If you missed the show last night check it out. We talked shelter: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2012/02/01/ready-or-not-with-carolyn-nicolaysen

There will be lots more shelter info in the February Newsletter so watch for that and if you want more consider subscribing. Let's talk tents.

I'll leave the buying guide and care for the newsletter but just lets talk about what we can use a tent for. Does that sound strange to you? Just like we have had discussions about dental floss and coffee filters and all their uses, sleeping is not the only use for a tent.

A shady place to supervise clean up after a disaster. After a disaster there will be hours and hours of cleaning up. Tents and dining canopies can be used as a shady place from which to coordinate those who are helping.

A fort, castle or playhouse for kids. A small tent is a great way to entertain children after a disaster without them taking up room in your living tent with their toys. Having another area to play outside of the tent in which you are living 24/7 also helps to cut down on the sense of confinement and boredom.

A small tent is a great place for infants and toddlers to take a nap while you are working. Children will be safe from insects, animals, the sun and the heat or cold.

Pet shelter. Often after a disaster the fence will be down, landmarks changes and debris everywhere. All of these are dangerous to pets. A small tent will provide shelter and protection as well as confinement for pets.

Changing room. Often after a disaster the family will all be sharing a tent for living and sleeping. With children and adults of both sexes a small tent is a great place for a little privacy while changing clothes.

Protection from UVA and UVB rays. Many times older family and friends refuse to leave their homes while clean up is taking place. A tent or sun shade will protect them from sunburn and the other dangers from sun and heat. Remember on a sunny winter day snow blindness and hypothermia are possible while watching others work. In winter weather a small tent will make it possible to watch the work taking place as well as providing warmth and protection from sun related damage.

Protection for salvaged items. A small tent or sun shade is a perfect place to dry out water soaked items, especially photos and important papers. This is also a way to preserve salvaged items. Placing items to be saved makes it easy for those helping to know what is important and what can be taken to the trash.

A tent is a great place for an emergency kitchen. When you are living in a tent it is a good idea to have a separate area for cooing. Crumbs, cooking smells and food all attract insects and critters. Keeping your cooking and eating separate form your living area is a good idea. During warm weather a dining shade may be used for this same purpose. It is always best to have an area that can be closed off using mesh screen on a dining shade or to use an enclosed tent that can be closed off.

Storage rooms. Creating a compound of small tents around you large living tent is a great way to mimic the comforts of a home. One tent may be eds as a clothes closet, another to store toys and games, another extra bedding, still another food and another cleaning supplies.

Bathroom. If it is cold or if you live in a neighborhood where many will be camping out on their lawns designating a tent as a bathroom is a great idea. Place your pot-a-potty, some TP, hand wipes and water, soap and a basin inside the tent. This is also a great place to designate as the diaper changing room. Now you have privacy and shelter when nature calls.

Next time tents and dining shades go on sale or you spot one at a garage sale think about your tent city during an emergency and buy a few for use for other than sleeping. 

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Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts-preparedness/ready-or-not/

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Tornadoes in January are not unheard of but they are very rare. Tornado season doesn't normally begin until May. Heavy snow storms in Seattle and other parts of Washington are also rare but this  year they happened and people were not ready. the cities and counties were not ready either. We must take our family's safety and security into our own hands. Please don't think this can't happen to yo. Try telling that to those in Washington and Alabama today, and what about those in Utah who were without power for more than a week last month? They didn't live in the mountains and there was no snow, just wind and more wind.

Tomorrow on Ready Or Not we will continue the discussion for preparing your home for winter emergencies.

Please join us and share you experiences. 

Check each room for water leaks: You may not even notice the small things that are in need of repair in your home. We become so accustomed to living in our homes that we sometimes ignore small things that can make a big difference. Repair any leaky pipes or roof leaks. Even a small leak can create a huge mold problem.

Check each room for wiring problems: Repair frayed wires on lamps and appliances. If you don’t know how to do this check with a handyman or lighting fixture store. Fixes can be made for a nominal cost.

Secure unstable furniture in every room: Many large pieces of furniture such as bookcases and hutches are top-heavy. They could easily kill someone if they fall during a storm or earthquake. Hold the furniture and carefully rock it back and forth. If it moves at all it should be secured to the wall by adding straps, bolts, or braces. In earthquake country all large furniture should be secured to walls.

Look around: Remove or bolt down heavy items from over sofas and beds as they could seriously injure someone if the item were to fall.

Heads up: Are your ceiling fixtures bolted or secured to a wall stud?

Check shelves and ledges: In Mark Twain's “Letters from Hawaii” he wrote about the humorous art of dining on a ship as it tosses in the waves. Your home in an earthquake will be very much like that. Consequently, items displayed or stored on open shelves or ledges should be secured. You may need to add a molding or wood strip to the front of a shelving unit to act as a restraint for shifting items. Items on plant ledges should be very lightweight, or they should be secured making it impossible for them to fall.

Secure propane tanks: If you have small propane tanks stored for emergency cooking on a camp stove or barbecue, make sure they are properly stored. Always store tanks upright in a well ventilated cupboard with a door that closes securely to prevent the tank from falling during a storm or earthquake. The door should be ventilated – chicken wire works well. Tanks should be stored in areas that will not exceed 125º F. This may seem like an extreme temperature but it is possible for garages, sheds and car trunks to reach those temperatures in many areas of the world. Never store tanks inside your home. Always check tanks to make sure the valves are off before storing and never store an extra tank under a barbecue grill. Using soapy water you can check the tank and valve for leaks. The soapy water will bubble if there is a leak.

Check your mobile home tie downs: If you live in a mobile home or have one on your property check the tie-downs often. Even if no one is living in it, a mobile home can become life threatening as it may be torn apart by a storm and generate debris if it is not in good repair.

Check appliances: Install flexible pipe fittings and hoses, as they are less likely to break.

Stock up: Store extra water, food, toiletries, medicines, pet foods, and cleaning supplies now in case you are unable to travel to the store after a storm. In some cases there may not be a store left to travel to.

Take cover: Plan now how you will board up windows and doors if you have warning a hurricane or powerful windstorm is approaching. Store sheets of plywood that are pre-drilled to make installation faster. Store extra duct tape to help prevent glass from breaking and becoming flying debris. Store nails and screws to secure window coverings. At the very least, prepare to cover windows with blankets and sheets to help stop airborne glass from entering your home.

“Home is a shelter from storms – all sorts of storms.” ~William J. Bennett

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Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts-preparedness/ready-or-not/

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Just a quick note before we begin securing our home against disaster. Have you been aware of what is happening with gas prices? The price of gas is now at the highest point ever, this time of  the year. Experts, who were correct the past few years, now expect the price of gas to go up to $5.00 per gallon by summer. Now is the time to be looking at what we are doing  to get ready for another big hit to the budget. Food is going up. Do you have  your food storage so by summer you are eating out of your General Store and garden and only shopping when items are on sale? Have you seriously cut everything you can out of your budget now and putting aside what you are saving? Make sacrifices now and place that money into an account so your Christmas next year can be a cash one. Have you taken a good look at the possibility of a Stay at Home vacation? 

Two years ago I highlighted those who had stared at home businesses to help you with ideas for things you might be able to do to make a little extra income. I would love to do the same again this year. If any of you or your friends have started businesses at home and would like to share what you have done, to help motivate others, please let me know. Send me a note at: Carolyn@TotallyReady.com. 

By becoming more aware of conditions around us, we acquire a giant advantage by simply acting on common sense observations. When we look at our home and neighborhood, do we really “see” what an outsider might see in their first impression? Do we live in a high fire risk area? Have there been floods, earthquakes, or hurricanes where we live? Is the land around our house stable, or subject to landslides? Have there been natural or man-made disasters in our town? What is the history of our home area? What would the old-timers tell us about past emergencies in our town?

To protect the safety of our homes and families, there are a few things we can do now to prepare our house and property for trouble tomorrow:

Clear the area: Consult a landscape expert or research on the web to determine how fire resistant the plantings are near your home. If they are highly flammable, remove them and add more “fire friendly” planting. Clean brush, dead trees and foliage from around your home for at least thirty feet. Make sure wood piles are not stacked next to your home.

Clean the garage: Discard any old chemicals, oily rags, stacks of newspaper or any other flammable items stored in the garage that are not being used. Clearing room in the garage now will ensure you will be able to move outdoor items such as picnic tables and toys inside your garage quickly as a storm or flood approaches. Any items left  outside can act as missiles during a major storm, smashing through windows and walls.

Fire Extinguishers: Purchase a few good fire extinguishers if you don’t already have them. If you have them check them – make sure they are still charged. Make sure every member of the family knows how to use one.

Fire/smoke/carbon monoxide detectors: If you don’t have them, now is the time to get them. We are all candidates for a house fire. If you have detectors, check them every six months to make sure they are working properly.

Escape: Make sure there are two escape routes from each room in your home. If you have a second story, invest in at least one fire escape ladder. A ladder for each second floor bedroom is an even better idea.

Brace water heaters: Check the building codes in your area and strap water heaters accordingly. There may not have been a code in place when your home was built, and following the current code is a smart thing to do.

Elevate: Build a raised platform for your furnace and water heater, and raise your electrical panel if they are in areas that may be flooded.

Valve wrench: Place a gas shut off valve wrench on a hook next to the valve and teach your family how to use it. In an emergency, you may not have time to search for a wrench. If you are not at home, your family or neighbor may not know where to search for a wrench.

Anchor foundations: If you live in an older home or are unsure if your foundation is well anchored you should have your home inspected and correct any problem that may exist.

Strengthen walls: Do you remember the scene in the movie Mr. Blanding Builds his Dream House when Mr. Blanding (Cary Grant) is asked if he wants lintels between the lally columns? He has no idea what they are talking about, but seeing dollar signs he answers “no”. Immediately the builder yells to take out the lintels and 2x4s start falling from above. Make sure your home structure is properly built and reinforced to withstand the pressures of a storm or earthquake. When you build, use an architect or engineer, and avoid shortcuts.

Strengthen foundation: Check your foundation. Is it cracking? Is your home still level in all directions? Do some of your floors sag, just a little? It is time to have your foundation inspected. Some fixes are expensive, but will save you money in the long run since neglected repairs can lead to more costly consequences.

Chimney Inspection: How often do we have our chimneys cleaned and inspected? This one task can greatly reduce the risk of a home fire (ask your neighbor the fireman about chimney fires). It can also help save your home in an earthquake, wind storm or hurricane. Additionally, if you should ever have to heat your home using your fireplace, you will be grateful it is working properly. What an awful time to discover there is a problem.

Now, it's time to make a list of any of these items that need to be addressed in your home. Remember we are making a list of the things we can't afford, or don't have the time to do now. 

Now, one more thing, If you haven't already done so, now is the time to make a preparedness binder. How do you do this? I guess that is really up to you. There are many articles and tips that we have published that apply to several categories. As an example, an article on preparing for a winter power outage could be filed under, power outage, or winter storms. A flooding article could be filed under floods or hurricanes, since those normally produce floods.  Create sections for your binder that are specific to the area in which you live. Don't forget a food storage section and a recipe section too! Now, copy posts and your copy of the Totally Ready Newsletter and divide them into the categories you have created. If you have the first year of newsletter those alone will be 140 pages in your binder. There is so much information on the blog and in the newsletters. Get them organized now. During a disaster the power will almost surely be out and you will not be able to look up helpful tips! Do it today.

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Listen to Carolyn's radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts-preparedness/ready-or-not/

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1. All great kits begin with a great back pack. Sales on backpacks are going on everywhere right now. It's a great time to buy but be sure you check out the stash in your closet first. Old packs which the kids are sick of will work just fine for children. Make sure your pack is large enough for everything on our list. You do not want to be forced to carry a second pack as the goal is to keep your hands free to care for children or pets, and to clear debris. Your pack should have padded shoulder straps for comfort and should be supported from the waist when it is carried, for optimum support. A pack with several compartments will allow you to separate items and organize your kit enabling you to find things quickly. Purchase a backpack that is a bright color which can easily be found in a cluttered closet or cupboard, for grab-and-go conditions. Packs should have a few outside pockets for easy access to items which are needed quickly when evacuating, such as keys, a flashlight or a whistle. Rolling backpacks are another option but be very careful when purchasing one. The metal bar on the back will often dig into your back when the pack is full making it very difficult to carry. If a flood or earthquake is a possibility in your area don't get a rolling pack. You will end up with it on your back and a good backpack is much more comfortable.

2. If you have a family member who is elderly or disabled and unable to carry a pack purchase a fishing vest with lots of pockets. You can balance the weight and create a pack with the most essential items, which will be comfortable and enable them to have control over items they will need. Be sure you include food, water, prescriptions, prescription glasses, ID card and emergency info, a whistle, mylar blanket and hygiene items in the vest.

3. All kits need a light source so collect all the flashlights from around the house and place them into your packs. Remember to store batteries in a plastic bag with the flashlights, but not in them. 

4. Hygiene needs are important as even in a shelter they expect you to bring your own. Gather hand towels and place one in each kit. These will work to dry off after a shower or washing your face. Do you collect little soaps from hotel rooms? Place one or two in each kit. Check your cupboards and drawers for tooth brushes, tooth paste, combs, small shampoo bottles and other hygiene items. Make a list of any you still need to purchase. 

Now, make a list of anything you do not accomplish today and keep working on it and adding to it as we add new items each day this week.

If you missed last night's broadcast of READY OR NOT please take some time to listen to my interview with Donald Green from http://www.ifithitsthefan.com/ Donald lives in Virginia and share his experiences with hurricane Irene. 

Listen to Carolyn's radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts-preparedness/ready-or-not/

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Should hurricane Irene make landfall in Georgia as a CAT 3 it will be the first time in over a century. Whether or not landfall is in Georgia or further north the entire eastern seaboard is at risk and everyone should be taking this seriously. To help there are some questions to ask yourself and to act upon now.

1. Do I have enough water for my family and my pets, to last for a week or more? After a hurricane the  water is often unsafe to consume for days or weeks. How much do I need? At least 2 gallons per person, per day. For pets consider how much your pets consume now and go from there.

2. Do I have enough food  for my family and pets to last two weeks? Food supplies are often affected as supply routes are interrupted. Is this food the type that can be eaten without cooking or with minimal preparation? Do I have enough non food items such as toothpaste and TP on hand for at least a week?

3.  Is my freezer full? The food in your freezer will remain frozen far longer if your freezer is full, giving you more time to prepare and eat the contents. To fill your freezer fill plastic containers, milk cartons etc. almost full, but never full, of water. Place these in your freezer now to freeze. Fill as many nooks and crannies as possible with these water filled containers. During a power outage this water will also be safe to drink as it melts. 

4. How will I provide lighting if the power goes out? I had someone in our yahoo group comment today that he had followed my advice to hang glow sticks on all the door knobs around his home. Last night the power went out and he was able to go to the door and use the glow stick to help him get safely around the house. Also ask yourself,do I have a light source next to my bed should the power  go out during the night? 

5. How will I cook without power? Do I have the fuel I will need? Do I have sufficient matches or lighters? Do I have sufficient paper plates, bowls, etc. since I may not have water to wash dishes?

6. Is my laundry caught up? If the power is out and there is no water available how will I wash and dry our clothing? 

7. Do I have cash on hand? If the power goes out either where you are living or where you evacuate to there will be no ATM and credit cards won't work. Remember cash should  be small bills, smaller than 20s just in case you want to purchase something and the person selling can't make change.

8. Do I have maps marked with more than one route marked in case I need to evacuate? A GPS won't help if you need to find back roads that aren't congested with others evacuating. If you've never evacuated it's awful! Leave early.

9. Have I notified my out of area contact? Remind them you may be heading their way so they can prepare.

10. Have I reviewed evacuation procedures? See your preparedness binders or the September 2009 Totally Ready newsletter.

11. Is my gas tank full? 

12. Do I know where to get the latest information for my area? Radio stations? TV? State Emergency Management websites?

13. Do I have any landscaping which should be pruned?  Tree branches which tap your windows now will break them when the storm hits. Dead branches will becoming flying objects. 

14. Are those batteries I have stored still good? Test them now to avoid disappointment

15. Have I created a safe haven in my home? See your preparedness binder or the February 2011 Totally Ready Newsletter.

16. .Have I cleaned my yard? All those garden tools, furniture and toys should be put in the garage or house now, before they become deadly flying objects.

17. Have I battened down the hatches? See your preparedness binder or the September 2009 Totally Ready Newsletter.

18. How will I entertain my family as the storm passes and afterward? A hurricane sounds awful as it passes overhead. You will need ways to keep your children distracted to help them feel safe. Afterward there may be destruction to your property and power outages. Both could "trap" you in your home for days.

19. Do I have a plug in land line phone? During a power outage portable phones will not work. Cell towers may be down or cell lines taken over by first responders. Phones which plug directly into the wall will work.

20. Do I have medications, including prescriptions, to last for two weeks or more?

21. Do I have enough non food items such as toothpaste and TP on hand for two weeks or more?

Listen to Carolyn's radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts-preparedness/ready-or-not/

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

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Contact Carolyn at: Carolyn@TotallyReady.com

Make copies of the following and check off each one as you complete it. You may forget even simple information during an emergency!

• Birth Certificates for each family member

• Marriage Certificate

• Drivers License for each driver in the family

• Social Security card

• Homeowners Insurance

• Home Inventory

• Auto Insurance

• Medical Insurance

• Life Insurance

• Medical records including Immunizations

• Dental records

• Optometrist records

• Current picture of each family member

• Current family group photo (used to prove a relationship with a family member if you become separated)

• Current picture of you with your pets

• Finger prints of each family member

• Pink slip for vehicles and boats

• Mortgage

• Will

• Funeral, burial arrangements

• Bank account numbers and phone numbers

• Stocks, Bonds and retirement investments

• Credit Card account numbers and phone numbers

• Tax return

• Military records

• Graduation Certificates

• Religious Certificates

• Genealogy

• Adoption papers

• Guardianship papers

• Power of attorney papers

• Citizenship papers

• Green card

• Pets medical records

• Emergency Home, Work and Cell phone numbers for:

Parents

Clergy

Neighbors

Siblings

Spouse

Doctor

Dentist

Optometrist

Attorney

Hospital

Accountant

Police Station

Insurance Agent(s)

Child's School (s)

Contact person

Phone Tree

Children's friends (place they may be if an emergency strikes)

©Copyright 2009-2011 Carolyn Nicolaysen All rights reserved

 Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts-preparedness/ready-or-not/

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

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Be ready with questions about fertilizing, weed control pest control, watering….

the time is yours so please use it!

Yes, this has been a very deadly weekend. There are 90 confirmed deaths in Joplin, Missouri alone today, and still many more are missing. It's not over, more storms are on their way  this week and hurricane season is just beginning.  Have I mentioned lately that earthquakes are overdue all over the western United States? I asked this question on our facebook page this morning and  would love for you to go there and answer it. With all that is happening are your friends still calling you crazy for prepping?  

I know many are convinced this only happens to other people. I will bet that most of those who have been flooded out and who have had homes blown away thought the same thing. This can happen to you. Disasters  can happen to you when you are at home or while you are away on vacation. A few years ago we had friends who headed to Mexico for a romantic honeymoon. It was far from that. They spent a day at the airport trying to get out before a hurricane struck, but they had waited too long.  They were finally forced back to their hotel to ride it out and spent several more days at the  airport trying to get home. After all,  this was their honeymoon and it couldn't happen to them! We had other friends who were in Thailand and were caught there after an earthquake for more than a week, stuck in a hotel room with people they did not know and a baby. Neither thought it could happen to them and neither had taken time to think through what they would do during a disaster to protect themselves. 

So it can't happen to you? IN the month of April there were tornadoes which destroyed homes and property in CA, OR, NV, TX, AL, LA, MS, OK, KS, MO, IA, MN, MI, MD, AR, IL, OH, TN, GA, SC, NC, WV, VA, PA, NY,and  FL. Hmmm…not you? Drought is affecting food supplies in TX, FL, WY, AZ, CO, NM, OK , KS, LA, AL, AR, GA, SC, NC, VA, and MD. Do you eat? If yes, it is happening to you! Have you ever vacationed in earthquake areas that are overdue for a big one, CA, UT, WA, or AK?  You better not go there or it could happen to you. How foolish to believe that you will be spared. 

So, we keep working away, one small step at a time. this week we are adding five pounds of protein per family member. We just added nut butter as a protein source so this should be different than that. If you can find a great deal on beef I would encourage that purchase as beef prices are rising and with the drought in Texas there is no end in sight. Last week I found a great deal on chuck roast. I prepared three roasts in the crock pot ready for fajitas. We had a great meal and I canned the remaining meat for use when I am just too tired to cook or too lazy, or to use during a time of crisis. 

Again this week we are adding to our cash and putting aside the money you would have spent on non food items to be used toward the purchase of canning supplies. Be generous and add at least $15.00 much more if you can. There is one more week in the month and by the end of April you should have purchased something to be used to preserve food. Again my favorites:

Pressure canner

Home canning kit

Water bath canner

Canning discovery kit A great gift for a beginner.

Victorio Strainer and Sauce Maker My absolute favorite item in my canning supplies! Accessories kit You will be son happy you added this!

Steam Juicer Never waste anything! Juice it and use the juice for drinking or making jelly and syrups.

Steam Canner some people prefer the water bath some the steam bath. I have both. If using a steam canner be sure to add five minutes to all processing times.

Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts-preparedness/ready-or-not/

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Just a few quick facts. There are normally 170 tornadoes through the month of April, yesterday the were that many, and for the month there have been close to 700. There have been more deaths in one day than in the past ten years. There are over 1 million people without power. In Tuscaloosa, AL there is no phone service, no cell service, and little first responder response since the emergency center and other offices have been destroyed. The garbage trucks have been destroyed. An entire town in AL is gone. This is serious and will continue today and tomorrow. 

Concrete safe room can be expensive to add to an existing home. As you save to add your bunker there are steps you can take right now to improve your chances of surviving a weather emergency. Nothing will protect you completely or under all circumstances, but your chances for survival are greatly improved if you have a well equipped safe haven. There is still time today to take some steps.

Begin by choosing an area in the center of the house with no windows. A bathroom or closet under a staircase will work well. A basement is the best location in tornado or hurricane country, but only if you are located away from a storm surge area or flood plane. 

Re-enforcing the structure of your room is definitely something you should consider doing now. Remove the sheetrock and bolt the framing to the floor, and add more bracing between the studs. Adding sheets of plywood to the walls instead of replacing the sheet rock, will greatly increase the safety of your haven since most injuries during a storm are caused by flying debris. While plywood is not going to completely prevent debris, traveling at high speeds, from penetrating your haven it will provide greater protection than sheet rock alone. Don’t forget to re-enforce the ceiling. You will want to consult with an expert for more ideas but with the help of family and friends you should be able to make most of these changes yourself. Remember to use screw and not nails.  If you have hollow core doors you will also want to replace these with solid wood or metal doors for your safe haven. Once the room is repainted you no one will notice the precautions you have taken. It seems like it would be a great selling point when you are ready to move on to a new home! The Federal Emergency Management Agency has some great information at: www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/saferoom/

Before entering your safe room, or safe haven, close all doors. Close and lock all windows in your home. Lower all blinds and close all of the drapes. Shut off the air conditioner and heater. We used to believe opening a window would help in a storm. It does not. Any time you invite air into your home you increase the damage.

Equip your safe haven with the following items:

• Ready to eat foods, including snacks, in plastic or metal containers, not glass. Some suggestions: Peanut butter, jelly, crackers, canned cheese spreads, granola bars, canned meats, canned fruits, canned vegetables, sweetened cereals, trail mix, hard candy, lollipops. As with your 72 hour kits do not store jerky or other salty foods.

• Can opener.

• Water (take care not to underestimate your needs for the time the storm is passing plus a few days after the storm while relief is on it’s way).

• Canned juices, no carbonated drinks as these will increase thirst.

• Food for pets.

• Baby food and diapers.

• Change of clothes for each family member.

• Sturdy shoes.

• Paper plates, cups, bowls and utensils.

• Pet dishes.

• Wet wipes.

• Sanitation facility (porta potty with chemicals).

• Toilet paper.

• Feminine hygiene needs.

• AM/FM Radio: battery or crank operated.

• Flashlight.

• Batteries (stored outside of the radio or flashlight).

• Glow sticks – NO CANDLES.

• Pillows.

• Blankets.

• Toys, books, scriptures and games.

• 72 hour kits for use after the storm has passed.

• Important documents, these should already be in your 72 hour kits.

• First aid kit.

• Medication such as pain relievers and anti-diarrhea.

• Land line phone with cord, not a portable phone.

(cell phones will probably not work after a natural disaster. – a land line phone will be needed to communicate or if your are licensed, a HAM radio).

• Personalized phone directory with local emergency numbers as well as the numbers for out of state contacts. Local lines may not be available and your only communication option may be out of state or out of the area contacts.

• Fire extinguisher.

• Folding shovel and axe to help you dig out.

Although most storms pass fairly quickly and you may not need all these items, they will become very valuable after the storm has passed. During the storm, cover family members with the blankets and pillows to protect yourselves from debris. When the storm has ended be careful when exiting your room. There may be unexpected debris as well as rodents, snakes and insects, which are not normally present. Do not exit without shoes on. Watch for downed power lines. Remember electricity traveling through the ground can be deadly more than 30 feet from the downed line. If it is night and you are confident there are no gas leaks or danger of further collapse, wait until there is light outside before leaving the immediate area.

If you are in the center of a tornado nothing except a concrete safe room will completely protect you. If you are however, on the outer limits of the storm a safe haven may well save your life.

Please pass along this information as it may seem too late to add plywood but it is not too late to prepare a safe haven in other ways. 

 Huge Totally Ready Give Away Happening Now!

April is the month for Totally Ready to take it to the next level.

Grand Prize: Self Reliance Library

Totally Ready for the Road

Mother Hubbard: What She's Doing Now

Prep Not Panic

Totally Ready Newsletters: July 2009- June 2010

Making the Best of Basics: by James Talmage Stevens

2012 Survival Guide: by Crystal Abrahams

All They'll Need to Know: by Joyce Mosely Pierce

Jan's Fabulous Food Storage Recipes: by Jan LeBaron

100-Day Pantry: by Jan Jackson

Dinner is in the Jar: by Kathy Clark

DVD~Food Production Systems-For a Backyard or Small Farm: By Marjory Wildcraft

$180.00 value

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WE WILL ALSO BE DRAWING FOR ADDITIONAL BOOKS AND PREPAREDNESS ITEMS

EVERY DAY ALL MONTH

TO ENTER DO THE FOLLOWING

1. "Like" the Totally Ready facebook page. It's that simple. We will keep track.

2. Join the yahoo group. Again, that simple. We will know who you are.

3. Place a link to a post on blog.TotallyReady.com or the Totally Ready facebook page on your facebook page. You'll need to let us know about this one by making a comment on the blog or facebook.

4. Tweet about and link to a post or the Totally Ready facebook page. Again, just let us know.

5. Place a link in an article on your blog. Give us a heads up so we can read your post. This is a great way for us to discover great new blogs.

6. Place a permanent link on your blog or website. Let us know after you have done that and you will not only be entered in the drawing but…

Everyone who places a permanent link on their blog or website will be invited to a webinar designed to answer your preparedness questions. This is by invitation only to all who place a permanent link and is a $100.00 value. More on that in the coming days. Watch for more details on the blog.

THE MORE YOU DO THE MORE CHANCES YOU HAVE TO WIN!

Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts/ready-or-not/

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Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

Flooding has already begun in many parts of the nation and spring has just barely made an entrance. Now is the time to prepare to evacuate.

• Assemble a 72-hour kit for every family member.

• Assemble a kit of essentials for every pet. Don’t forget a leash for the dog or cat.

• Gather maps of your town, county, state and your out-of-area destination. Using a highlighter, mark several routes, in different colors, from your home to you destination.

• Assemble an emergency car kit and place it in your car now.

• Assemble fun things to do in the car – books on tape, travel games, toys, familiar music, anything that will keep family members distracted. Remember during a mass evacuation the average time spent in the car is 15-20 hours!

• Food and drinks for the road. Again, save the food in your 72-hour kit for use later. Gather snacks, crackers, peanut butter, and drinks and place them in a cupboard with each other. This will make it easy and fast to grab items when you are in a hurry to evacuate.

• Compile a list of family heirlooms to grab if there is time. Place this list in your preparedness binder.

• Stash cash. Accumulate cash to be used during an evacuation. Cash should be in small denominations, nothing over $20.00, and should also include coins.

• Take a household inventory. Take pictures or a video of everything in your home, including the items inside closets and cupboards. Place a copy in your 72-hour kit and send a copy to your out-of-state contact.

• Back up computer files often and send them to your out-of-state contact. Consider backing them up on a server off site so you can keep them current, especially if you have your own business or do much of your work from home.

• Compile a list of items to place in the car when you evacuate and place it in your preparedness binder.

• Preparedness binder

• 72-hour kit

• Pet kit

• Maps

• Fun things to do kit

• Child's favorite toy and/or blankie

• Food and drinks

• Family Heirlooms

• Family photos

• Journals

• Computer back up

• Cash

• Camera to document damage later

• Blankets or sleeping bags

• Pillows

• Cell phone

• Auto cell phone charger

• Lap top or computer back up files

• Other—such as a walker, baby bottles, or pet cages

Assign each family member the responsibility of packing or retrieving each item on your list.

Practice packing your car. Avoid packing heavy items in the passenger area, which can become dangerous if you need to stop quickly. It is better to discover now that you need to pack some items in smaller containers or purchase a car top carrier,so everything will fit.

Always keep your gas tank at least half full. If you have any suspicions that an evacuation may occur go fill your tank immediately, before others have the same idea. When you return home, park the car in the garage facing out and disconnect the garage door opener in case of a power outage.

Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts/ready-or-not/

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Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

Following a disaster it is almost always better to stay put than to head out of town but there are times when the situation is too dangerous to remain and you will need a place to flee to. An emergency contact person should be at the top of your list when planning for a disaster. If you don't need to evacuate they are still a must for relaying information between and to family and friends.

During an emergency, local phone lines are often jammed because of the number of people trying to make calls at the same time. Cell phones are often jammed as well or taken over by first responders. Long-distance lines, however, are freer, so you may be able to make a long distance call. Therefore, it is important to have a contact person who is out of the area and can relay information between family members who have become separated.

Your out of area contact person should also live far enough away that they will be unaffected by a disaster in your area. They should not for example, live on the same earthquake fault or be in the same flood plain. Remember in Australia the flooding there extended to an area as large as the state of Texas and New Mexico combined.

Your contact should be someone who is physically, have the physical room in their home, capable of caring for your family should you be forced to evacuate to their home and they should be prepared with supplies to do so. If you are evacuating to an elderly parent you should consider purchasing at least a one month stash of food and supplies to be kept at their home if they are financially unable to do so.

Your contact person should be willing and understand it is their responsibility to contact your family and friends for you during a disaster and to relay information between immediate and extended family.

They should be willing to store copies of your important documents and family photos in case you are not at home at the time of a disaster or do not have time to retrieve the originals.

An out of area contact person should live a minimum of 100 miles away. They should be a family member or friend who will be patient with your mood swings and your children as you adjust to your new reality. Every member of your household should feel comfortable calling this person. You may consider having children practice calling them just to share a fun activity so they are comfortable speaking to them on the phone.

The stress of a crisis event may make it difficult to remember even routine information, like phone numbers. Consequently, every household member should have an out-of-area contact card with the contact person's name and phone numbers and this card be carried in a wallet, purse or backpack at all times. This card should also include all your local information, because you will forget.

Include:

Home and all cell phone numbers for all family members

Phone numbers for mom and dad's workplaces

Your home address

Contact name

Contact address

Contact cell and home phone numbers

All family members should carry these at all times either in a wallet or school backpack. They should understand they will try to contact each other first and if that fails they will call your contact.

Make this your goal today…choose and make arrangements with, an out or area contact person.

Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts/ready-or-not/

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Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

Do you understand the lingo?

• Flood watch means that a flood is possible in your area.

• Flood warning means flooding is already occurring in another area and will soon begin to affect your neighborhood.

• Flash flood watch means flash flooding is possible.

• Flash flood warning means a flash flood is already occurring and will spread to your area.

What to do?

When a flood watch is issued, and if you are in the threatened area, you should begin serious preparations to minimize the damage to your home and to protect your family, pets and property.

1. Begin by moving furniture and valuables to higher floors in your home. If you live in a single story home, move your valuables to the highest level possible. This could include counters, the highest shelves in closets, or plant shelves. Also consider the crawl space in the attic. Don’t forget a cage for your pets. They will quickly become disoriented and you will need to cage them to keep them safe if you need to remain in your home.

2. Next, check your yard and bring in any lawn furniture, toys or other items that may float away. Most of the things in the yard are not going to be damaged by water, after all, they do sit outside during all sorts of weather. For this reason they can be placed in a garage. They just need to be protected from blowing or floating away, not from flood waters.

3. Fill pots, water pitchers, picnic juice coolers, and sanitized sinks and bathtubs with water. After a flood, water from the tap may not be safe to drink for several days. You should be storing water in case of an emergency. Now is the time to move that to a higher safer location inside your home. Move some water to the attic in case you are caught without warning and need to evacuate to the roof.

4. If you have not already done so, place in the attic an ax and a backpack with: food that does not need to be cooked, dry clothing, wool blankets, safety vests, rain poncho, flashlight, portable radio and safety glow sticks. If you should need to evacuate to the roof it is better to cut a hole in the roof rather than to crawl out a window and get wet, or be swept away in a current. Your goal is always to remain dry. Leave these supplies in the attic year round and you will always be ready for a surprise or middle of the night flooding emergency.

5. Load photos, heirlooms and other valuable items in to the car, along with the family 72 hour kits and medications. Be sure you add important documents to your kit now, don’t wait for an emergency. Make sure you also have maps and your car cell phone charger in the car. Fill the gas tank so you are ready to go at a moments notice.

Once a flood warning is issued, finish preparing your home so you can leave:

1. Locate and gather all family members. Gather pets and deliver them to the friend or family member who has agreed to watch them in an emergency. Call your out of state contact person and inform them of your plans and give them your evacuation destination and phone number, if that is available.

2. Close and lock all windows and doors. Turn off water, electricity and natural gas or propane lines into the house.

3. Listen to local radio and television broadcasts for current information and advice. When told to evacuate, do so immediately. When evacuating, avoid driving through flooded areas. It does not take much water to be caught in a current and swept away.

4. If a flash flood warning is issued evacuate immediately. You may have a very short time to get safely away, don’t delay. Evacuate quickly to higher ground away from rivers, lakes, streams, creeks, canals, and storm drains. An otherwise calm body of water can very quickly turn into a dangerous trap with strong currents and debris.

5. Never drive around barricades; they are in place for your safety. Rising water is not the only danger during a flood. Downed power lines can make shallow water deadly. Electrocution is the major cause of death during a flood. Never assume you know the reason for the barricade. Turn around and find another route out.

6. If your car stalls in rising waters, abandon your car immediately and climb to higher ground. If it is no longer possible to reach land safely, climb out of your car on to the roof and hang on. You will be more easily seen by rescuers, and they will evacuate you more quickly, if you are on the roof. Never swim in flood waters. There may be snakes and other critters in the water, as well as debris, both of which can be very dangerous or even deadly.

7. Should conditions worsen too quickly to evacuate by car, grab the photos, 72-hour kits, and other items you placed in your car and transfer them to the attic.

8. Worst case, you may need to evacuate to the roof of your home. If you should need to do this, put on the rain ponchos you previously stored in the attic, even if it is not presently raining. Over the poncho, put on the safety vest. Because of their bright orange color these vests can be seen for long distances making you more visible to rescuers.

9. Wool blankets, or wool and man made fiber blend blankets, will continue to keep you warm even when they are wet.

10. Industrial grade, Safety Light Sticks, are 10 inches long and can be seen up to a mile away. These are the type which should be stored with your emergency provisions in your attic. Keep them handy to signal rescuers at night. Take a battery or crank powered radio with you as you evacuate.

11. Pass along this information to everyone you know in the affected area.
    

    Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

    Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

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    Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

You will discover a few new ideas to consider when creating Emergency Kits.

Scientists are again talking about the possibility of severe solar storms over the next two years.

"A storm is brewing 93 million miles away. On Valentine's Day, the sun fired off a solar flare that disrupted communications in China. In January, another solar flare that was capable of causing problems with satellites missed Earth.

In the past few months, scientists have recorded some of the strongest solar flares in years. Websites like SolarStormWarning.comare sounding an alarm. "Solar flare activity that's going to be much worse than what we've seen in the past. We're not talking about a few cities losing power, we're talking about it could be half the country, maybe more."" http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=125467

February 26,2011: "The threat of solar flares to satellites and infrastructure has been gaining notice among decision makers lately. Last week, Jane Lubchenco – the chief of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – told a gathering of scientists that the United States must take steps to protect assets from potentially dangerous space weather events.

"This is not a matter of if, it's simply a matter of when and how big," Lubchenco said of the potential for a dangerous solar flare. "We have every reason to expect we're going to be seeing more space weather in the coming years, and it behooves us to be smart and be prepared."" http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20110226/sc_space/monstersolarstormeruptsonthesun

"In scientific circles where solar flares, magnetic storms and other unique solar events are discussed, the occurrences of September 1-2, 1859, are the star stuff of legend. Even 144 years ago, many of Earth's inhabitants realized something momentous had just occurred. Within hours, telegraph wires in both the United States and Europe spontaneously shorted out, causing numerous fires, while the Northern Lights, solar-induced phenomena more closely associated with regions near Earth's North Pole, were documented as far south as Rome, Havana and Hawaii, with similar effects at the South Pole.

"The question I get asked most often is, 'Could a perfect space storm happen again, and when?'" added Tsurutani. "I tell people it could, and it could very well be even more intense than what transpired in 1859. As for when, we simply do not know," he said. (Bruce Tsurutani, a plasma physicist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory)

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2003/23oct_superstorm/

If this could happen again isn't it something we should be aware of and preparing for? Have you thought about what you and your family would do if there were no power for weeks or months? Last year I spent a lot of time talking about how to live if there were no power. Please take time to copy those article and place them in a binder. If the power is gone you can't access the computer for help with cooking or heating or light. Take time to do it now.

I will continue to publish posts and article about living without power. This month let's add a Dutch oven or two to our stock. In January we added a battery operated clock, in February a corded phone and now a few Dutch ovens. See a pattern here?

Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts/ready-or-not/

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Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

Today the wind is blowing with gusts that are taking down trees and limbs and blowing everything in the yard away. I am madly catching up the laundry, doing the dishes and filling everything with water, just in case. I have hung glow sticks on all the door knobs so no matter where we may be we can have light quickly. The fire is stoked and there is wood enough for two days on the back porch under cover. Now…I can write this post and hope I get it done before the world around my goes quiet and dark.

If you missed part one of my frustration with purchased kits please take a second and review that. This is an effort to help you understand what you really need and how easily you can compile the items you need. Again, if you have the money and are too lazy or overwhelmed to do your own, by all means purchase one and add to it. Today I will try to help you understand what you need to add and why.

1. ID forms. Why do kits not include these? During a crisis I promise that you will not remember phone numbers no less the blood type of your spouse and children. Every good kit should include at least a basic form with a place to fill in the numbers for your family, schools, doctors, out of area contact and clergy. Make your own and add allergies (medications, foods, insects, etc.), identifying marks like scares and a brief physical description.

2. What do you add? They never tell you what you should add to the kit to actually make it a survival tool. You should be adding personal items such as clothing, medications (both prescription and over the counter), glasses and/or readers from the store if you need help reading, games, puzzles, etc. to help pass the time, feminine hygiene needs, a hand towel (if you have water you can easily dry your hair or body with a hand towel, better than nothing, and it takes up less space than a full sized one) baby needs, pet needs, note pad and pencil for leaving messages and inspirational materials such as scriptures. You should also have photos of each family member and pet as well as a group photo in every kits to help with identification should you be separated.

3. How do you use this stuff? I used to include a sheet with more than 20 ways to use a mylar blanket. Yes, there are that many. The list is in the August 2009 Newsletter. There are so many unusual ways to use the items in your kits and yet that information is never included in the kit. As we discuss those things in the Totally Ready Newsletter or in a post take a minute to copy them and add those instructions to your kits.

4. 72 Hours is not enough. We have been told by every government and relief agency since Katrina that help will not arrive in 72 hours, more like 120 hours or five days. Why then do we keep hearing about 72 hour kits? I am now calling them emergency kits just because I don't want anyone to think 72 hours is really enough.

So…lets work together, ask questions, scour our homes for supplies, and make our own. If you have purchased one now is the time to add to it and to check the quality of the items in your kits.

Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts/ready-or-not/

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

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Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

I have hesitated answering the question about 72 hour kits because I was selling my own kits. But, since I have pretty much cleared out my inventory I can now be completely honest without any appearance of a conflict of interest. Just a little background. As I sat and watched the aftermath of Katrina I was frustrated with all I saw. Some reports blamed first responders, some the mayor and governor, some FEMA, and some the President. I heard very little about personal responsibility but none of that really mattered at that point. The real cause of my frustration was that it didn't need to be happening. People did not need to be trapped on a bridge in horrendous heat. They did not need to be left without food and water. The truth is they were left in that condition because no one had taken the time to educate those residents how to prepare. My family turned to me and said "you could do that". The next week I had many, many friends, and friends of friends, call me about just what they should be doing. I launched Totally Ready a month later as I could not honestly recommend any of the kits I could find. I soon discovered most people do not care if the kit is quality they just want it done. They based their purchases on cost, not quality, a terrible idea. I also decided I wanted to concentrate my time on education so…I sold my stock. There are still a few things left, but not much. I also decided I needed to write books that are to the point and not a long read. Thus, much of what I have in my ebooks and books are bullet points and short descriptions.

Now, as for kits. Like I have said I have never found one I can really get behind. If you are one who just wants a quick solution for yourself or a kit to use as a gift for someone who you know will not compile their own, a kit is the way to go. For the rest of you. I suggest you do your own creating. My problem with kits?

1. The back pack. They are always too small. A good kit should have a backpack large enough for you to add clothing and personal items. It should have several outside pockets for keeping a light source, whistle, keys, sunglasses and basic first aid supplies easy to access quickly. I do not like backpacks with wheels because I have never found one that is comfortable when it is fully loaded. The wheels dig into your back. Should you choose to roll your pack  you will not have your hands free to remove debris or to hold the hand of your child.

2. Food. *Food often, not always, taste awful! There are good emergency bars and you should always purchase a few to try before you commit to many. *Not enough. Be aware you will need MORE calories than normal during a time of stress and/or hard physical work. None of the kits have enough food. They do not have enough calories per day and they do not account for enough days. You should be preparing for at least three days in an office or auto kit and for at least five days in an evacuation kit (what we used to call a 72 hour kit). * The wrong kind of food. If you are making your own never use granola bars, jerky or anything salty, or anything that needs water to be reconstituted so it can be eaten.  Granola bars have a very short shelf life. Salty foods will make you thirsty and there will not be enough water. Dehydrated foods should never be eaten without reconstituting. It is dangerous and can cause dehydration and even death if eaten long enough without liquids. Again where will you get the water to reconstitute?

3. Tube tent: Yikes! This is huge for me. What good is a tube tent? They are flimsy and small. They are useless. If you want shelter in your personal kit, as well as in your larger Grab and Go Kit, add a tarp and rope. Tarps make a much large shelter and they can be used in dozens of other ways, for protection from the sun, a wind screen, even a way to haul debris. Rope can be used as a clothes line, to build a shelter, to mark off a dangerous area, again, so many uses.

4. Kits for two. Again, I could go on and on but bottom line is they do not really have sufficient for two people. I have never found one with two whistles for example. So I ask you, who gets the whistle and who has to just yell if there is a problem? The same is true of work gloves and other items which both people will need, not just one.

I have other frustrations with purchased kits but this is getting long so I guess this is part one! Stay tuned for part two! Bottom line, you have much of what you need in your own home so build your own kits, you will be much happier when you actually need to use them.

Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts/ready-or-not/

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

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Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

This week we will continue to add food to our General Store shelves. We will also add a non food item and since it is the first Monday of the month we will add a new preparedness item. Lots to do but you can do it! Remember as always that you should not go into debt to prepare but you should be doing a little each day or each week.

Food, our number one concern, add six pounds of a grain per family member to your storage. If you are not sure what qualifies as a grain review the post: Food Storage 101 Lesson Four: Grains All the grain does not need to be the same variety as long as it adds up to the six pound per person. Join me and Bonnie Jones from Grainmaker mills tomorrow on READY OR NOT as be talk about grains, their uses, storage and much more.

To our non food shelves add laundry detergent. Several months ago we added the ingredients to make powdered laundry detergent for use now, or in an emergency. These are more difficult to get to dissolve if there is no hot water available due to a power outage or other disaster. Add liquid laundry detergent to your storage this week. You should add as much as you will need for a month. If you can afford more, store enough for three months. Liquid detergents will be much easier to use when resources are limited.

As for our extended prep items, last month we added a battery powdered clock. This month add a corded phone. I know these are more difficult to find but during a power outage after a major disaster, such as a hurricane, ice storm or earthquake, cell phones may not be working and with power out the portable land line phone most of us are using will not work either. An "old fashioned" phone that plugs directly into the wall can literally be a life saver.

Because temperature will be far below normal and more storms are expected this week it's time to talk hypothermia. If you missed the post last week about frostbite be sure to read that post as well.

Normally, the core body temperature is 98.6 degrees F or 37 degrees C. When the outside environment gets too cold or the body's heat production decreases, hypothermia occurs. Hypothermia is defined as having a core body temperature less than 95 degrees F or 35 degrees C.

As body temperature falls, blood is diverted away from the skin and exposed parts of the body. This is why you and your children should always wear gloves and a hat when leaving your home during cold weather. Blood flow is increased to the vital organs of the body including the heart, lungs, kidney, and brain. The heart and brain are most sensitive to cold, and activity in these organs slows in response to cold. If the body temperature continues to decrease, organs begin to fail, and eventually death will occur.

There are many things that increase the risk of hypothermia:

• Age: The very young and very old may be less able to generate heat.

• Mental status: Those with impaired judgment or mental capacity, including children with little life experience, are less likely to display sound judgment when leaving a warm home.

• Substance abuse: Drug abuse and alcohol use increase the risk of hypothermia in two ways. First, impaired judgment can lead to exposure. Second, alcohol and similar drugs can dilate blood vessels near the skin and decrease the body's ability to compensate for cold.

• Medical conditions: Underlying medical conditions can also lead to accidental hypothermia.

  • Patients with compromised systems (thyroid, adrenal, pituitary), and diabetes may be less able to feel the cold and generate a shivering response. Shivering is the body's mechanism to generate heat and warm itself.

  • Patients with spinal cord injury.

  • Patients who have suffered strokes and brain tumors.

  • Infections may also cause lowered temperature instead of fever.

• Medications: Some medications can increase the risk of hypothermia by limiting the shivering mechanism including some psychiatric medications, and those for hypothyroidism or Parkinsons may limit the ability of the body to regulate temperature.Ask your doctor or pharmacist when getting a new prescription if it has this affect so you are aware ahead of time and can alert family members who may be helping with your care.

The most frightening danger of hypothermia is that it develops slowly, and since it affects thinking and reasoning, may go unnoticed. The progression is as follows:

• Initial hunger and nausea which will become unnoticed as the core body temperature drops.

• Shivering

• Blueness in lips, arms and/or legs

• Numbness

• Blotchy skin

• Confusion, lethargy, slurred speech

• Sore muscles.

• Slow and/or irregular pulse.

• Fixed pupils.

• Lack of reflexes.
  

• Loss of consciousness, and coma.

• Often the affected person will lie down, fall asleep, and die. Patient may ironically, remove their clothes just before this.

Treatment of Hypothermia:

Remove patient from the cold into a warm, dry environment. Move away from wind and water.

• Remove wet clothing and replace with warm, dry covering. Do not forget to cover the head, hands and feet. Do not replace clothing until completely dry.
  

• If possible call 911 or deliver patient to a medical facility as soon as possible.

• If the patient is shivering this is a good sign and rewarming with warm, dry, clothing in a warm environment may be all that is needed. Sips of warm drinks may also be given.

• Rewarming of more seriously affected patients should be started by applying warm compresses to the chest. Follow with compresses to the neck and groin. Hot water should not be used. Warming legs and arms first may cause more problems. Do not place warming compresses directly on the skin. If nothing else is available warm blankets and body to body contact will accomplish warming. Warm drinks should not be given as chocking may occur.

Remember hypothermia is a very serious medical conditions and every patient who has ceased to shiver should be seen by a doctor.

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