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Just within the last few months, we have experienced devastating earthquakes (in Haiti and in Chile), severe winter weather and dangerous blizzards, flooding in California and an uptick in attempted and threatened terrorist attacks. The economy continues to put the citizenry ill at ease and stokes fears of a breakdown of civilization that may threaten public and personal safety.

All of this is not good. But the army/navy store can and should be a headquarters for the products that are useful for both preparation and response to survival and emergency scenarios. Industry suppliers can pitch in not only by providing retailers with the right products, but also by offering direct aid and supply to relief organizations and government agencies.

BEING PREPARED

The Department of Homeland Security lists the following items as being cucial for inclusion in any preparedness kit; two pairs of sterile gloves, sterile dressings to stop bleeding, a cleansing agent/antibiotic towelettes to disinfect wounds and treat burns, antibiotic and burn ointments, adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes, eye wash solution, a thermometer, any prescription medications and prescribed medical supplies, scissors, tweezers and petroleum jelly.

The Red Cross suggests a few other items such as a First Aid Manual, a blanket, a flashlight and extra batteries, a face mask for CPR use, a cold pack, a battery-powered radio, booster cables, a fire extinguisher (5 lb. A-B-C type) a shovel, a knife, a compass and maps, flares (or chemical lights), bottled water, non-perishable high energy food, canned foods, aspirin and gauze bandages.

Most of these items require a trip to a drug store or a medical supply store.

The army/navy retailer can incorporate many of these items in a pre-configured first aid kit, available from industry suppliers. These kits are not just for emergency and disaster use; they are also appropriate for camping, hunting, vacation, automotive and home use.

Army/navy retailers can also incorporate these commercial first aid kits into store-made megakits with add-on products consisting of items already sold individually in the store.

Smaller items include MREs and snacks, multi-tools, chemical defense sprays, water purification tablets, compasses, iodine tablets in case of nuclear attack or radiation exposure, hand warmers, gloves, signal mirrors, face paint, firestarters and P38 can openers.

Larger items that are more likely to be sold individually rather than as part of a packaged kit include blankets, cots, sleeping bags, duffel bags, folding shovels, mess kits, portable stoves, portable hydration packs and water filtration devices, solar-powered flashlights and radios, rope, thermal underwear, body armor, ammo cans, gas masks and of course, cold weather outerwear and footwear.

Most army/navy retailers already stock and sell these products - the trick is to make your customers aware that they need to be prepared for any eventuality and that they should buy these items from you in advance of calamity. The retailer should also impress upon the customer the need to have emergency supplies on hand in the home, in the family car and at the workplace; disaster strikes at any hour and at any place.

The retailer should put together store displays depicting the range of products available for emergency and survival needs. The retailer should also be fully able to instruct customers on the correct storage and usage of these products.