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16 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | FEBRUARY 2018 Emergency preparedness committee Twice a year we are reminded to check the batteries on our smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. We should also be checking our emergency/disaster supplies at least twice a year. My wife and I have a drug store in our home. It is only after checking the dates on some of the medical aids, like ear and eye drops, do we realize that they have expired dates on them. Everything has a shelf life during which they are most effective. If you use some of these aids beyond their expiration date you may actually be doing more harm than good. Your disaster supplies have a variety of items and all of them last for different lengths of time. Water is a good example of this. Water stored in containers, filled and chlorinated by you, is only good for six months. Bottled water purchased at the grocery store is good for approximately two years. Canned water from the survival store can be good for up to 20 years. All of our emergency supplies have different shelf lives. The usual caveat for all supplies is that they be kept in a clean dry place. Exposure to excessive heat, water, smoke or chemicals could potentially ruin your emergency stash. Important papers like a living trust, deeds to your real estate, auto registrations, property and auto insurance policies and bank accounts should be checked and verified. You will want to check the rest of the items listed on page five of the Residents Emergency Handbook to make sure that they are all there. If you have borrowed or lost items replace them to keep yourself properly supplied. You should check the expiration dates on food and medicines at least twice a year. Outdated items should be discarded and replaced. Make sure that you have your important papers and documents readily accessible. This should include the policy numbers, business phone numbers and personal contact information. Do not forget to do a visual check of the storage area. If the area is not secure, then go ahead and move your emergency supplies to a safer place. Anyone who wishes to learn more about Emergency Preparedness is welcome to join us at our monthly meeting on the third Tuesday of the month in the RCN Conference Room. The next meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 10 am. ~ Michael Mendoza, Emergency Preparedness Committee Chairman