Heat waves are dangerous and they are deadly. Rolling blackouts and power outages are a real possibility and make matters even worse. There are things you can do to make the time safer for your friends and family. Don’t wait to take action. Do it now.

Following are a few steps you can take to help make heat waves a little more bearable:

1. It’s O.K. to raid your 72 hour kit… That’s right, 72 hour kits are not just for earthquakes and hurricanes but for any emergency. Your kit should include Instant Cold Packs. Place them on the neck or forehead for the best results. Mylar Blankets placed in the sunniest windows will cut down on the heat entering your home. Move the blankets as the sun moves or just leave them in place. These blankets are also large enough to cover a sliding door without piecing. You will be amazed at how quickly the temperature in a room will drop when you cover your windows with these blankets. Mylar blankets are also great to use outdoors to create shade as they reflect the sun’s rays. do this now and if the power fails you will be able to keep your home cool longer.
2. Get wet. Take a shower and don’t dry your hair, take a dip in the pool and don’t dry off (if the pool is in the sun don’t stay in too long), run through a sprinkler, keep a spray bottle nearby and mist your face (also great for your complexion), use wet compresses on your neck or head, keep a wet washcloth by your bed to cool yourself through the night, wrap your head in a wet bandanna, or soak your feet.
3. Drink lots of water, lemonade or juices, but never anything with caffeine or alcohol as these will raise your body temperature. Sodas will only increase your thirst. Popsicles are also a great way to stay hydrated. If you are thirsty, you have waited too long to drink.
4. Eat cold foods. This is the time to eat sandwiches, salads and other foods that are not heated. Avoid large portions of protein foods as they will increase body temperature. Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
5. Cook outdoors if you feel you must have a hot meal. Crock pot cooking is also a great way to keep the heat outside. If you don’t have outside spaces, plug in your crock pot in a room you are not using such as the laundry room.
6. Keep blinds and curtains closed.
7. Move activities, including eating and sleeping, to the coolest room in the house. This will normally be on the lowest level of your home and in a room with an exposure that does not receive direct sunlight.
8. This is one time when you shouldn’t be concerned with how much television the family watches. Play board games or read, but don’t be too active.
9. Use your outdoor umbrellas outside the windows receiving direct sun. Outdoor canopies, tarps, and dining flies also work well.
10. Wear loose, light colored clothing.
11. Sit next to a fan. Remember fans do not cool the air, they only move it. You become cooler as the moisture on your skin evaporates. This is the reason you want to stay wet!
12. Skip the exercise routine and working outside.
13. Go Shopping! No kidding. Go to the grocery store or mall and window shop. Taking in a movie or going bowling are also “cool” pastimes.
14. The elderly, young children, pregnant women and those taking diuretics are most vulnerable to heat related emergencies. If a member of your family is taking any medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist to determine if they are more susceptible to the affects of the heat.
15. Check on housebound and elderly – neighbors and friends – and get them to a cooling center. Be sure there is a plan for their care when the cooling center closes. Many centers close for the night. Nighttime can be the most dangerous time of the day. We assume the temperature will be lower at night, but this is not always the case – especially in the city. All those roads and sidewalks retain heat during the day and as they release it at night the temperature remains high. Same thing for suburban congestion – several homes on an acre of land with homes just a few feet from each other is a bad idea.
16. Visit a friend or relative out of town. The temperature in the city is usually several degrees higher then the temperature in a country setting.
17. Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. (see yesterday’s post)
18. Turn off lights and the computer in the rooms you are trying to cool down.
19. When it cools down at night, if it cools down, open all the windows. Close them again mid morning as it starts to heat up.
20. Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even with the windows open. The temperature in a car, with the windows open, can reach 120º F within a few minutes.
21. If you are stranded in your car, place mylar blankets on the roof and over the windshield and rear window, on the outside of the car. Weight them down with rocks or anything you have on hand. You can also secure them by closing them into the door. Keep the windows open. The mylar blankets will reflect the sun, greatly reducing the heat.
22. Remember your pets. (see yesterday’s post)
23. If you need to go outside, wear a wide brimmed hat and sunscreen.
24. Find a cooling center by calling the police department or fire department.

Heat-related emergencies are very serious. Add a power outage and the results are deadly. Protect yourself now by accumulating items which will help through the emergency and learn how to use them. Teach your family members the dangers and warning signs now.

Check out today’s show with Halli!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk/2010/08/06/guest-carolyn-nicolaysen-preparedness-expert (solar activity, power outages and stocking a General Store)

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Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

My discussion with Doctor Prepper all about food storage part 1. .http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/08/doctor-prepper-show

Doctor Prepper show all about food storage part 2. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/20/doctor-prepper-show

Talk with Halli: food storage and current financial outlook. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk/2010/07/16/hfalli-friends

Yikes it’s hot! With record temperature in the United Sates this week it is a good time to review the danger signs. Yes, the heat can kill and it can do it quickly if you ignore the signs. Review the symptoms and the treatments below and pass along a link to this information to family and friends who may live in the southern and eastern parts of the United States where temperatures are reaching 120 degrees in some areas.

Know the signs:

• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscle pains and spasms due to heavy exertion and dehydration. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are often the first signal that the body is in trouble.
• Heat Exhaustion: Someone suffering from heat exhaustion will have cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; sweat heavily; have a headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and general exhaustion. Body temperature may be normal, or may be rising.
• Heat stroke: Someone suffering from heat stroke will have hot, red skin; lapse of consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Their body temperature can be very high, as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry. If any of these symptoms are present call your doctor or hospital for treatment directions. If you have any doubt, call for help.

Treat Immediately:

• Heat cramps: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can cause further dehydration, making conditions worse.
• Heat exhaustion: Get the person out of the heat and into a cooler place. Increase ventilation by opening windows or using a fan. Cool them down as quickly as possible. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give them aspirin or other medications. Let the victim rest in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.
• Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Help is needed fast. Call 911 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Place victim in front of an open window or fan. Never leave a victim alone. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water, is vomiting, or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

Know the signs for pets:

1. Pet owners need to recognize the symptoms of heat stress in animals. Watch for heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, restlessness, excessive thirst, lethargy, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation and vomiting.

• Treatment: Until you can get medical help move the animal into a cool area, apply ice packs or cold towels to the head, neck and chest or immerse the animal in cool water. Get the pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

The heat can be deadly. Check on neighbors and friends to be sure they have a working air conditioner and plenty of cool drinks and foods. Check back tomorrow for tips on surviving a heat wave.

Remember….Tomorrow morning I will be speaking with Halli again. We will cover our latest General Store purchases and I’m sure more about the solar flare. The great thing about her show is that we can change direction the morning of the show if a disaster should become evident even five minuted before broadcast time. Visit with us on Friday morning 7:00AM Pacific time. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk

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Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

My discussion with Doctor Prepper all about food storage part 1. .http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/08/doctor-prepper-show

Doctor Prepper show all about food storage part 2. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/20/doctor-prepper-show

Talk with Halli: food storage and current financial outlook. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk/2010/07/16/hfalli-friends

Just Getting Started with Food Storage or Restarting?

Purchase any item: an ebook, newsletter subscription, newsletter archive or product,  from Totally Ready and receive a free Guide to a Three Month Supply in 52 Weeks. Take advantage of this offer today and get an easy to understand and implement system to get you Totally Ready for whatever comes….

Yesterday we added water to our general store. Today it is time for you to determine just how much you should be storing for your family. Following are a few guidelines to consider:

Drinking- normally 8 glasses of water per day or or about 1/2 gallon person.

Flushing: Each flush can use as much as 2 gallons of water. Most people flush 5 times per day.

Laundry: If you have make a bucket washer you will need 3 – 4 Gallons of water for washing and the same for rinsing each “load”.

Cleaning and hand washing: 1/2 Gallon per person per day or plenty of hand sanitizer. Some of both is the best.

Cooking: If you are using canned fruits and vegetables you can use the juices and water they are packed in for cooking purposes and you will need less water. If you are using dehydrated or freeze dried foods you will need three times as much water for reconstituting. Again, you should calculate about 1/2 gallon per person per day under normal circumstances.

Pets: They are family members too and will need water for drinking and bathing. Observe how much they consume each day and add a little extra as you may have to resort to feeding them foods they are not as familiar with and will need more water to digest.

Bathing:  You can handle this like our great grand[arents and share bath water or you can plan on bathing using just a wash cloth and a basin of water or a camp shower. Whatever the plan you will need water. Only you can determine just how much.

We have often been told 2 gallons per person per day but you know how I hate generalities. Only you can really determine your family’s needs. Take a little time now with a paper and pencil and do a little calculating for yourself. Remember it is always better to be over prepared for an emergency than to be under prepared.

For information regarding storing water please read the post post  Water Storage and More

For information regarding finding water during a crisis and water when living in an urban environment see: February 2010 and May 2010 Totally Ready Newsletters

****Win a Consultation!***

To help motivate you to share I am offering the chance for you to win a personal one hour consultation. This will be a phone call where you can ask any questions you may have. You may even ask a group of friends to join you on a conference call or just using your speaker phone. To win one of five  consultations just refer five friends to blog.totallyready.com and our yahoo group. Have them mention your email address when they log into the yahoo group and leave a comment on any blog post. Ten friends and you get two chances to win. Fifteen friends and I will call you, guaranteed! It’s that simple. Watch for other special offers as we progress. I know I don’t want to look back when things get worse and think I could have done more to help you.

Confused about the solar storms NASA is anticipating? Take some time and listen to my show with Halli.

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

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My discussion with Doctor Prepper all about food storage part 1. .http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/08/doctor-prepper-show

Doctor Prepper show all about food storage part 2. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/20/doctor-prepper-show

Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010



If you are still trying to think of a great Christmas gift that is related to preparing, thoughtful, and fun then here is an idea for the pet lover in your midst.

Pets are often overlooked in our planning but like every other family member pets need a 72 hour kit too. They also need their own section in our General Stores. This Christmas do the unexpected and stock the self for man’s best friend.

Purchase a plastic pet dish or a plastic bowl from a dollar store and fill it with a collar, a small toy, a brush, and leash.

Design a fun Emergency Card which can be filled in by the pet’s owners. Designs are easy and free with all the resources on the internet. Be sure to create spaces for the owner’s information, name of pet, history of vaccinations, medications being taken and their frequency, vet’s name and phone number, allergies, and an out of area contact person. Include a gift certificate for a photo shoot with the pet and you to create some pictures to include in family members’ 72 hour kits.

Purchase a pet carrier.

Purchase a back pack and have the kids decorate it for “Fido” and tuck in a list of items which should be included in a pet 72 hour kit, even get them started and include a few.

Purchase the items necessary to  help stock the pet section of a General Store, a little dry food, a few canned foods and a gallon of water. If you purchase dry food in a box be sure to put it into the freezer for a few days to kill any moth larva before you gift it.

Stock the toiletries section with pet shampoo, dental chews, toothpaste labeled for pet use and a finger brush to brush teeth.

Our pets are so important  us but we often forget about their needs during an emergency until it is too late. Be the oh so smart one and give the gift now.

Other items to consider:

A muzzle, even the most calm pet can become aggressive when frightened during an emergency.

Small plastic bags and a scoop. For cats, kitty litter.

ID tag for collars and/or a micro identification chip.

Giving a fun gift and keeping it preparedness does not have to be expensive and can be a very unexpected and much appreciated surprise.

Just this week the north west has set many, many, records for high temperatures. We need to remember that temperatures over 75 degrees and high humidity can be dangerous to our pets. Take time today to protect them.

Dogs do not sweat. They reduce their body temperature through their tongue, nose and feet. This is especially difficult for dogs with short snouts such as pugs, bulldogs, Boston terriers and some spaniels.  Panting is the way dogs cool themselves and regulate body temperature. However, because of their airway’s anatomical design, the flat faced breeds of dogs pant much less efficiently than other breeds. Air does not pass in and out as easily or as quickly. High humidity further complicates their breathing process and, at times, may cause their breathing to become very noticeably labored.

Pets who are overweight, have thick-fur, have a short snout, as we have already discussed, or are very young,  are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke. Signs of heat stroke in dogs include heavy panting, excessive drooling, increased heart rate, weakness, vomiting, pale gums, bright red tongue and lethargy. Should you notice any of these symptoms move your pet to a cooler location and encourage them to drink immediately. Should they display more than one symptom get them to the vet.

Leave pets at home on hot days, don’t leave them in cars — even for a minute. The temperature inside a parked car on a hot day can reach 120 degrees in a very short amount of time. Heat that severe can trigger heat stroke and/ or cause permanent brain damage in pets.

Create a shady place for pets to get out of the sun. Be sure there is always plenty of cool water available for them to drink. You may want to consider placing water in more than one location if you have a larger yard and your pet has more than one favorite shady spot.

Keep pets well-groomed. Brushing and cutting their hair frequently will help keep them cool. Never shave your pet as they can get sunburned just like you can. Speaking of sun burn, be extra careful if you have a pet with a pink nose. We did, and the vet told us to use a permanent marker during the summer to darken her nose. It will help block harmful rays which cause cancer. They just lick off sunscreen.

Foot pads can burn easily so avoid asphalt, concrete, brick, and other hard, heat conducting, surfaces during the heat of the day. Remember these surfaces take longer to cool down than does the air temperature.

Exercise animals in the cool of the morning or evening and on humid days or days when the temperature does not go down more that a few degrees, shorten your walk.

If a pet starts panting or salivating excessively, or refuses to get up and move around or play, immerse them in cool water, but never ice water, or gently squirt them with a hose to lower their body temperature. If they do not improve in a hour or so take them to a vet for a thorough check up.

Finally, there are other summer precautions to take. Check pets for fleas, ear mites, bumps, and cuts, to be sure their bodsied are healthy in ever way. Just like us, they are more susceptible to heat realted illness if their bodies are weakened by other ailments. Always use a good flea and tick repellent.

Pets bring so much joy and we need to protect them as we would any other family member.