“It’s a good idea to take inventory before storm season, in case you are unable to access the pharmacy during inclement weather,” says Melissa Levy, Head Pharmacist for the Bermuda Diabetes Association and Past President of the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association.

To avoid a situation where you’re missing important medicines or accessories, plan ahead with the following items:

Over-the-counter medication

Although these products are available without a prescription, it is important to read the package carefully for age requirements and dosage instructions. Levy suggests having these common non-prescription medications on hand:

• Ibuprofen (Advil), for acute pain and inflammation
• Acetominophen (Tylenol), for pain and fever
• Antacids, for indigestion
• Antihistamines, to manage allergy symptoms
• Glucose tablets, for diabetes
• Any vitamins you take regularly

Because there are so many variations of over-the-counter medications, it is recommended to always keep them in their original containers to avoid confusion.

Prescription medication

“Once a hurricane watch is announced, check your prescription medication to ensure you have an adequate supply, ideally for seven to 14 days,” Levy suggests. “If you have enough medication for two weeks or more, you’re all set. However, if you have less than a week’s supply, contact your pharmacy right away.”

Organizing your prescription refill schedule is a wise move at any time of the year, not just during storm season. By being proactive, you will avoid stressful pitfalls such as having no refills remaining, discovering your prescription has expired or encountering a back-order of the medication at the pharmacy. “It is never advisable to wait until the last day, so mark your calendar or set a smartphone reminder for at least a week in advance,” Levy suggests.

Patients with multiple medications can use additional strategies to keep things coordinated. “Ask your pharmacist to align your refills to a similar timeline, and inquire if blister packaging service is available,” Levy says. “Grouping each day’s medications together encourages compliance and makes it easier to monitor the amount remaining.”

Supplies and accessories

Your medical kit should be personalized based on each family member’s individual needs. This might include epi-pens, blood sugar monitoring devices, syringes and hearing aid batteries. If any medications require refrigeration, make sure you have ice packs and a cooler on hand so you can maintain the required temperature during a power outage.

Personal medical profiles

Levy suggests keeping a detailed list of medical information for each family member, including allergies, medications, doctor and pharmacy contact information and insurance numbers. Store the documents in an airtight waterproof bag.

When selecting or managing medications, remember that your pharmacist is a valuable resource. With their expert advice and a little advance planning, you can be confident that you’re keeping tabs on your tablets this storm season.

Out with the old

This is a good time of year to clean out your medicine cabinet and remove any products that are past their expiry date. “Typically, expired medications will not be harmful, but very often they will not be effective,” says pharmacist Melissa Levy. Instead of throwing expired products in the trash or flushing them down the toilet, inquire at your local pharmacy about safer disposal options.

The post How to keep tabs of your tablets this season appeared first on RG Magazines.

“Just as we prepare by making sure we have all the necessary essentials, it is also important that we secure our relationships in the same manner,” explains Dr. Nekia Walker, a relationship, sex and intimacy therapist. “First you will want to take an honest look at what everyone’s core needs are. Then you will want to go ahead and add in the desires as well.”

Do not, however, leave yourself out of the equation, she warns. Caregivers often compromise their own wants and needs in order to keep the peace, but this can cause “avoidable problems” once stressful times come. “If an individual’s wants and needs are not met, they will be ill-equipped to handle the waves of emotions that may arise during stressful events.”

High winds, hot tempers

With tropical storms and hurricane-force winds comes the real and expensive threat of physical damage to property. Even the safety net of insurance is little solace when faced with a boat that slipped its mooring and has crashed into the rocks or serious structural damage to your family home.

Under the best circumstances, these fears can fuel arguments with loved ones, and will inevitably be heightened during a storm. In this instance, your first responsibility is to yourself.

“Calming oneself down during rough weather is kind of like trying to take medication for a migraine once it has already begun, and anyone who suffers from migraines will tell you that the sooner they treat their symptoms, the better,” says Dr. Walker. “Relationships are no different.  Proper preparation, along with additional knowledge of your personal emotional triggers will greatly reduce the flare of a hot temper.”

Everyone benefits from understanding the actions that will help calm them in a stressful situation. They may look like…

• Walking away to give yourself some emotional and physical distance from the person and the argument/stressor.
• Meditate to bring yourself back to centre.
• Having a snack to stave off any hangry feelings.
• Listen to music, sing or dance. Physical activity, like a full-body shake or dancing, is rooted in our primal nature and can have a deeply calming effect on the brain and body.

“Practice definitely makes perfect, and cooling your temper is a lot easier when you are able to interrupt a spark versus waiting for full-blown raging flames.”

Communication is key

You talk to your partner on a daily basis, but are you really communicating? Effective communication means you are successfully transmitting your message or meaning. It is often within miscommunications where the trouble lies.

“The truth is, communication is not that difficult once you are emotionally stable and understand and truly accept your partner,” Dr. Walker explains. “We all have flaws, and we all may ‘act out’ at times when emotions are running high. However, with true acceptance will come the ability to approach your partner from a place of patience and love. This is because your expectation of them reacting differently or being a different person will disappear or at least be minimised.”

When you aren’t in control of your emotions, it’s easy to hear or infer accusation from a simple comment or question. With a clear mind, you will be able to give your partner what they need, whether a listening ear (even if they are shouting), a hug for reassurance or simply space.

“Whatever it is, put your ego to the side and be willing to show up for your partner,” Dr. Walker says. “After all, you are going through this storm together.”

Get comfortable with being unplugged

Without a doubt, life has been made exponentially easier with technology, but come hurricane season, we brace ourselves for the moment the power goes out and we’re left wifi-less.

After you’ve spent the requisite 20 minutes explaining to the kids why they can’t use any of the devices you have on hand, it’s time for some old-fashioned fun.

“A difficult challenge is presented when it comes to coming up with creative ways to interact with one another in the absence of power. This is mainly because, for most of us, our daily choices pertaining to modern conveniences and leisure activities heavily rely upon electricity,” adds Dr. Walker.

“I have always been an advocate of couples and families allowing for time to detach from the grid and returning to a more minimalist environment from time to time. This is a great way to have check-ins with the natural world around us which provides an excellent source of adaptogenic stimuli to calm and recenter the brain and the nervous system at large—something that is key to our human emotional and mental wellbeing.”

She notes that while every relationship and living situation is different, it’s important to choose activities that best reflect the overall positive characteristics of your relationship. This could mean competitive games to keep things interesting and invigorating, or contemplative activities like puzzles or DIY projects (for those who work well as a team).

“Power outages are also the perfect time to try intimacy building and reconnection exercises,” she adds.

Unpredictable in their nature, you can never be completely prepared for a storm, but planning ahead for both your physical and emotional needs means you will be better equipped to manage whatever comes your way.

“Just as hurricanes represent turmoil, so do stressful times in a relationship, so it is not wise to attempt to tackle problem solving when stress prep usually already begins to raise people’s anxiety, walls and other defences,” says Dr. Walker. “Replenish and fortify the intimacy and good that already exists.”

The post Reduce relationship stress during a crisis appeared first on RG Magazines.

Property damage, power outages, limited access to emergency services—there are countless reasons why hurricanes can prove to be quite traumatic for individuals living with many specific medical conditions.

Diabetics who need to maintain a supply of insulin at the proper temperature, for example, may have an acute fear of their power going out, thereby putting their insulin supply at risk of spoilage. Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides some comfort for those worried about insulin spoilage. It turns out that insulin products contained in vials or cartridges supplied by the manufacturers (opened or unopened) may be left unrefrigerated at a temperature between 59°F and 86°F for up to 28 days and continue to work. “However, insulin switching should always be done in consultation with a doctor. Before a disaster strikes, diabetic patients should learn about insulin storage and switching in an emergency.”

Of course, our weather here in Bermuda can, quite regularly, reach temperatures of 86°F after a hurricane, so learning about insulin switching is definitely good advice!

Folks who need oxygen or constant access to technology to keep them well, however, may also suffer some anxiety around power outages, which are quite routine during a Bermuda hurricane. Planning, of course, is key, and medical experts recommend stocking a full two-week supply (at least!) of all the medication you will require during a hurricane.

Stocking medicine, while very necessary, doesn’t solve the power outage issue though. Ideally, all patients who require large, electronic machines to maintain their health will have access to a generator. Insurance companies will even provide these where needed. This, however, is not an ideal world, so adhering to expert medical tips and strategies for managing chronic medical conditions during a hurricane is vital.

The experts at Island Health Services (IHS) advise having a full supply of prescription drugs and other medical equipment, dressings, pain medication and whatever else is required. For patients requiring oxygen, IHS recommends a battery operated O2 concentrator, or a small generator—which must be operated outside.

If a patient lives alone, a fully charged cell phone is a must! Choosing to move in with family so that they can provide assistance during the storm would be very wise. For serious medical issues, IHS recommends, possibly moving in with family who live close to the King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH), or at least family who live west of the Causeway, which will close at some point during a hurricane, as a matter of protocol.

Fortunately for those living East of the Causeway, the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care (LFUC) facility is functional during hurricanes, but no one should venture out during a storm. Pregnant women who may be close to term, or in a high-risk category, will often be admitted to KEMH at their physician’s discretion and ride out the storm there. To ensure that such cases are duly covered, one obstetrician will move into the hospital for the duration of the storm, together with a surgeon and anesthesiologist.

If evacuation is a part of your emergency care plan, consulting with your health-care provider and their team is imperative, especially for people who receive intense treatments like chemotherapy and dialysis.

Other things that need to be secured when preparing for a hurricane are medical documents, including immunization records, social insurance information, health insurance cards, contact numbers for all professional medical care providers (most doctors will answer calls during an emergency if they can) and prescriptions.

Those living alone may find it prudent to get a medical ID, which can alert emergency response workers to vital information, like medicinal allergies, chronic conditions and special care requirements. This device will be especially helpful in the event that a patient becomes unconscious or incapacitated.

Bermudians tend to weather storms quite well, but that extra bit of care and attention to preparedness is very necessary for many of us. We need to listen to our bodies more intently than ever when storms are brewing, because, when the outside elements are swirling in a deadly way, we don’t need our bodies to fail too.

A medical travel kit is an essential for patients who may need to relocate for safety reasons. People living east of the Causeway, or on the south coast, where storm surges tend to wreak special havoc, making trauma and anxiety rise just as high as the raging waters, should always be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Having a medical travel kit packed and ready for “go time” could mean the difference between life and death for these patients.

Your kit should be waterproof to protect documentation and medications that may be vulnerable to spoilage in water. Experts also recommend that your medical supply kit include necessary medical equipment such as blood sugar monitoring equipment, hearing aids, eyeglasses and extra batteries. To prevent the spread of respiratory viruses such as the flu, pneumonia and COVID-19 while staying in a community shelter, it’s a good idea to pack items like face masks, hand sanitizers disinfectant wipes.

People who are deaf or hard of hearing should include emergency communication tools like a dry erase board and markers to make it easier for EMTs or people who don’t know sign language to communicate with them. Patients with wheelchairs should keep patch kits for flat tires and an air pump in their medical kits.

Finally, the medical professionals at IHS say that doctors do make house calls before and after hurricanes, but they advise very limited movement during the storm. Staying out of the dangerous weather is, after all, the best health plan any of us have during a hurricane.

The post Managing your health-care concerns appeared first on RG Magazines.

Now, what do you do? The Royal Gazette spoke to two local doulas—Feven Binega-Northcott of Harmony Birth Services and Reva Minors of Loquat Roots—to get their top tips to help expectant parents weather the storm.

1. Know the protocols 

Typically, during a hurricane the hospital and local OB/GYNs will put together a list of women who are considered full-term (37 weeks onward) in their pregnancy. These women will be offered a chance to stay at the hospital until the dangers of the hurricane have passed. “Some people will decline, but the recommendation professionally is to be in the hospital,” says Binega-Northcott. “Women will be assigned to either a double room, sleeping two, or a public room, which sleeps four, where you will stay with other moms until you go into labour or the hurricane has passed.”

As the hospital facilities are not able to accommodate partners who wish to stay overnight in such emergency situations, there’s often some anxiety from the women and their partners that they may miss the birth. “Depending on the severity of the storm, it might be possible for the partner to drive into the hospital,” Binega-Northcott reassures. “However, in the event of a strong hurricane, emergency services will tell people to stay off the roads.”

2. Ease any anxieties

One of the best tools to manage pain and anxiety while delivering a baby, particularly during a storm or hurricane, is deep or meditative breathing, explains Minors. These techniques involve holding the breath in for six seconds and breathing out for eight seconds. “It helps to calm the body and the nervous system,” she says. “Other tools for calming mothers-to-be are essential oils in scents such as lavender, teas such as chamomile and relaxing music. As there can be a lot of hustle and bustle in the hospital, I encourage women to try to create their own environment, almost like they are in their own little bubble. They can even use eye masks or ear buds to block out bright lights or sounds,” she adds.

In the event you can’t have your closest family or loved ones present during or after the delivery, Minors suggests bringing photos with you and keeping them by your hospital bed so you can still feel your loved one’s presence.

3. Lean on any support

While you may not be able to have your partner or a doula with you for a delivery during a hurricane, you may still be able to lean on virtual support. Binega-Northcott says one positive aspect of COVID-19 was it allowed doulas to start having video calls with mothers-to-be. “There’s Wi Fi in the hospital, so women can use that to video call a doula or partner. This helps to reduce that anxiety,” she says. “A doula’s job is to help them try to reframe their mindset and to advocate on the expecting mother’s behalf. We also remind women of the importance of going with the flow during stressful situations and that the birth is one step in the larger parenting journey.”

4. Communicate your birth plan  

As childbirth educators and advocates, both Binega-Northcott and Minors help their clients to formulate birth plans. This short one-page document is extremely important in helping women express their needs and desires ahead of birth. “If you have that discussion with your OB/GYN around 36 or 37 weeks, you are more likely to be in a calmer state,” Binega-Northcott says. “I encourage women to put the most important bit of information, what’s considered priority, at the very top of their birth plan, such as details on any medical conditions or medicines they are taking. They should keep this document with them at the hospital so that if a midwife is meeting them for the first time, or if their regular OB/GYN is not on call when they give birth, they can get a good idea of what the mother wants in a short period of time because they’re often busy.”

5. Pack your hospital bag early  

Women should aim to have their hospital bag packed by week 36, Minors says. In the event of a hurricane, their bag should include a few extra days of clothes for mom and baby. These items should be comfortable, warm and easy to put on and take off. “Your bag should include personal items such as nipple cream, vitamins and a breast pump in case you can’t have visitors or get to a pharmacy immediately due to store closures. It should also include snacks and beverages, which can be kept in the fridge on the maternity ward.”

6.Practice makes perfect

Many positive birth stories have one thing in common: practice, says Binega-Northcott. “When I talk to clients we discuss options for coping with the demands of labour. From a clinical point of view, they have the epidural, fentanyl and the gas and air to manage pain. However, to navigate other stresses, one of the skills I teach my clients is hypnobirthing, which is a process of releasing negative narratives about birth and parenting through a combination of breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, guided imagery, positive affirmations and visualisations. These help to release fears we have around childbearing and being a parent and also help women to build trust in the body, which can be especially useful during a stressful time such as a natural disaster,” she says.

7. Stock up on entertainment options 

If you have to go into the hospital during a hurricane, make sure your phone and laptop are charged so you have something to keep you entertained. In the event you have to spend an extended period of time in the hospital due to the storm or other pregnancy risks, having entertainment like movies, music, board games, books and puzzles will help to keep you from overthinking. If there is a hurricane, you just don’t know how long you’re going to be at the hospital, so bring as many of the things that you think you’ll need in those first 72 hours of birth, the doulas say.

The post What to expect when you’re expecting appeared first on RG Magazines.

What if the encroaching storm is a big one, though? What if you’ve got some structural damage in your home that may make it especially vulnerable this time? What if you live in St. George’s and have anxiety about being stuck east of the Causeway for an indeterminant amount of time? Should you stay at home? Or should you evacuate to a more secure location?

There are many factors that the typical Bermudian will consider when trying to decide to leave their home in anticipation of a storm. A nice family stay in a hotel might appeal to nuclear families with young children. The lure of constant electricity, hotel amenities or just being on a magical family outing can often be too wonderful to resist.

Many hotels will even offer good rates for locals wanting to ride out the storm in one of their rooms, especially in the fall, when our tourist season is winding down a bit. This alone may be a reason to evacuate your home during a hurricane, but there are also more serious considerations to be made.

Mr. Lyndon Raynor, National Events Coordinator on our Ministry of National Security’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation Unit, advises that citizens should consider evacuation for several reasons.

“Currently, in Bermuda there is no law for mandatory evacuation as in other jurisdictions, and therefore the decision for a person to leave their home should be based on their personal circumstances.” He says those circumstances could include the following reasons:

1. For example, a person who relies on oxygen or other machines, meaning that the potential loss of electricity will be detrimental to their health; a dialysis patient; a female in the last stages of pregnancy who is projected to give birth before a hurricane is expected to pass.
2. Their current residence is not a sound structure.
3. Their residence may be close to the shoreline, and sea surges, which are common with hurricanes, may make them prone to flooding.

Listening to updates, warnings and alerts from the Bermuda Weather Service and the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) will give you all the information you need to make the urgent decision whether to stay or leave your home, including when that decision needs to be made by.

Persons living in St. George’s should pay close attention to announcements regarding the closure of the Causeway, which is a standard protocol for all hurricanes since the tragic events of Hurricane Fabian in 2003.

Raynor outlines the process by which important information is disseminated to the Bermuda public during the Atlantic hurricane season, with special emphasis on when your evacuation decision must be made:

“During hurricane season, the Bermuda Weather Service, which monitors storms and advises the EMO Executive of their potential impact, will issue one of two Tropical Update Bulletins (TUBS),” He says that a Hurricane Watch means hurricane force winds are forecast to occur within 48 hours, while a Hurricane Warning means hurricane force winds are forecast to occur within 36 hours. A decision by a resident to leave their home should be upon the issuance of the hurricane warning bulletin.

“To be classified as a hurricane, a tropical cyclone must have one-minute average maximum sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour (64 knots).”

Traditionally, larger hurricanes have tended to eat away at our southern shoreline, leaving large chunks of stone, asphalt and plant debris scattered across the ravaged land. People raising families in that area should give heavy consideration to evacuating, as our south shore routinely gets hit hard by larger storms.

Monitoring the movement of approaching storms is also an important part of your decision to evacuate. There are many websites and apps designed to give users accurate logistics on storm movements. Raynor recommends the NOAA Weather Radar and Windy.com apps.

If a system looks too daunting, and is moving at a pace you don’t like, get your things together, and get out of there! You can book a hotel room for the family, gather together with friends at a guest house, temporarily move in with family who live in a more secure area (preferably in a valley), or even make your way to the Bermuda government hurricane shelter at Cedarbridge Academy, which will open in the hours before a storm’s impact.

Whether you decide to stay at home or go somewhere else to ride out the storm, having an exit plan is always a good idea, and communicating that plan with family and friends is important too. It is also a good idea to have a basic supply kit packed and ready to move at a moment’s notice.

It’s a good idea to put together a basic supply kit in advance so you can evacuate more quickly. It will also come in handy if you as you hunker down from the storm. Basic supplies should be stored in an easily accessible and moveable container, like a suitcase or storage container on wheels.

Hurricane preparation experts recommend that your basic supply kit include enough cash to last for several days after the storm has passed, a water-tight medical kit for all your important medical documents and at least two weeks’ worth of any prescription medications you may require, a battery-operated radio, a supply of batteries, a manual can opener or multi-purpose survival tool, a lighter with extra fuel or matches and a backup cell phone charger.

If you are going to a public shelter, your basic supply kit should include personal items like a sleeping bag or blanket, a complete set of dry clothes, personal hygiene items like a toothbrush and toothpaste and books to share and enjoy when the screens shut down.

There is no greater concern during a hurricane than personal and family safety. Weigh your variables carefully and make the decision that best fits your situation.

The post Should I stay or should I go? appeared first on RG Magazines.

Strictly Bermudian

Before weather stations and Doppler radar, Bermudians predicted the onset of bad weather with shark oil barometers. If “de shark oil is all stirred up and cloudy,” a storm is likely on its way. Another “natural” tell? Silk spiders. Commonly known as the “hurricane spider,” this yellow-and- black arachnid usually spins its webs among the higher branches of trees. If you see their webs spun closer to the ground, expect the wind to start kicking up.

The scientific stuff

Bermuda is located in “Hurricane Alley,” the area of warm water in the Atlantic that stretches from the west coast of northern Africa to the east coast of Central America and Gulf Coast of the Southern United States. From our location in this “hurricane corridor,” we are subject to experience any number of potentially dangerous weather systems, usually during the latter half of the season. Regardless, our Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) monitors every system in the Atlantic, issuing a “storm watch” when sustained winds are expected to impact our area within 48 hours, or “storm warning,” when sustained winds are expected to impact the area within 36 hours.

“We use watches, warnings and threats to describe the impacts of tropical cyclones in our area,” explains Michelle Pitcher, Director of the BWS.

• No threat: issued in tropical update bulletins when a tropical cyclone has passed its closest point of approach to Bermuda and is moving away under the influence of a well defined upper southwesterly steering flow.
• Potential threat: issued in tropical update bulletins when the centre of a tropical system is expected to pass within 400 nautical miles of Bermuda within 72 hours.
• Threat: issued in tropical update bulletins when effects from a tropical system are possible within 72 hours and/or the cyclone centre is expected to pass within 100 nautical miles of Bermuda in the next 72 hours.

Once a threat is issued, it’s time to start prepping—for the hurricane party! There’s nothing like sipping on a dark n’ stormy while you watch the wind and rain whip it up in the backyard. Just remember: though you may be tempted to head out and explore the aftermath, stay inside! At least until you’re sure the eye has passed.

The “eye” of the storm is the centre of the cyclone. It has calm to light winds and is often cloudless. “Think of water swirling down a drain–the centre is empty,” Pitcher explains. “The strongest winds and some of the most severe weather can be found in the eye wall. Not knowing exactly how long it will take for the eye to pass means you could be outside when the full strength of the cyclone returns.”

It’s rare that the eye will pass over the island and we experience the devastating effects of the “eyewall,” defined as the unbroken, vertical wall of clouds where the wind is so strong that the air rises faster, and with more force, than anywhere else in a hurricane, producing intense rain and damaging winds.

“A rough look at the data shows we have had 15 cyclones come within 50 nautical miles of Bermuda from 2010 to 2020,” says Pitcher. “Between 2000 to 2010 there were nine cyclones that passed within 50 nautical miles of Bermuda. From 1990 to 2000 there were five cyclones. While not all of these were a direct hit, 50 nautical miles is close enough for Bermuda to have some significant impacts.”

A hurricane’s destructive winds and rains cover a wide swath. Hurricane-force winds can extend outward to more than 150 miles depending on the size of the storm. The area over which tropical storm-force winds occur is even greater, ranging as far out as almost 300 miles from the eye of a large hurricane.

Boat owners will want to pay close attention to tide warnings, especially listening out for news on “storm surge” and “storm tide.”

• Storm surge: an abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, over and above the predicted astronomical tide.
• Storm tide: the water level rise during a storm due to the combination of storm surge and the astronomical tide.

Did you know?

There is a high-pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean called the “Bermuda High” that has the ability to significantly impact the strength and track of tropical systems in the Atlantic basin. According to accuweather.com: “The clockwise circulation around the high-pressure system is what helps direct the path of tropical systems and can determine where they make landfall. The impacts of the Bermuda high are so significant that it can cause a hurricane to move westward and target Louisiana, move eastward and target the East Coast, or anything in between.”

Make your hurricane list, check it twice

Like our sturdy stone houses, Bermudians are built to weather any storm, but a deeper understanding of tropical storms and hurricanes can help alleviate stress in these situations. As the experts at the BWS say: “Prepare early, refresh your supplies, and have a plan in place before the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. Tropical cyclones can occur any time of the year. The season covers the most likely time of tropical cyclone development.”

Check www.weather.bm and www.nhc.noaa.gov for the latest information on tropical cyclones.

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and review your plan often. Follow advice and guidelines set out by the Emergency Measures Organization at https://www.gov.bm/department/emergency-measures-organisation.

The post Decoding hurricane talk appeared first on RG Magazines.

“The community dynamic has changed since I was a little girl here in Bermuda,” says Diane Gordon, Disaster Manager at Bermuda Red Cross. “It used to be that everybody knew everybody. These days, people are busy and don’t interact with their neighbours as much.”

This phenomenon can be very isolating, especially for seniors who may live alone, lack transportation options and have a small social circle. During a storm or other hazardous weather event, they may be stuck at home trying to cope independently.

“We need to look out for our vulnerable community members, like seniors,” Gordon says, noting that the pandemic provided a valuable learning experience in this area. “During COVID-19, it became a habit for people to check in on their older relatives and neighbours, making sure they were safe and had what they needed. It taught us to be good citizens and to actively care for our elders.”

In her work with seniors, Gordon has observed that they are a tight-knit community. “They have a strong communication network,” she explains. “If someone receives important information, they immediately contact all their senior friends and the message is shared very quickly.”

This solidarity among seniors is fostered at seniors’ groups such as the Golden Hour Club, hosted by the Bermuda Red Cross since 1972. “It’s a group of about 30 seniors who come together for connection, fellowship and entertainment,” explains Ann Spencer-Arscott, Executive Director of Bermuda Red Cross.

Members of the Golden Hour Club gather twice a month (with the exception of July and August) at Peace Lutheran Church. The meetings include music, refreshments, conversation and guest speakers. They also organize outings to the Aquarium and Windreach, along with special events such as picnics, holiday celebrations and an annual talent show. (For more information or to become a volunteer driver, call the Bermuda Red Cross office at 236-8253 or visit www.bermudaredcross.com/golden-hour.)

Bermuda has a number of thriving seniors’ groups, and they all have the positive effect of encouraging older adults to venture out and mingle with their peers. However, when bad weather strikes, seniors need support closer to home.

“If a hurricane watch is issued, people are advised to check in with the seniors in their area,” Spencer-Arscott says. “Some may have relatives looking after them, but others may be entirely on their own.” She suggests phoning or stopping by to confirm that the person has the necessary supplies, and offering to pick up essentials such as groceries, medications and pet food before the storm arrives.

Seniors may not be physically able to carry large objects, so they will appreciate neighbours who are willing to do a bit of heavy lifting. “During high winds, items that are left outside can become missiles flying into someone’s home, causing damage or injury,” Spencer-Arscott explains. “Assist your neighbours, especially elderly ones, with putting away garden furniture, lawn decorations, outdoor toys, bicycles, potted plants and trash cans.”

If a power outage occurs, it may cut off the lines of communication for a senior with limited technology. You can offer the use of your cell phone or laptop so they can contact concerned relatives and friends. Many seniors listen to the Emergency Broadcast Station at 100.1 FM, so it is a nice gesture to check that they have a fully functioning battery-operated radio.

Spencer-Arscott points out that being prepared and assisting others is crucial throughout the year, not just during hurricane season. “With climate change, it’s just not hurricanes that are affecting us,” she says. “Some winter storms have higher wind speeds than a hurricane, and vulnerable community members need support during all types of emergencies.

While it might sound a bit old-fashioned, Spencer-Arscott says it’s worth making the effort to connect with the people who live near you. “I would encourage people to get to know their neighbours better, especially seniors who might need extra help,” she says. “If they don’t have family in the region, they may not have anyone to bring them home-baked muffins or drive them to their appointments.”

As a born-and-raised Bermudian and a Red Cross employee for 31 years, Spencer-Arscott has personally witnessed how residents step up and come together in challenging times. “I’ve seen people run an extension cord from their generator to the house next door to keep their neighbour’s fridge running,” she says. “I’ve watched contractors with power tools walking from yard to yard after a storm, cutting fallen trees and clearing debris. Our communities are full of people who eagerly pitch in and help out.”

Ultimately, that’s what being neighbourly is all about — supporting those who need it when it is needed. As Spencer-Arscott puts it: “we prepare for the worst, but storms tend to bring out the best in people.”

The post How to be a good neighbour appeared first on RG Magazines.

What’s going on?! This is price gouging, and it is probably the most insidious retailer practice imaginable during times of high societal stress—like when a hurricane is on the way. There are laws to protect consumers against this practice, but it’s not always as cut-and-dried as it should be.

In fact, economists find it quite difficult to define price gouging, as the laws of supply and demand pretty much legitimize and validate the practice. So, when the onset of COVID-19 swept over the western hemisphere, and bottles of hand sanitizer became worth their weight in gold, sellers on eBay, Amazon and Etsy made a killing!

We all remember going on Amazon and marvelling at the three-figure prices of half-gallon bottles of hand sanitizer and uttering, “I would never!”

Well, someone did. That’s the rub: when the supply is low, the demand gets high so the holder of the product everyone wants can name their price, and they’ll usually get what they’re asking! Is it fair? Absolutely not! Is it ethical? An economist might argue that it is—it’s how capitalism works, and, whether calm seas or perfect storms are on the horizon, capitalism will thrive.

Economist Amy Smith, of Advanced Economics Solutions, breaks price gouging down quite succinctly:

“Price gouging—from an economist standpoint, the opinion is it couldn’t exist because it’s really all about supply and demand,” she told NPR recently. “I mean, you just go back to your Economics 101, right? If there’s less of a good, then you got to increase the price in order to rationalize demand.”

Fortunately, most governments have enacted laws to protect citizens from this truly distasteful practice. In Bermuda, the practice has existed and has been duly outlawed.

“The public and local retailers are reminded of the legislation prohibiting price gouging, particularly during times of national emergencies,” the government of Bermuda reminds. The government defines price gouging as “a seller increasing the prices of goods, services or commodities to a level much higher than is considered reasonable or fair, and is considered exploitative, potentially to an unethical extent. Usually, this event occurs after a demand or supply shock. Common examples include price increases of basic necessities after hurricanes and other natural disasters.”

A local retailer, who requested to speak anonymously, described price gouging in Bermuda, saying: “I believe it depends on who is describing prices as being ‘gouged.’ Some consumers are quick to turn to social media when they see the same product in another store that is $1 more or $10 more. The consumer doesn’t know if the shipping charges have increased, or if the overseas supplier has increased the first cost. At the end of the day, the retailer has a percentage margin that is set based on many variables—first cost, shipping, customs duty, local trucking, labour costs, rent, electricity and so on.”

This makes a lot of sense. We know that there are several “overhead” costs associated with living and shopping in Bermuda, so “price gouging” can often be dictated by fluctuations in costs outside of our small island home.

Nevertheless, there are penalties that come with being found guilty of the offence of price gouging in Bermuda. Under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, the penalty on summary conviction is six months in prison or a $10,000 fine or both, plus the Magistrate can also grant compensation.

While giving a reasonable synopsis of what price gouging in Bermuda can often be mistaken for above, our local retailer does admit that the practice is decidedly unacceptable during times of high societal stress.

“It is not a business practice that should take place at any time, especially during a time of crisis, when the community is in a panic or in distress.”

Describing their own experiences with price gouging locally, our retailer discloses, “I have heard of stories where tarpaulin and plywood prices have doubled (and tripled!) when the regular, go-to suppliers have exhausted their supplies. Typically, these are independent, here today, gone tomorrow, operations.”

This illustrates another way price gouging gets around the laws of the land. Typically, it will be difficult for established suppliers and retailers to get around governmental regulations, but quick pop-ups that can meet demands in times of need, but don’t necessarily have an established, regulated existence outside of times when demand is high, can name their price.

It’s a difficult question. Obviously, the best way to protect yourself from paying exorbitant prices for necessary supplies before or after a hurricane is to stick with established, regulated retail or wholesale outlets. But when they run out of what you need the actual need doesn’t just go away, does it?

So, you get desperate and buy a litre of hand-sanitizer for $95, or a four-pack of batteries for $25, or whatever tarpaulin and plywood you need for exponentially more than you’d pay otherwise. Supply. Demand.

The laws of economics don’t acknowledge price gouging, and living in Bermuda complicates the thing even further. Our local retailer relates another story:

“I read stories of what individuals refer to as price gouging, but it generally appears that they do not have a complete sense and understanding of the economic chain and what leads to the final price to the consumer. It is very easy to scan an item and say, ‘See, it’s only $19.99 online, or in a big box overseas retailer.’ But how does that $19.99 product end up on a shelf here? It needs to come a long way, with many costs attached before the Bermuda consumer can pay for it. We are in the middle of nowhere, with limited resources available locally.”

As the saying goes, it costs to live in paradise!

The post Price Gouging: What’s the Real Deal? appeared first on RG Magazines.

Hurricane preparation is normally restricted to the plans for, and safety of, the persons and property involved. Supplies? Check. Emergency plan? Check. Plywood? Check.

For a business, however, there are a few extra things to consider to ensure safety, continuity of the business and employee care. Below are some tips from experts on how to ensure the continued success of your business if a hurricane occurs.

When it comes to the people, businesses should have a business continuity plan that all personnel are aware of. This plan should address the risks and any potential impacts to that business (flooding, power outages, power surges, elevator access, etc.). The plan should include an effective response so that all persons are aware of what should happen prior to the hurricane, during the hurricane and once the hurricane has passed and the all clear has been given.

The plan should also address the roles and responsibilities of the personnel. It should clearly identify who the decision-makers are, who will perform what actions and so on.

The plan should also address the most important element: communication. Who is responsible for the messaging and the communications to internal stakeholders as well as external stakeholders, clients and the public (if needed)? Updates are regularly given on 100.1FM, the government’s Emergency Broadcast Station.

The plan should be tested annually and training provided addressing any gaps that are highlighted. Training and exercising plans is what prepares the business when events actually occur,  speeds up reaction times and creates efficiency.

All this can be overwhelming, especially for a small business owner with only so many employees to help in this kind of situation. Not sure where to start? Here’s another way to consider what to do—follow these eight hurricane preparedness for business tips:

1. Determine your risk. Explore your site(s) to prepare for the unexpected. Engage outside opinion on how to best protect your property when there’s no risk of a hurricane occurring. Remember, the best time to fix the roof is while the sun is shining!
2. Secure your building’s surroundings. Debris is a major safety risk when natural disasters such as hurricanes happen. Take the time to properly secure your building’s signs, fences, and outdoor furniture. Trim any trees or plants that could pose a threat to your building or the power lines nearby during high winds.
3. Ready the building itself. Prepare your building’s physical structure to protect your team and operations. Install wind-resistant shutters and impact-resistant windows or skylights. Invest in commercial doors. Ensure the roof is in good condition. Strap down and protect electronics and look into having a backup power source off-site. If your business has a generator, implement a maintenance plan and run weekly tests to be sure it will work in an emergency.
4. Close early when necessary. Closely follow the weather report in your area to know when to act. It’s always better to be safe, shutting your doors sooner and sending team members home, rather than waiting too long and putting yourself, and others, in harm’s way. Act immediately when you sense danger or see that the weather is worsening.
5. Protect important information. Seal documents in waterproof containers when necessary. Back up imperative data and contacts (which should be stored on servers off-site) and identify key contacts to reach out to in the event of a hurricane.

Now, when it comes to your tech and equipment, you should ask yourself how much of your business is technology-based. Questions to consider if you rely heavily on technology include:

• Do the systems need to be shut down and backed up prior to the hurricane’s closest point of approach? What is the process for doing this? Who is responsible for doing this? Is there a log?
• Are there systems that can be paper driven if the computers are down? Are staff proficient in operating manually?
• Should the business invest in a generator? If there is a generator, when was it last serviced and tested? Has it been fuelled?

6. Create a plan. Work with your staff to make a plan that makes sense for your business. What supplies will you need? What protections need to be in place? Where is the best place to shelter? Is inventory up to date? Take the time to build a plan now so your business can be prepared at any time. Also, think about what happens in the aftermath; set up a remote working plan for your staff and test out a work-from-home day under normal circumstances so the team knows what to do.
7. Know when and how to return to work. Inspect the building’s infrastructure to ensure it’s safe before asking employees to return to work. After you know the building is clean and secure, take an inventory of damage and report it promptly, keeping all receipts for claims. Contact vendors about your reopening and update your listings on Google business to reflect your return. Though weather events like hurricanes can be devastating, take this time to learn from the event and build back a stronger business that’s more disaster-ready.
8. Insure your business. One of the best ways to protect your business is to get the right coverage for a natural disaster. Be sure to stay in good contact with your local insurance company/agent. They’ll get to know your operations and recommend the right amount of business coverage that protects you from risk and helps you recover more quickly.

Make sure the items listed below are ready once a storm is predicted:

• Copy of your company’s business continuity and hurricane preparedness plans.
• Updated contact list.
• Updated list of roles and responsibilities pre- and post-storm.
• Emergency vendor contacts (utilities, fuel, security, and off-site storage).
• Cell phones, two-way radios, AM/FM radio or weather radio.
• Flashlights, batteries and portable lighting.
• Plastic bags, labels, masking tape and markers.
• Hazard tape.
• Unopened padlocks and keys for lock-down of property and equipment if necessary.
• Pre-paid non-activated phone cards that can be used to contact vendors, employees or family members.

The post Protecting your business from a hurricane disaster appeared first on RG Magazines.

While Bermuda homes have a reputation for being strong, their weak points are large surface areas, such as picture windows or sliding glass doors, and porches. “When the wind hits at the right angle, it gets underneath those covered porches and tends to either bring down the ceilings or lift the slate,” says Moniz.

Unprotected windows and doors are also a weak point and there is a reason why Bermudian homes traditionally have window blinds or shutters. As long as they are well maintained and closed properly, they work well. “We would recommend placing shutters on windows to protect against flying projectiles and using roller shutters or plywood to protect bigger sliding doors,” says Stephen Muso, BF&M’s head of personal lines. He says the insurance company’s most common post-hurricane property-related claims are roof and shutter damage as well as damage to property caused by patio furniture being left outside and unsecured.

Plywood is SAL’s best home protection seller before a hurricane, followed closely by tarpaulins. Moniz recommends having tarpaulins on hand in case you do lose part of your roof. “You can get up there quickly once the bad weather subsides and at least keep the water out of the house,” he says.

He says plywood is very effective at protecting windows and large doors from flying objects. This is also the case even if you have “hurricane strength” windows because you never know what could slam into them at great speed.

“A lot of hurricane-proof windows will still break or shatter, but they won’t collapse all the way in,” he warns.

Plywood is sold in 4×8 sheets and if you have planned in advance, his team can help cut it down to size. The day before however, they may struggle to help everyone if they are swamped with customers.

Moniz also advises that as long as plywood is stored under cover, it can be reused year after year, with the added benefit that you will always have the screw holes in the right place. The most popular screws for securing plywood are Tapcon screws, which SAL also sells.

While plywood will do the job well, Moniz has roller shutters and blinds on his own house. “I can prepare my house quickly so that I can be on the job to help others who do it differently,” he says. “It takes me 10 minutes to get my house ready.”

To protect an undercover porch or, as an alternative to shutters and plywood over windows and doors, there are a number of screen systems available. Bermuda Brickyard sells three systems—Armor Screen, Croci and Progressive—all of which are Florida building code or the stricter Miami-Dade approved systems.

“Under the Miami-Dade conditions, they say if there’s glass behind this and something hits the screen, the glass can’t break,” explains Bermuda Brickyard project manager, Andrew Butt.

So, which screen system offers the best hurricane protection?

The easiest system, he explains, is the electric roll-up: “Press a button and they go up and down.” All three manufacturers offer electric roll-ups with the same grade of hurricane protection, but aesthetics and materials vary.

The Progressive system is better looking and better engineered, says Butt, adding, “they’re slightly more expensive.” The Croci system is aluminium so there is no deflection, which provides extra protection when it’s right in front of glass and also makes a property more secure. It’s an added bonus if you aren’t going to be in it during the hurricane but it is noisier.

The material used in the Progressive and Armor Screen systems allows objects to bounce off them, he continues. “It’s resilient, so if something hits it when it’s deployed, it will bounce off. That’s one of the advantages of material-based hurricane screens over solid plywoods or rigid plastics. If something hits those hard, it could crack or damage them. The material ones, because they can give and rebound, will throw the item back off it.”

A more cost-effective screen option, albeit a more labour intensive one, is a manual system, known as a “buckle and strap,” which only Armor Screen offers. These have the added benefit of no permanent boxes or tracks on the outside of your home and can be taken down and stored relatively easily. Ideal for covered porches, they can also be used to protect windows and doors.

To make it the Miami-Dade standard, however, window screens need a bar to be fixed between the screen and the window to protect the glass from projectiles; the door screens come out at an angle for the same reason. For the latter, a zip option makes it easy to go in and out.

While all these screen systems meet the toughest hurricane protection standards, Butt points out, however, that “any system is only as strong as what it’s attached to,” and herein lies more advice from BF&M.

“Regular maintenance and upkeep of the structure of the home is also important,” says Muso. “Unfortunately, there are homes in need of repair, which would make the property more vulnerable during a storm.”

Making sure your insurance is up to date is also vital for home protection in advance of hurricane season. It’s not something you want to be doing while moving heavy outdoor furniture and pots inside, closing up your house, and stocking up on all other hurricane essentials.

“Preparation is the key to ensuring your property is secure so we always recommend clearing your yard, moving your vehicle and boat to a safe location, and always checking your insurance policies to ensure that everything is up-to-date,” Muso says.

The post Protecting your property before hurricane season is a must appeared first on RG Magazines.