Keep doing #Just1Thing to Prepare

National preparedness month has ended and so has our annual #Just1Thing Campaign. We know that getting ready can be overwhelming, so even though September has ended we hope you will continue to do just one thing (at least once in a while). We will to do our best to help and highlight great new things we find like the 2yr shelf stable Tactical Sammich, the Carzor and the SwissRoomBox. However, our friends on twitter have some great and practical ideas as well (this is just a sampling and by no means inclusive of all the great ideas posted):

wordygirl11 @RedCrossPDX Fun ER prep today! I added Snickers bars to our Go Bags. In an ER, a treat will go a long way towards cheering me. #just1thing

bryanspalate @RedCrossPDX #just1thing meet your neighbors & if disaster strikes check that they are okay too #teameffort #community

nicgranum @RedCrossPDX "I updated an out of state contact to call in a disaster" #just1thing

jasonjamieson @RedCrossPDX #just1thing My little something is storing 3600 calorie emergency bars in my office along with several cases of water.

ClarkCountyFood @RedCrossPDX #just1thing making sure we have band aides in different sizes, shapes and antibiotic cream!

ljsgecko @RedCrossPDX We keep a to-go bag in each of our cars' trunks just in case we're at work or out and about when we need to be ready.

lindatrigg @RedCrossPDX Bought extra flashlights and stocked up on batteries #just1thing

BrandiLAX @RedCrossPDX create a trained "Go Team" equipped with stored "Go bags" for first response.

livingsimply69 @RedCrossPDX Weather radio is a must have!! #just1thing

Well be sending out our fabulous prizes soon thanks to Public Health Emergency Preparedness program at the Oregon Health Authority. But remember, even though our contest has ended it’s not too late to do #just1thing!
We don’t know when disaster will strike, be it a hurricane, an earthquake or a velociraptor, but we do know being prepared could save a life - maybe even your own.

(*Notepad in photo can be purchased at PrettyBitter.com)

The #just1thing You Can Do To Be Prepared Contest!

In honor of National Preparedness Month, we're bringing back our incredibly awesome Twitter and Facebook contest!

The Oregon Red Cross and Oregon Public Health Emergency Preparedness are teaming up during National Preparedness Month to offer you a chance to win cool emergency gear by showing off how you are preparing your business, family, children, or pets (Fluffy in a life vest!) for an emergency.

Post or tweet just one thing you can do to be more prepared and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win preparedness kits valued at more than $100 each. For more details, see the #just1thing contest stuff on our Facebook page.

Beginning today for a week and the next 4 weeks in September and into October there will have a special #just1thing theme and corresponding cool prize:

Sept. 8-14: The Workplace

Sept. 15-21: Families

Sept. 22-28: Kids

Sept. 29- October 5: Pets

All participants are welcome, however only Oregon residents are eligible for prizes, to be awarded via random drawing. Sorry to our friends across the country and around the world, but this is one of the stipulations since we're partnering with the State of Oregon. The contest is free and there are no requirements to purchase anything to participate.

To participate, send a tweet to @RedCrossPDX with whatever you're doing to get prepared and use the hashtag #just1thing... or go to www.facebook.com/RedCrossPDX and post your #just1thing on the wall.

That's it! Now go forth, prepare and WIN!

#Just1Thing You've Done!

Whether or not you won our #just1thing contest (and we haven't picked all the winners yet...hang in there!), I thought you'd like to know what your friends, neighbors and fellow "preppers" were busy doing during National Preparedness Month.

For your reading pleasure, here's the list of all the #just1things submitted!

---------------------

@wolfeblog: Got a kerosene Coleman lamp, stove, and fuel stored away.

@NonTweetable: 10 gallons of bottled water at hand. And a box of band-aids

@OzarksRedCross: Telling folks about the Life Hammer Key Chain - http://bit.ly/Res-Q-Me is #just1thing our chapter is doing to be more Red Cross #Ready

@digitalschmidt : Making a copy of @Hermanns house key.

@LifeWorksNW: We're going to finish up the last bits in our emergency kit.

@GenCubed: We have a zombie apocalypse contingency plan in place in our operational plan.

@ForceResource: Following #RedCross and DOING what you suggest not just reading it!

@Schnik:

• Storing scanned copies of important documents offsite for disasters :)
• I've got an entire desk drawer full of snacks… Just in case. :)
• I’ve got a cribbage board and deck of cards in my trunk. :)
• Why I use @foursquare: If i'm ever reported as missing, you'll know where I was and when. #just1thing

@onisan1: I taught my dog to find the stairs in case of fire.

@drusbury: Stocking up on Chef Boyardee.

@PerryElkins:

• Friend sends to say #just1thing he does is to: "Always keep a list. Always prioritize the list. Always put ice cream first." =)
• Promoted a Blood Drive Today: http://bit.ly/RC-BloodDrive #Volunteer #NPM10
• Put gas in the Jeep, even though I do not PLAN on needing to go anywhere this weekend.
• Saved emergency numbers in my cell phone under ICE "In Case of Emergency..."
• #just1thing we've done is train cats to "go to basement for treats" when storm siren sounds. Fire-Alarm-Back-Porch-Treats next.

@bluespruceinv: I'm going to turn my phone into a disaster resource! http://bit.ly/d0YXox

@Govnerdgrrl: I'm going to repack my *dog's* "go bag."

@ClareJulissa: My #just1thing is making sure I always have a bar of chocolate on hand for any emergency

@hyprmut: My #just1thing for Nat'l Disaster Prep Month: Move the camp/emergency gear into accessible single point in new house.

@chirpandtweet: We have a kit ready for preschool that has snacks, water & note from mom & dad.

@DisasterDenise: Essentials for a disaster supply kit include battery operated radio, flashlight, & batteries.

@bdhoffmeister: Take child/infant CPR or put a stuffed animal/security blanket in your preparedness kit

@StumptownMom: Make sure you have appropriately sized clothes & diapers in 72 hour kit. I need to change mine out!

@72hourplan: Carry communication card in wallet, purse, school backpack. Know your contacts!

@wcoem: Nat'l Prep Month Tip-Want to help in an emergency? Start a disaster response team at your church.

@dphizzle: I’m setting aside water - 1 gallon per person, per day (3 day supply for evacuation, 2 week supply for home).

@jtotheco: I keep extra gear in the car (coat/boots/gloves/water/food) in case I get stranded/inclement weather.

@lkissler: I'm going to check my "go-bag" and make sure all of my flashlight batteries are fresh!

@starlit: Stock batteries for mom’s blood pressure wrist cuff

@donnak4: I recommend putting food your kids love in your emergency kit.

@marylgallegos: Cleaned, re-filled and sealed 72 hour water supply for family

@Jugbo: I need to inspect and replace old and missing items in our first aid/earthquake kits.

@MayFam11: I’m updating my family kit with season specific items: sweat shirts, stocking caps, warm gloves/socks.

@MySalem: #just1thing I do to be more prepared for an emergency is to take note of the emergency exits when I enter a room or a building.

@minaretcrew: minaretcrew is doing #just1thing to be more disaster ready: reading the @RedCrossPDX blog to learn more about preparedness (& getting lots of ideas)!

@wscott5799: My #just1thing is having Tinker toys available. Good distraction to take my mind off of what's happening.

@LouiseHornor:

• Inspired by your challenge, tonight I will replace pet food in our emergency "ditch bag" with fresh kibbles. #just1thing
• In Richmond, VA, preparing a @RedCross facility for an emergency. It's isn't personal preparedness, but it is still #just1thing

@ChelszzzB: Travel first aid kit.

@colbyreade:

• I make sure I have a stash of water and nonperishable foods in my DESK in case we get stuck.
• We have a stash of food, toys & treats for our puppy w/ our family so they can get him if we're stuck.

@Underdogpdx: Drinking beer and hoping to dull the pain.

@akitofan: Pet preparedness: Buying Costco-sized food and treats so they won't go hungry.

@Sarah_Dunlap: I bought lots of rice in order to be prepared. I also have camping gear.

---------------------

Did I miss your tweet? Just send me a link to it and I'll add it to the list!

And a HUGE thank you to all for participating on Twitter and -- better yet -- getting prepared for anything!

FINAL CONTEST: #just1thing For Your Pets

Sure, we've talked about preparing kids and families, but for many Portlanders, there's one VIP that we might have missed. So, for this final week of Preparedness Month, we're turning our attention to animals for our second annual #just1thing contest.

WEEK FOUR: PREPAREDNESS FOR YOUR PETS

If you send us a tweet this week with what you're doing to prepare your pets and tag it with#just1thing, you'll be entered for a chance to win a pet emergency and first aid kit, valued at $100. [Big thanks to our amazing partners at Oregon Public Health Emergency Preparedness for providing...see here for rules.]

Get busy and tweet us with how you're getting Rover ready for anything...we'd love to hear it!

P.S. Whether you win or not, here's our list for getting your pets prepared. You should also consider signing up for Pet First Aid.

Photo courtesy of our friends at the Oregon Humane Society

CONTEST: #just1thing For The Workplace

After last week's focus on families, we're turning our attention to the office for our second annual #just1thing contest.

WEEK THREE: PREPAREDNESS FOR THE WORKPLACE

If you send us a tweet this week with what you're doing to prepare your workplace (or anywhere else!) and tag it with #just1thing, you'll be entered for a chance to win a 10-person emergency kit, valued at $299. [Big thanks to our amazing partners at Oregon Public Health Emergency Preparedness for providing...see here for rules.]

Couple caveats:

1. Just because this is "workplace week" doesn't mean the winner of this kit couldn't use it elsewhere. It's perfect if you've got a (really big) family and it would be great for an organization (think church or synagogue).

2. This is our very biggest and best prize of the month -- don't miss it!

So tweet us with your wisdom for the workplace.

Finally, to get you thinking about business preparedness, I'm passing along two PDFs:

• Preparing your Business for the unthinkable
• Expecting the unexpected; what to consider in planning for workplace emergencies

CONTEST: #just1thing For Families

After last week's focus on kids, we're turning our attention to families for our second annual #just1thing contest.

WEEK TWO: PREPAREDNESS FOR FAMILIES

If you send us a tweet this week with what you're doing to prepare your family (or anyone else!) and tag it with #just1thing, you'll be entered for a chance to win a four-person family preparedness kit, valued at $165. [Big thanks to our amazing partners at Oregon Public Health Emergency Preparedness for providing...see here for rules.]

Couple caveats:

1. You'll want to win this kit, even if you live alone. It's good for 4 people, which means you can save the lives of 3 of your besties. It is also guaranteed to make you the most popular person in your neighborhood.

2. This isn't a repeat of kids week, I swear. Think about OTHER family members -- do you take care of an elderly parent, for example? Maybe you should tweet us about how you're looking out for their well-being in a disaster.

So tweet us with your facts for families.

To get you in the spirit, here's a PSA about what happens when families don't discuss their disaster plan. Does this sound familiar?

CONTEST: #just1thing For Kids

So last week, we kicked off our second annual #just1thing contest. And even though things are already up and running, we're just now focusing in on the first theme:

WEEK ONE: PREPAREDNESS FOR KIDS

If you send us a tweet this week with what you're doing to prepare your children (or anyone else!) and tag it with #just1thing, you'll be entered for a chance to win a kid-friendly preparedness kit, valued at $100.

"What's in a kid friendly kit?" you might ask.

Well, we know kids like glow sticks and coloring books and toys. And how about games and water that comes in cool boxes? And maybe even some astronaut ice cream? We don't know exactly, but it will include the basics plus a good dose of AWESOME.

So tweet us with your tips for tots.

Here's ours: Introduce your kiddos to Rex, Purrcilla and Rory, a mountain lion family that will help YOUR family be ready for anything.

CONTEST: Tell Us #Just1Thing (Again!)

It's contest time, my friends!

In honor of National Preparedness Month, we're bringing back our incredibly awesome Twitter contest from last year -- #just1thing. And, if you do exactly that --

tell us just one thing that you're doing to get prepared for emergencies via Twitter

-- we'll throw you in the mix to win some super sweet prizes.

Things to know:

1. None of this would be happening without our amazing partners at Oregon Public Health Emergency Preparedness (aka, the State of Oregon).

2. The prizes for 2010 are WAY better than 2009. There are FOUR of them and the value is in the $100 range. Pretty sweet.

3. Anyone can share anything they're doing to get prepared at any time, but *new this year* each week of September will have a special theme and corresponding prize:

Sept. 1-10: Children

Sept. 13-17: Families

Sept. 20-24: Workplace

Sept. 27-30: Pets

4. All participants are welcome, however only Oregon residents are eligible for prizes, to be awarded via random drawing. [Sorry to our friends across the country and around the world, but this is one of the stipulations since we're partnering with the State of Oregon.]

And, as always, the contest is free and there are no requirements to purchase anything to participate.

Once again:

To participate, send a tweet to @RedCrossPDX with whatever you're doing to get prepared and use the hashtag #just1thing.

That's it! Now go forth and WIN!