T-shirt designer who also has random thoughts about current events, art, philosophy, humor, fashion, celebrities, decor, and everything under the sun. Please bookmark this blog and come back often! If you're a designer or philosopher, ask about guest blogging.
The east coast earthquake was felt from Georgia to Canada, including New York City, Boston, and Washington DC. If you felt it, here are some cool tshirts to remember the event. It's a historic occasion, because it probably won't happen again in your lifetime!
I Survived the 5.8 DC Quake Tshirt by greenbaby
I think these quake tees would make an awesome gift from a west coaster to an east coaster!
The horrific events in Japan tonight have led me to the realization that I am completely unprepared for a major event. I live on the West Coast of the United States, where a huge earthquake could strike at any time. But no matter where you live you need to have an emergency preparedness kit ready. Now is the time to put it together!
Here is a list of what you should have on hand at all times, courtesy of SFGate.com: WATER * Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more. * Store one gallon of water per person per day. Don't forget your pets. * Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation). * Change this water every six months. Household liquid bleach to kill microorganisms:
o Use only regular household liquid bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Do not use scented bleaches, colorsafe bleaches or bleaches with added cleaners. o Add 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water, stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water does not have a slight bleach odor, repeat the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes. o The only agent used to treat water should be household liquid bleach. Other chemicals, such as iodine or water treatment products sold in camping or surplus stores that do not contain 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite as the only active ingredient, are not recommended and should not be used.
FOOD * Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables. * Canned juices, milk, soup * Sugar, salt, pepper * High energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix; foods that will not increase thirst. * Vitamins * Foods for infants, elderly, persons with special dietary needs * Comfort/stress foods: cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags. * Pet food, at least one ounce per animal pound per day. * Avoid foods like rice, pasta and dry beans that require a great deal of water to prepare. Remember to restock your food once a year.
FIRST AID KIT
* Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes * Assorted sizes of safety pins * Cleansing agent/soap * Latex gloves (2 pairs) * Sunscreen * 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6) * 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6) * Triangular bandages (3) * Non-prescription drugs such as Pain relievers, Anti-diarrhea medicines, Antacid, Syrup of Ipecac (used to induce vomiting with the advice of a Poison Control Center), Laxatives, Activated charcoal (used with advice from the Poison Control Center) * Various roller bandages * Scissors * Tweezers * Needle * Moistened towelettes * Antiseptic * Thermometer * Tongue blades (2) * Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
TOOLS AND SUPPLIES
* Paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils * Battery-operated radio and extra batteries * Flashlight and extra batteries * Cash or traveler's checks, in case banks are closed in the days following an earthquake * Non-electric can opener or a utility knife * Small fire extinguisher * Pliers * Tape * Matches in a waterproof container * Aluminum foil * Plastic storage containers * Signal flare * Paper, pencil * Needles, thread * Medicine dropper * Wrench, to turn off gas and water
SANITATION
* Toilet paper * Soap, liquid detergent * Feminine supplies * Plastic garbage bags and ties * Plastic bucket with tight lid * Disinfectant * Household chlorine bleach * Poop bags and scooper for pet waste
CLOTHING AND BEDDING
* Sturdy shoes or work boots (keep near your bed) * Rain gear * Blankets or sleeping bags * Warm clothing * Sunglasses (keep your spare eyeglasses in the emergency kit, too.)
DOCUMENTS
* Will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds * Passports, social security cards, immunization records * Bank account numbers * Credit card account numbers and companies * Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers * Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
**Remember to include special needs family members such as a baby or an older person might have. It is also good to store in a water proof plastic bag important family documents (passports, wills, medical records etc.) along with your earthquake survival kit.
If you're seeing the same devastating pictures coming out of Haiti that I am, then you want to help in whatever ways you can. Unfortunately, there are always going to be unscrupulous individuals out there who want to scam you out of your money, in times of disaster. Please, everyone, do not donate to organizations or individuals who are unknown to you! These "pleas" may come in phone calls (to cell phones as well as land lines) or emails. Politely turn them down.
The most important thing you can do right now is donate CASH. Why cash? Because governments and private corporations often donate food, clothing, and medicine, but cash is always needed, to pay for getting the goods to where they need to go. Here are direct links to some 100% safe places you can donate, and remember, NO amount is too small.
