These gifts can make a tangible difference in helping your community become safer and more prepared. Consider giving these items or the dollars that can buy them to a favorite charity or service organization, or as a holiday or other gift.
- Evacuation chairs: these high-tech chairs allow a physically able person with low strength to help even the most physically disabled individual evacuate – even down stairs.
- Data backup devices: automatic data backup can make the difference between closing an agency and allowing it to continue serving the community.
- Portable supplies cache: a wheeled, closed container that will contain food, water and other important emergency supplies.
- “Jump” , “Flash” or “USB” Drives: these small data storage units have many names, but they all give staff the power to be walking data backup sites by copying vital files onto their keychains.
- Kits: kits for personal safety or to help the agency evacuate without losing vital documents and information. Kits come in every possible size from small pocket-sized kits to mid-sized family kits to HUGE kits designed for mega-emergencies.
- Mitigation Supplies: cabinet latches, furniture straps, or earthquake putty can make the difference in avoiding injuries, equipment damage and data loss.
- Radios: communications and information are essential in a disaster. Radios range from low-cost battery-powered models to high-end versions that make their own electricity.
- Fire Extinguishers: charged, well-labeled, “ABC” style fire extinguishers are vital to office safety.
- First Aid Kits: ranging from tiny to extensive, these are also vital to workplace safety.
- Signage: to property mark safety features and hazards – glow-in-the-dark signs are particularly effective.
- Bullhorn/Megaphone: can help organize a response, control an evacuation, and avoid upset and confusion.
- SKIP Kits: SKIP stands for Safety Kept In Place, and SKIP kits are ziptop bags filled with small safety items. Storing a few key items under each desk, in a glove compartment or behind a couch cushion means people will have a light, a whistle, some key information in the place where they spend time.
- Preparedness Clothing and Gear: shirts, hats, aprons, buttons and other gear can help safety monitors and safety team members do their jobs with greater confidence and ease. See samples at www.Zazzle.com/CARDcanhelp.
- Flashlights: LED flashlights have a long battery life and powerful light. Flashlights could be mounted on office walls or handed out to individuals. Keychain LED lights are a particularly cost-effective way to prepare the whole staff. Remember to teach people the safety code: 1=Yes, 2=No, 3=Help!
- Whistles: simple, reliable whistles belong on our keychains, so we can all call for help when trapped or in danger, warn others, direct traffic, and many other day-to-day uses. Remember to teach people the safety code: 1=Yes, 2=No, 3=Help!
- Mylar Safety Blankets: small, lightweight and shiny, these blankets help people to retain body heat and they provide protection from moisture.
- Car Battery Power Inverters: while full-sized generators can be dangerous, and they require special storage and training, a simple car battery can save the day if you just need to run a computer, radio, medical pump, cell phone charger, etc.
- Water Blocks: most agencies and service providers do not have enough water for emergencies. Water blocks do not need refrigeration, and they last for up to 5 years.
- Emergency Food: specially packaged emergency foods and MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) can be the missing link in allowing an agency to successfully Shelter in Place (SIP) and keep staff, volunteers and consumers comfortable and healthy in an emergency.
- Automobile Safety Items: flares, reflectors, fix-a-flat, AAA membership, car kits, and GPS systems are just a few of the ways to increase safety for people on the road.
A Helpful Reminder:
The sentiments expressed along with your gift can be exponentially more important than the actual gift itself. Rather than noting the looming disasters, the bad things that can happen, and the things no one can control, consider acknowledging the important role that agency or person fills; the people who will benefit from their support in times of crisis; and the heroism in the everyday ways they serve the community. Go for fear-free and empowering!
