I went to confession the other day, and for my penance, the priest asked me to share this life-saving tip: you can use the big drinking water bottles (6 liter type bottles) or even the large-size cooking oil containers as floatation devices. Sounds weird, but it’s true. These things are found in almost every home. If you are in an emergency situation wherein the flood water is rising fast, just take these bottles, empty the contents, and you’ll have a make-shift floation device. Just make sure that it’s air tight, so that the water can’t come in.
I’ve also added a list of items that you would need to prepare in times of typhoon. I got it from Osy’s email, but it’s taken from bayanihanonline.wordpress.com. It would be good to prepare these things and keep them in a safe place. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
- Clean drinking water. Good enough for a week. Consider having at least 1 gallon per person.
- Other drinks. Consider: juices in packs, carbonated drinks, coffee.
- Food. Also good enough for a week. Consider:
- Snacks that are easy to store and carry (biscuits, cookies)
- Non-perishable canned food (corned beef, tuna, pork and beans, vienna sausage, etc.)
- Candies to maintain sugar in body and keep acidity at bay
- Bread that will last for a few days, for carbo load
- Instant noodles, if you have the means to cook
- IMPORTANT: food for babies and the elderly if you have some staying with you
- Food utensils.
- Spoons, forks, knives, paper plates, drinking cups
- Non-electric can opener
- Cooking stove and fuel, if possible
- Plastic bags
- Medicines. Consider having medicines for the following:
- Fever and nausea
- Coughs and colds
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Diarrhea
- Anti-tetanus
- Anti-leptospirosis
- Other prescription drugs that you need to take
- First Aid kit. Must contain band-aids, gauze, tweezers, alcohol, antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide, bandage scissors, absorbent dressings, antiseptic wipe packets, cold compress, gloves and thermometer.
- Sanitation kit. Make sure that you have tissue wipes, toilet paper, sanitary napkins, diapers.
- Toiletries. These include toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap.
- Blankets, towels, comforters, pillows. You can put them in large garbage bags to keep from getting wet.
- Extra clothes and underwear. Put them in plastic bags to avoid from getting wet. If you can, pack something that will last you for a few days.
- Jackets, sweaters, socks, caps. And anything else that will keep you warm and dry.
- Emergency lights and flashlights
- Fresh batteries. Have reserves for batteries of different sizes, especially for radios and flashlights.
- Radio. Must be portable, battery operated, has functional AM station.
- Mobile phone. Make sure the battery is fully charge, and that you have a spare one, too, in case of emergency. Also consider walkie-talkies.
- Cash. Banks and ATMs might not be available so make sure that you have cash with you.
- Keys. Have copies of keys to the front door, back door, garage, car keys, etc.
- Items for pets. Consider also having a leash, muzzle, cage and food for your pets.
- Umbrellas and tents
- Water pails and dippers
- Floatation devices like life jackets, styrofoams, old tires, etc. (water bottle container…
) - Rope
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS TO PROTECT
Many people have died trying to go back for these things, so it’s important that you are well-prepared already at this point in time. Keep these documents in a water-proof container:
- Birth certificates
- Insurance records
- Medical records
- SSS, Pag-ibig and Philhealth records
- Identification cards
- Bank account numbers and records
- Emergency contact numbers
- Contact numbers of family, friends and loved ones
- It is important that you have an ID with you wherever you go. Also, a list of people to contact in case something happens to you. If you can, put your emergency contacts on speed dial.
So let’s be prepared for anything, and I do hope that we won’t get into a situation that would require us to use these. Stay safe everyone!
