Monterey County Health Department
Preparedness Minute
August 2006
Creating a Community of Preparedness
Every community in this Country has been, or will be,
affected by a natural or human caused disaster at some point
in time. Is your family, neighborhood and community
prepared for an emergency?
As individuals we can prepare our families for emergencies.
As members of a neighborhood we can do the same thing. Through planning, neighborhoods can come
together to help reduce injuries, loss of lives, and property damage. Neighborhood preparedness will
enhance the ability of individuals and neighborhoods to reduce their emergency needs and to manage their
existing resources until organized assistance becomes available. Which depending on the emergency may be
72 hours or longer.
The idea of coming together as a community is not a new idea. For over thirty years, neighbors have been
coming together to fight crime in the Neighbor Watch Program. Throughout history, neighborhoods have
come together during natural disasters, emergencies and crises.
Where to start?
Meet with your neighbors. If your neighborhood isn’t ready
for a neighborhood meeting, begin by getting to
know your neighbors.
When you do get together, even with a just a few
neighbors:
• Discuss/plan how the neighborhood could work together
after a disaster.
• Exchange emergency phone lists.
• Learn your neighbors’ skills (medical, technical).
• Consider how you could help neighbors who have special
needs, such as elderly or disabled persons.
• Make plans for child care in case parents can’t get home
• Make plans for animals in case owners can’t get home
By coming together you and your neighbors can be better
prepared for emergencies and reap other benefits such as new
friends and lower crime rates.
Phone a Friend
A simple call or visit is a lifeline to the outside world for many seniors and people with
disabilities. Encourage people you know to
adopt a “buddy system” -- a short, simple,
daily call or visit -- for
those who will most
benefit from this level
of connection. A
“buddy” can be a
friend, family member,
neighbor, or other trusted person.
If an emergency ever stops them from
connecting, or if something sounds
suspicious or just not right, a buddy can take
action and alert the designated
emergency contacts.
A short, simple, daily call can be a
real lifesaver!
The purpose of this short publication is to inform Monterey County residents about preparedness issues ranging from emerging
communicable diseases to personal preparedness. If there is a specific topic you or your staff are interested in please contact the
Preparedness Program at klahnk@co.monterey.ca.us.
Your Mother was Right, Clean Hands Save Lives
Keeping your hands clean helps you to avoid getting sick or spreading germs to others. This is
important every day but especially during flu season and will be critical during a pandemic or other
emergency. It is best to wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. When water is not
available, you can use alcohol-based hand products made for washing hands (sanitizers).
When should you wash your hands?
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Before preparing or eating food
After going to the bathroom
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
Before and after caring for someone who is sick
After handling uncooked foods, particularly raw meat, poultry, or fish
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After handling an animal or animal waste
After handling garbage
Before and after treating a cut or wound
Using alcohol-based hand sanitizers
Remember:
If soap and water are
not available, use an
alcohol-based hand
sanitizer.
When your hands are visibly dirty, you should wash them with soap and
water when available. However, if soap and water are not available, use
alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• Apply product to the palm of one hand.
• Rub hands together.
• Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until your hands are dry.
Note: the volume needed to reduce the number of germs on hands varies by product.
Washing with soap and water
• Place your hands together under water (warm water if possible).
• Rub your hands together for at least 15-20 seconds (with soap if possible).
Wash all surfaces well, including wrists, palms, backs of hands, fingers,
and under the fingernails.
• Clean the dirt from under your fingernails.
• Rinse the soap from your hands.
• Dry your hands completely with a clean towel if possible (this helps remove
the germs). However, if towels are not available it is okay to air dry your hands.
• Pat your skin rather than rubbing to avoid chapping and cracking.
• If you use a disposable towel, throw it in the trash.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/handhygienefacts.asp
This issue of Preparedness Minute is brought to you by the Monterey County Health
Department’s Preparedness Program. For more information Contact:
Linell McCray
Preparedness Coordinator—755-4739
Karen Smith
Public Information Officer – 755-4639