Month 5 - Prepared Pouch & Fire Awareness
Tip of the Month: Don't risk your life or put anyone else in jeopardy for property and pets... even though we love our animals. "Risk a little to save a little. Risk a lot to save a lot."
Step 1: Prepared Pouch
A Prepared Pouch is a quart-sized Ziploc bag that has some essentials to keep you safe until you get to your emergency kit or larger Go Bag. Things to include in the Prepared Pouch: emergency blanket, bandana, 15 ft. of string, flashlight, permanent marker, tissue pack, hand sanitizer (spray bottle type), Emergency Contact sheet (from Month 1), CUE Card (downloadable) and a high energy bar. Keep the Prepared Pouch with you 24/7 in your computer case, backpack or purse. Wherever you go, you’ll be prepared!
Step 2: Fire Awareness
Each floor of your home should have a fire extinguisher. For emergencies such as a household fire, every household should have a fire evacuation plan and practice it a few times a year. Here is some information on how to create a plan for your family. For a disaster, it is likely that the fire department will be overwhelmed. If the you live in earthquake country, make sure every household member who is old enough knows how and when to turn of the gas. (Remember: if you can see it, smell it or hear it.) Being able to turn off gas, when needed can reduce the chance of fire. Regardless, only attempt to put out small fires if it can be safely done and you feel comfortable using an extinguisher. PASS is the way to help you know what to do:
Pull pin
Aim at base of fire - not the flames
Squeeze trigger
Sweep side to side
It's also helpful to do a quick test squeeze before approaching the fire.
After an earthquake, have all neighbors put fire extinguishers on the sidewalk or in line of site on a curb if no sidewalk exists. Having quick access to fire extinguishers can help you put out small fires that can grow large and spread to other houses. Not only will the fire department be unlikely to be available to put out house fires, it is likely that water mains will be busted and there won't be water or water pressure available to put out fires. So the more organized and prepared you and your neighbors are the better.
Month 5: 2 Steps Handout
Month 5: 2 Steps Handout for Students
A Prepared Pouch is a quart-sized Ziploc bag that has some essentials to keep you safe until you get to your emergency kit or larger Go Bag. Things to include in the Prepared Pouch: emergency blanket, bandana, 15 ft. of string, flashlight, permanent marker, tissue pack, hand sanitizer (spray bottle type), Emergency Contact sheet (from Month 1), CUE Card (downloadable) and a high energy bar. Keep the Prepared Pouch with you 24/7 in your computer case, backpack or purse. Wherever you go, you’ll be prepared!
Step 2: Fire Awareness
Each floor of your home should have a fire extinguisher. For emergencies such as a household fire, every household should have a fire evacuation plan and practice it a few times a year. Here is some information on how to create a plan for your family. For a disaster, it is likely that the fire department will be overwhelmed. If the you live in earthquake country, make sure every household member who is old enough knows how and when to turn of the gas. (Remember: if you can see it, smell it or hear it.) Being able to turn off gas, when needed can reduce the chance of fire. Regardless, only attempt to put out small fires if it can be safely done and you feel comfortable using an extinguisher. PASS is the way to help you know what to do:
Pull pin
Aim at base of fire - not the flames
Squeeze trigger
Sweep side to side
It's also helpful to do a quick test squeeze before approaching the fire.
After an earthquake, have all neighbors put fire extinguishers on the sidewalk or in line of site on a curb if no sidewalk exists. Having quick access to fire extinguishers can help you put out small fires that can grow large and spread to other houses. Not only will the fire department be unlikely to be available to put out house fires, it is likely that water mains will be busted and there won't be water or water pressure available to put out fires. So the more organized and prepared you and your neighbors are the better.
Month 5: 2 Steps Handout
Month 5: 2 Steps Handout for Students
Month 5 YouTube Video
Do Now!
Watch this video on "Using a Fire Extinguisher."
Watch this video on "Using a Fire Extinguisher."
Community Organizing Tips
- Get a bunch of friends who want to make Prepared Pouches together. Ask people how many pouches they want to make. Then have one person order emergency blankets on-line and go to a dollar store or drugstore to pick up the other items. If someone is crafty, have them sew handkerchiefs for the group. When you do them together, and sew your own handkerchiefs you can make each kit for about $4-4.50 without a flashlight and about $6-6.50 with a flashlight. Packs of decent LED flashlights can be bought at a cost of about $2/each.
- Giving Prepared Pouches are great gifts!
- Get your neighbors together to make Prepared Pouches at a neighborhood meeting.
Teacher Notes
- Buying emergency blankets on-line in bulk is the best way to do the Prepared Pouch. You can get the cost down to a little under $2/blanket. The difference can help to provide blankets for kids that don’t have the funds. You can also have a fundraiser selling the blankets to help raise funds while providing a valuable service to your community.
- Students were encouraged to make Prepared Pouches for other family members.
Additional Resources
How to choose a fire extinguisher - recommendations from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
How to choose a fire extinguisher - recommendations from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
