Newspaper Page Text
Family
The devastating tsunami
that hit many of die tourist areas (/Indo
nesia and Thailand in December offered a
cruel lesson about the importance of safety
awareness even while vacationing. The
good news is that with proper preparation,
you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your
self, knowing you’re prepared if anything
should happen.
"When you travel to a new area, you
need to understand the region’s hazards,'’
says Heidi Taylor, a preparedness expert
far the American Red Cross. Think earth
quakes on the West Coast, hurricanes in
Florida and the Southeast, and tornadoes
in the Midwest. If traveling internation
ally, learn the potential risks in the area
you plan to visit. A tew moments on the
Internet (uu-u ■.jwia.gov/hazards) or a visit to
your local library can provide safety point
ers on a vast array of subjects.
Regardless of your destination, there
are a few emergency supplies that are
worth taking along:
• Travel flashlight, battery-operated
radio and extra batteries. Consider get
ting a National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) weather radio.
These are tied into the Emergency Alert
System, so emergency information of all
types is broadcast.
• A small first-aid kit containing
adhesive bandages, antibiotic cream, sun
screen and a small supply of any medica
tions taken regularly.
• Cell [shone, charger and spare bat
tery. Also have some change and/or a
phone card in case you're in a remote area.
If you’re traveling in a foreign country and
don't have an international cell phone, a
phone card or local currency is a "must"
• Identification. For international
travel, carry your passport and pack two
photocopies in separate places. In some
countries, hotels require you to surrender
your passport, so carry a photocopy with
you while you’re out and about.
• A little cash. In a large-scale emer
gency, electronic money distribution (ATM
machines) can be disrupted. Distribute
money among family members. This pro
tects against losing it all to a pickpocket
and also provides each person with an
emergency' stash if you are separated.
• A water bottle for each family mem
ber. Safety experts say that water, personal
identification and currency are the prime
necessities to get through a crisis.
• If you’re traveling by car, have with
you jumper cables, three reflective trian-
American Profile •
Travel
Safety Tips
gles, and basic tools, and cany extra water,
nonperisliable food, and a sturdy pair of
shoes for each family member. You don't
want to have to cope with an emergency
in flip-flops.
• Leave your itinerary with someone
at home. If you're caught in a disaster, this
will help emergency personnel locate you.
"If you’re going on a cruise or travel
ing by plane, personnel will review safety
procedures, and it's important to listen,"
says Randy Duncan, director of emergency
management in Sedgwick County, Kan.
“Flooding is the number one weather
related killer for people who are traveling
in vehicles,’’ says Robert Sinclair, manager
of media relations for AAA New York. "If
you’re on vacation and don’t know the ter
rain, don’t drive into moving water—ever.
It’s impossible to judge depth.” Six inches
of moving water is enough to sweep a
person off his seer, 12 inches can sweep a
caraway.
And whether you're staying at a
campground or a multi-story hotel, find
out about emergency procedures. Camp
grounds will have evacuation information
posted or available from a park ranger sta
tion. When you check into a hotel, note the
emergency exits, and count the number of
doors between your room and the exit in
case you have to get there in the dark.
“Make a habit of assessing where you
are," Duncan says. “When you enter a
museum or a restaurant, take a quick look
around for emergency exits. Having a plan
automatically increases the odds of your
getting out safely in an emergency.”
Children should be included in the
family’s safety awareness, and Taylor says
that the key to not alarming them is to
focus not on the possible emergency, but
on what will keep them safe: "If a fire
alarm goes off, we won’t take the elevator.
We’ll go down five doors and take the
stairs.”
Once at your destination, children
should be told where you are staying so
they will have that vital information if lost
cm- separated.
With these few simple measures, you
can relax and enjoy your vacation, knowing
that you’ve taken precautions to safeguard
your family.
Kate Keltty, author of Living Safe in an
Unsafe World: The Complete Guide to
Family Preparedness, lives in Lanhmont.
NY.
Page 11
Leaping In Jon They Form The Perfect Heari
si:e c Aif P fu„;}L-d
RI N G
' !
4S&
I \( I (1.-: It'll. M
An original
creation by award-
winning designer www .vn, rj,-,,. tc-i,
Marjorie Andes
A delicate heart-shaped Blue Topaz
in a solid sterling silver ring
The perfect gift for yourself...
or someone special, lust $37.50
A magical vision of beauty from the sea. Shimmering silver
dolphins leap above a sparkling ocean wave to form a perfect heart
in this exciting new ring by award-winning artist Marjorie Andes. A
symbol of pure harmony and love-two beautifully sculptured sterling
silver dolphins, a delicate heart-shaped blue topaz and sparkling
cubic zirconia form the perfect tribute to the beauty of love. A special
treasure from the sea. Not sold in stores and available exclusively
from the Concorde Collection. Y our satisfaction is guaranteed for 60 days.
Send no payment now. Simply mail your order today.
ORDER FORM Please mail within 30 days.
YES, I wish to order Dolphin Heart Ring. I need send no payment now. I will be
billed $37.50* when my ring is ready to be shipped
* Plus $4 95 shwnc and harefanfc Ptus (f. safes ux PA residents only
Size:Ds D 6 D 7 □ 8 D 9 □ io
Name
Address
City State Zip
Telephone (Include Area Code I
Mail to: The Concorde Collection, P.O. Box 663, Holmes, PA 19043 o"* o * 4
CONCORDE
COLLECTION
l -iiw TCC