Here comes ‘Maria’

Maria Christina Concepcion .

WE all know that when the heavy rain comes, what happens next is no longer a surprise. Our city streets becomes flooded; cars and people find themselves stranded; the water supply is cut off; and on occasions trees and branches fall on electric posts and wires which results to city-wide brownout. And we all find ourselves helpless.

But this need not be the case. There is a way to be on top of things, beginning with putting this saying into practice: “It is always best to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.” We’re talking about preparedness especially during calamities.

So, yes, “Maria” is coming! But we can prepare so we will not be found wanting when she arrives.

So where do we begin? With the heavy rains expected in the coming days, it will be to our best interest to prepare everything that we need, just in case the worst happens. Worst means severe flooding which may endanger our lives and our properties. Severe flooding can also affect our mobility, which means we won’t be able to go just about anywhere.  The supply of electricity and water can also be affected. So we need to prepare the following:

Water. Enough water supply for all the members of our family for three days. To prevent dehydration, health authorities recommend that each person drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water each day, an equivalent of about two liters or half a gallon per day. For three days, a person needs six liters of drinking water. And then we need to add enough water also for cooking.

Now before I proceed you might ask why three days specifically? Because according to disaster rescue experts, it usually takes three days for rescuers to find and reach victims of calamities and disasters. So, three days of supplies is always the best.

Food. For food, we need also three days supplies sufficient for all the members of the family, including your pets, if you have any. What kinds of foods? Be sure they are easy-to-prepare meals. Ready-to-eat like canned goods is okay. Lots of energy bars especially if you have kids. Include also food that can be prepared with hot water only like oatmeal and energy drinks.

Medicines. There may be members of the family who have maintenance medicines. Make sure they have enough supply to last for at least one week. Ensure you also have allergy medicines just in case. A first Aid Kit is also essential. Medicines for diarrhea, pain killers, fever, as well as headaches will also be very helpful. Put them all in a safe container, one that’s water proof. Include a small scissor, a sewing kit, and safety pins.

Other things you need include flashlights, candles, matches, extra batteries, solar lamps (if you have), cellphone chargers, whistles, and if you have a Swiss army knife throw it in the bag with all the aforementioned above. It is best if all these supplies are in one waterproof container.

Clothes and Blankets. Prepare extra clothing as well, just in case you need to go somewhere. Place in a bag that can be easily carried. It is best that each member of the family have his or her own bag containing dry clothes (make sure they are not bulky), undies, and socks. A small blanket will also come in handy with wet and cold weather. Roll them individually so that they will fit perfectly in the bag or backpack. All members of the family must have his/her own bag and should be responsible in carrying the bag when the need arises.

Prepare extra cash in small denominations (bills). This may come in handy, you’ll never know.

What else? Well, do you have enough liquefied petroleum gas? Sometimes we run out of LPG when we least expect it. Do you have enough cooking supplies? What if it will be too difficult to go shopping because of heavy rain? Do you have enough supply of cooking oil? Sugar? Salt? Rice? Vinegar? How about shampoo? Or toothpaste? Or bath soap? Or laundry soap? Remember, even if it’s raining cats and dogs we still need to take a bath and brush our teeth… and do some laundry even if it means we hang our clothes to dry inside our comfort rooms or sala!

Do you have a car? Make sure that it has fuel as well. Who knows you and your family might need to go somewhere safe. It pays to have a tank filled with gas. Public transport may not be readily available.

And make sure the kids will not get bored in the house when the classes are called off. Prepare activities for them to do to make them “productive”. Don’t let them stay in front of the TV for a very long time, and monitor their gadget use. And don’t get bored yourself when you find yourself under “house arrest” because of the heavy rains, especially when there’s no electricity (meaning no TV and no Wi-Fi).

Hopefully your house will stay dry and you as well, then you can sit together as a family and enjoy each others company. We can always find good in even the direst situation, and sometimes, from the worst situations good things come out of it.

May God bless us all!

(Maria Christina I. Concepcion is with the Rotary Club of Kalayaan Cagayan de Oro.)