In Case of an Emergency -- What your family needs to know about bioterrorism

Parents magazine | September, 2002 | Senator Bill Frist, M.D., R-Tenn

[ChocChipCookie]

I thought this article was worth posting.

[ruppertdog]

good find- everyone should do this stuff- I got stuck at home in the blizzard of 1993 for 4 days with no power or heat source- man, it got cold. Sleeping bags and games helped a lot with the "cabin fever". we had a weeks worth of groceries, and couldn't cook except for outside on a gas grill. Also, many new water systems don't use elevated storage tanks which means no power = no water after system pressure bleeds off.

[Billthedrill]

Ah, the memories...I recall a conversation I had with a friend in 1999 - she was concerned about her own preparation and she asked me what supplies I was laying in for Y2K. I told her that I thought that what I had on hand would suffice...and she then turned around and asked me if I were one of those "survivalist nuts"! No, sez I, just planning on being a survivor, that's all...

[dd5339]

Ping

[backhoe]

Nuclear, Biological, & Chemical Warfare- Survival Skills, Pt. II

The Poor-Boy Nuke-- Bioterrorism***

[Southack]

Good post!

[TxBec]

ping.

[Prodigal Son]

LET THEM ASK QUESTIONS. Answer in basic, easy-to-understand terms. For instance, if a child asks what kinds of things could happen, say, "We could have a storm and lose power or certain roads could be closed down."

I have never agreed with "sparing the children" the gory details. If the world is a violent, unmerciful place- better to impart that on your offspring early in life. Why not tell them- "because fanatical lunatics who don't believe you are a first class person might detonate a nuclear bomb in our city"? Sure this would "traumatize" them but they would grow up survivors more willing and able to deal with the ugly truth. We wouldn't have a nation full of mewling kittens like we do today, we'd have a nation full of people who were willing to do what it takes to get the job done.

Also, other handy items to have- a bottle of iodine (against infection) and a claw hammer or small crowbar. It can be used for a variety of things- including a weapon. Also- a worst case scenario plan of escape. For instance- "if worse comes to worst" try to make you way to Idaho" (or whereever). Sounds farfetched- but while you're at it- why not?

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

* DUCT TAPE. Keep handy to seal windows in the event of chemical or biological contamination.

Just as long as you don't seal IN carbon monoxide. I believe this has happened before, when people weather-sealed their homes a little TOO well.

[MeekOneGOP]

[Wordsmith]

Thanks! Link?

[ChocChipCookie]

The magazine's website is at parents.com, but I retyped this directly from the September, 2002, issue because it doesn't appear on their website.

[Carry_Okie]

For a much more realistic, balanced, and effective plan, go to the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine and consider the materials by the Doctors for Disaster Preparadness.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

Many thanks for the ping.

Just goes to show how much can change in a year...

[MD_Willington_1976]

No mention of the ol lead tosser in the article...lead tosser is pretty persuasive against the unruly have-nots when they come a knockin...

[CindyDawg]

I am well stocked at home but last month we were at our lake lot when the flooding was going on it Texas. Within a few hours of our arrival we were stranded. We made the best of it, and had fun "roughing" it but it made me realize that I was only prepared for an emergency at home. Since then I have a pack of essentials that I keep in my trunk.

[tall_tex]

I was tought about "being prepared as a Cub, Boyscout and later in the U.S. Army.It is so sad that there are so few posts to this very action directed and informative article. If you store 3 days of food and water, what is the worst thing that can happen? You just might have to eat the food and drink the water. I get hungry and thirsty all the time. My list of "to-do's would have been much longer. Guess I will start folding my "tin foil hat now". My wife, she keeps eating my stored food, drinking my stored water, using up the stockpile of toilet paper. Just wait until she is hungry, thirsty, and has to do the TP thing with leaves.. OUCH.. Some are prepared, most are not. Go figure

[Kaslin]

I just emailed the article to my friends and family

[HiTech RedNeck]

FIRST-AID SUPPLIES. Include a week's supply of any necessary prescription medicines

Nanny state warning: some states forbid storage of any prescription medicine other than in the container the druggist dispensed it in. (Who cares about justice, so long as drug busts are easy.) Keep it in the original bottle.