1.5 Million Acres Ablaze in the US

Yesterday evening as I was driving home, I glanced up at the sky. It was hard not to notice the gray haze that had blocked the view of our towering mountains. What I noticed for the first time was how red and dull the sun looked. The Salt Lake Valley where I live has been covered in the haze of wildfires for near a week now.

In the wake of the devistation of Hurricane Harvey and the impending threat of Hurricane Irma, other areas of the US are fighting a very different kind of threat. 

As of today there are 51 uncontrolled large fires in the unites states according to today's incident management situation report. Most notably are the fires ablaze in the Montana area, near Oregon and Washington, and in Southern California near Burbank. 

The effects of the wildfires range far past the near 1.5 million acres in the US that are directly affected by the wildfires. The fires burn land, and structures causing severe devastation to families and communities and then the smoke from those fires carries across the US.

Where I live, there is a fire around an hour from my house. Even though I am an hour away from that fire and many more hours away from the Washington and Oregon fires, I am still affected. The air in our valley is very polluted. And many people especially older and sick people are the main affected ones. The poor air can cause issues with breathing.

I say this not to take away from the tragedy of homes lost, but to show just how far reaching any natural disaster can be. As unfortunate as it is disasters are often the best calls to action. 

Where are you at on your emergency preparations? Do you have a bug-out bag ready to go? 

Think about some of these basics to have handy just in case.

• Food
• Water
• Extra clothing
• Important documents
• Extra cash
• N95 masks (Prevents you from breathing in harmful smoke)
• Full tanks of gas in your cars
• Extra cans of gas (one of the first resources to come into short supply)

Remember, preparation is a lifestyle choice. When you are prepared you can worry less about those you love. Keep Safe!

The Week in Review: What You Need to Know About North Korea

By: Todd Norman, Emergency Zone

North Korea and Donald Trump are buzzwords that have been hitting top searches over the past several weeks. So what's the story? What's going on? Most of all, what is it that we need to be ready for?

In the last several days, things have simmered down just a bit in the news. There has still been talk about war with North Korea, and talk of nuclear attacks, but so far its been just that. Talk.

Up to this point most of the hype around North Korea has focused around a few statements and actions made from and by the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, and from President Donald Trump.

This war of words, so to speak, began with a threat from the North Korean Government when they announced that plans were in the works to launch several nuclear missiles near Guam if there was any US provocation.

In response President Trump responded stating that North Korea would be met with "fire, fury, and frankly power".

Both sides continued to escalate in words, sending warnings back and forth. China also got involved, with sources there stating that North Korea would be on its own if it attacked the US. Being an official ally, though, they would almost certainly take their side in other circumstances.

This became a week long banter, back and forth, between two countries who didn't really want to go to war. The one thing we are fairly certain of is that Kim Jong-un does want to protect himself and if he feels threatened he would be capable of trying an attack.

In the end North Korea backed off of their threats (or at least felt they made a strong enough statement), and the tides have more or less settled for the time being. That doesn't mean we should put our guard down though.

As individuals it may seem at times that there isn't much we can do in situations like this, we can however take care of ourselves and those close to us.

Being ready and prepared is a lifestyle choice. Preparing for an emergency can't effectively happen during an emergency. What could we do now to prepare for future concerns and threats from other countries?

This all starts with preparation now. Here are a few ideas of things to help you be more prepared now.

#1 Stay up to date on national and international news; know what could affect you.

#2 Build up a food and water storage. In an emergency food and water may come into short supply.

#3 Have a first aid kit on hand, it may be hard to run to the store to get anything you need.

#4 Have a grab and go bag, AKA, a "bug out bag." This should have essential supplies and a change of clothes in case you need to leave your home.

The great thing about preparation is it can be an ongoing process. Start now by picking up some extra food when you go shopping. Begin setting aside money to have on hand. Being able to be independent is a good way to be prepared in an emergency situation.

Listening to the news and hearing stories like the one we heard this week about North Korea gives us reminders that we live in a volatile world at times, and should take time to prepare.

What to Know About Hurricane Harvey

By: Todd Norman, Emergency Zone

It's Hurricane season, and Hurricanes are not an uncommon threat along the coasts. It is more rare for a hurricane to actually make landfall. The average of is 1.73 a year over the past 165 years.

On occasion though there are hurricanes that can leave a more lasting impression. Some of us may recall Hurricane Katrina, which devastated Louisiana; and then Hurricane Rita, which hit the same region only one month later.


A new hurricane threat is looming over the Gulf Coast, and here's what you should know...

1. As in any emergency remember people tend to panic and rumors abound. Make sure to look for  
    accurate news and news updates.

2. Hurricane Harvey is major hurricane that is sweeping towards the Texas gulf coastline as of Friday.

3. According to the New York Times and CNN, the Hurricane has developed into a category 2* and
    could hit landfall as a category 3, the first to hit the nation in 12 years.

4. In a recent report by the Weather Channel Hurricane Harvey will reach landfall either late tonight
    or early Saturday morning.

5. There are two major threats currently. They have catastrophic amounts of rainfall and flooding, and the already strong tropical storm strength winds and speeds of 110mph.


What you need to do if you are affected...

1. If your home lies dangerously in the path of Hurricane Harvey, local authorities would have already issued a warning of evacuation. It is important to listen to these warnings. Here is a link to the warnings current to the time of this posting.

2. If an evacuation is not necessary, and you haven't been prompted to evacuate, it is best to stay in your home. You have your supplies and necessities there. It also frees up the roads for emergency responders.

3. If evacuating, take essentials with you: food, extra water, extra clothing, toiletries, and cash if you have some handy.

4. If remaining in place but in an effected area keep a radio or news station playing. Keep up to date on the path of the storm.

5. There are a few things you can do to that ready.gov recommends prepare yourself and your home if you are staying put during the hurricane.

• Trim or remove damaged tree limbs from around your yard.
• Secure and reinforce windows, doors, and roofs. If you don't have time to go out and buy anything, use what you have. Plastic sheets and blankets can protect against shattering glass and rain seeping in.
• Review items you might have in a disaster kit: First Aid, Food, Water, Hygiene Supplies.
• Review escape routes in case an evacuation becomes necessary.
• Make sure you have gas in your car.

The most important thing in an emergency is to keep a cool head. If you listen to the local authorities, keep an eye on the storm, and have basic supplies; you will be okay.

An additional resource in an emergency is knowing where safe houses are. Here is a link to the Hurricane Harvey crisis map. It has useful information about the warning areas and safe houses. Crisis Map

*Hurricanes are categorized on a scale from 1-5 with 5 being the strongest.

Take Landslides Seriously

Today, in Sierra Leone, a catastrophic mudslide is ravaging the outskirts of Freetown. One mortuary alone reported 300 dead so far, and the final count is likely to be much higher. With the continuing rains, the danger is not over. The high level of death and destruction is due primarily to all of the poor not being able to afford to legally construct housing that is up to safety and engineering code.

But if you think it is only a problem for impoverished lands, you'd be wrong.

No region with uneven terrain is immune. In 2014, the same year hapless Sierra Leone was under threat of the Ebola virus, the deadliest landslide in U.S. history occurred in Washington state in the infamous Oso mudslide. 43 people were killed. This year, landslides have caused a number of long-term closures in California.

So what is a landslide, and what can you do to prepare for one?

A landslide is a geological event that includes mudslides and debris flows. They can be caused by earthquakes, severe weather, man-made alterations to the landscape, or poor civil engineering. Landslides globally cause massive damage in lives and property.

Before a Landslide

• Warning signs of shifting terrain in a community can sometimes be spotted early; sudden increase of cracks in foundations and pavement, doors and windows sticking, etc.
• Take note of the paths excess water in storms take, or where flows of debris or water would converge.
• Landscape your yard with concrete, trees, bushes, etc. to prevent erosion.
• As always, have emergency supplies and an emergency plan in place.

During a Landslide

• Many landslide deaths occur at night when people are sleeping. If you are awake, wake your family and neighbors.
• Evacuate if possible.
• Landslides can be fast and fierce. If you can’t outrun it, take cover as you would on p. 20.
• Watch for signs that the slide or flooding may be catching up to you, such as strange noises like cracking tree branches, stream water turning form clear to muddy, etc.

After a Landslide

• While searching for survivors, avoid the main slide zone. Landslides are still possible.
• When it is safe to return, repair landscaping as soon as possible to stop further erosion.

The What, Where, and How of Ebola

You've probably heard of the Ebola virus disease, you may have even heard about the recent outbreak in Bas Uélé, DRC, but what do you know about it? What do doctors and scientists know about it? Could it affect your health and well being? How can you prevent it? If someone is infected, is it curable?

Do we know where it came from?

The answer to that question is yes... and no. We generally know how the disease is transmitted to humans; what we don't know for certain is where the disease originates.

While we are uncertain of a specific origin to the disease, it is thought that a certain breed of fruit bats are the natural Ebola virus host. The disease can then be spread to other animals.

Ebola is transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals' blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids. It can be an animal that is still alive or dead. The disease can then be transmitted to other humans the same way through contact with open wounds, blood, secretions, or other bodily fluids.

When did it first become noticed, and where has it affected people?

The Ebola Virus was discovered in 1976, when two simultaneous outbreaks occurred. One was in what is now South Sudan, and the other in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The disease derives its name from the Ebola River near where the latter outbreak occurred. Since then, there have been sporadic outbreaks throughout Africa.

The recent outbreak from 2014-2016 has been the largest and most complex outbreak since it was originally discovered. There were more than cases and deaths than all other outbreaks combined. There were 28,616 reported cases and 11,310 deaths, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Previously reported cases had been in mostly rural areas. In 2014 it broke out in urban areas; and, therefore, spread more quickly.

Since then, there has only been an isolated case in Italy and a small outbreak of 8 reported cases and 4 deaths in northern DRC. Except the 2015 Italy case (likely contracted in Sierra Leone), all cases of Ebola to date have been reported only on the African continent.

Can it be prevented?

The best prevention, obviously, is to avoid traveling to those areas that have reported cases of the Ebola virus disease. The U.S. Embassy or consulate can provide specific information on areas and facilities to avoid.

If traveling to areas with the disease, reduce contact with wildlife: especially fruit bats, monkeys/apes, and raw meat. Practice careful hygiene, wash your hands with soap and water regularly.

Avoid touching anything that may have come in contact with a diseased persons blood, or bodily fluids. Don't participate in funeral rituals which involve handling in any way the body of someone who was infected with the Virus.

What are the symptoms?

It takes about 2 - 21 days after being infected by the disease to start showing symptoms. A person is not infections until they start exhibiting symptoms.

According to the World Health Organization, the first onset of symptoms includes: a fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and a sore throat. There are additional symptoms; diarrhea, vomiting, abominable pain, and unexplained bleeding and bruising.

How is it treated?

Ultimately, the Ebola virus disease can be fatal. There is currently no FDA approved vaccine or medicine available to treat Ebola. There are experimental treatments under development but have not yet been fully tested.

A patient's survival is dependent on their own immune system response and their health care. Symptoms are treated as they are exhibited. A patient who overcomes Ebola develops antibodies that are effective for at least ten years. 

It takes time even after recovery for the Ebola Virus to leave certain bodily fluids, for example, semen. And the amount of time it takes for Ebola to leave varies for each man.

For now, scientists continue to work to understand Ebola better and to help better treat the disease..

For more resources and information on the Ebola Virus, we recommend looking at the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.

Pregnant? Why you still can't go to Cancun

Ten things you actually need to know about the Zika Virus today

Yep, you read that right, if you are pregnant or wanting to get pregnant you should not be traveling to Cancun. Cancun isn’t the only one being singled out, there are over 45 countries you should avoid traveling to according to the latest reports from the CDC (Center for Disease Control). For the most up to date list click here. So, what’s the reason behind it all?

The reason is a disease called the Zika Virus. Have you heard about it yet? If you have heard of it do you know how to keep yourself safe and most importantly anybody in your life who may be pregnant or wanting to become pregnant in the near future?

There are a lot of questions, rumors, and concerns out there concerning the Zika Virus. We did our homework to sift through all of that to find the ten things you actually need to know about the Zika virus today.

What is the Zika Virus? The Zika virus, which is very new to the western hemisphere, is related to dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile Virus. The Virus can cause infection and disease and is primarily transmitted through infected mosquitoes.

What are health risks of the Zika Virus? For most adults who are infected the symptoms are very mild if you notice them at all. There has been recent studies into the correlation between the Zika virus and a rare sickness of the nervous system called Guillain-Bare syndrome (GBS). This is highly uncommon, 1 in 100,000 report having this in the US. Some of the mild symptoms are a low fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes, and muscle pain. Although it may not sound that bad, the Zika virus was named a World Health Emergency in 2016 by the World Health Organization. This is because the Zika virus can cause a serious birth defect during pregnancy.  

How can it affect a pregnancy? The Zika virus while for most adults may be a mild nuisance it can severely affect an unborn child during a pregnancy. During a pregnancy the Zika virus can be passed from the mother to the fetus which can develop into a disease called microcephaly. This disease causes the brain to not fully develop. This causes the baby to have a head smaller than expected and can result in further brain damage.

What are the chances of the virus affecting a pregnancy? In a report published by the New England Journal of Medicine, they estimate that the risk of the baby developing microcephaly when a pregnant mother has been infected with the Zika virus during the first trimester can be as high as 13%. The CDC does not currently know if there is a safe time to travel to areas at risk of the Zika virus during a pregnancy. The best option is of course is to avoid becoming infected.

If I do get infected with Zika will future pregnancies be at risk? There is no current evidence that a woman who has recovered from Zika will have Zika related pregnancy complications in the future. Based on similar infections, once a person has been infected with Zika and has cleared the virus from the body, they will likely be protected from future Zika infections.

How can someone become infected?The virus is primarily spread through bites from infected mosquitoes. The virus can also be spread through unprotected sex and if a pregnant mother is infected there is a chance it could spread to the fetus and cause the baby to have microcephaly.

Is the Virus spreading? The virus is spreading, it can spread from one country to another as people travel and become infected, those people may then transmit the disease through mosquitoes, without evening knowing they are carriers. There have been two areas where local mosquito-borne viruses have been reported, Brownsville, Texas and South Florida. While this may seem alarming, there is work being done to create vaccines and if you are smart in your travels and stay up to date on the areas of risk you needn’t overly worry about yourself and anyone you know who may be pregnant.

How is Zika diagnosed? Watch for the mild symptoms, especially if you or someone you know has recently traveled to an infected area. A doctor can diagnose the disease if you are worried you may have been infected. Your doctor will ask you about recent travel and symptoms you have been having, as well as collect blood or urine samples.

Is there a cure for Zika? Currently there is no cure or vaccine for Zika, if you are infected the best thing to do is get plenty of rest, drink a lot of fluid to prevent dehydration, as well as taking medicine to reduce any fever.

What can I do to prevent getting the Zika virus? The best way to prevent becoming infected is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. First and most important is to avoid traveling to places the CDC has listed to avoid. Second use insect repellent, wear long sleeved shirts and pants, try to remain indoors where there is air conditioning, and if you camp outside sleep inside a tent and use a mosquito net. In addition avoid having unprotected sex during the pregnancy as it can be sexually transmitted as well.

Mothers: The Original Preppers

We love to spend Mother’s Day to celebrate all the amazing moms out there, and all the things they do for us. Because let’s face it, moms are definitely the glue that holds most of us together. As a mom I know we have some tough jobs we sometimes have to face, one of the biggest challenges I think we face daily is leaving the house with our babies/children and trying to figure out how much we have to take with us in a diaper bag. There are some days where I think I’ve packed the whole house, and I’m still not prepared.

With babies, we always have to expect the unexpected— they just love to surprise us with something new everyday. Whether that be filling up their diapers in what feels like every five minutes, or throwing up all over us at the worst possible times. But we are supermoms and we handle it with such grace because we come prepared all the time (okay, maybe not all the time but we try our best.)  

But that can bring up a big question:  How many of us moms are prepared for an emergency and could we leave the house with enough items for our kids? Most of us may have a 72 hour kit for ourselves but have you ever thought about having a 72 hour diaper bag? Something we could make for just our babies.

So then comes the question, what would we need and how much of it? Obviously all babies are different and have different needs and quantities. But I think for the most part we are all on the same page about things that are essential to have in a diaper bag. So what should we be putting in a 72 hour diaper bag?

#1: A Sturdy Bag/Diaper Bag- You don’t necessarily need a diaper bag, you are going to want to have something that is sturdy and easy to carry. So even if you end up putting it in a backpack that would be fine. An important reason you want to make the baby his or her own bag is because you don’t want to waste time unpacking your whole bag while you’re looking for the baby items.

#2: Bottles and Formula- Formula is a definite must, even if you are breastfeeding. The reasoning behind that is breast milk can dry up due to stress and an emotional state, and in an emergency there can be a lot of high stress situations and you want to be prepared if that were to happen.

So how much formula should you pack? Again I think over doing it is something I would do. I would at least pack 3-4 cans of 12 oz. formula, which means you would have to pack extra water as well. So keep in mind that with the formula you want to pack as much water as you can. And if you are still breastfeeding should you still pack formula? I would definitely say yes, breastfeeding can be a great thing. But consider when on the go there might be times where it’s difficult to breastfeed and always having a back up plan could save your life.

#3: Diapers and Wipes- Babies poop a lot, especially newborns. So packing a ton of diapers is definitely necessary. If able to travel by car I would just put a whole case in the back. If that isn’t an option then I would pack as many as I could fit maybe even fitting some in my bag. The question comes up about cloth diapers, they are reusable and you wouldn’t have to pack a ton. The reason I think this could become a problem is not having somewhere to wash them and packing more water could make the bag heavier and harder to carry. Another concern is having poor sanitation, which is the number one killer in most emergency situations.

#4: Blankets- You want to make sure you have a good blanket packed, wool is always a better choice because it’s warm whether it’s wet or dry. But other blankets are fine too. There is a chance your baby also has a favorite so it’s great to pack one just like it to make the baby as comfortable as possible.

#5: Toys- Depending on the age of the baby it’s good to include something that they are use to having around so it can bring some comfort to them as well as keep them occupied. Anything small will do, a rattle, a stuffed animal or even a book they are use to. If your baby uses a pacifier make sure and pack one and a spare one in case.

#6:Change of Clothes- Again, babies love to make messes anywhere from poop to throw up. So we want to bring more than just 3 days of clothing, as well as packing some short sleeve and long sleeve and even a jacket. You want them to be as comfortable as possible and not too hot or too cold. Make sure to pack enough socks as well.

#7: Medicines- If your baby takes something daily make sure you have some packed, and even if they don’t it’s always smart to have some packed. Something in case of fever, teething, or even for a cold.

#8 Hygiene Supplies- You want to pack things like nail clippers, thermometers, nasal aspirator for the boogers, toothbrush if baby has teeth etc.

This would be a very good place to start if you are just beginning, and you can always put different things in based on the baby’s age. But I’m sure all the mommy’s out there have this covered. I hope all of you have an amazing Mother’s Day because you definitely deserve it.