How Prepared Are You? - Challenge Point Scale

So, how did you fare in our week of 'disasters'?  Use the chart below to rate your performance based on the points you earned.

200-225 Points = Bring it On!
175-199 Points = Feelin' Good
125-174 Points = Halfway There
  75-124 Points = Need Some Work
    0- 74  Points = We're Toast!

What We Learned

How wonderful a little $ in the bank, health insurance, and a health savings account are!
We can have a decent meal from food storage, but if we really needed it, we'd have the same one for a few weeks.  We could use something a little different to spice up the food storage!

Friday Challenge - Show me the Money

Scenario #1: You have family that has decided to drop in for the week-end because they have the gorilla flu too and were kicked out of their otherwise healthy town.  They are hungry and your fresh food has run out.

Scenario #2: You just learned that your youngest child needs his tonsils removed.  The gorilla flu has hospitalized another member of your family.  The timing belt on your car needs to be replaced ASAP.  You will owe $396 for the tonsil surgery by next week, $ 451 for the hospitalization due in two weeks, and $912 for the car due immediately.
NOTE: If you do not have Medical Insurance you are responsible for $3500 on the tonsil surgery and $8817 on the hospitalization.

Challenge #1: Make a dinner for your family using STRICTLY food storage items (no ‘fresh’ ingredients).

Challenge #2: Review your current finances with your spouse and discuss how you would cover each expense if you were faced with these charges right now.  Say a prayer before the discussion if necessary, this is just an exercise and we don’t want any arguing over finances.

POINTS:

• 10 points for a food storage dinner.  Minus 1 point for every non-food storage item used.
• 10 points for completing a financial discussion with your spouse and discovering how you would handle the above charges.
• Reminder: 25 points for completing quarantine for the whole week.

What we Learned

Having texting would be nice in an emergency like this. :)  Facebook would be too.
We need to invest in a better first-aid kit and teach basic first-aid to the kids.
Write down your experiences for today.  If you had a hard time with this challenge attend our Home Emegencies and First-Aid classes on Saturday.

Thursday Challenge - Over the Hedge

Scenario #1: While the family is outside doing yard work and you are trimming the hedge, your 2 year-old wanders off.  You look in the house and in nearby yards and cannot find her.

Scenario #2 When you do locate your child, you see that she has fallen and has a large gaping cut in her leg.
 
Scenario #3 Your one-year old is choking on a grape and has turned purple. 

Challenge #1: What do you do to locate your child?  Do your children know what to do if they are lost?  Discuss the answer to both questions with someone.
Note: If you do not have little ones at home apply the scenario to grandchildren or a neighborhood child.

 Challenge #2 Get out your first-aid kit and pretend to ‘treat’ your child’s gaping cut (don't actually use supplies you will have to replace).  Do you have what you need?  Do you know how to stop the bleeding until you can get professional help?

 Challenge #3 Perform the Heimlich on a doll or stuffed animal as you would on a one-year old baby.

POINTS:

• 10 points for discussing both questions in Challenge #1 with someone. 
• 5 points for successfully 'treating' the injury with your own first-aid kit.
• 1 BONUS point for every item in your first-aid kit that is on the attached list - up to 20 points. That's 1 point for every line item.  For example 1 point for having band-aids, not 1 point for every band-aid.
• 5 points for successfully ‘Heimliching’ (ha, made that word up) the doll/stuffed animal.
• 2 BONUS points if you know how to ‘Heimlich’ an adult. 

Checklist:

Bandaids of various sizes
Non-stick gauze bandages
Sterile rolled bandage
Gauze pads
Ace Wrap bandages
Bandage tape
Small splints
Safety pins
Eye wash/eye cups
Antiseptic spray/lotion/cream
Antiseptic wipes/alcohol
Antibiotic Hand Cleanser
Burn ointment
Calamine lotion
Hydro-cortisone cream
Asprin
Non-asprin pain reliever
Anti diarrhea medication
Ear drops
Epi pen for allergies
Allergy medicine
Prescription medication
Antacid
Laxative/Mineral Oil
Ipecac
Thermometer
Hot pad/ hot water bottle
Ice packs
Small paper bag for hyperventilation
Latex gloves
Scissors
Tweezers
Cotton balls
Q-tips
Face mask
Insect/snake bite kit
Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment
Back/knee braces
contact information including doctors and poison control
First aid guide with instructions for CPR and Heimlich

What we learned

If this was a real life scenario I would be apologizing to my girls over the loss of their gerbil right now.  Yep, we totally forgot little Bibbles and her food.  :( 
Did pretty well everwhere else but need toothbrushes.
Kevin suggested keeping digital copies of all our important info in a few different locations and originals where we can easily find them.
Write down your experiences and improve if/where needed.
If you had a hard time with this Challenge or would like some awesome tips on it, attend the Emergency Evacuation and Communication class on Saturday.

Late Posts

Sorry for making the anticipation worse today as the posts did not get published automatically. Sorry! Enjoy the challenge.

Wednesday Challenge - We didn't start the Fire!

Scenario: Some kids were playing with fireworks out in the field to the north of our homes.  They caught the field on fire.  We have 10 minutes to evacuate.  Because of the distress, the cell phone lines are jammed for the next three hours. 

Challenge: As soon as you read this, set a timer for 10 minutes.  You and your family must be in your car when the timer rings to earn points for this challenge. What will you take?  Grab anything you feel you would need if you are not able to return to your home.  Remember, phone lines are jammed, you may not call anyone during this challenge (unless you need to use your cell phone for work or any real emergency).
Note: If no one in the family is at home, complete the challenge soon after you arrive home this evening.  Otherwise complete the challenge with whoever happens to be home currently.

POINTS:

• 15 points for getting in the car with family and stuff in 10 minutes
• 1 BONUS point for every item you took with you that is on our list (per family, not per person)
• 5 BONUS points for answering all questions on our list
• 5 BONUS points if all family members have a finished 72 hour kit in your home 
• 5 points for not using cell phones for three hours

Evacuation Checklist and Questions

Do not read this post unless you have completed Wednesday's Challenge!

Do you have what you need to have?  Do you know what you need to know?  Answer these questions with the items you have physically gathered for this activity.  In a real evacuation, you will not have the opportunity to run back and grab an item.


Do you have the following items?

1. Change of Clothes for each person in your family?
2. Toothbrush for each person in your family?
3. Small first aid kit?
4. Flashlight?
5. Rain Protection?
6. Something for warmth?
7. Food? (in many cases, evacuation centers will have food – but do you have snacks or food that you know your family will like?)
8. Water? (Water is essential and often is in short supply in the early stages of an emergency)
9. Essential medications?
10. A hair brush/comb?
11. Diapers/pull ups for babies and/or feminine supplies for the women of age in your family?
12. Container for the items that will be feasible to carry a few miles if you are unable to drive out?
13. Your pet and pet supplies (especially leashes/food)


Can you answer the following questions?

1. What is the phone number of an out of state contact person?
2. What is the contact information and account number for your home insurance?
3. What is the contact information and account number for your car insurance?
4. What is the contact information and account number for your bank accounts? (You won’t be turning this in to me – this is for your own information only)
5. What is the contact information and account numbers for any investements you have?
6. What is the contact information and account numbers for the contents of your wallet?
7. Do you have your passports and/or Birth certificates or have the key for the safe deposit box you keep them in?
8. Do you have proof of immunizations for your family?
9. What is the contact information and account numbers for your life insurance policy?
10. Is your will with you?
11. Is your living will with you?
12. Do know your Social Security number and any other important identification numbers such as your church membership number to be able to request documents?
13. Do you have your Health Insurance Cards?
14. Do you have proof of ownership of your home?
15. Do you have proof of ownership of your cars?
16. Do you have proof of ownership of valuables such as jewelry, paintings, collectibles (official appraisals or certificates of authenticity)?
17. Do you have your saving bond certificates?
18. Do you have recent pictures of your family members?

Wednesday Challenge - Anticipation

Please check back after 11:00 am for Wednesday's Challenge.  Enjoy the anticipation between now and then. :)

What we Learned

The Pyles learned that Kammi can get a lot done by way of yard and housework (mowed the lawn in a cool diagonal pattern and actually did laundry) when her computer and other electronic devices are out of battery and can't be plugged in. :)
Also learned that cold rotisserie chicken isn't too bad but learning how to heat food without an electric stove would be helpful.
The Pyles apparently need to visit the Auto Emergency class on Saturday because Kammi could only think of 4 things to check in a broken down car and we only have 'hotties' for our hands in the cars and no blankets.  (And you thought we were good at this! ;)
But, we do have supplies to change a tire and jumper cables, so wohoo for the Pyles!
Please jot down what you learned today and where you can improve.  If you had a hard time today, attend the Home Emergencies and Auto Emergencies classes on Saturday.

Comment

Apparently I don't have access to comment on my own blog.  That's dumb.  Or I'm up too late.

So Mandy asked how I could be doing laundry with the power out.  Good point Mandy!

I didn't.  I thought about laundry and nearly started it multiple times all day.  In the end I laughed that I actually wanted to do it an couldn't.  Apparently I did it in my mind. :)  Did I mention it is past my bedtime?

Tuesday Challenge - Not so Fast, but somewhat Furious

Scenario #1: There was a big storm last night and the power is out.  It will not be restored until 6:00 pm tonight.

Scenario #2: You have to take a family member to the doctor because the gorilla flu is getting worse.  On the way home your car breaks down on SR-73. 

Challenge #1: Don’t use power!  You can keep your refrigerator running, but turn off the A/C or heater, lights, TV, computer, etc.  Do not use the microwave, stove, outlets, garage door opener, or anything that cannot run on alternate power.

Challenge #2: Troubleshoot your car.  What are 5 things you would check in your broken down car?  If it is winter, do you have blankets or snacks in  your car?

POINTS:

• 15 points for keeping the power off all day. Minus 2 points every time you use power.
• 5 BONUS points for every cooked meal you have during the power outage (up to 2 meals).
• 5 BONUS points if you discuss with your family a plan for how you would stay warm in the winter during an all day power outage.
• 5 BONUS points if you inventory everything in your house plugged into an outlet.
• 10 points for telling someone the 5 things you would check to troubleshoot your car.
• 5 BONUS points if you have tools to fix a flat tire and jumper cables in your car.
• 5 BONUS points if you have blankets and snacks/water in your car.  

Monday - What we learned

The Pyles learned that we know our two exits per room in a fire drill.  We also learned that the children cannot open their windows from the inside if they become trapped in their rooms.  For this reason we will be attending the Fire Safety class on Saturday.  If you had a tough time with this challenge, we will see you in there.

We recommend writing down each night what you learned.  This will assist you in making a detailed plan for how to improve.

Note on Bonus Water Points

Apparently we didn't think through the bonus points on the water very well.  We are very impressed with how much water everyone has on hand! 

We will accept 15 points max on the water storage bonus points.  Although we know you have much more water than this, it will make the rest of the Challenges more competitive.

FYI 15 bonus points is one of the highest amounts of bonus points we will offer all week.  Great job on the water storage!

Monday's Challenge - Planet of the Apes

Scenario #1: There has been an outbreak of the gorilla flu (ha, ha).  Because of multiple cases in our neighborhood, we have been quarantined until the end of the week.  Do not leave your houses.

Scenario #2: Your child decided to see how a fork would fit in your outlet.  Needless to say, an electrical fire started in your living room.

Challenge #1: Ok, we know you have to leave for some things, so here is the challenge: No shopping, entertainment, or otherwise having fun outside of your home for the entire week.  You may go to work and school or other PREVIOUSLY made appointments. 
If you have to go shopping, you minus 5 points from your score for EACH item purchased.  You will be living off of your home and food storage this week!

Challenge #2: For FHE tonight, conduct a fire drill with the family.  Put family members in different rooms of your home.  Let them find at least two exits from their location. Then let Mom or Dad be the ‘fire’ in the living room.  If a family member tries to exit through the living room, remind them that you are the fire and they need to use a secondary exit.  Repeat drill with the fire and family members  in a different location.
POINTS:

• 25 Points at the end of the week for staying quarantined.  Remember minus 5 points for every item you purchase at the store this week.
• 5 BONUS points each for doing an inventory of home (5 pts.) and food storage (5 pts.).
• 1 BONUS point for every 5 gallons of water storage on hand (up to 15 points max).
• 10 Points for completing one fire drill. 
• 5 BONUS points for completing a second fire drill.

Remember: You may earn points for both challenges.

Rules for Got Preparedness

• This is a learning experience.  Have fun!
• Check the blog for your Challenge by 8:30 am every morning this week.
• There will be multiple challenges each day.  Complete them all for the ultimate experience and to maximize points earned.
• Report earned points each night to Kammi or Kevin via blog post, facebook, phone, e-mail, etc.
• Don't cheat on your points. :)
• All Challenges end at 5:00 pm on Friday evening.
• All points must be reported by 9:00 pm on Friday to be eligible for prizes.
• Good Luck!

What is "Got Preparedness" our 2011 Emergency Preparedness Challenge?

What is Got Preparedness?  How do I participate?  How do I sign up?  Keep reading to find out.

Got Preparedness is both our 2011 Emergency Preparedness Challenge and Fair.  These are two separate events that go together.

The Challenge is a week long challenge that runs from Sept. 19th to Sept. 23rd.  Individual families participate in the challenge on their own during the entire week.  To participate each family should check our blog at 8:00 am every morning during the week.  On the blog each morning they will find a new emergency scenario and an accompanying challenge or task to complete to deal with the pending disaster.  Each Challenge has points associated with it based on how well prepared your family was to handle it.  Every evening, after completing the Challenge post your comments along with points earned on our blog or send the Pyles an e-mail to record points.  There will be prizes for those families who earn the most points by the end of the week!

The Fair will happen on Saturday, September 24th from 9:00 - 11:00 am at the Pioneer Church Building on Buckboard/Summit Way.  At the fair families will choose classes to attend to learn more about different aspects of emergency preparedness.  Each class taught at the Fair will correspond directly with one of the Challenges given during the week.  We will have special classes for children ages 4 - 11 that they may attend while Mom and Dad go to other classes.  There will also be booths with helpful information to browse at the Fair.  Everyone is welcome to attend our Fair, whether you participate in the Challenges or not.

How do I sign up?  Post on this blog, post on the neighborhood Facebook page, call Kammi or Kevin Pyles, e-mail Kammi or Kevin Pyles (kammijedi@hotmail.com), or simply tell them you want to participate.  FYI, only residents in the Em 9th Ward boundaries need to sign up so they may be eligible for prizes.  If you live outside of the 9th Ward boundaries feel free to follow along and track your own points.  We will have a 'grading scale' available at the end of the Challenges to rate how prepared you really are.

Please spread the word.  These Challenges and the Fair are designed specifically to address common emergencies we could have in our area.  You are guaranteed to learn something new by fully participating in our Challenges and our Fair.  So, sign up right now!

Smith's Caselot

Now is a great time to stock up that food storage again!  Smith's has a caselot going on now through September 13th.  Here are a few of the good deals included:

Ramen Noodles 10 for $1
Libby's Vegetables 2 for $1
Bumble Bee Tuna $0.65 each
Kroger Cream Soups $0.63
Tomato Sauce 4 for $1
Pork n Beans or Kroger Beans 2 for $1
Kroger Peaches or Fruit Cocktail $0.79
Campbells Chicken Noodle or Tomato Soup $0.59
Kroger Chicken Broth 2 for $1
Pillsbury Brownie or Cake Mix $0.89 (for those who have everything :)
Snickers or M&Ms single serving $0.59 (for Sis. Pyles personal stash, donations accepted)