Emergency Contacts

Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Please see the attached file for the checklist. 

Family Emergency Checklist

Family Emergency Checklist Form

See attached file for the form. 

Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist

Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist

See attached file for this form. 

Water Treatment

Many people have asked the Red Cross for information and suggestions on treating water after disaster strikes.  The following information is provided to address those questions.

In addition to having a bad odor, and taste, water from questionable sources may be contaminated by a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria and parasites that cause diseases such as dysentery, cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis.  All water of uncertain purity should be treated before use.  To treat water, follow these steps:

1. Filter the water using a piece of cloth or coffee filter to remove solid particles.
2. Bring it to a rolling boil for about one full minute.
3. Let it cool at least 30 minutes.  Water must be cool or the chlorine treatment described below will be useless.
4. Add 16 drop of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water, or 8 drops per 2-liter bottle of water.  Stir to mix.  Sodium hypochlorite of the concentration of 5.25% to 6% should be the only active ingredient in the bleach.  There should not be any added soap or fragrances.  A major bleach manufacturer has also added Sodium Hydroxide as an active ingredient, which they state does not pose a health risk for water treatment.
5. Let stand 30 minutes.
6. If it smells of chlorine. You can use it.  If it does not smell of chlorine, add 16 more drop of chlorine bleach per gallon of water (or 8 drops per 2-liter bottle of water), let stand 30 minutes, and smell it again.  If it smells of chlorine, you can use it.  If it does not smell of chlorine, discard it and find another source of water.

Past information that has changed and is no longer recommended

1. The only agent to use to treat water should be liquid household bleach.  Other chemicals, such as iodine or products sold in camping or surplus stores for water treatment that do not contain 5.25% hypochlorite as the only active ingredient, are not recommended and should not be used.
2. The only accepted measurement of chlorine (or water treatment agents) is the drop.  A drop is specifically measurable.  Other measures such as "capful" or "scant teaspoon" are not uniformly measurable, and are not to be used.
3. There is no difference between treatment of potentially contaminated water that is cloudy or clear. If local public health department information differs from this advice, the local information should prevail.  For more information, contact your local Red Cross chapter and ask for a copy of the brochure entitled, "Food and Water in an Emergency" (A5055).

Flu Resources

 
 
1.   The Red Cross is a wonderful resource for people wanting to prepare for the possibility of a disaster, whether caused by nature or by pandemic flu.  Visit web sites at www.redcross.org (national) or www.pinetree.redcross.org (Maine chapter).   
 
 
Local Chapter:
                        American Red Cross
                        Pine Tree Chapter
                        33 Mildred Ave.
                        Bangor, ME  04401
                        941-2903
 
 
Information on Emergency Planning, Water Storage, and Water treatment are included in attachments.
 
2. Other Resources
     www.pandemicflu.gov
     www.avianflu.gov
     www.maineflu.gov
     www.mainebirdflu.org
 
3. If you are a small flock owner and need to know about Avian “Bird” Flu, go to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension at: www.umext.maine.edu
 
or go to:  www.maine.gov/agriculture/ahi/diseases/avianflu.html
 
 
                        
   
 

Information from the School Nurse

 
 
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines flu or influenza illness as having the following symptoms:

1. Fever of 101.5 or higher     AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
2. Cough
3. Sore Throat
4. Headache
5. Muscle Ache

 
FLU IS A DISEASE OF THE LUNGS. IT IS NOT A DISEASE OF THE STOMACH OR BOWEL THAT CAUSES VOMITING OR DIARRHEA.
  
Flu Terms Defined:
 

1. Seasonal Flu---sometimes called the common flu---this illness is easily spread from one person to another. There is a yearly vaccine made available to prevent the spread of serious illness . Most people have some immunity to these viruses.
 
1. Avian Flu---   or bird flu---is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 virus is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to  humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine.   
  
2. Pandemic Flu--is a human flu that causes a global outbreak  called a pandemic. It is a serious illness because  people have very little if any natural immunity and the  disease spreads quickly from one person to another. Currently there is no pandemic flu.
 

Academic Component of Pandemic Plan

 
 
Activities for Families:
 
• Reading – There should be many opportunities for reading throughout the day.  This would include reading to children and having your child read to you.  Storybooks, chapter books, magazines, newspapers, etc. are only a sampling of materials that you can use to read with your child.  Take time during the reading to stop and discuss story events, ask questions about what might happen next, why a character did something, etc.
 
• Have a family play production.  Assign a character and lines to each person.  Practice and have a show when everyone knows his/her part.
 
• Writing - Along with reading, there are many ways to include writing into the day.  Children can keep daily journals, describing events of the day.  They can keep a journal that discusses the reading that they have been doing.  This is a great place to think about questions they may have about the reading they are doing.
 
• Math – There are some very traditional activities that you can do with your child such as practicing math facts – addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.  There are also many games that help children to practice problem solving such as Sudoko.  You can create “story problems” in which children have to decide whether to add, subtract, etc in order to solve the story.
 
• Record the weather each day, using a graph for the temperature.  Make comparisons among the different days, count how many rainy days in a month, etc.
 
• Board games, card games, checkers, etc. are all great activities to help children think!
 
• Pick science and social studies topics that interest your child and do some family research to learn more about the topic.  Children can read and write about the topic, but just taking time to discuss the topic is valuable.
 
• Art – There are many activities for coloring, painting, crafts, etc. that you can do with your child.  Provide your child with the materials and encourage him/her to be creative.
 
• Music – Sing-a-longs, playing music while you work, dancing to music, etc.
 
• Cooking with children is a great way to teach math skills of measuring, introduce and practice fractions, and serve as another opportunity to read.  
 
• Although too much television is not a good idea for children, there are several educational shows that you may consider watching with your child.  Reading Rainbow and Read between the Lions are two educational shows.
 
• You can read a popular children’s book with your child and then view the video version and make comparisons.  
 
• Computer/Internet:  There are websites and computer software that have learning games that your child can play.  It’s important, as always, to monitor what your child is viewing on the internet.  And don’t forget the opportunity to email friends.  
 
• Knitting, crocheting, sewing, and scrap booking are all activities that children love.  Family histories can be explored through scrap booking activities and writing stories or introducing children to genealogy can follow this up.
 
• Children and adults need exercise, so be sure to include time for a few sit-ups and some jogging in place!  

Three Areas of Importance if a Pandemic Occurs

Flu germs are spread from person to person just like common colds. Respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes travel through the air and land on the mouth or nose of people nearby or on objects like a desk. If the next person who touches the desk wipes his or her eyes, mouth, or nose before washing hands, the virus gets into their body. This is called droplet spread or transmission of viruses from one to another.

How can we prevent this from happening?

1. Everyone needs to learn to cough or sneeze into the upper sleeve of his/her own clothing.

2. If you use a tissue to cover your mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing, you should put the tissues into a wastebasket and then clean your hands.

3. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth.

4. MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL WASH YOUR HANDS often with soap and water or clean them with a hand sanitizer. You should wash your hands for 20 seconds…about the time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice!

According to the CDC, “the single most important thing we can do to keep from getting sick and spreading illness to others is to clean our hands.”

CLEAN YOUR HANDS…

• After you use the bathroom
• Before you eat
• Before, during, and after you prepare food
• When your hands are dirty
• After handling animals or animal waste
• More frequently when you, or someone with whom you come in contact, is sick.

The Center for Disease Control advises all households to be prepared to stay at home and isolated from the rest of the population for extended periods of time. This may be from two weeks to one month and may occur more than once, since pandemic flu strikes in waves. This takes some thought and planning on everyone’s part.

The CDC and the American Red Cross have both prepared checklists to help you determine what needs to be done to get ready. Please see attached checklists.

Because we are all different with different needs at home, you really need to plan ahead. Ask yourself some questions:

1. Do I need some cash on hand?
2. Do I have a list of Emergency numbers?
3. Do I have a First Aid Kit?
4. Do I have pets that will need to have supplies on hand?
5. Do I have a plan for care of my children if school closes?
6. Do I have plenty of water and food stocked for the whole family?
7. Do I have an elderly relative who might need some help with plans?
8. Do I have a neighbor who might need assistance with plans?
9. Am I prepared to home school my children? (school will help)

There are things you can do to stay as healthy as possible.
1. Eat healthy foods

2. Get adequate rest (children and teenagers need 8 to 10 hours)
3. Exercise regularly
4. Do something daily to reduce stress (listen to music, find a hobby, laugh, play)
5. Practice good personal hygiene (clean mouth, clean clothes, clean skin).
6. WASH HANDS OFTEN AND WELL

Anyone with the signs of flu should stay home from work, school, and errands and avoid contact with others.

Care of the Home:

1. Keep everyone’s personal items separate. Avoid sharing computers, pens, papers, clothes, towels, sheets, blankets, food, or eating utensils.
2. Disinfect doorknobs, switches, handles, toys, and other surfaces that are commonly touched around the home.

DISINFECTANT
• 1 gallon water
• ¼ cup bleach
• Mix up fresh every
• time you use it

3. Clothing and dishes may be washed together. Use hot water. Wash hands after handling dirty laundry.
4. Wear disposable gloves when in contact with or cleaning up body fluids.
5. The caregiver may want to wear a mask when giving care.

Care for a Loved One:

1. Encourage plenty of fluids to drink at the first sign of flu. Prevent dehydration. You can give ice chips, soups or broth as well as other liquids. Give small sips very frequently if drinking larger amounts of liquids causes nausea.
2. Keep the ill person as comfortable as possible. Rest is important
3. Give fever-reducing medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or aspirin. Follow directions on the container label for dosage and frequency. DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN TO ANYONE UNDER AGE 20. This can cause Reye’s syndrome.
4. Sponging the body with tepid (wrist-temperature) water lowers fever, but only during the period of sponging. DO NOT SPONGE THE BODY WITH ALCOHOL.
5. Keep a record of temperature readings and when medication has been given.
6. Keep tissues and a trash bag for their disposal within reach of the patient.
7. If your loved one has diarrhea or vomiting, give fluids that contain electrolytes like Pedialyte. You can make your own electrolyte drink for use with anyone over age 12.
Electrolyte Drink
1 quart water
¾ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 tablespoons sugar
1 cup orange or lemon juice
Mix thoroughly

8. All members of the household should wash their hands frequently.
9. Keep other family members and visitors away from the person who is ill.
10. Contact your healthcare provider for further advice. If the ill person is having difficulty breathing or is getting worse, contact the healthcare provider right away.