Zombie Outbreak Response Team

Zombie Wiki

2012-02-29T11:00:00.000-08:00

Zombies are fictional undead creatures regularly encountered in horror and fantasy themed works. They are typically depicted as mindless, reanimated corpses with a hunger for human flesh, and in some cases, human brains in particular. Although they share their name and some superficial similarities with the zombie from Haitian Vodun, their links to such folklore are unclear and many consider George A. Romero's seminal film The Night of the Living Dead to be the progenitor of these creatures. By 2011 the influence of zombies in popular consciousness had reached far enough that government agencies were using them to garner greater attention in public service messages.

Evolution of the zombie archetype

The flesh-hungry undead have been a fixture of world mythology dating at least since The Epic of Gilgamesh, in which the goddess Ishtar promises:

I will knock down the Gates of the Netherworld,
I will smash the door posts, and leave the doors flat down,
and will let the dead go up to eat the living!
And the dead will outnumber the living!

Folklore about revenants and vampires, rotting corpses that would rise from the dead and consume the living, has existed for centuries. Undead creatures appear in Norse mythology and include the draugr, which is a reanimated corpse that roams outside of its grave to attack, eat, and infect the living. A human that is killed by a draugr is destined to become a draugr, as evident in the Eyrbyggja Saga when a shepherd is killed by a draugr.

The actor T. P. Cooke as Frankenstein's Monster in an 1823 stage production of the novel
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, while not a zombie novel proper, prefigures many 20th century ideas about zombies in that the resurrection of the dead is portrayed as a scientific process rather than a mystical one, and that the resurrected dead are degraded and more violent than their living selves. Frankenstein, published in 1818, has its roots in European folklore, whose tales of vengeful dead also informed the evolution of the modern conception of vampires as well as zombies. Later notable 19th century stories about the avenging undead included Ambrose Bierce's "The Death of Halpin Frayser", and various Gothic Romanticism tales by Edgar Allan Poe. Though their works couldn't be properly considered zombie fiction, the supernatural tales of Bierce and Poe would prove influential on later undead-themed writers such as H. P. Lovecraft, by Lovecraft's own admission.

In the 1920s and early 1930s, the American horror author H. P. Lovecraft wrote several novelettes that explored the undead theme from different angles. "Cool Air", "In the Vault", and "The Outsider" all deal with the undead, but the most definitive "zombie-type" story in Lovecraft's oeuvre was 1921's Herbert West–Reanimator, which "helped define zombies in popular culture". This Frankenstein-inspired series featured Herbert West, a mad scientist who attempts to revive human corpses with mixed results. Notably, the resurrected dead are uncontrollable, mostly mute, primitive and extremely violent; though they are not referred to as zombies, their portrayal was prescient, anticipating the modern conception of zombies by several decades.

The 1936 film Things to Come, based on the novel by H. G. Wells, anticipates later zombie films with an apocalyptic scenario surrounding "the wandering sickness", a highly contagious viral plague that causes the infected to wander slowly and insensibly, very much like zombies, infecting others on contact Though this film's direct influence on later films isn't known, Things to Come is still compared favorably by some critics to modern zombie movies.

Avenging zombies would feature prominently in the early 1950s EC Comics such as Tales from the Crypt, which George A. Romero would later claim as an influence. The comics, including Tales, Vault of Horror and Weird Science, featured avenging undead in the Gothic tradition quite regularly, including adaptations of Lovecraft's stories which included "In the Vault", "Cool Air" and Herbert West–Reanimator.

The 1954 publication of I Am Legend, by author Richard Matheson, would further influence the zombie genre. It is the story of a future Los Angeles, overrun with undead bloodsucking beings. Notable as influential on the zombie genre is the portrayal of a worldwide apocalypse due to the infestation, in addition to the initial conception of vampirism as a disease (a scenario comparable to recent zombie media such as Resident Evil). The novel was a success, and would be adapted to film as The Last Man on Earth in 1964, as The Omega Man in 1971, and again in 2007 as I Am Legend.

Although classified as a vampire story and referred to as "the first modern vampire novel", Legend had definitive impact on the zombie genre by way of George A. Romero. Romero was heavily influenced by the novel and its 1964 adaptation when writing the film Night of the Living Dead, by his own admission. Critics have also noted extensive similarities between Night and Last Man on Earth, indicating further influence.

In 1968, George A. Romero released his low-budget film Night of the Living Dead, a taboo-breaking, genre-defining work that would prove to be more influential on the concept of zombies than any literary or cinematic work before it.

The name "zombie"

How these creatures came to be called "zombies" is not fully clear. Night of the Living Dead made no reference to them as "zombies", describing them instead as "ghouls". However, the word zombie is used continually by Romero in his 1978 script for his sequel Dawn of the Dead, including once in dialog. This "retroactively fits (the creatures) with an invisible Haitian/African prehistory, formally introducing the zombie as a new archetype". It has been argued however that the name is not truly applicable to these creatures because the zombie of Hatian Vodun is not a monster, but a victim.

One of the first books to expose western culture to the concept of the Vodun zombie was The Magic Island by W.B. Seabrook in 1929. Island is the sensationalized account of a narrator in Haiti who encounters voodoo cults and their resurrected thralls. Time claimed that the book "introduced 'zombi' into U.S. speech".

In 1932, Victor Halperin directed White Zombie, a horror film starring Bela Lugosi. This film, capitalizing on the same voodoo zombie themes as Seabrook's book of three years prior, is often regarded as the first legitimate zombie film ever made. Here zombies are depicted as mindless, unthinking henchmen under the spell of an evil magician. Zombies, often still using this voodoo-inspired rationale, were initially uncommon in cinema, but their appearances continued sporadically through the 1930s to the 1960s, with notable films including I Walked With a Zombie (1943) and the infamous Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959).

In his article, "The Evolution of the Zombie: the Monster That Keeps Coming Back", Shawn McIntosh notes that, "even after the traditional zombie largely disappeared from the screen, there was still a strong fascination with the word", and that "zombie" came to be applied to a wide variety of disfigured or deformed creatures throughout the 50s and 60s. However, even as they began to take on the shabbier, corpselike characteristics of later "zombies", these creatures always followed the Voodoo convention of being controlled by a master.

Zombie apocalypse

The zombie apocalypse is a particular scenario of apocalyptic fiction that customarily has a science fiction/horror rationale. In a zombie apocalypse, a widespread (usually global) rise of zombies hostile to human life engages in a general assault on civilization. Victims of zombies may become zombies themselves. This causes the outbreak to become an exponentially growing crisis: the spreading "zombie plague/virus" swamps normal military and law enforcement organizations, leading to the panicked collapse of civilian society until only isolated pockets of survivors remain, scavenging for food and supplies in a world reduced to a pre-industrial hostile wilderness.

The literary subtext of a zombie apocalypse is usually that civilization is inherently fragile in the face of truly unprecedented threats and that most individuals cannot be relied upon to support the greater good if the personal cost becomes too high, The narrative of a zombie apocalypse carries strong connections to the turbulent social landscape of the United States in the 1960s when the originator of this genre, the film Night of the Living Dead, was first created. Many also feel that zombies allow people to deal with their own anxiety about the end of the world. In fact the breakdown of society as a result of zombie infestation has been portrayed in countless zombie-related media since Night of the Living Dead. One scholar concluded that "more than any other monster, zombies are fully and literally apocalyptic ... they signal the end of the world as we have known it."

Due to a large number of thematic films and video games, the idea of a zombie apocalypse has entered the mainstream and there have been efforts by many fans to prepare for the hypothetical future zombie apocalypse. Efforts include creating weapons and selling posters to inform people on how to survive a zombie outbreak.

References:
1. Zombie (fictional). Wikipedia, February 27, 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/zombie_(fictional)>

Zombie Scenario

2012-02-15T10:33:00.000-08:00

How did it happen? There are a few ways this could've happened:

Maybe the zombies came from another planet. Maybe some asshole read a spell book that made the dead come back to life. Maybe someone fucked up at the Pet Cemetery. But the most likely and popular way for a zombie outbreak to happen is to have a mad scientist, well... go mad. He was probably mixing chemicals that were clearly marked "Do Not Mix" while smoking hookah and watching Telemundo. The he gave some of the liquid to his pet gorilla, chimpanzee, tiger, or turtle to test it. When the test subject of choice started foaming at the mouth and had its eyes turn red, the genius with his Ph.D. didn't call the police. He probably just let it out thinking it needed some fresh air. Then...

Bam! The scientist was bit, and now he's a zombie.

Just a few short weeks later, 6 million people have become infected with ZV-10 (Zombie Virus 2010), and the number is growing rapidly. You are one of the very few survivors.

So what should you do?

Well, if you're not a complete idiot, you should already be prepared for this. You should have a huge arsenal of weapons, ammo, and some kind of cover (like a bunker). If no, then you need to hurry your ass up and get something... quick. A baseball bat, an axe, a shovel, a crowbar... these all work. But they're slow, and they don't guarantee a kill.

If you need protection, here's what to consider:

If you're fast, I would recommend something small and lightweight, like a handgun. They're comfortable and you can take them anywhere easily.

If you're on the larger side, get something that'll let let you mow down zombies left and right with ease. A rifle should do the trick. Pick up something basic like an AR-15. They're rapid fire and strong enough to stop a good-sized gang of zombies.

If you're just plain bad-ass, then get yourself a 12-gauge shotgun. Sure, they're slow and big, but dammit you're not goin' down while looking like a nancy boy with a .22 caliber pistol in your hand. Note: Don't be a hero. If you don't think you're bad-ass enough for a shotgun, don't use one.

Where should you go? Isolation and walls are key.

The worst thing you can do is stay in your house. Houses have thin walls, weak doors, and windows. Don't go thinking you'll just board it up and kick it there. Zombies will tear right through that. What you need to do is get away... far away. While zombies are fast, they don't know how to drive. So get all the necessary supplies (food, water, weapons, Playboys, etc.), throw them in your car, and get the hell out of there. And you probably don't have to worry about speed limits at this point.

Now here's where it gets tricky.

If you live in a coastal state, then you have a much better chance of surviving. All you lucky bastards have to do is find a boat dock, steal a boat, and find the nearest island. You can build a small house there and live off your dehydrated food and water until it's safe to return. Just remember, it'll be first come, first serve for the boats. So don't drag your feet.

For those of you living in a landlocked state, well... shit happens. Finding protection won't be as easy for you. Assuming you don't have the time or resources to drive to the nearest coast right away, the smartest thing to do would be to find a place underground. If you can find a concrete bunker with thick walls and a beefy door, you should be fine. Being up high might work too, but good luck finding anything at you can live in for weeks or months at a time.

So you've got your hiding place... Are you safe? Not necessarily.

Zombies don't only bite humans. They'll want to bite whatever moves. So think birds, dogs, cats, and even fish. You better be practicing your shot with those guns you picked up, because birds aren't the easiest things in the world to shoot. Especially when they've become mentally insane due to ZV-10.

And hey you, on that island over there, think twice before taking a dip in the ocean. Those fish could be infected, and they just might be looking for a victim.

Mosquitoes are your biggest enemy (next to the zombies, of course).

Mosquitoes suck blood. Guess how ZV-10 is transferred? If you guessed blood, then you might just survive this thing (but probably not). Unfortunately, mosquitoes can fly. So, just because you made it to that island 20 miles offshore doesn't mean you're completely safe. You better watch out for those pesky mosquitoes. You thought they were annoying before? Well shit just got real. I have no idea if insect repellent will work against zombies, but you should lather up just in case.

You survived!

Somehow you managed to make it through all the hordes of zombies, mosquitoes, birds, fish, and whatever else got in your way.

Way to fucking go! But now what? Rebuild, repopulate, reconquer.

You better hope a woman was able to survive all this. Without one, there's no chance to save the once thriving human race.

Should you find a woman to help repopulate the Earth, don't fuck it up.

Now's your chance to fix what was wrong with the world. You and your woman will be the leaders of the society you build. Teach that society values that will make the world a better place. Create the world that we all want to live in, but are unable to. You have the power to fix what was broken.

Surviving a Zombie Outbreak

2012-02-14T10:25:00.000-08:00

Step 1: Evade

If a zombie is spotted in the area you must leave immediately to prevent further infection and the possibility of becoming a threat to others. You will very likely have to run over crowds of non-living friends, family, and co-workers, so take the largest automobile you can, and resist the urge to slow down.

Do: Dress in dark or camouflage colors. Recent data suggest that the non-living may confuse camouflage with actual foliage, and zombies do not appear to eat salad. One theory holds that zombies may be afraid of ninjas so black clothing is always a good idea.

Don't: Smell like a brain.

Step 2: Defend

In the unavoidable instance of direct contact with a zombie, it will be necessary for you to defend yourself. While firearms such as large-caliber handguns and automatic rifles may seem the most effective, experience has shown these weapons to be inferior to more common armaments, such as chainsaws, lawnmowers, and baseball bats. Exception being the shotgun, which is violent enough to make the approved list.

Do: Aim for the head. The non-living brain produces no measurable neural activity, but zombies, like cats, will often desist hostilities without it.

Don't: Aim for the legs. While a successful leg shot may prevent the zombie from chasing you, studies show a ninety percent probability of you later tripping over it, whereupon the zombie will bite your ankle and transmit the infection to you.

Step 3: Report

Once safely away from an area of infestation, call the authorities at 888-WUZ-DEAD (989-3323) and report the location and strength of zombie activity.

If a nuclear response is warranted you may be asked to remove yourself as far as 150 feet from the site. Government scientists are pretty sure that zombification is not the result of radiological contamination. So you should be fine as long as you remember to duck and cover.

If phone service is unavailable you may wish to light signal flares or sirens, bonfires or spotlights to alert authorities to your location. In the event that any or all the above also serve to alert the zombie hordes to your location, please repeat steps one through three.

Do: Remember the three steps to survival. Evade, Defend, Report. In the event that you cannon reach the authorities, ask an adult what to do.

Don't: Forget to charge your cell phone. Individuals without a cell phone should carry bagpipes.

Surviving Infestation

2012-02-14T10:05:00.000-08:00

In the event of zombie attack follow these 3 steps to surviving infestation.

1. Avoidance

All zombie infestations render the location uninhabitable. The citizen's first duty is to vacate the area and proceed immediately to an authorized Rescue Station. Duly authorized Zombie Emergency Response Operations (Z.E.R.O.) personnel will manage relocation, but the key to an effective evacuation is complete avoidance of hazardous conditions while en route.

Evacuate: Gather family and essential small valuables only. Do not attempt to secure or defend property or possessions.
Relocate: Proceed to the Rescue Station assigned to your area. In the absence of Z.E.R.O. Relocation Management personnel, monitor local radio broadcasts for directions.
Do No Engage: It is critical to remember that any zombies encountered during relocation are not family or friends but reanimated corpses infected with a deadly contagion. Under no circumstances should you engage on in any kind of interaction. Contagion is transmitted via a bite, and any interaction with a zombie results in repeated attempts to bite.
In the Event of a Bite: Apply pressure to the wound with padding found in the supplied bite kit until proper medical supervision can be accessed. If the wounded individual expires after being bitten, vacate the premises immediately or execute guidelines found in the next section.

2. Termination

Engage this step only if in an unsecured location, and only if you have positively identified a zombie by using the Zombie Classification Cards. Otherwise, any terminations should be referred to and executed by a duly authorized member of Z.E.R.O. or your local licensed Zombie Exterminator.

Cerebral Neutralization: The only known method for effectively terminating a zombie, either by cranial penetration or blunt force trauma or decapitation.
Center Mass: For stopping or slowing down target only when distance does not permit a head shot. Not an effective termination method.
Lower Extremities: For stopping or slowing down target only when distance dos not permit a head shot. Not an effective termination method.

3. Disposal

After terminating the zombie(s), mark the perimeter to enable Z.E.R.O. Disposal Unit personnel to locate the remains and ship to a Mobile Acid Disintegration (M.A.D.) unit for disintegration. This can be completed in two simple "Tape & Tag" steps:

Mark area around the remains with an appropriate length of "Caution: Zombie Outbreak Zone" tape.
Attached a Form 2BD tag to the toe of the corpse.

Do Not Incinerate: Incineration releases airborne toxins which spread infection to the uninterred deceased or, in areas of heavy humidity or precipitation, the recently deceased. This exponentially increases infestation levels.

Zombie Attack Notification

2012-02-14T09:39:00.000-08:00

This zone has been categorized as Class D in danger of zombie infestation. Zombies have been reported in nearby areas. The following information may increase your chances of survival.

A. Use caution and common sense.

Do no panic! your most crucial step is preparation. Keep food, water, weapons, and reliable transportation close at hand, and remain observant. Know the best way to fortify your residence and office, and know the escape routes. If your location becomes infested, flee to the nearest secure location, avoiding contact with the undead.

B. Stop the spread of contagion.

In case of a wound from the living dead, amputate the area if possible and cauterize it immediately. If amputation is not possible, sterilize and cauterize the wound. Keep the wounded person under close surveillance, quarantined in a secure confined area. Do not leave dead bodies unattended until secured. To secure a dead body, cautiously remove the head by severing it at the neck with a sharp implement.

C. Defend yourself when necessary.

If flight is not possible, do not hesitate to eliminate the undead. Remember, undead former friends and family members are no longer living. Zombie attackers are animated corpses, no people. Use ranged weapons for safety whenever possible, and have several backup weapons on hand. Always aim for the head, and do not approach a felled corpse if the had is intact.

Zombie Alphabet

2012-02-10T10:45:00.000-08:00

Hello, Abnormals! Because we care about your education, we have decided that it's time for you to study something very important... of course, I'm talking about the Alphabet. But with your survival in mind, we have decided to focus on a much more practical type of alphabet... The Zombie Alphabet!

"A" is for Apocalypse, the end of days.
"B" is for Brain, it's all I can say.
"C" is for Corpse, a body destroyed.
"D" is for Death, who's now unemployed.
"E" is for Extinction, of the human race.
"F" is for Flesh, torn off your face.
"G" is for Grave, out of which I'll crawl.
"H" is for Hunger, for eating you all.
"I" is for Infection, the way that we spread.
"J" is for Jawbone, that fell off my head.
"K" is for Kid, with blank, eerie looks.
"L" is for Lovecraft, who wrote creepy books.
"M" is for Mutant, all big, gross and furious.
"N" is for Necronomicon, a tome oh-so mysterious.
"O" is for Outbreak, from a cow, rat or monkey.
"P" is for Parasite, that made them all funky.
"Q" is for Quarantine, that everybody trespasses.
"R" is for Romero, a man with big glasses.
"S" is for Shotgun, with an attached flashlight.
"T" is for Thriller, 'cause this is thriller night.
"U" is for Undead, but neither alive.
"V" is for Voodoo, with Caribbean jive.
"W" is for Wasteland, where life is always tough.
"X" is for Xenobiology, as if things weren't bad enough.
"Y" is for You, with a scream pitched so high.
'cause "Z" is for Zombie, and the end is nigh!

Zombie Science

2012-02-09T10:16:00.000-08:00

Defect: Slow moving zombies
Cause: Damage to the cerebellum, zombies exhibit sever ataxia and thus will be slow and uncoordinated.

Out-run them!

Defect: Amnesia
Cause: Lose of the hippocampus has caused the zombie to have very short memory spans. Take advantage of this by hiding.

Keep quiet, wait it out!

Defect: Immunity to pain
Cause: Due to damage to the parietal cortices, zombies can't feel pain; if you can't kill them by damaging the brainstem, don't try to fight them. They won't feel a thing.

Don't fight them!

Defect: Easily distracted
Cause: Lose of the posterior parietal cortices has lead to a difficulty for zombies to coordinate hand-eye movements, an inability to visually fixate, and an inability to perceive more than one object at a time. Take advantage of their distractibility!

Distract them!

Defect: Misconceptions
Cause: Zombies appear to exhibit a form of Capgras delusion. If the zombie's ataxia isn't enough to allow you to outrun it, you may wish to act like a zombie until you can escape. Mimicking in-group zombie behaviors may buy you critical moments!

Mimick them!

How to Kill a Zombie

2012-02-09T09:59:00.002-08:00

The brain is the control center for the virus. Kill the brain, and the zombie will lose its effectiveness.
Zombies do not sense pain, therefore any attack no directed at the brain or head will be useless.
Using a firearm against a zombie can be extremely risky. They have normal hearing, and the discharge is sure to attract many more to your location.
The best means of eliminating a zombie is by projectile. The best projectiles are silent ones, because they do not attract more zombies. A bow or crossbow are excellent weapons for eliminating a zombie from a safe distance.
Always be prepared for close combat.
Wear tight clothing, preferably leather. Make sure your entire body is covered using protective plastics, face masks, gloves, bandanas and/or any other material available. Shave your head or keep your hair covered.
Do not assume that all zombies act the same. In fact, the behavior of a zombie can vary from one to another. One zombie may get excited by rap music, another by jazz. Expect the unexpected.
Only a direct hit to the brain will eliminate a zombie. If using a firearm, shotgun and/or rifle, automatics are recommended to decrease the margin of error.
Fire has very little effect on zombies. However, almost all zombies will investigate it and therefore it may be useful as a distraction.
Vehicles can prove to be excellent weapons against zombies. Make sure you have plenty of gas and keel all windows up. Stick to paved roads.
Setting a trap can be a highly effective offensive strategy. For example, play a television at high volume to draw zombies in. They may then be easily picked off from sniping positions at safe distances. Horror films with lots of gore seem to work especially well. Vampire movies however, do not.

Zombie Traits & Survival Skills

2012-02-09T09:59:00.000-08:00

The undead are slowest when recently turned and rigor mortis has set in (1 to 2 hours). After about 72 hours, the body relaxes again as a result of decomposition. This is known as "resolution of rigor." A zombie will regain speed at this point but will slow again as it decomposes. In general, the smaller a zombie is, the slower it will be.
Zombies transfer their condition via blood and/or saliva, usually be biting their victims.
The undead don't need to breath and therefore can walk underwater.
Do NOT try to reason with a zombie. Although they have some basic memory, they are only focused on one thing. Eating Your Brains.
Do NOT ingest alcoholic beverages, marijuana, crack-cocaine, heroin, MDMA, "'shrooms," LSD, or anything else that would impair your senses.
Do NOT scream when you see a zombie. It is sure to attract more.
Do NOT wander searching for any items that aren't necessary for survival, i.e. big screen TVs, fashionable clothing, action figures, life-size cutouts of your favorite sports stars, etc.
Do NOT travel in large groups. Not only is it easier for zombies to spot you, but large groups are hard to keep organized. If traveling is absolutely necessary, groups of 2 to 4 people are recommended.
Do NOT stay in a location with only one entrance/exit for any significant amount of time.
If trapped in a dwelling, stay calm. While constant moaning from outside can drive you made, do NOT wear earplugs or headphones. Try playing music load enough to drown out the moans but soft enough to hear a door crashing in or a window breaking.
Stay away from graveyards.

How to Survive a Zombie Attack

2012-02-08T09:19:00.002-08:00

Home is where the hatchet is. Create at home base with plenty of weapons–the sharper the better.
Watch expiration dates. Stockpile food and water for long periods of time. Canned food is good. Junk food is even better.
Knock, knock. Who's there? A zombie! Be sure to create a strong entry and exit door. Barricade all doors and windows.
Your Mom. Trust no one–not even your Mom. (Even if your friends think she's hot.)
Have a burning desire. Zombies hate fire. Learn to make fire with everyday objects.
Wear protection. Avoid all zombie body fluids. Yuck!
Wear sunglasses. A nice pair of shades always looks cool and will protect your eyes.
Run for your life. Stay fit and fast. Most zombies run like the chubby kid in your third grade class.
Batter up. Zombie down. Keep a large, blunt object nearby and ready to swing at all times. A bat, crowbar or sturdy tree limb usually works nicely.
No brain, no pain. Decapitating a zombie is best but kind of gross. Key is to destroy the brain stem.
Beware of bush. Stay clear of bushes and shrubbery in general.
Stagger and drool. Learn to stagger, lumber and drool. Make zombies think you're one of them. Just pretend you're a gym teacher.
Cliché is okay. Always check closets and under beds before relaxing in front of the TV.
Boobies are good. Set up booby traps as warnings and alerts. Trip wires and rattling cans are a good idea.
Slippery Knobs. Try putting Vaseline on doorknobs. Zombies get frustrated.
Nice to meat you. Always leave raw meet out in the open to distract zombies. Better they eat it than you.
Always wash your hands. Hey, maybe your Mom was right!
Objects in mirrors. Check backseats before buckling in.
Don't get mauled. Avoid populated areas like shopping malls and movie theaters. To a zombie, those are an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Go all the way. A wounded zombie is not a dead zombie.

Know the Signs

2012-02-08T09:04:00.000-08:00

Zombie infection has become a widespread hazard. It can be prevented through vigilance and avoidance. Know these signs and stay free from zombie infection. There is no cure.

Eyes: The eyes of a zombie are glazed over and may appear hazy. Zombies do not blink.
Odor: The tissue of a zombie continues to decay and produces a distinctive odor. New zombies may have little or no odor.
Skin: The skin of a zombie will appear pale, and in some cases will appear blue or grey. A zombie will feel cool to the touch, but you must never touch somebody suspected of being a zombie.
Walk: Zombies walk in an unstable, shambling pattern. They can withstand major trauma to their extremities and may be crawling or have limbs missing.
Bite: A bite mark may or may not be apparent. The primary vector of transmission is a zombie bite. Anyone with a bite mark should be avoided.

Zombie Infestation Do's and Don'ts

2012-02-07T01:03:00.000-08:00

Do run. Remember, you're the prey now. Turn your back to your troubles and get the hell out.
Do aim. One careful head shot is worth a thousand wasted bullets in the extremities.
Do check. Just because it's stopped moving for now doesn't mean it's never moving again.
Do fortify. Find a secure location and reinforce all entrances. Help will arrive soon, right?
Do plan. A little planning today can make the difference between life and death tomorrow.
Do adapt. However good your plans are, something will catch you unaware. Be agile.

Don't hesitate. That is not your mom anymore. Shoot to kill.
Don't touch. Keep arms and legs away from the biting zone.
Don't befriend. Zombies aren't suitable as pets or lab rats.
Don't panic. Remember, you're supposed to be the one who can think.
Don't advertise. Hint: You don't want them to know you're there.
Don't separate. If you're on your own, there's no one to watch your back.

Zombie Questions & Answers

2012-02-04T17:46:00.002-08:00

Will the flu vaccine provide protection from an outbreak of zombie virus?

No, the flu vaccine will not protect you from zombies. But it will help to prevent you from feeling like one if you are exposed to the flu virus. Visit the Flu Vaccine Clinics webpage to find out where you can get vaccinated.

Is there anyone who should not get the vaccine?

In addition to zombies, there are some people who should avoid vaccination:

Those with severe egg allergies
Those who have experienced a severe reaction from the flu vaccine

What happens if I get sick?

The most important thing to do if you get sick with the flu is to stay home, get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. If you become a zombie, well, your options become severely limited.

What can I do to stay healthy and hopefully avoid BOTH zombie and flu viruses?

Keeping your hands clean is one of the most effective methods to prevent the spread of germs. Follow these steps to make sure you wash your hands properly:

Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. (About the amount of time it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice).
Rinse your hands well under running water.
Dry you hands using a single use paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.

Of course, if a zombie bites off your hands these steps become useless. On the bright side - hand hygiene will be the least of your worries. If you do escape from a zombie attack intact it is important to note you cannot wash off zombie viruses. But following these steps will give you shiny, clean hands in your mad dash to safety.

How far away should I stay from someone who is sick?

Social distancing is a precaution that should be taken with anyone who has a contagious illness. This means staying between three and six feet away from someone with the flu. If a zombie is coming your way, we recommend staying 20 feet away or at least the distance of your extended arm holding a swinging baseball bat.

When should I go to the doctor?

Most healthy people do not need to see a physician if they have the flu. If unsure, call your doctor. Do not go to an emergency room unless you have severe symptoms or a chronic condition that puts you at higher risk for flu complications. Zombies view hospitals as a gourmet buffet of people too weak to fight them off so they should never be let in.

Will antibiotics help fight the flu or ward off becoming a zombie?

No, antibiotics are not effective for fighting the flu or zombies.

Will practicing healthy habits keep me from becoming a zombie?

No, but it may help you from feeling like one. Getting at least eight hours of sleep each night, eating nutritious foods, drinking plenty of fluids, managing stress and being physically active will help ward off the flu and keep you in excellent shape to outrun a zombie.

When is flu season? Does it correspond with zombie season?

In the United States, flu season occurs in the fall and winter: usually between November and March. Unfortunately, zombies enjoy gnawing on flesh year-round.

How do I know if I have the flu?

Unlike the transformation from human to zombie, it is hard to distinguish the flu from other forms of respiratory illness based on symptoms alone. There are tests a doctor can perform to identify the flu virus, though the outcome does not usually change how you are treated. You will not need a doctor's diagnosis to find out if you are a zombie. The urgent need to consume flesh will be the biggest indicator.

How long do flu viruses survive?

Studies show that human influenza viruses can survive on surfaces between two and eight hours. Zombie viruses have no expiration date, though they are not known to survive outside of a human life form.

What kills the influenza virus and/or a zombie virus?

Influenza viruses can be destroyed by heat, chemical germicides, detergents, certain antiseptics and alcohols. Unfortunately, an effective agent for killing zombie viruses has not been discovered. For now, the only means of protecting yourself is to avoid the threat (simply put - RUN!) or eliminate the vector (more simply put - SQUISH ITS BRAIN!). This is a temporary solution, though, since in the event of a zombie apocalypse another undead thing will most likely be lurking around every corner.

References:
1. Z-Mission: Healthy people living in a zombie-free Southern Nevada. Southern Nevada Health Department
<http://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/z-flesh-eating-facts.php>

Zombie Prevention

2012-02-04T17:46:00.000-08:00

Viruses circulate throughout the year causing illnesses ranging from mild to more serious and even deadly. One of the most common – the flu virus – causes illness in tens of thousands of people each year.

The good news is it can be prevented or minimized by taking the proper precautions. Other viruses, such as the virus thought to turn people into zombies, have no known treatment or cure. Fortunately, popular lore provides us with some insight on how to stay protected in the event of a zombie apocalypse.

A zombie apocalypse, you say? What are the odds? Well, we live in a bettin' town and given the resurgence of interest in zombies, why hedge your bets when a few precautions could mean the difference between eating emergency supply rations or making an afternoon snack of your next door neighbor?

Prevention

The flu is spread from person to person, much like the undead virus that turns people into zombies.

However, the flu is a respiratory infection and can be spread through a contagious person’s cough or by touching a contaminated surface and then your nose or mouth. Conversely, the zombie virus is spread through the bite of an infected person.

The best way to avoid the flu is by getting vaccinated. You can limit your exposure to the flu virus by washing your hands frequently and covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough or by coughing into the crook of your arm. If using a tissue be sure to discard it and wash your hands afterwards.

To limit your exposure to the zombie virus, avoid the walking dead at all times, and if you do get bit…, just try not to get bit.

Visit the Flu Vaccine Clinics webpage to find out where you can get vaccinated.

Symptoms

While the flu can make you feel like one of the walking dead, your symptoms will pass with time. Signs and symptoms of the flu include:

Fever

Cough

Sore Throat

Runny or stuffy nose

Muscle or body aches

Headaches

Fatigue

Signs and symptoms that you may become a zombie:

An insatiable craving for human flesh

Limited brain activity

A lurching walk

Loss of speech/ability to communicate

Viral Vengeance

Flu is unpredictable and its severity can vary widely from one season to the next. The flu is also real, and to the best of our knowledge, a zombie virus is not.

Certain people are more at-risk for complications from the flu including older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions such asthma, diabetes or heart disease.

In the event of a real outbreak of a zombie virus those most at-risk would be slow runners.

References:
1. Z-Mission: Healthy people living in a zombie-free Southern Nevada. Southern Nevada Health Department
<http://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/z-prevention.php>

Understanding Quarantine and Isolation

2012-02-04T15:27:00.000-08:00

People can be infected with dangerous diseases in a number of ways. Some germs, like those causing malaria, are passed to humans by animals. Other germs, like those that cause botulism, are carried to people by contaminated food or water. Still others, like the ones causing measles, are passed directly from person to person. These diseases are called "contagious".

Contagious diseases that pose a health risk to people have always existed. While the spread of many of these diseases has been controlled through vaccination and other public health efforts, avian influenza ("bird flu") and terrorist acts worldwide have raised concerns about the possibility of a disease risk. That makes it important for people to understand what can and would be done to protect the public from the spread of dangerous contagious diseases.

The CDC applies the term "quarantine" to more than just people. It also refers to any situation in which a building, conveyance, cargo, or animal might be thought to have been exposed to a dangerous contagious disease agent and is closed off or kept apart from others to prevent disease spread.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the U.S. government agency responsible for identifying, tracking, and controlling the spread of disease. With the help of the CDC, state and local health departments have created emergency preparedness and response plans. In addition to early detection, rapid diagnosis, and treatment with antibiotics or antivirals, these plans use two main traditional strategies—quarantine and isolation—to contain the spread of illness. These are common health care practices to control the spread of a contagious disease by limiting people's exposure to it.

The difference between quarantine and isolation can be summed up like this:

Isolation applies to persons who are known to be ill with a contagious disease.
Quarantine applies to those who have been exposed to a contagious disease but who may or may not become ill.

Definitions

Infectious disease: a disease caused by a microorganism and therefore potentially infinitely transferable to new individuals. May or may not be communicable. Example of non communicable is disease caused by toxins from food poisoning or infection caused by toxins in the environment, such as tetanus.

Communicable disease: an infectious disease that is contagious and which can be transmitted from one source to another by infectious bacteria or viral organisms.

Contagious disease: a very communicable disease capable of spreading rapidly from one person to another by contact or close proximity.

Fact Sheet

Modern quarantine is used when:

a person or a well-defined group of people has been exposed to a highly dangerous and highly contagious disease,
resources are available to care for quarantined people, and
resources are available to implement and maintain the quarantine and deliver essential services.

Modern quarantine includes a range of disease control strategies that may be used individually or in combination, including:

Short-term, voluntary home curfew.
Restrictions on the assembly of groups of people (for example, school events).
Cancellation of public events.
Suspension of public gatherings and closings of public places (such as theaters).
Restrictions on travel (air, rail, water, motor vehicle, pedestrian).
Closure of mass transit systems.
Restrictions on passage into and out of an area.

Modern quarantine is used in combination with other public health tools, such as:

Enhanced disease surveillance and symptom monitoring.
Rapid diagnosis and treatment for those who fall ill.
Preventive treatment for quarantined individuals, including vaccination or prophylactic treatment, depending on the disease.

Modern quarantine does not have to be absolute to be effective. Research suggests that in some cases partial quarantine (that is, quarantine of many exposed persons but not all of them) can be effective in slowing the rate of the spread of a disease, especially when combined with vaccination.

Modern quarantine is more likely to involve limited numbers of exposed persons in small areas than to involve large numbers of persons in whole neighborhoods or cities. The small areas may be thought of as "rings" drawn around individual disease cases. Examples of "rings" include:

People on an airplane or cruise ship on which a passenger is ill with a suspected contagious disease for which quarantine can serve to limit exposure to others.
People in a stadium, theater or similar setting where an intentional release of a contagious disease has occurred.
People who have contact with a infected person whose source of disease exposure is unknown—and therefore may be due to a covert release of a contagious disease.

In the aftermath of a disease outbreak or biological attack, there may be dozens of small "rings," each one including the people exposed to a single case of disease.

Implementation of modern quarantine requires the trust and participation of the public, who must be informed about the dangers of contagious diseases subject to quarantine before an outbreak or intentional release of biological agents, as well as during an actual event.

References:
1. Emergency Preparedness and Response. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 18, 2011.
<http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/quarantine/>

Taking Shelter at School

2012-02-04T15:23:00.002-08:00

The appropriate steps depend on the emergency situation. If you hear a warning signal, listen to local radio or television stations for further information. You will be told what to do, including where to find the nearest shelter if you are away from your "shelter-in-place" location.

Check with the school or day-care center to learn their plans for dealing with a hazardous materials emergency. Their "shelter-in-place" plans should include the following:

Close the school. Activate the school's emergency plan. Follow reverse evacuation procedures to bring students, faculty and staff indoors.
If visitors are in the building, provide for their safety by asking them to stay.
Ideally, have access to the school-wide public address system in the room where the top school official takes shelter.
Have at least one telephone line under the school's listed telephone number in one of the shelter rooms available for a designated person to answer the calls of concerned parents. If time permits, it is not possible for a person to monitor the telephone and the school has voicemail or an automated attendant, change the recording to indicate that the school is closed and that students and staff are remaining in the building until authorities say it is safe to leave.

Classrooms may be used if there are no windows or the windows are sealed and cannot be opened. Large storage closets, utility rooms, or meeting rooms could be used. A gymnasium without exterior windows would also work well. Access to bathrooms is a plus.

Have all children, staff and visitors take shelter in pre-selected rooms that have phone access and stored disaster supplies kits and, preferably, access to a bathroom. Shut the doors.
Have all shelter rooms closed. Lock all windows, exterior doors and any other openings to the outside.
If told there is danger of explosion, make sure window shades, blinds or curtains are closed.
Turn off heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems. Systems that automatically provide for exchange of inside air with outside air must be turned off, sealed or disabled.
If instructed by officials, use duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal all cracks around the door(s), windows and vents into the room. As much as possible, reduce the flow of air into the room.
If children have cell phones, allow them to use them to call a parent or guardian to let them know that they have been asked to remain in school until further notice and that they are safe. This may reduce the potential number of incoming calls.

Schools should assign one or two people to collect information on who is in the building when an emergency happens so that first responders can know everyone is be accounted for, if necessary.

One teacher or staff member in each room should write down the names of everyone in the room and call the school's designated emergency contact to report who is in that room.
Everyone should stay in the room until school officials, via the public address system, announce that all is safe or say everyone must evacuate.
Once the word has been given that all is safe, everyone should go outside when the building's ventilation systems are turned back on. Follow any special instructions given by emergency authorities to avoid chemical and radiological contaminants outdoors.

References:
1. Emergency Preparedness and Response. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 18, 2011.
<http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/shelter/school/>

Taking Shelter at Work

2012-02-04T15:23:00.000-08:00

The appropriate steps depend on the emergency situation. If you hear a warning signal, listen to local radio or television stations for further information. You will be told what to do, including where to find the nearest shelter if you are away from your "shelter-in-place" location.

Check with your workplace to learn their plans for dealing with a hazardous materials emergency. Their "shelter-in-place" plans should include the following:

Employers should close the office, making any customers, clients or visitors in the building aware that they need to stay until the emergency is over. Close and lock all windows, exterior doors and any other openings to the outside. Avoid overcrowding by pre-selecting several interior rooms with the fewest number of windows or vents. The appropriate location depends entirely on the emergency situation. If a chemical has been released, you should take shelter in a room above ground level, because some chemicals are heavier than air and may seep below ground. On the other hand, if there are radioactive particles in the air, you should choose a centrally located room or basement. Knowing what to do under specific circumstances is an important part of being prepared. The rooms should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit, including an estimated number of visitors. Large storage closets, utility rooms, pantries, break rooms and copy and conference rooms without exterior windows would work well. Access to bathrooms is a plus. It is ideal to have hard-wired telephones in the rooms you select; use cordless phones (but not cell phones—the system may be overloaded in an emergency), if necessary. The rooms should be equipped with a disaster supplies kit.
A knowledgeable person should use the building's mechanical systems to turn off all heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems. The systems that automatically provide for exchange of inside air with outside air, in particular, need to be turned off, sealed or disabled.
Unless there is an imminent threat, employers should ask employees, customers, clients and visitors to call their emergency contacts to let them know where they are and that they are safe.
If time permits and it is not possible for a person to monitor the telephone, turn on call-forwarding or alternative telephone answering systems or services. If the business has voicemail or an automated attendant, it should be switched to a recording that indicates that the business is closed and that staff and visitors are remaining in the building until authorities advise it is safe to leave.
If you are told there is danger of explosion, close any window shades, blinds or curtains near your workspace.
Take your workplace disaster supplies kit and go to your pre-determined sheltering room(s) and, when everyone is in, shut and lock the doors. There should be radios or TVs in the room(s).
Turn on the radios or TVs. If instructed to do so by officials, use duct tape and plastic sheeting, such as heavy-duty plastic garbage bags, to seal all cracks around the door(s) and any vents into the room. Seal any windows and/or vents with sheets of plastic and duct tape. As much as possible, reduce the flow of air into the room. Businesses should assign one or two people to collect information on who is in the building when an emergency happens so that first responders can know everyone is be accounted for, if necessary.
One person per room should write down the names of everyone in the room. Call your business-designated emergency contact to report who is in the room with you and their affiliation with your business (employee, visitor, client, customer).
Keep listening to the radio or watching TV for updates until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate.
When you are told that all is safe, open windows and doors, turn on heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and go outside until the building's air has been exchanged with the now-clean outdoor air. Follow any special instructions given by emergency authorities to avoid chemical or radiological contaminants outdoors.

References:
1. Emergency Preparedness and Response. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 18, 2011.
<http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/shelter/work/>

Taking Shelter in a Vehicle

2012-02-04T15:22:00.000-08:00

Admittedly, taking shelter in a vehicle may be an uncomfortable experience, particularly in very hot or very cold weather. Still, such discomfort is safer than possibly exposing yourself to chemical or radiological contaminants in the outside air. Having a portable disaster supplies kit in your vehicle could make the experience less unpleasant.

The appropriate steps depend on the emergency situation. If you hear a warning signal, listen to local radio or television stations for further information. You will be told what to do, including where to find the nearest shelter if you are away from your "shelter-in-place" location.

If you are very close to home, your workplace or a public building, go there immediately and go inside. Follow the "shelter-in-place" recommendations for that location.
If you are unable to get indoors quickly and safely, then pull over to the side of the road. Stop your vehicle in the safest place possible. If it is sunny outside, it is preferable to stop under a bridge or in a shady spot to avoid being overheated.
Turn off the engine.
Close windows and vents.
If possible, seal the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning vents with duct tape or anything else you may have available.
Listen to the radio periodically for updated advice and instructions. (Modern car radios consume very little battery power and should not affect your ability to start your car later.)
Stay where you are until you are told it is safe to get back on the road. Be aware that some roads may be closed or traffic detoured. Follow the directions of law enforcement officials.

Supplies for your vehicle could include:

Bottled water and non-perishable foods such as granola bars.
Seasonal supplies: Winter - blanket, hat, mittens, shovel, sand, tire chains, windshield scraper, florescent distress flag; Summer - sunscreen lotion (SPF 15 or greater), shade item (umbrella, wide brimmed hat, etc).
Flashlight, extra batteries, and maps.
First aid kit and manual.
White distress flag.
Tire repair kit, booster/jumper cables, pump, and flares.

References:
1. Emergency Preparedness and Response. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 18, 2011.
<http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/shelter/vehicle/>

Taking Shelter at Home

2012-02-04T15:21:00.000-08:00

The appropriate steps depend on the emergency situation. If you hear a warning signal, listen to local radio or television stations for further information. You will be told what to do, including where to find the nearest shelter if you are away from your "shelter-in-place" location.

If you are told to "shelter-in-place," act quickly. Follow the instructions of local authorities. In general:

Bring children and pets indoors immediately. If your children are at school, do not try to bring them home unless told to. The school will shelter them.
Close and lock all outside doors and windows. Locking may provide a tighter seal.
If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.
Turn off the heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system. Turn off all fans, including bathroom fans operated by the light switch.
Close the fireplace or woodstove damper. Become familiar with proper operation of flues and dampers ahead of time.
Get your disaster supplies kit, and make sure the radio is working. The room should have 10 square feet of floor space per person in order to provide sufficient air to prevent carbon dioxide buildup for 5 hours. In this room, you should store scissors, plastic sheeting pre-cut to fit over any windows or vents and rolls of duct tape to secure the plastic. Access to a water supply is desirable, as is a working hard-wired telephone. Don't rely on cell phones because cellular telephone circuits may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency. Also, a power failure will render most cordless phones inoperable.
Take everyone, including pets, into an interior room with no or few windows and shut the door.
If you have pets, prepare a place for them to relieve themselves where you are taking shelter. Pets should not go outside during a chemical or radiation emergency because it is harmful to them and they may track contaminants into your shelter. The Humane Society of the United States suggests that you have plenty of plastic bags and newspapers, as well as containers and cleaning supplies, to help deal with pet waste.
If you are instructed to seal the room, use duct tape and plastic sheeting, such as heavy-duty plastic garbage bags, to seal all cracks around the door into the room. Tape plastic over any windows. Tape over any vents and seal electrical outlets and other openings. As much as possible, reduce the flow of air into the room. Make sure all family members know what to do in an emergency whether they are at home, school, work, or outdoors. This includes knowing the number of an out-of-town friend or relative who has agreed to serve as an emergency contact. It can be easier to reach someone out of town during an emergency than to reach someone locally, including family members. The contact can collect the information on where and how everybody is and help reassure and reunite families.
Call your emergency contact and keep the phone handy in case you need to report a life-threatening condition. Otherwise stay off the phone, so that the lines will be available for use by emergency responders.
Keep listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Do not evacuate unless instructed to do so.
When you are told that the emergency is over, open windows and doors, turn on ventilation systems, and go outside until the building's air has been exchanged with the now clean outdoor air. Follow any special instructions given by emergency authorities to avoid chemical or radiological contaminants outdoors.

References:
1. Emergency Preparedness and Response. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 18, 2011.
<http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/shelter/home/>

Zombie Disaster Plan

2012-02-04T14:44:00.000-08:00

Create a Disaster Plan

Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather, and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
Pick two places to meet:

Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
Outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.

Safe and Well Website

Following the 2005 hurricane season, the Red Cross developed the Safe and Well website, which enables people within a disaster area to let their friends and loved ones outside of the affected region know of their well-being. By logging onto the Red Cross public website, a person affected by disaster may post messages indicating that they are safe and well at a shelter, hotel, or at home, and that they will contact their friends and family as soon as possible. During large-scale disasters, there will be telephone-based assistance via the 1-866-GET-INFO hotline for people who live within the affected areas and do not have Internet access, but wish to register on the Safe and Well website.

People who are concerned about family members in an affected area may also access the Safe and Well website to view these messages. They will be required to enter either the name and telephone number, or the name and complete address, of the person about whom they wish to get information. Red Cross chapters will provide telephone-based assistance to local callers who do not have Internet access and wish to search the Safe and Wellwebsite for information about a loved one.

Be assured that the information on the Safe and Well website is secure and that information about the locations where people are staying is not published. Privacy laws require the Red Cross to protect each person's right to determine how best to communicate their contact information and whereabouts to family members. The Red Cross does not actively trace or attempt to locate individuals registered on the Safe and Well website.

Ask an out-of-state friend to be your “family contact”. After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact’s phone number.

Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.

Families should develop different methods for communicating during emergency situations and share their plans beforehand with all those who would be worried about their welfare. Options for remaining in contact with family and friends if a disaster strikes include:

Phone contact with a designated family member or friend who is unlikely to be affected by the same disaster.
Email notification via a family distribution list.
Registration on the American Red Cross Safe and Well Website.
Use of the toll-free Contact Loved Ones voice messaging service (1-866-78-CONTACT).
Use of the US Postal Service change of address forms when it becomes necessary to leave home for an extended period of time, thus ensuring that mail will be redirected to a current address.

Complete this Checklist

Post emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.).
Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number for emergency help.
Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room.
Find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.
Show each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at the main switches.
Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
Teach each family member how to use the fire extinguisher, and show them where it’s kept.
Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
Conduct a home hazard hunt.
Stock emergency supplies and assemble a disaster supplies kit.
Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.

Practice your Plan

Test your smoke detectors monthly, and change the batteries at least once a year.
Quiz your kids every six months so they remember what to do.
Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.
Replace stored water every three months and stored food every six months.
Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer’s instructions.

References:
1. Emergency Preparedness and Response. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 18, 2011.
<http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/plan/>

Emergency Food Supply

2012-02-04T14:38:00.000-08:00

How and Where to Store Food

Keep food in a dry, cool spot—out of the sun, if possible.

Wrap perishable foods, such as cookies and crackers, in plastic bags and keep them in sealed containers.

Empty opened packages of sugar, dried fruits and nuts into screw-top jars or airtight cans to keep them fresh and unspoiled.

Avoid

Canned goods that have become swollen, dented or corroded.

Fatty, high-protein or salty foods when your water supply is low.

Keep your hands clean — it's one of the best ways to keep from getting sick. If soap and running water are not available, use alcohol-based hand gels or wipes to clean hands.

Inspect all food for signs of spoilage before use. Throw out perishable foods, such as meat and poultry, that have been left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Eat salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals and canned foods with high liquid content if your water supplies are low.

If there's a power outage, eat food in the refrigerator first, the freezer next, and finally from your stored supplies. In a well-filled, well-insulated freezer, foods will usually still have ice crystals in their centers (meaning foods are safe to eat) for at least two days.

Replace your stored food on a regular basis

Boxed potatoes

Dried fruit

Dry, crisp crackers

Powdered milk

Canned, condensed meat and vegetable soups

Canned fruits, fruit juices and vegetables

Hard candy and canned nuts

Jelly

Peanut butter

Ready-to-eat cereals and uncooked instant cereals

Vitamins

Baking powder

Bouillon products

Dried corn

Dry pasta

Instant coffee, tea and cocoa

Soft drinks

Vegetable oils

Salt

Soybeans

Wheat (for breadmaking)

White rice

Do

Within six months, use
Within one year, use
In proper containers and conditions, the following can be stored indefinitely.

References:
1. Emergency Preparedness and Response. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 18, 2011.
<http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/food/>

Emergency Water Supply

2012-02-04T14:36:00.000-08:00

How and Where to Store Water

Learn where the water intake valve to your home is. If you hear reports of broken water or sewage lines, or if local officials recommend doing so, you would need to shut off water to your house at the incoming water valve to stop contaminated water from entering your home.

In a cool, dark place in your home, each vehicle, and your workplace.
Preferably in store-bought, factory-sealed water containers.
Alternately, in food-grade-quality containers made for storing water and available from sporting goods and surplus stores and other retailers. These containers must be thoroughly washed, sanitized, and rinsed. The water you store in them, if it's from your tap, may need to be treated before being stored. Ask your public health service or water provider for information on whether and how to treat the water. Follow those instructions before storing any.

Safe Use of Water Containers

Wash containers with dishwashing soap and rinse with water.
Sanitize by swishing a solution of 1 teaspoon of liquid household chlorine bleach to a quart of water on all interior surfaces of the container.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water before use.

Avoid using

Store-bought water past the expiration or "use by" date on the container.
Containers that can't be sealed tightly.
Containers that can break, such as glass bottles.
Containers that have ever held any toxic substance.
Plastic milk bottles and cartons. They are difficult to clean and break down over time.

Do

Change stored water every six months.

References:
1. Emergency Preparedness and Response. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 18, 2011.
<http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/water/>

Emergency Supplies Kit

2012-02-04T14:24:00.000-08:00

Disaster Supplies Kit

The Zombie Emergency Supplies Kit is a collection of basic items that could be needed in the event of an outbreak. Assemble the following items to create kits for use at home, the office, at school and/or in a vehicle:

Water; one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
Food; nonperishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
Flashlight
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
Extra batteries
First aid kit
Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
Multipurpose tool
Sanitation and personal hygiene items
Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
Cell phone with chargers
Family and emergency contact information
Extra cash
Emergency blanket
Map(s) of the area

Consider the needs of all family members and add supplies to your kit. Suggested items to help meet additional needs are:

Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
Games and activities for children
Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
Two-way radios
Extra set of car keys and house keys
Manual can opener

Additional supplies to keep at home or in your kit based on the types of disasters common to your area:

Whistle
N95 or surgical masks
Matches
Rain gear
Towels
Work gloves
Tools/supplies for securing your home
Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
Plastic sheeting
Duct tape
Scissors
Household liquid bleach
Entertainment items
Blankets or sleeping bags

This list contains the minimum recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). You should include any additional items that you may consider necessary for your safety and survival during an outbreak.

References:
1. Emergency Preparedness and Response. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 18, 2011.
<http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/disasters/>

Zombie Apocalypse Field Manual

2012-02-02T22:24:00.001-08:00

This is a place holder for a future online survival and combat manual.