Feeling Safe/Being Safe Archives - We Care A Lot Foundation

Two California Wildfire Survivors Share Their Stories of Evacuation

WeCareALot — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 15:26:04 +0000

Here in Northern California, many have lived through emergency evacuations. Some get to go back to their homes where nothing has changed, some go back home and have to rebuild everything they ever had and some have to start all over in a completely different location. Many of these people are forced to leave everything behind from homes, and belongings to lifelong friends.

Here are two personal stories from People First Advocates in Northern California: one a survivor of the CARR Fire in July 2018 and one a survivor of the Dixie Fire in July 2021.

Being prepared will help keep you safe if you have to evacuate. At the end of this blog Rebekah, a presenter of the Feeling Safe, Being Safe emergency preparedness team will share a few tips that will help you prepare for any type of emergency evacuation.

When we had to evacuate from the Camp Fire I was so beyond scared.
Yes, I did have a place to meet up with my family. But, my husband and I did not drive and we had to trust strangers to get us to safety.
To the people of Maui: Do not give up on hope. Yes, it may be hard at times, but look at Paradise, CA. It has been almost 5 years since the Camp Fire happened. All things will be worth it in the end. Yes, Paradise is slowly rebuilding.
Maui as I have learned from being a survivor of the Camp Fire, home will always be home, whether you’re there to see it being rebuilt from near or far.
Just have faith. It may be hard but don’t lose faith. My prayers are with you guys at this time…

By Taya Rathburn-Bias-Cooper Paradise, CA Camp Fire Survivor

That night when I walked outside I felt like I was in hell.
The sky was hot, smoky, and red. The falling ash felt like the sky was falling. When it sunk in how close the fire really was, I started to cry because it was so scary. I realized I was not prepared to evacuate. Now, being a trainer on the Feeling Safe, Being Safe team has helped me be better prepared.
I feel so sad for the people in Maui. I can’t imagine how it would feel to lose everything you have. It must be scary not knowing what the future is for them. I wouldn’t know what direction to go first. I feel so blessed that I still have my kids.
I hope the people of Maui hold tight to their family and friends, they still have, for the emotional support they need to help get each other through the rest of these rough times.

Here are a few things you can do to help you be better prepared:

Pack your “Emergency Go Bag”
1. a. Make sure you have your list of emergency contacts.
2. b. Pack a list of your medication in your “Go Bag.’
Make your plan for how you will evacuate and where you will go
Pack a “Go Bag” for your pets
Keep your “Go Bag” in an easy-to-grab location.

By Rebekah Amick Carr Fire Survivor, Feeling Safe, Being Safe Team Member

You can ask for a free presentation on our Feeling Safe, Being Safe page on this website. These presentations are in person in Northern California or to any location, worldwide, over Zoom.

The post Two California Wildfire Survivors Share Their Stories of Evacuation appeared first on We Care A Lot Foundation.

Watching Out for Scams- Part 1 of 3

William — Tue, 12 May 2020 09:00:00 +0000

By William Battles

Scams are ways for people to steal your money. In the next three weeks I will be talking about some common scams, why we need to look out for them, and ways you can protect yourself.

The scams that I will be talking about will be:

1. Fake check scams

2. Working at home scams

3. Payday loan scams

These are some of the biggest scams we need to watch out for these days.

The post Watching Out for Scams- Part 1 of 3 appeared first on We Care A Lot Foundation.

Homeschooling Your Kids During Quarantine

Rebekah — Fri, 08 May 2020 09:00:00 +0000

By Rebekah Amick

With schools closed during this quarantine, kids are staying home. They are doing their schoolwork at home and now suddenly you’re the teacher! Being a mom with learning disabilities with two boys that are 13 and 14, it’s hard to help them with their schoolwork. For my boys, doing schoolwork at home instead of in the classroom, is very different. Then I have to balance my work from home with helping them, which makes it hard for all of us.

Here are 5 things I found that may help you work with your child at home:

1. Don’t get frustrated. Remember if you get frustrated your kids will get frustrated. If you relax, they will be more relaxed and learning will be more fun for all of you.

2. Take breaks. Every child learns differently. Some children can work for long periods of time while some can’t focus for as long. If you watch them, you will learn when they need a break.

3. Keep a normal daily routine and bedtime. Just like in school they will need breaks, outside play time, a lunch hour, and rest and sleep time.

4. School device boundaries. If your student got a device from their school, it is for school assignments and contact with teachers, only. It is not for games or social media.

5. Keep up communication with all teachers that work with your child. This is the most important thing you can do. They will help you and support you through your challenges of homeschooling your kids.

The post Homeschooling Your Kids During Quarantine appeared first on We Care A Lot Foundation.

Are you ready?

WebMaster — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 12:00:03 +0000

I think it is important for people to view the Feeling Safe, Being Safe presentation. Feeling Safe, Being Safe is about helping people get ready for emergencies or disasters. We teach people how and what to put in their “Go Bag.” A “Go Bag” is items

you will need to have in a bag, back pack, or suit case if you have to evacuate. This bag does not have to be a new one, but each person in the home needs their own “Go Bag.”

Here is a list of things you will need in each “Go Bag:”

3 days of water that can only be used for drinking
3 days of nonperishable food (the food needs to be rotated when ever the time changes.
Can opener
Utensils
1. Fork
2. Spoon
3. knife
4. Changes of clean clothes
5. Trash bags
  1. To be used to pick up any trash
  2. Can become a rain poncho
  3. Put your dirty clothes in
  4. For recycling
  5. Personal hygiene items
    1. Toilet paper
    2. Toothbrush
    3. Tooth paste
    4. Deodorant
    5. Soap
    6. For ladies feminine hygiene items
    7. Flashlight
    8. Portable radio
    9. 10. Extra Batteries (That fit your flashlight and radio)
    10. 11. Whistle
    11. 12. Gloves
    12. 13. First aide kit
    13. 14. In a zip lock bag put:
      1. Money (There may not be any electricity to run cards.)
      2. Copies of :

i. Medical insurance information

ii. Your identification

iii. Medication list (if you take medication)

iv. Your health information

v. Emergency contact information

If you have a Certified Service Animal I recommend that you and your Service Animal go to your local Red Cross and find out what their regulations are.

Be prepared, so if an emergency or disaster happens you can take care of your self, until help comes.

The post Are you ready? appeared first on We Care A Lot Foundation.