Flu Pandemic Survival

Preparing your family, home and lifestyle before a crisis occurs is essential for flu pandemic survival. There are precautions to take even after a pandemic strikes that will greatly increase your chances of staying healthy, but getting ready ahead of time is certianly ideal.

Those who are employed should save up as many vacation, sick and personal days as possible to enable avoidance of the office should a flu pandemic strike. Keeping family members home, away from places of likely exposure, is the best way to avoid contracting the flu and improve chances of flu pandemic survival.

Now is the time to stock up on survival food. Start with a 2-3 week suppl of nutritious foods to feed your family. Ideally, a home food storage that can support your household for 3-6 months is an excellent way to ensure preparedness for a multitude of crises. Again, the ability to stay home and away from those infected with the flu is paramount to survival in the worst case scenario.

Purchase a quantity of Flu Masks to wear when contact with the community cannot be avoided. Studies have shown that wearing these masks may reduce risk of contracting flu by 80 percent. If you have young children, get Child-size Face Masks. Split a bulk pack with another family to save money.

Have plenty of disinfectant, surface cleaners and paper towels or disposable cloths available. Wipe down doorknobs, counters, sinks and surfaces daily.

Remind family members of proper hygiene essential for flu pandemic survival:

• Cover face with tissue when sneezing or coughing. Dispose tissue immediately.
• Wash or sanitize hands frequently -- after sneezing or blowing your nose, before entering the kitchen, after using the bathroom, before and after meals.
• Help children wash hands and faces frequently.