Get Ready for a Disaster!

On Monday, March 19th, the residents attending our regular Terrace Royale Community BlockWatch meeting received a thorough presentation of the information, supplies and plans everyone needs to be prepared to handle a disaster that disrupts services and supplies. Public information officer Kirsten Clemens of the Bothell Fire Department urged residents to remember our December windstorm and its privations — no power, roads, blocked, all the stores nearby closed, supplies stripped from shelves in the stores you could get to.

One point she made strongly was that in the event of an earthquake or other serious emergency public safety and even the Red Cross will not be able to handle all the need and in most cases will not even be able to get to people in need. Remember how long the people in the Gulf States affected by Katrina and Rita had to wait, and in some ways are still waiting. Planning, as the ad campaign says, for three days is not enough. It will be the responsibility of each individual to plan for being entirely on their own, or indeed take responsibility for neighbors who are hurt or without resources. Official sources of help just won’t be there.

Though she questions the “3 days,” Clemens did emphasize the “3 ways” of the ads.

1. Make a plan. Think through what would happen in an emergency like an earthquake or severe weather. We've all had a chance to find out recently, so think back on what you lacked when the wind knocked out power and more. Think how you would contact your family members, care for pets, let your distant family know where you are.

2. Build a kit. This means having everything you would need for at least 7 days, including water, food, medicines, first aid, batteries and flashlights, radio, all you would need if you were stuck in your home. Since that can happen away from home too, make a smaller version for car or work.

3. Get involved. Learn CPR and first aid. Get to know your neighbors so you know who might be alone. Join the Blockwatch and get on the phone tree.

In other words, be prepared!
In a few words, Be Prepared!

Discuss neighborhood security concerns online

The TRC Blockwatch group has set up a Google Group for use by residents, the apartment manager, and selected public safety personnel to discuss safety and security concerns in our neighborhood. You can join at http://groups.google.com/group/trc-blockwatch/

Bear in mind when you post to this group after joining, anything you send will go out to everyone subscribed. Do not post private messages or use the group to contact property management.

Do use it to suggest topics for future meetings, to share concerns about safety and security with neighbors, to share leads on local classes and events related to safety, and to ask questions.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact the co-captains at 425-487-1140 or hathorn@drizzle.com .

Wind-up Flashlights and Radios

In recent years a number of battery-less radios and flashlights (and some combination units) have come on the market. These devices use a hand-cranked dynamo or small solar panel to charge an internal battery. Typically two to three minutes of cranking will give you five minutes or so of light or 10 minutes of radio.

While they have the advantage of not needing batteries, think about whether you can or want to continuously crank them to keep the light or radio going. You may be better off having a regular flashlight and radio, plus a large package of standard alkaline batteries.

Whatever you choose, get the items and get them now. They will fly off the shelf if the need arises for them.