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Today, Lauren Kashtan has graciously provided some great tips for being prepared this hurricane season. Unfortunately, we are far too close to danger areas to ignore any of this. So, read on and help protect your family this season.  Ms. Kashtan works on behalf of The Clorox Company – together with the American Red Cross they have some great tips for families about preparing for and recovering from a disaster.  September marks National Preparedness Month making this an ideal time to post information on this very important subject.  Thanks to Ms. Kashta, the Clorox Company, and the American Red Cross! Now that hurricane season has officially begun, making sure your family is prepared in case of a natural disaster is more timely and crucial than ever.  I thought you would be interested in some helpful tips and easy steps you and your readers can take to get prepared. Key preparation steps:

• Get a kit - Have an emergency preparedness kit for your household. Include basic supplies:

1. Water - 1 gallon per person, per day for drinking and washing (min. 3-day supply)
2. Non-perishable food (min. 3-day supply)
3. Flashlight
4. Multi-purpose tool
5. Radio
6. First aid kit
7. Important medications and copies of personal documents
8. Disinfecting bleach for cleaning, disinfecting and emergency water sanitation

• Make a plan - Meet with your family or household members. Plan what to do in case you are separated during an emergency. Be sure to practice and review the plan twice a year.
• Be informed - Get to know the types of disasters and other emergencies that may occur where you live, learn, work and play and how to respond as safely as possible.  Find out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information.

Ways to prevent illness and clean up after a disaster:

• Evaluate home safety. Report downed power lines and gas leaks, inspect foundations and roofs, keep electricity off and have a professional inspector clear the home before entering.
• Clean and disinfect the home and dry any excess moisture. Excess moisture left behind will fuel the growth of mold, which can be a health risk for you and your family. It’s important to get non-porous surfaces dried and disinfected quickly.
• Remembering these simple health and safety tips to help prevent illness in the aftermath of a natural disaster:

1. Keep your hands clean, either by washing your hands or using a hand sanitizer
2. If you feel feverish, see a doctor immediately
3. Eat healthy foods and drinks lots of clean water
4. If water supplies are compromised and you are unable to boil water for one minute (three minutes at high elevation), you can create potable water by using un-scented disinfecting bleach such as Clorox. You can also use bleach to clean non-porous surfaces in your home. For specific details visit: www.clorox.com/redcross to download the preparedness guide.

• Get a kit - Have an emergency preparedness kit for your household. Include basic supplies:

1. Water - 1 gallon per person, per day for drinking and washing (min. 3-day supply)
2. Non-perishable food (min. 3-day supply)
3. Flashlight
4. Multi-purpose tool
5. Radio
6. First aid kit
7. Important medications and copies of personal documents
8. Disinfecting bleach for cleaning, disinfecting and emergency water sanitation

• Make a plan - Meet with your family or household members. Plan what to do in case you are separated during an emergency. Be sure to practice and review the plan twice a year.
• Be informed - Get to know the types of disasters and other emergencies that may occur where you live, learn, work and play and how to respond as safely as possible.  Find out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information.

Ways to prevent illness and clean up after a disaster:

• Evaluate home safety. Report downed power lines and gas leaks, inspect foundations and roofs, keep electricity off and have a professional inspector clear the home before entering.
• Clean and disinfect the home and dry any excess moisture. Excess moisture left behind will fuel the growth of mold, which can be a health risk for you and your family. It’s important to get non-porous surfaces dried and disinfected quickly.
• Remembering these simple health and safety tips to help prevent illness in the aftermath of a natural disaster:

1. Keep your hands clean, either by washing your hands or using a hand sanitizer
2. If you feel feverish, see a doctor immediately
3. Eat healthy foods and drinks lots of clean water
4. If water supplies are compromised and you are unable to boil water for one minute (three minutes at high elevation), you can create potable water by using un-scented disinfecting bleach such as Clorox. You can also use bleach to clean non-porous surfaces in your home. For specific details visit: www.clorox.com/redcross to download the preparedness guide.