It’s the time of year when there has been a shopping frenzy as many folks show their affection for friends and family with gift-giving. Even though Christmas has passed, maybe you are headed out for parties where a house gift is appropriate. Besides, it’s always a good time to give someone a thoughtful gift. The fact is, any time is a good time to help your family and friends be prepared.

So, we’ve prepared a list of ideas for inexpensive or even free preparedness items. You can find most of them right here on Vashon, so you can shop locally. What better gift for a friend or family member than safety and comfort?

Household Preparedness Course: Free!

Sign up your friend or your whole family for a free one-day household preparedness course coming up in a few weeks. You can present this thoughtful gift as a homemade gift certificate or card. And, yes, it’s absolutely free.

The Introduction to Household Preparedness meets on Saturday, January 13, and requires registration. Sign up by emailing CERT@VashonBePrepared.org or by calling or texting CERT Manager Jan Milligan at 206-949-1184.

While you’re at it, consider exploring other ways to help your community. Ask about the follow-up CERT courses that will build on the Jan. 13 household preparedness intro session. Seats are still available and you can find out more by checking out this online flyer.

Go Kit Jump Start: Bag It at Granny’s Attic

Cost doesn’t have to get in the way of being prepared. Inexpensive daypacks are often available at Granny’s Attic. It can be hard to know where to start, so jump-starting the project for a friend or family member is a great gift. We list below some quick, easy, and inexpensive items you can toss into a daypack to show you care.

• Water: A super easy item to include in the go kit gift is some bottled water. Also, toss in water purification items. Many backpackers swear by Aquamira tablets or drops, and others are fans of mechanical purification methods such as LifeStraw.
• Food: Consider anything that would keep someone fueled up when the going gets tough. Their favorite energy bars. A can of tuna or beans, a can opener and a spork. Shelf-stable boxes of juice. Include favorite food items for kids in the household, and don’t forget the pets. Choose non-perishable items. Be sure to include some special treats to boost morale.
• First Aid Kit: Put together a basic first aid kit. Include items you or your recipient already know how to use (and consider taking a Red Cross first aid class in person or online). A first aid kit doesn’t have to be fancy to be a special gesture of caring and affection for the holidays. Here’s a link for suggestions on some items to include.
• Light: During a nighttime emergency, even a small one, it helps to be able to see. So, give a gift of light. A keychain flashlight. A headlamp. A powerful multi-battery LED light. A lantern to light a family Monopoly game on those dark nights when the power goes out.
• Batteries: Flashlights need electricity and so do many other items you may need during an emergency. Stock your go kit gift with spare batteries in the correct sizes for your recipient’s devices. Ni-MH type rechargeable batteries are great because they hold a charge for a year or more. Consider tossing in a USB power bank and charging cable (and car lighter adapter) that can keep a smartphone going for several days.
• Radio: A battery-powered or wind-up radio will help keep you informed even if the Internet is down by listening to the Voice of Vashon 1650AM Emergency Alert System.
• Contact List: Include a form for emergency communications, including a list of family and friend phone numbers and space for a list of medicines your special person may need to keep in the kit. You can download and print out this one.

• Warm Layers: Your friend or family member will be grateful for a go kit that includes a couple of those shiny mylar emergency blankets or just a regular old blanket. Also consider including a poncho, gloves, and hat.
• Tools: A multi-tool can solve a lot of problems in a pinch. In one compact tool your go kit gift can include a knife, screwdriver, pliers, saw, and a lot else. If a multi-tool seems too pricey, you could just gather a small, basic set of regular tools and many can be found at Granny’s Attic.

Vashon COVID Risk Level: Basic, Rising Case Rates

While our COVID Risk Advice Tool remains at the basic level for now, Public Health – Seattle King County advised on Dec. 18 that case rates for COVID, flu and RSV are all on the rise in King County.

Our weekly VashonBePrepared COVID Risk Advice Tool aggregates data from our two-county exposure area (King and Pierce). The primary metric evaluated by the Vashon Medical Reserve Corps is the COVID hospitalization rate. Unlike home tests, hospitalizations are reliably reported to public health agencies and can accurately be tracked for COVID rate trends. The hospitalization rate also folds the element of disease severity into the risk assessment.

Easy Ways to Play It Safe for Holiday Gatherings

Fortunately, the basic common-sense steps we learned to take at the height of the COVID pandemic also work well during the current respiratory virus season to help prevent the spread of RSV and flu.

• Wearing a mask significantly reduces the chances of getting COVID, flu, or RSV.
• Avoid indoor crowds. Infected people exhale infected air and that could infect you.
• If you do decide to host an indoor event, improve the air quality by running air purifiers or opening nearby windows.
• Be extra vigilant if you are susceptible because your immune system is weakened or you have other risk factors.
• Get vaccinated. There are updated vaccines for COVID, flu, and RSV.
• Avoid exposure to people who are sick. If you have symptoms, don’t expose others. Stay home until your fever is gone and you are feeling substantially better.
• Test for COVID with a home test when cold symptoms appear, and again 48 hours later. If you test positive, isolate for at least 5 days and until you test negative.