Extension Matters – Spring/Summer 2014 by WVSU_Ext

Rainwater Harvesting | Make a Plan. Get a Kit. Stay Informed. | Preparing for Household Fires

INSIDE

We team with the

American Red Cross to

help you and your family be informed, prepared and safe if disaster strikes. Extension Service

Orlando F. McMeans, Ph.D. Vice President for Research & Public Service and GRDI Dean and Director

Ami M. Smith, Ph.D. Assoc. Dean and Assoc. Director WVSU Extension Service

Matthew A. Browning Director of Communications; Editor WVSU Gus R. Douglass Institute

Stacy Herrick Communications Specialist; Designer WVSU Gus R. Douglass Institute

Extension Service

To request an edition of Extension Matters or to be added to our mailing list, please contact the editor at extension@wvstateu.edu

Extension Matters is published by West Virginia State University Extension Service, a division of The Gus R. Douglass Land-Grant Institute. WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, AGE, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, SEX, MARITAL STATUS, DISABILITY, OR STATUS AS A U.S. VETERAN.

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IN THIS ISSUE

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Where There’s Smoke: Preparing for Household Fires

Rainwater Harvesting

Creating an Emergency Food Pantry

Come In, We’re Open: How to Keep Business Going During Adverse Conditions

Kid Prep: Helping Your Children Prepare for Disaster

Make a Plan. Get a Kit. Stay Informed.

Urban Gardening Made Easy

Keeping It Clean: Personal Hygiene in Times of Crisis

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Greetings! Welcome to the spring/summer edition of Extension Matters, West Virginia State University’s magazine that offers you expert solutions in agriculture, technology, youth development, health, family, food and fitness. In this special edition of the magazine, we team up with the West Virginia Region of the American Red Cross to help keep you and your family informed of and practicing emergency preparedness. Earlier this year, local officials, organizations and community members joined together, in the wake of a water crisis, to provide clean water, ensure the safety of our citizens and keep the public informed. I am proud to say West Virginia State University served as a clean water distribution location for hundreds of area residents, as you can see on the cover of the magazine. In the weeks and months following the water crisis, the need for a better informed and prepared citizenry remains of the utmost importance. West Virginia State University is one of several partners establishing the West Virginia Water Sustainability Institute with 16 of the University’s finest researchers offering their expertise in areas such as green chemistry, aquaculture, water systems engineering, microbial genomics and more. This effort is an opportunity for us to continue helping our community and protect our precious water resources. Through this edition, WVSU and the West Virginia Region of the American Red Cross aim to provide you with information that will keep you and your family safe. In this issue, you’ll learn how to harvest rainwater for household use, prepare an emergency kit, stock a home food pantry and start your own small-space garden for access to fresh foods. We also cover some basic cleaning and bathing techniques when access to water is limited and how to ensure your children are prepared as well. In emergency situations, business owners face their own set of unique challenges. In this issue, we help business owners plan and prepare to operate amidst adverse circumstances. Lastly, we also share information on fire safety – the leading cause of household disaster. I hope you enjoy this edition of Extension Matters as much as I did. I would like to thank the West Virginia Region of the American Red Cross and our WVSU Extension Service experts for collaborating to ensure our communities are informed, engaged, prepared and practicing emergency preparedness.

President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. West Virginia State University

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Where There’s Smoke: Preparing for Household Fires Chris Kessell, 4-H Extension Agent, kesselg@wvstateu.edu

lanning for natural disasters such as floods or contaminated water supplies is vital for the safety and wellbeing of our families. But planning shouldn’t focus solely on large-scale emergencies. Household emergencies can happen every day – and often do. For instance, residential fires too often are fatal fires. Increasing the chance of survival in a structure fire can be as simple as ensuring your home has properly installed smoke alarms with working batteries. Smoke alarms are the bedrock of fire safety technology in our homes. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (2014), there has been a nearly 50 percent reduction in fatalities due to fire since smoke alarms were first introduced in the home. Still, though, with nearly 90 percent of all of our residences having smoke alarms, about 3,000 people lose their lives annually in residential fires. Nearly half of reported residential structure fires where lives have been lost have happened in homes without smoke alarms.

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Simple installation and maintenance of a smoke alarm can mean the difference between life and death. The Consumer Product Safety

Simp le R u le s A

References

Commission (n.d.) offers these simple rules about placement and care of the smoke alarms in your home.

Consumer Product Safety Commission. (n.d.). Smoke alarms – why, where and which. CPSC Pub. 559. Retrieved February 27, 2014, from http://www.cpsc.gov// PageFiles/119009/559.pdf. U.S. Fire Administration. (2006). Children and smoke alarms (detectors). FEMA. Retrieved February 27, 2014, from http://www.usfa.fema. gov/citizens/parents/alarms_ children.shtm

b o u t Pla c e m e n

a n d C a re of S m 1. P la ce sm ok e o ke A la r m s a la rm s on ev er y le ve l of y ou r h ome, bo in si de sl ee pi n g th ou ts ide a n d a re a s. De te ct or s ca n be pu rc h a se d fo a t h a rd wa re st r a n om in a l fe e ores a n d de pa rt men t st ores li k e tc . e Wa lm a rt, Ta rg e t, 2 . P la ce th em in th e ce n te r of ce il in gs . If th ey a wa ll s, k ee p th em re be in g pl a ce d si x to 12 in ch es on fr om th e ce il in g. 3. Ba t te ri es sh ou ld be re pl a ce d in y ou r sm ok a n n ua ll y. A go od e a la rm AT LEA re m in de r to re pl ST a ce y ou r sm ok e a la rm to do so w h en re ba t te ri es is se t ti n g cl oc k s in th e sp ri n g a S av in gs Ti me. n d fa ll fo r Day lig h t 4. Te st a ll th e de te ct ors in y ou r h ome on a m on h av e a te st bu t th ly ba si s. Mos to n on th e de v ic t m odel s e. 5. Do n ot pl a ce a sm ok e de te ct or to o cl os e to or fire pl a ce , a s y ou r k it ch en a sm ok e fr om th pp li a n ce s es e a re a s is co mm on th e de te ct or un a n d ca n se t of f n ec es sa ri ly. 6. Avo id pl a ce m en t n e a r ba th ro om s, ce il in g fa n h e a ti n g a pp li a n s, w in do ws a n d ce s. 7. R ep la ce sm ok e de te ct ors a bo ut on ce ev er y 1 re co mmen de d on 0 ye a rs, or a s th e pr od uc t pa ck ag in g of th e de 8. De ve lo p a pr v ic e y ou pu rc h a im a r y a n d se co se . n da r y fa m il y h ome. Wor k in g fire es ca pe pl a n sm ok e a la rm s in fo r y ou r co n ju n ct io n w it gi ve s y ou a n d y h a fire es ca pe ou r fam il y a be pl a n tter ch a n ce of f ire. su r v i v in g a st ru ct ure spr in g/su mme r 201 4 | ex ten s ion matters

R ainwater Harvesting Brad Cochran, Extension Agent for Community & Agricultural Resource Development, bcochran2@wvstateu.edu

When Mother Nature rains on our parade we can either seek shelter and wait for the rain to stop, or we can say “Thank You” as our rain barrels and cisterns fill to the brim. Harvesting rainwater can help your garden make it through a drought – or help alleviate the issues caused by crises such as the one affecting the water supply of Charleston and surrounding areas. When tap water is found to be unsafe to use, rainwater can be used to wash dishes, clothes and also your hands.

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ainwater collection methods come in many forms, but the most common are rain barrels attached to the gutter and downspout systems on your home and underground cisterns connected to gutter systems through a series of underground lines.

storm water runoff is one of the biggest culprits of soil erosion that West Virginians face. By using rain barrels and underground cisterns, homeowners can minimize this soil erosion, while also capturing clean water that can be used for a variety of things around the home.

Just how much water can you actually collect? One-half inch of rainfall across a 1,000 square foot rooftop can collect approximately 315 gallons of water (Rainbarrel Man Co., 2014). When considering the number of rain events impacting the region annually, it is clear that residents in West Virginia can harvest plenty of water to sustain our gardens in case of emergency. If you want to calculate just how much water your rooftop can produce for each one-half inch of rainfall, use this simple formula from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (2014). Now that you know it is

Rain barrels come in all shapes, sizes, materials and price ranges. If you have some free time and access to 55-gallon barrels, you can construct your own barrel at a very low cost (Better Homes and Gardens, 2014). If you are strapped for time and would prefer to purchase a pre-made capture system, check your local or online hardware or garden supply retailers.

possible to harvest a great deal of water using rooftop runoff collection, the biggest question becomes: Why to harvest the rainwater. The most important reasons are to keep this water from eroding away topsoil by way of runoff and to keep this water out of municipal storm drains that can overflow and flood towns. As its Mountain State nickname implies, West Virginia has very little flat ground available to homeowners, farmers and towns. Due to this fact, wvst ateu .ed u /ex te ns i o n

When it comes to underground or aboveground cisterns, the expense is going to increase tremendously. Again, like rain barrels they come in all shapes, sizes, materials and prices, but the biggest difference between the two are that underground cisterns typically hold 1,000+ gallons of water at a time. When these storage cisterns are full, they can last several weeks before running low when used for common household water supply. When used for garden irrigation a cistern is definitely the best alternative due to the length of time you can irrigate from the cistern without running out of water. With these systems, it is suggested to install a sump pump into the cistern to pump the water out and on the garden space and use drip irrigation or low

pressure soaker hoses to apply the water to the plant roots. In the same way that water can be pumped out of the cistern or taken from the rain barrels to irrigate gardens, the water can also be used inside the home for dishwashing, restrooms and bathing. Since this water has been in contact with your roof, gutters and the barrel it would be a good idea to boil your water before any kind of consumption activities like drinking or cooking. Around the United States there are many homes that rely completely on rain barrels and cisterns to collect rain water to supply the entire home with water. In fact, it is entirely possible to harvest water in this method, use solar pump technology to pump the water into the home, and be completely sustainable and off the grid. Rainwater harvesting is something that not many people are currently practicing at their homes, but is something that could be very beneficial given recent circumstances here in West Virginia. Whether you have a garden space that you would like to help irrigate without the use of city water or if you just want to have some water saved for an emergency, installing a rain barrel or cistern can be your ticket to saving you money and headaches. There are many different rainwaterharvesting tools available, so get out there and find the one that is best for you and your home.

References: Better Homes and Gardens. (2014). Make a rain barrel to save water. Retrieved April 2, 104, from http://www.bhg.com/ gardening/yard/tools/make-arain-barrel-save-water/. Rainbarrel Man Co. (2014). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved April 2, 2014, from http://www.rainbarrelman.com/ faq.htm#faq02. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. (2014). Rainwater Harvesting. Retrieved April 2, 2014, from http://rainwaterharvesting.tamu. edu/catchment-area/.

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Creating an

Emergency Food Pantry Krista Farley & Susan Shew American Red Cross – West Virginia Region

f a winter storm, derecho, thunderstorm or other disaster strikes your community, you might not have access to food, water or electricity for days or even weeks. One way to prepare for such disasters is to purchase and store emergency food and water supplies to ensure you can provide for your family.

References American Red Cross. (2009). Be Red Cross Ready. Retrieved April 9, 2014, from http://arcbrcr.org/. FEMA. (2004). Food and water in an emergency. Retrieved April 9, 2014, from http://www. fema.gov/pdf/library/f&web.pdf.

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food for each person in your household. If you have a well-stocked pantry, you may not need to purchase food to prepare your emergency food supply. You can use the canned goods and other staples in your pantry or cupboard. Make sure to check the expiration dates and rotate items to ensure you are using the oldest ones first. Take into account your family’s unique needs and preferences, because during a disaster familiar foods can help lift morale and give a feeling of security. Try to include foods

that are enjoyable but are also high in calories and nutrition. The best types of food require no refrigeration, water, special preparation or cooking. Tailor your emergency food supply to family members with special diets or allergies as well as babies, toddlers and the elderly. Canned dietetic foods, juices and soups may be helpful for ill or elderly individuals. Don’t forget a manual can opener and disposable utensils. If the electricity goes off, first use perishable food from the refrigerator, pantry or garden. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours if it is unopened. Then use the foods from the freezer. Remember to limit the number of times you open the freezer door. In a well-filled, wellinsulated freezer, foods will usually still have ice crystals in their centers, meaning the foods are safe to eat for at least two days. Finally, begin using non-perishable foods. Bacteria

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in food grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 and 140° F, so if these foods are consumed, people can become very sick. It is important to have a food thermometer in your disaster kit to ensure your safety. During and after a disaster, it is vital that you maintain your strength. Remember to eat at least one well-balanced meal each day, drink enough liquid to enable your body to function (at least ½ gallon per day), take in enough calories to enable you to do any necessary work and include vitamin, mineral and protein supplements in your stockpile to ensure adequate nutrition.

Suggested Emergency Food Supplies • Ready to eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables • Protein or fruit bars • Dry cereal or granola • Peanut butter wvstate u .e du /extensi o n

• Jelly • Instant potatoes • Dried fruit • Nuts • Crackers • Canned soups • Canned juices • Canned pasta • Non-perishable pasteurized milk • Ready to eat cereals and uncooked instant cereals • High energy foods (honey, beans, etc.) • Comfort or stress foods • Vitamins • Foods for infants if needed

Storage Tips • Keep food in a dry, cool, dark spot if possible. • Open food boxes and other re-sealable containers carefully so that you can close them tightly after each use. • Wrap perishable foods, such as cookies and crackers, in plastic bags and keep them in sealed containers. • Empty open packages of sugar, dried fruits and nuts into screw-top jars or air tight canisters for protection from pests. • Inspect all food for signs of spoilage before use. • Throw out canned goods that become swollen, dented or corroded. • Use foods before they go bad and replace them with wvst ateu .ed u /ex te ns i o n

fresh supplies. • Place new items at the back of the storage area and older ones in the front. A great idea is to take the food you have stored and donate it to a local food drive during December, then purchase new food to replace it with. You can do this every year and not only to you ensure your emergency food is fresh you can also help provide food for those who need it.

Staying Hydrated Having an ample supply of clean water is a top priority in an emergency. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts (half gallon) of water each day. People in hot environments, children, nursing mothers and ill people will require even more. You will also need water for food preparation and hygiene. Store at least one gallon per person, per day. Consider storing at least a two-week supply of water for each member of your family. If you are unable to store this quantity, store as much as you can. If supplies run low, never ration water. Drink the amount you need today, and try to find more for tomorrow. You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool. To prepare the safest and most reliable emergency supply of water, it is recommended that you purchase commercially bottled water. Keep bottled

water in its original container, and do not open it until you need to use it.

Hidden Water Sources in Your Home Safe water sources in your home include the water in your hot-water tank, pipes and ice cubes. You should not use water from toilet flush tanks or bowls, radiators, waterbeds or swimming pools/spas. You will need to protect the water sources already in your home from contamination if you hear reports of broken water or sewage lines, or if local officials advise you of a problem. To shut off incoming water, locate the main valve and turn it to the closed position. Be sure you and other family members know beforehand how to perform this important procedure. To use the water in your pipes, let air into the plumbing by turning on the faucet in your home at the highest level. A small amount of water will trickle out. Then obtain water from the lowest faucet in the home. To use the water in your hot-water tank, be sure the electricity or gas is off, and open the drain at the bottom of the tank. Start the water flowing by turning off the water intake valve at the tank and turning on a hot-water faucet. Refill the tank before turning the gas or electricity back on. If the gas is turned off, a professional will be needed to turn it back on.

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Come In, We’re Open: How to Keep Business Going During Adverse Conditions Stephanie Johnson, Director, West Side Main Street, director@westsidemainstreet.org

usinesses across the nine-county region affected by the chemical spill in Charleston, W.Va., in January 2014 were forced to close their doors during the subsequent water crisis, only to eventually reopen with modified service plans and a reduced customer base. Restaurants especially felt this impact with residents hesitant to eat out in the weeks following the spill. By February, the economic impact of the crisis was already estimated at $61 million. While crises like the one faced in and around Charleston largely impact such businesses as restaurants, hotels and hospitals, the effects extend far beyond these establishments – everything from car dealerships to tailors saw their customer base reduced. While some business owners have worked to develop strategies for keeping their doors open during a crisis, many remain numb from what is still an ongoing experience. Through all of our collective struggles, one lingering

question has remained. What can the small business owner do to maintain operations during adverse conditions?

Have a plan. First and

foremost, always have a game plan. Just as you would plan for an emergency in the home to better protect your family, construct an action plan to protect your livelihood. Begin by identifying regional hazards you are susceptible to and strategies for adapting. Upstart Business Journal refers to this as “Training for Crisis Mode.” Leave no rock unturned when brainstorming crises that could impact your business. For example, have a plan for how to conduct business if there is a power outage. If the power is out for an extended period of time, be prepared with a generator. In addition, you should have a plan for communicating with customers and let your employees know what is expected of them (Ambron, 2013). Your customers will need to be notified of the situation and updates as you work to reopen. The same goes for employees. Be sure

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to maintain communication and transparency so that everyone knows what to expect. Planning ahead for the unexpected is the first step any business owner should take. It will lessen the surprise of the crisis and offer a strategy for keeping your business open or provide a way to reopen in a timely manner.

Know your resources.

Now that you have created a list of crises that could potentially impact your daily business operations, take a look at the resources made available during a crisis. The halt in income for many businesses can pose multiple challenges, especially for new businesses. Without these types of hazards, eight out of 10 businesses fail within the first 18 months (Forbes, 2013). Following the chemical spill, the United Way and Mountain Mission partnered to offer the United Way’s West Virginia Emergency Fund (Staff Report, 2014). The funds will be distributed to those in the service industry who lost work and are unable wvstate u .e du /extensi o n

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to pay their household bills. It is imperative you familiarize yourself with such organizations providing donations and offering promotional assistance to businesses. Monetary assistance is probably the first thing on everyone’s mind, but it is also essential that you know the organizations that can follow up with a promotional event for your business post-crisis.

References Joyner, J. (2014). How to create a contingency reserve. Chron, Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron. com/create-contingencyreserve-38236.html. Oxford Dictionaries. (2014). Contingency fund. Retrieved from http://www. oxforddictionaries.com/us/ definition/american_english/ contingency-fund. Staff Reports. (2014, January 16). United way water crises fund now taking donations. The Charleston Gazette. Retrieved from http://www.wvgazette.com/ News/201401160103. Wagner, E. T. (2013, September 12). Five reasons 8 out of 10 businesses fail. Forbes, Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/ ericwagner/2013/09/12/ five-reasons-8-out-of-10businesses-fail/.

For example, West Side Main Street launched a recovery campaign during the water crisis: Eat West, Shop West, Go West! – Getting West Side Businesses Back in the Flow. Additional campaigns were held by the Charleston Area Alliance, East End Main Street and the state of West Virginia. These campaigns attracted hundreds of people to the establishments impacted by the spill and encouraged customers to “Turn Up the Tips” for employees who had lost income.

keep track of the total and individual amounts lost. You should also keep track of missed opportunity costs, including business that was lost each day. These figures will be important if litigation ensues or if organizations, as previously mentioned, offer financial assistance or are recording the data to try and leverage additional funds. With federal funds available for communities impacted by a crisis, an organization in the region will want to know these figures to determine an overall economic impact.

Stay informed. If you do

find yourself in the middle of an unforeseen crisis that has impacted the operation of your business, tune in to the local media outlets for up-to-date news. Local television and radio stations, newspapers and social media sites will help you to understand the severity of the crisis and possible options for adapting and keeping the doors open. Although social media offers a very Keep records. Another subjective look at a crisis, it important step in keeping will be a good source for news your business open is the links and possibly revealing recording of all excess information that has not expenses. These are the yet made it to other media costs that exceed what outlets. Staying on top of you normally spend on these updates will allow you operations. Across the nine to effectively communicate counties affected by the water accurate information to your crisis, all business owners were staff. required to spend additional money on bottled water. If Have a contingency you have staff that lost wages, fund. Possibly the most

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difficult strategy for adapting to or mitigating a crisis is to have a contingency fund in your operating budget. Oxford Dictionaries defines a contingency fund as “a reserve of money set aside to cover possible unforeseen future expenses” (Oxford Dictionaries, 2014). Most contingency funds are three to five percent of the total operating budget (Joyner, 2014). However, setting aside a contingency fund can be very difficult for new business owners who are putting every penny into getting the business off the ground. Even if your contingency fund is less than three percent, it will provide a safety net in the event of a crisis or any other unforeseen expense. Each of these strategies will contribute to a successful transition back into business following a crisis, but each scenario is unique and will require you to think outside the box. It is up to each one of us to be prepared and offer assistance when possible. As a business owner, you are a leader in the community. Lead by example and be prepared to tackle any unforeseen challenges that may affect not only your own livelihood but also that of your entire community. wvstate u .e du /extensi o n

Kid Prep: Helping your children prepare for disaster Shelley Whittington 4-H Extension Agent swhittin@wvstateu.edu

Photo courtesy of the American Red Cross

s a parent, guardian or caregiver keeping our children safe and healthy is a 24/7 job. We read books, watch television and scan articles on the Internet. We subscribe to all the best parenting magazines and query our health care professionals. However, can all these efforts really prepare us for the unforeseen conditions and unfortunate disasters that may occur? Is there such a thing as being 100 percent prepared for each and every possible scenario that can occur in daily life? The short answer is: No. wvst ateu .ed u /ex te ns i o n

However, while we cannot control elements like the weather, we can make plans, create strategies, remain focused and calm, seek to be

calm. Keeping your mental clarity will help you make good decisions. Children are very sensitive to emotions and stress, and they will be

The most important thing to remember when dealing with children is to try and stay calm. informed and educate our children. Preparedness is key when keeping our children safe and healthy. The most important thing to remember when dealing with children is to try and stay

looking to you for guidance. You are the role model for appropriate behavior, and what they observe from you is how they will handle the situation and possibly other events in their life.

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Photo courtesy of the American Red Cross

References Baird, T. (2013). Create an Infant 72 Hour Kit. Retrieved January 29, 2014, from www. preparednessmama.com/infant72-hour-kit/. FEMA (2004). Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness. Retrieved January 29, 2014, from http://www.fema.gov/pdf/ areyouready/areyouready_full. pdf. FEMA (2013). Emergency Kit Checklist for Kids. Retrieved January 29, 2014, from http:// www.fema.gov/media-library-da ta/35f3ff58f7cc6a2047fdb1e8 bae8466b/FEMA_checklist_ child_508_071513.pdf.

Having open conversations about what could happen, whether it is earthquakes, tornados, flooding, fires, etc., and how they can respond will empower both of you. Children are surprisingly resilient and can absorb a great deal of information. They do not like having a fear of the unknown, so it is best to be open and honest with them as much as possible. Along this line, maintain a list of important phone numbers and keep it in a common-use

area of the home. Make sure your children know escape routes, where fire extinguishers are located and show them where you keep extra food and water. Make flashlights, candles, batteries and radios easily accessible and help them understand proper use of these items. You can make the educational process a game for some fun while they learn. Create a scavenger hunt for supplies or play hospital to model the correct way to use items in the first aid kit. This will help minimize stress for your kids and yourself. Discuss disaster drills with your children, their schools and caregivers. Keep your child’s emergency cards updated with information such as phone numbers, medical needs, emergency plans and designated people who can pick them up if you are unable, making sure that they too have all

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needed information that the schools have. Program their phones (if they have one) with numbers they would need if they are unable to reach you. Make sure they memorize the numbers, so if cell service is down they can call from a pay phone or landline. Discuss different routes your kids can take to get home, and help them be familiar with their surroundings in the community. Make sure they have a clear understanding of safe spots if they are unable to make it to their house. It is also a good idea for you, as a parent, to have phone numbers and addresses of all their friends. On pages 8 and 25 of this issue, you will find lists on stocking a home food pantry and disaster supply kits. Create supply kits to have on hand and fully packed, which can be easily grabbed and taken with you in case the disaster requires you to leave your home. Each member of your family should have their own, which can be customized to their particular needs. In the event you have a child with special needs, take great care in packing his bag. Consider food allergies, sensory disorders, different medications and also a list and directions to be kept attached to the outside of the bag along with your child’s name, family contact information, wvstate u .e du /extensi o n

and a small photo album of family members if the child is unable to talk. This can be done with smaller children as well.

If you have an infant, you may want to consider the following items in their

72-hour supply kit:

For additional fire safety resources for kids, FEMA has teamed with “Sesame Street” for a pre-school safety curriculum, accessible online at usfa.fema.gov. Being 100 percent prepared is a myth. Life is unpredictable.

There is always going to be danger around every corner. The one true fact is our children are precious and we would do anything to keep them protected, healthy and safe at all costs. Preparedness is the key.

• 96 ounces of water (32 oz. per day) and powdered formula (approximately 48 scoops worth) • 2–5 bottles and nipples – remember the more you have on hand, the less you have to sanitize • An adequate supply of diapers, wipes and garbage bags • 5–6 onesies, pajamas, 2–3 pairs of pants, 6–10 pairs of socks • Thermos (hot water), Pedialyte (single servings), baby wash, diaper rash cream, infant Tylenol/ ibuprofen, teething gel, receiving blankets A 72-hour supply kit for an older child can be kept in a backpack so they are able to carry it themselves. Let them help in creating the bag, so they are familiar with the contents and its use. You can also help them to understand the term “rationing” and why it is important during an emergency situation. Place all items in Ziploc storage bags for extra protection. wvst ateu .ed u /ex te ns i o n

Photo courtesy of the American Red Cross

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Make a Plan. Get a Kit. Stay Informed. Krista Farley & Susan Shew American Red Cross – West Virginia Region

About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-proﬁt organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcrosswv.org or visit us on Twitter at @ARCWV.

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Photo courtesy of the American Red Cross

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isasters can strike quickly and often without warning. Every nine minutes in the United States, Red Cross volunteers are helping people affected by disaster. Most often, these disasters are home fires though may also include winter storms, floods, mudslides, power outages, chemical leaks, tornadoes, hurricanes or a host of other events. The best way to ensure your safety is to be prepared. How do you prepare yourself and your loved ones for disaster? It is simpleâ&#x20AC;Śmake a plan, get a kit and stay informed.

MAKE A PLAN

Everyone in your household should help create the emergency plan together so that everyone knows what they should do if something occurs. Household members may not be together when a disaster happens since during the day many people are at work and school. Emergency plans should include ways to contact one another and two predetermined places to meet â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one near the home in case of a sudden emergency like a fire, and one outside the neighborhood in case circumstances prevent people from returning home. Identify an emergency contact person from outside the area in case local telephone lines are overloaded or out of service. Emergency plans should also include decisions about where family members will go if ordered to evacuate and what route they will take to get there. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good idea to include alternate routes in case roads are closed. If pets are part of the household, make sure to include plans for them such as pet-friendly hotels and animal shelters along the evacuation route. wvst ateu .ed u /ex te ns i o n

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GET A KIT

Another step to get ready for a disaster is to build emergency kits, one for home and one for on the go. Your kit should contain a three-day supply of water (one gallon, per person, per day), nonperishable food, a cell phone charger, a flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, a sevenday supply of medications, a blanket, extra cash, a multipurpose tool, sanitation and personal hygiene items, and copies of important personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/ lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies). The Red Cross also recommends having at least

two weeks of emergency supplies at home.

STAY INFORMED

Everyone also needs to stay informed about current conditions. Be aware of the types of disasters that are most likely to occur where they live or where they plan to visit. It is also important to take a First Aid and CPR/AED course—a vital component of disaster preparedness in case emergency help is delayed. Mobile apps are available from the Red Cross that focus on floods, tornadoes and first aid.

Be Ready Checklist

o I know what emergencies

or disasters are most likely to occur in my community. o I have a family disaster

plan and have practiced it.

o I have an emergency

preparedness kit.

o At least one member of

my household is trained in first aid and CPR/AED.

o I have taken action to help

my community prepare.

Below are some facts and preventative measures specific to home fire disasters, the most common disaster faced by Americans.

Fire Facts:

• According to the U.S. Fire Administration, children under five and adults over 65 are more than twice as likely to die in a home fire as compared to the rest of the U.S. population.

• Fires kill more Americans each year than all natural disasters combined, and affect people from all backgrounds and geographic locations. • According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. And, two out of three cooking fires start with the range or stove. • Heating fires are the second leading cause of home fires. Photo courtesy of the American Red Cross

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• Smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths. wvstate u .e du /extensi o n

Prevent Home Fires General Safety Habits

• Keep flammable items at least three feet away from anything that gets hot. • Never smoke in bed. • Keep matches and lighters away from children.

Cooking

• Keep flammable items like towels and clothing away from the stove. • Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and get training from the fire department on how to use it.

Portable Heaters

• Keep blankets, curtains, furniture and other flammable items away from heaters. • Plug heaters directly into a wall socket and unplug when not in use.

Electricity

• Never overload electrical outlets.

• Avoid running cords under carpets and furniture.

Practice Home Fire Safety Smoke Alarms

Photo courtesy of the American Red Cross

• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.

Fire Escape Drills • Make a fire escape plan with two exits out of every room. • Practice your plan twice a year.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including sleeping areas.

• Identify an outside meeting place to gather after escaping.

• Test and dust smoke alarms monthly, change the batteries yearly.

• Teach children that firefighters are their friends who can help.

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In Case of a Fire, Follow Your Escape Plan • Crawl low under smoke. • Feel closed doors. If the door is hot, use your second way out. • Go to your outside meeting place and then call for help. • Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL 9-1-1.

References U.S. Fire Administration Characteristics of Home Fire Victims March 2010 http://www.nfpa.org/~/media/ Files/Research/NFPA%20 reports/Victim%20Patterns/ oshomevictims.pdf http://www.redcross.org/ prepare National Fire Protection Association https://www.nfpa.org/safetyinformation/fire-preventionweek/fast-facts-about-fire

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Urban Gardening

Made Easy

Melissa Stewart, Assistant Program Director, Community & Agricultural Resource Development, williaml@wvstateu.edu

any consumers in the Charleston area remain skeptical of the safety of the food that lines the supermarket shelves and the water that comes from the tap. Therefore, the time is right to take steps toward empowering residents of our state to become more selfreliant. Something as simple as growing your own food can be liberating. Knowing exactly where your food comes from and how it has been handled can help to ease your mind, especially when hearing the produce recalls that appear in the media all too often. Seems simple enough, right? Grow your own food, provide for your friends and family, and

save some money at the same time. Well, gardening isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t foolproof, but with a few tips along the way, a small space can provide a bountiful harvest. Container gardening can provide the flexibility needed to plant exactly what you

easily plant a pot of tomatoes directly off of the kitchen stoop. And if space allows, your container gardening setup can continually expand. Simply add a whole new container to the mix and keep right on producing. So, what should you consider

Container gardening can provide the flexibility needed to plant exactly what you want, where you want... want, where you want, as long as sunlight is sufficient in your chosen area. Depending upon your setup, you can

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planting in containers this year now that the winter thaw has ďŹ nally started happening? The possibilities are endless. wvstate u .e du /extensi o n

friendly. Several schools and of possibility. If I could Over the past couple of imagine it, I could grow it. It years, local lawn and garden urban community groups retailers have have planted begun to take containerized notice of A container is the perfect way potatoes and the â&#x20AC;&#x153;urban on for a child to begin to learn onions gardeningâ&#x20AC;? St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s movement. about basic plant needs such Day. This is Knowing that such a fun as water and sunlight. most people interaction, in urban areas as well as are limited practical is exciting each year to decide on space, retailers have for a small garden space. started to offer container crop what is going to be planted Though the potatoes rarely together in a manner that is varieties such as cherry and get larger than new potato both aesthetically pleasing mid-sized tomatoes, as well size, the harvest is effortless. and functional. as cucumbers and peppers. Simply dump the container If your space and time are out and sift through the soil. Do you have children? limiting factors to your Containers are very kidIt becomes its own version of gardening, these plants are perfect to help you transition Continued on pg. 26 into a more compact way of growing while still reaping all the benefits of a traditional garden.

References Arizona Cooperative Extension. (1998). Vegetable garden: Container garden. Retrieved February 26, 2014, from http:// ag.arizona.edu/pubs/ garden/mg/vegetable/ container.html. KidsGardening.org. (2014). Gardening in containers. Retrieved February 26, 2014, from http:// www.kidsgardening.org/ node/5257.

Another benefit of container gardening is the ability to intercrop. A container allows you the flexibility to plant a few herbs right in with your tomato plant, as long as your container is large enough to support that much plant material (Arizona Cooperative Extension, 1998). Throw a few marigolds into the mix as a natural pest deterrent, and you have a beautiful masterpiece that is also very practical. Over the past few years, my entire backyard has been adorned with containerized plantings. Mixing together perennials, annuals and herbs with fruit and vegetable crops, little has been beyond the realm wvst ateu .ed u /ex te ns i o n

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Keeping It Clean:

Personal Hygiene in Times of Crisis Bonnie Dunn, FCS Extension Specialist, parsonsb@wvstateu.edu

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ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 780 million people worldwide do not have access to an improved water source (CDC, 2014). It is estimated that nearly one out of every seven individuals on Earth has an insufficient supply of potable water (Yeager, 2010). Nearly 300,000 people in the nine-county region of West Virginia affected by the recent chemical spill suddenly found themselves part of that statistic when the water supply was deemed unusable for several days. Clean, safe water is essential for proper hygiene and hand washing, but when the water has been contaminated and cannot be used for personal hygiene, then what? Good personal hygiene and hand washing are critical to help prevent the spread of illness and disease. Hygiene is especially important in an emergency such as a flood, hurricane or earthquake, but finding clean, safe running water can sometimes be difficult. The following information will help to ensure good hygiene and hand washing in the event of an emergency. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be surprised to learn what you can do with as little as two cups of clean water in lieu of a shower. Personal hygiene requires the cleaning of all parts of ex tens ionmatters

Hand Washing 101 Keeping your hands clean during an emergency helps prevent the spread of germs. Always wash your hands before, during and after food preparation; before eating; after using the bathroom; after changing diapers; before and after caring for someone who is ill; after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing; after touching an animal or cleaning up after an animal; and before and after treating a cut or wound. These steps to proper hand washing will help ensure the safety of you and your loved ones in emergency situations. 1. Wet hands with clean, running water and apply soap. 2. Rub hands together to make lather and scrub well, including the backs of hands, between fingers and under nails. 3. Scrub for at least 20 seconds. Try humming the tune to “Happy Birthday” as a timer. 4. Rinse hands well under running water. 5. Dry hands using a clean towel or air dry. If soap and clean water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain at least 60 percent alcohol can be used. While such sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs, that can be effective in reducing the spread of germs.

the body. The face and hair have to be cleaned because they accumulate grime and emit odors. Hands and fingernails have to be cleaned because the germs in between the fingers and fingernails can cause issues such as diarrhea, worms or fungal skin infections. The teeth and mouth have to be cleaned because they emit bad odors, cause mouth and dental diseases such as cavities and gingivitis, in addition to stomach disorders due to indigestion. Hygiene also includes the most delicate areas of the body that we often do not want to discuss. It is, however, necessary to talk about cleaning the more delicate and private parts of the body. Without an adequate water supply for a period of two to three days, many body odors will begin to manifest themselves. So, to keep yourself clean when access to clean water is limited or nonexistent, find access to the following items for a sort of mini-bath: • disposable paper cups • paper towels • disposable wipes (nothing with harsh chemicals) • mild soap • disposable gloves • a garbage bag (marked contaminated refuse) to place and seal the used products

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Using approved water – such as bottled water – heat approximately two cups and pour one into a disposable cup or bowl. Pour the other cup into a different disposable container. To reduce contamination, wear disposable gloves for the following process. Using a section of paper towel with just a drop of soap or a pretreated wipe, wipe and clean your entire body. Wash the face first, then arms, legs, chest and underarm area. Dispose of the used wipe(s) and obtain a fresh wipe to continue bathing the more private areas of the body. Clean the genital area, rinsing well, then continue on to the anal area last. Remember to dispose of all cleaning materials in the garbage bag you have designated as contaminated refuse. Proper disposal of used cleaning items is vital to limit the spread of possible disease and infection. Controlling the disposal of bacterial sources (such as soiled exam gloves, dressings, etc.) can be done by putting used products in plastic bags, tying them off and marking them as medical waste. Keep medical waste separate from other trash, disposing of it as medical waste. As West Virginians recently learned, any of us could unexpectedly find ourselves wvstate u .e du /extensi o n

in a situation where such activities are necessary. Prepare yourself and your family by practicing the suggestions above. Try using as little water as possible to brush your teeth, wash your face and hands, cook and bathe so when real disaster

strikes, you are informed and prepared. There is a wealth of information online about how to ensure you have proper water supplies in an emergency. Websites for entities such as the Federal

Emergency Management Agency (fema.gov) and even Clorox (clorox.com) have information on purifying and storing safe water. A quick online search will provide a wealth of tools and resources to keep you and your family safe.

References CDC. (2014). Global Water, Sanitation & Hygiene. Retrieved February 25, 2014, from http:// www.cdc.gov/healthywater/ global/wash_statistics.html. Yeager, J. (2010). 10 things I learned while living without running water. The Huffington Post. Retrieved February 25, 2014, from http://www.huffingtonpost. com/2010/06/02/10-things-ilearned-while_n_573523.html.

Packing a Disaster Supply Kit Preparing you and your family for potential disaster has many facets, but one of the most important is to stock and keep current a disaster supply kit. Here is a lengthy list of potential items to ensure long-term safety. • Water –ideally there should be one gallon of water per person per day • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio • Batteries • First aid kit • Whistle to signal for help • Dust mask to help filter contaminated air • Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelterin-place • Moist towelettes • Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities • Manual can opener for food • Local maps • Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger • Prescription medications (consult your doctor about proper storage of these medications) • Glasses • Infant formula and diapers

you live in a cold-weather climate) • Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes • Household chlorine bleach • Fire extinguisher • Matches in a waterproof container • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items • Paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils • Paper and pencil • Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children • Latex or other sterile gloves if you are allergic to Latex • Sterile dressings to stop bleeding • Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes • Antibiotic ointment • Burn ointment • Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes

• Pet food and extra water for your pet

• Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant

• Cash or traveler’s checks and change

• Thermometer

• Important family documents, such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container

• Non-prescription drugs such as aspirin and other pain relievers

• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person (consider additional bedding if wvst ateu .ed u /ex te ns ion

• Scissors • Tweezers • Petroleum jelly or other spr in g/su mme r 201 4lubricant | ex ten s ion matters

Continued from pg. 21

an archaeological dig. Another idea is to work with the kids to develop themed container gardens. A salad garden or a pizza garden can be planted and then harvested to prepare a meal, or the theme could correlate back to a favorite children’s book. The sky is the limit. Kids become engaged and begin to

take ownership of taking care of the plants. A container is the perfect way for a child to begin to learn about basic plant needs such as water and sunlight. Finally, container gardens work well for persons of varying abilities. If gardening in the ground is no longer an option and the construction of raised beds is too costly, container gardens may be a wonderful alternative. These gardens can be placed at any height to reduce the amount of stooping or bending required for care or harvest. Containers rarely need to be weeded, especially when they are placed on a concrete or paved surface where weeds are far away. If on a solid surface, they can be placed on casters so they are easy to move around, making them even simpler to access for harvesting. You may be surprised at how easy it is to garden in containers – and how convenient it is to step out your back door to your own produce stand. By doing so, you’re also increasing your own personal sustainability practices. Now, what are you waiting for? Get planting!

The following crops are perfect for container gardening, using the conditions recommended by KidsGardening.org (2014).

crop

Varieties

size of container

light required

Beans

Provider, Tender Crop, Top Crop

Medium

Sun

cucumbers

Early Pik, Spacemaster, Bush Pickle

Large

Sun

eggplant

Slim Jim, Pirouette, Black Beauty

Large

Sun

lettuce

Salad Bowl, Buttercrunch, Ruby

Medium

Partial Shade

Onions

Sweet Spanish, Tokyo Long, White

Small

Partial Shade

Pepper

Ace, Sweet Banana, Super Chili

Large

Sun

Potato

Red Pontiac, Yellow Finn, Butterfinger

Large

Sun

radish

Easter Egg, Cherry Belle, Icicle

Small

Partial Shade

squash

Gold Rush, Scallopini, Roly Poly

Large

Sun

tomato

Early Girl, Superboy, Sun Gold, Tiny Tim, Patio, Tumbling Tom

Large

Sun

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wvstate u .e du /extensi o n

SOME THINGS GET BETTER WITH AGE

West Virginia State University is proud to celebrate 100 years of the Cooperative Extension System as we continue our long tradition of innovative, research-based extension programs reaching everyone from the novice backyard gardener to the professional farmer.

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Extension Service 106 Ferrell Hall P O Box 1000 Institute, WV 25112-1000 Address Service Requested

Non-Proﬁt Org. U.S. Postage PA I D Institute, WV 25112 Permit No. 1