Radio spots for preparing for emergency preparedness

Natural disasters are becoming more common, in part because of climate change.

The health of the people in your community is at great risk following a disaster. When water is unclean, diarrhea, cholera, typhoid and other diseases can spread quickly.

Stay safe in an emergency by boiling water before drinking.

Spot #2: Kill germs by boiling water during and after a flood emergency

(LOUDLY) Don’t drink that water!!

What? Why?

It’s not safe. The floods have contaminated the well. I’m just about to boil it.

During and after an emergency, water used for drinking and preparing food needs to be treated to make it safe. And one of the simplest methods of making it safe is boiling.

But I hate the taste of boiled water! And it takes so long.

Boiling is effective and easy, but it has two drawbacks. First, it’s energy-intensive. Each person uses about five litres of water per day. And water needs to be brought to a “rolling” boil.

The other disadvantage is that boiling changes the taste of the water.

Don’t worry. I have a plan. I’ll aerate it. After the water has boiled and cooled, I’m shaking it in this sealed container for five minutes. Here, this other container has been sitting after I gave it a shake earlier. Let’s just strain it to remove those particles at the bottom. There. Enjoy! And now you won’t get sick.

Remember: During and after a flood emergency, water must be treated. And boiling is one of the simplest and most accessible ways to make it safe!

Spot #3: Prepare for an emergency with a family survival kit

Natural disasters are becoming more common, in part because of climate change.

So it’s important to always have a family survival kit in your home.

Include food and water for a week, plus candles, and first aid supplies.

Good preparation leads to safe results!

Spot #4: When there’s a disaster, look after the elderly, sick, and disabled in your community

Hello there, senior ____. How are you today? Have you heard about the latest evacuation plans if these rains turn to floods again? I want to make sure you know before things get worse.

Yes, I heard about it on the radio. But … (VOICE FADES WITH LOSS FOR WORDS)

Don’t you worry. When the time comes, I’ll send the children over to help you get out. Just make sure you have an emergency bag packed with your medication.

Elderly and disabled people are very susceptible to harm during an emergency. Help your neighbours stay safe. Involve elderly and disabled people in community disaster preparedness plans. Ensure that they maintain regular contact with friends and family. Make sure that they get help preparing their homes for an emergency, including keeping extra supplies of needed medication.

Keep your family and neighbours safe during an emergency!

Spot #5: Community groups effectively preparing for an emergency

Hello. My name is _____ and I am a member of (farmer group, radio listening club, or other organized group). Are you a member of a community group? A sports group, women’s club, day care centre, farmers’ group, or radio listening club?

Did you know that community groups have the skills and knowledge to effectively plan for emergencies?

Here are five things that you and your community group can do to prepare for a disaster.

First, form a disaster committee to coordinate disaster relief activities, like distributing emergency supplies.

Second, develop a simple early warning system that everyone can understand, including reporting on who is safe and where the greatest need is.

Third, research and distribute information about traditional ways of conserving and storing clean water, saving and storing seeds, and building housing that withstands disasters.

Fourth, provide information on community seed banks and seed insurance policies.

Fifth, educate local people about the importance of proper sanitation to reduce the spread of diseases.

In an emergency, community groups can make the difference between survival and success.

 

Spot #6: Protect livestock during an emergency

Natural disasters are becoming more common, in part because of climate change.

Do you know how to protect your livestock from floods, drought, and other disasters?

Here are five things you can do:

First, make a checklist of all farm animals. If possible, give them identification marks.

Second, store enough feed, water, and medicine for each animal for a week. Store supplies at least two feet above ground in a dry, flood-resistant area.

Third, make sure that livestock housing is sturdy and secure.

Fourth, prune tree branches next to livestock housing, so that no branches will fall and damage housing or livestock.

Fifth, if floods are predicted, take your livestock to higher ground.

Plan ahead to keep livestock safe in an emergency!

Spot #7: Prepare a first aid kit for emergencies

Accidents are more likely to happen during emergencies. Are you prepared for an accident? Do you have a first aid kit?

Here are six things to put in a first aid kit:

A piece of soap to clean wounds; clean cloths to use as bandages and thin strips of clean cloth to tie bandages in place; a small container of salt for cleaning wounds; a clean pair of scissors; clean tweezers and a needle; and a small container of sugar. Small amounts of sugar and salt dissolved in clean water can save the life of a child or baby with diarrhea.

Keep your first aid kit in a cool, dry, clean place and keep it closed.

Prepare a home first aid kit. It could save your life.

Spot #8: Soil conservation saves land, even during a flood or hurricane

Natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes cause a lot of damage to farmland.

But farmers who protect their land suffer much less damage.

Here are five ways you can minimize damage to your land from floods, hurricanes, drought, and other disasters.

First, build rock walls to save soil on slopes.

Second, establish grass barriers between farmland or housing and watercourses.

Third, add organic matter to the soil.

Fourth, grow cover crops.

Finally, plow your land along the contour of the slope rather than up and down.

Prepare your farm, so you can more quickly recover after natural disaster.

Spot #9: Use infiltration pits and underground tanks to combat drought

Irregular rainfall and drought are major problems, especially nowadays with climate change.

But simple water harvesting techniques can capture and hold water for crops.

Here’s how two methods work, called infiltration pits and underground tanks.

Dig many large pits on your land, aligned with your contour ridges. The pits can be four metres long, one metre wide, and two metres deep.

When it rains, the rain falls into these infiltration pits. Even when the rain stops, water remains in the pits, in the field, nourishing the crops and soil.

Underground tanks are just large pits. But the pits are filled with large stones.

Though the pit is full of stones, the spaces between the stones hold a lot of water.

It’s even better if you put a breather hose in the pit. Then the air will leave the pit through the hose when the rain enters.

Infiltration pits and underground tanks are very easy to build. And they can save you from drought!

 

Spot #10: Avoid the heat during a heat wave

We are forecasted for some hot temperatures in the days and weeks ahead. Family, let’s try to avoid this heat so we stay healthy.

So I guess no football practice?

Certainly not around mid-day. Your mother and I will be in the field early in the morning to finish our hard work before the sun is too hot. If you want to play football, meet your friends early or later in the evening.

The day will be hottest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., so I want you at home or under the shade of a tree. And remember to wear your hat!

Also, drink lots of water or soda. I want us to stay hydrated.

And I guess it’s meals of beans and leafy greens?

Yes, that will be perfect for this heat – legumes and leafy greens.

Remember these tips to avoid heat exhaustion. Drink lots of water, avoid the sun during the middle of the day, and try to do your hard work in the morning or evening. Take particular care of pregnant and breastfeeding women, the elderly, people with disabilities, and your animals.

Spot #11: Recognize the signs of heat exhaustion in a heat wave

We are forecasted for some hot temperatures in the days and weeks ahead. Take precautions to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Recognize the signs of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, dizziness, disorientation, diarrhea, headaches, muscle cramps, cool clammy skin, fast and deep breathing, and possible vomiting. These are signs of dehydration.

You need to find a cool place to rest, and to drink water and other fluids, although perhaps avoid hot drinks like tea. Take off tight clothing, too.

Let’s stay safe during these hot times.

Spot #12: Protect trees in flood or drought

I hear that heavy rains are forecasted! Do we need to be worried, father?

We surely need to be prepared, but fortunately we planted trees a few years ago. Just like during the drought last year, trees will help to protect us.

Really?

Yes, during a flood, trees absorb some of the water and slow the rain runoff. They will stop some of the erosion.

And during a drought, the shade from the leaves will stop the water from evaporating so quickly, preventing the wind from blowing away dusty soil. We learned about that in school!

Exactly. So, just like in a drought, we will protect our trees during the rains. We will try to keep our animals from grazing on the trees – so make sure the animals are kept in the pen and well-fed. We will also use less firewood, and hopefully, our trees will protect our soil during these rains and floods.

Planting trees protects your future. Let’s all get involved to grow trees and protect the trees we have together for a more prosperous future, no matter the weather.