Are you prepared?

As with any pending bad situation, this is not the time to lose track of your common sense and submit to false imaginings. The time to get really concerned is if -- and only if -- the Fukushima reactors suffer a fuel rod "meltdown" event which would release a massive amount of radiation into the atmosphere. The United Nations has calculated that such an event would send a cloud of very powerful radiation headed eastward, arriving on the shores of the United States and Canada within 2-3 days after the meltdown, depending on wind patterns.

If you live in the western states or provinces of North America, it is extremely important to be prepared by taking the following actions RIGHT NOW:

• Fuel up your vehicle(s) and be ready to hit the road for a possible evacuation (or hunker down if you're out in the country and feel like you would be safer there).
   
• Have an alternate route out of the area. If you recall watching TV when an evacuation has occurred, the highways often become bottled necked.
   
• If you plan to stay put, go to the hardware store TODAY and buy large amounts of plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal up your windows and doors. This will help protect you from radioactive fallout. You will also need to store water, food, and all the usual emergency supplies because outside help probably won't be available.
   
• If you plan to evacuate, have a "Bug Out Bag" ready to go at a moment's notice. This go bag should include a water filter, emergency radio, flashlight, duct tape, emergency knife, spare cash, whatever medical supplies you might need, extra food and water, spare fuel cans, sleeping bags, tarp or tent and so on. Have it ready now in case you need it. (We'll post a "Bug Out Bag" article later, or you can search Google now.)
   
• Significantly increase your intake of iodine-containing foods and superfoods starting right now: Seaweeds are a great source. We suggest you to go out and get this locally TODAY at your local health food stores, where possible. You may not have time to wait on a UPS delivery. (There is an article already posted here, or you can Goggle for foods that contain iodine. Most people are iodine deficient, which will increase your sensitivity to bad iodine.)
   
• If you have potassium iodide pills (radiation pills), don't take them yet. Keep them ready to take if and only if a meltdown event occurs and a massive dose of radiation has been released into the atmosphere.
   
• Have a plan for you and your family. Where will you meet if you need to evacuate? Don't count on cell phones working. Have a plan of where to go, how to get there and how to survive once you get there.