye.com.
3. Network with others and make a “phone tree.”  Sometimes friends and coworkers are our best early warning system.

Others

“Others” is a reminder to communicate.  Talk to your family now and be ready to talk to emergency responders after an incident.  Consider:

1. Tornado drills.  Emergency reactions are worth practicing.  Have your family practice getting into the safe room and into a safe position (“duck and cover”) within 30 seconds or less.
2. Protect your pets.  On warning of severe weather, round up your pets, put them on leads or in carriers, and take them to your safe area.
3. Communication may be vitally important if your home is damaged or someone sustains injury during a tornado.  For example, though everyone might be uninjured, you may be trapped in your damaged home and need someone to dig you out.  In addition to your house phone and cell phone, have backup options like a hand-held two-way radio, and something that can make a loud noise such as an air-horn or whistle.

Resources

In a disaster, you’ll need goods, gear, or services to help you deal with the event and then recover afterward.  Make sure you have adequately covered each of the following areas:

1. Make sure your insurance policy covers all types of natural disaster including water damage from rain or flood since many policies have strict exclusions.  Also, make sure your policy will provide for the costs of temporary lodging and the full replacement value for your property and possessions.
2. Document all your possessions by taking photos and videos, list everything you own, and keep important receipts in your safe deposit box.
3. Make a list of services you might need after a tornado, such as cleanup and repair services or temporary lodging.  Keep their contact info in your emergency kit.

Medical

Hopefully the advice above has kept you safe in the event of a tornado.  Cover the following, just in case:

1. First aid training is important for every family regardless of the threat, so learn the basics of general first aid and CPR.
2. First aid kits are a must and families should have several and not just one.  The main kit should be kept in the home, but smaller kits should be kept in each automobile and at your workplace.
3. Copies of medical information should be kept at home.  Keep a list of ailments, conditions, special medical needs, and current medications of each family member (including pets).

Sweeping Up

All destructive events have at least one thing in common; they’re going to create quite a mess.  Here are a few tips:

1. Though you think the power is completely out, stay away from downed power lines.
2. Stay alert to the hissing sound of a broken gas line or the smell of gas.
3. Dress for the weather, but still dress to protect.  Wear sturdy shoes or boots, a hat and sunscreen, insect repellant, and heavy work gloves.
4. Physical labor after a stressful event can be quite taxing.  Drink plenty of fluids, eat regularly, and take periodic breaks.
5. Here is where you’d need your list of professional cleanup services.  Call as soon as possible.
6. It’s possible your possessions might be strewn about the neighborhood.  It’ll be easier to have things returned if your name is written or engraved on them.  Hint:  Never use your Social Security Number or other sensitive info.

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About the author:  Paul Purcell is a security analyst and preparedness consultant with over 20 years risk management experience.  He is also the author of “Disaster Prep 101,” and a partner / adviser to 1-800-Prepare.

(Copyright 2010, Paul Purcell.  Permission granted to share this article provided all portions remain intact.)