How a Smart Family Can Prepare for Y2K
by Danielle Schultz

We have all heard the talk lately about the Y2K bug and the problems it may cause. Will the chance of some computers mistaking the "00" in 2000 for 1900 affect our families? Some predict that the Y2K bug might go completely unnoticed. Most government organizations predict that it might cause, at worst, minor inconveniences in some areas. Then there is the minor chance that the Y2K bug could result in chaos and confusion in the new year.

All families should have a disaster plan for natural occurrences such as winter storms, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and such. In light of the upcoming new year, now would be a good time to to take a look at these plans with the minor possible Y2K glitches in mind.

Paperwork Necessities...
Just to be safe, it is a good idea to gather the following information and keep in a safe place (preferably a water-proof container):
*All bank records for 1999
*Credit card statements, receipts and pay stubs for 1999.
*Social Security personal earnings and benefits statement listing annual earnings and future benefits before and after January 1, 2000.
*Contracts, passports, social security cards, insurance policies, deeds, appraisals, wills, bank account numbers, birth and marriage certificates, driver's licenses, immunization records, stocks and bonds, important telephone numbers and other important documents.
*Inventory of valuable household goods
*Copies of your last five years' tax returns from the IRS (use form 4506 to request copies).

Items you Should Have in your Home...
These items should be stored in your home and readily accessible year-round in case of emergency.
*Flashlights
*Batteries
*A battery powered radio
*A three day supply of water and non-perishable goods
*Entertainment for the family such as crayons, coloring books and some board and card games
*A full tank of gas in your vehicle *A generous supply of prescription and non-prescription medications for all members of your family
*Non-electric can opener, utility knife
*Fire extinguisher: small canister ABC type
*Pliers
*Tape
*Compass
*Matches in a waterproof container
*Aluminum foil
*Plastic storage containers
*Signal flare
*Paper, pencil
*Needles, thread
*Medicine dropper
*Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
*Whistle
*Plastic sheeting

Water...
FEMA recommends storing one gallon of water per person per day for a three-day period. Two quarts of this gallon are for drinking, two quarts are for food preparation and cleaning purposes. Soft drink bottles or other food-grade plastic containers are excellent for storing water. Milk cartons and glass bottles should be avoided as water storage devices as they could decompose or break. Laundry detergent bottles serve as excellent water storage for water NOT intended for consumption. Date water intended for drinking as it is stored and refresh every 6 months.

Food...
According to FEMA, families should store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food for any disaster preparation plan. Foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water should be selected. Excellent choices include: ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables.

Sanitation Supplies...
Just to be safe, make certain your supplies of the following sanitary needs are well stocked going into the new year.
*Toilet paper, towelettes
*Soap, liquid detergent
*Feminine supplies
*Personal hygiene items
*Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
*Plastic bucket with tight lid
*Disinfectant
*Household chlorine bleach

First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit in your home including: (FEMA recommendations) sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes, assorted sizes of safety pins, cleansing agent/soap, latex gloves, sunscreen, 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6), 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6), triangular bandages (3), 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls), 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls), scissors, tweezers, needle, moistened towelettes, antiseptic, thermometer, tongue blades (2), tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant.
Non-Prescription Drugs:, aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid (for stomach upset), Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center), laxative, activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

Computers...
*The Y2K bug is not expected to greatly affect home PC's. However, a complete backup of all software and data files stored on your personal computer should be done before January 1, 2000.

Money, money, money...
*Keep some cash on hand in case ATMs are temporarily down.
*The Federal Reserve suggests $500 in cash per household is plenty.
*The Credit Union National Association suggests having enough cash for a four-day weekend, or a week or so of take-home pay.
*Keep credit cards that expire before 2000 to use in case swiping devices malfunction when trying to read 2000.

Medical Concerns...
*Submit all medical and Medicare claims prior to December 1999.
*Keep extra supplies of important medicines on hand and fill monthly prescriptions in advance of December 1999.

Children...
*Stock up on special needs for baby: formula, diapers, wipes, bottles and medications.
*Consider purchasing a few days' worth of non-perishable milk for older children.
*Talk with your children about where to go and what to do in case of emergency, and practice those procedures every few months.
*Help your child learn contact names and phone numbers in case they become separated from you during a disaster.

Additional Considerations...
The Federal Trade Commission recommends the following:
"If you have a personal computer, PC software, fax machine, camcorder, camera, digital wristwatch, monitored security system or Global Positioning System unit, check the manufacturer's web site or contact the manufacturer to see whether your product has the potential for a Y2K problem.

If you have a mortgage, car loan or other debts, keep your canceled checks as proof of the payments you,ve made. Ask your mortgage or car lender for a statement of payments already made and those to come with the amounts allocated to interest, principal and escrow. That will ensure an accurate record of your payments.

Get a copy of your credit report from one of the three major credit bureaus. contact Equifax (800-685-1111), Experian (800-682-7654) and TransUnion (800-916-8800). Click here to order your credit report online in 30 seconds!.

For More Information...
The President's Council on Y2K Conversion has set up a Y2K hotline to help answer your questions on this topic. Pre-recorded information is available seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day and information specialists are available to answer other questions from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. (EST) Monday through Friday. Call 1-888-USA-4-Y2K (1-888-872-4925) toll-free.

Related Web Sites...
President,s Council on Y2K Conversion: http://www.y2k.gov
Federal Emergency Management Agency: http://www.fema.gov/y2k
U.S. Department of Transportation: http://www.y2ktransport.dot.gov/
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: http://www.hhs.gov
U.S. Department of Energy: http://home.doe.gov/y2k/y2k.htm
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/functions/im/ceimp/y2k.html
National Communications System: http://www.ncs.gov/n5_hp/Customer_Service/NCS-Y2K/Year2000a.html
Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/year2000/index.htm
American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/disaster/safety/y2k.html

My Goals...
My personal goals regarding the Y2K bug are as follows:
1.) Stock up on supplies throughout the end of 1999 to avoid a large financial crunch and chaos the last two weeks of the year.
2.) Avoid grocery stores at all costs the last week of 1999.
3.) Not have much of a grocery bill in January 2000.

With a little bit of preparation and planning, the minor glitches that might occur at the dawn of the year 2000 should be only minor bothers.