Author: pdd-dev

  • Organize Your Fitness: We LOVE Fitbit!

    At No More Piles we are Fitbit fanatics. Tara and I wear our Fitbits every day. Don’t know what a Fitbit is? Well, some will say it’s just a pedometer, but really, it is so much more.

    It tracks:
    • How many steps you take
    • How many miles you’ve walked
    • How many flights of stairs you have climbed
    • How many calories you have burned
    • How many active minutes you have had in your day
    • GPS your walk, jog or run
    • The Force, Flex and One can even monitor your sleep.

    I have the Force and Tara has the One and we are working on getting them for the rest of our No More Piles team.  But, as organizers, we are analyzing the pros and cons of each model to figure out which is best for each of our lifestyles.  I prefer the Force, but it is currently retired.  Tara has the One and loves it because you can clip it anywhere: shoe strings, bra strap, belt loop, etc.  The only drawback to the One is that you have to remember to move the clip when you change clothes.

    fitbit

    Fitbit also provides you with a free app and website to keep track of your vital information. It syncs via Bluetooth to your device, so you don’t have to do a thing once you initially pair it with your device. You can also log your daily food intake to get an accurate account of the calories you take in and those you burn off (although we prefer to log food with MyFitnessPal app which integrates with the Fitbit app). View all of your information on your smartphone or directly on the FitBit website from your desktop.

    You are able to customize goals. You can set how many steps you want to take per day. You can also set your active minute, ounces of water consumed and weight loss goals. When you reach your daily goal your Fitbit buzzes to let you know or if you are looking at the app or website it send off happy little smiley faces for reaching those targets. It only needs to charge once a week (Tara charges hers in the car on the way to clients) and once it is recharged it always has something nice to say to me. This morning it was “Cheers”.

    Our favorite feature is the ability to compete with your friends. Link up with others who have Fitbits and you are able to see who has the most steps. You can cheer, taunt or message any of your Fitbit friends to up the competition or encourage them to reach their goals.  If you are striving to stay active this is a great product to help keep you motivated. It’s always a big competition between Tara and I to see who is getting the most steps. And if I’m honest sometimes knowing Tara is only a few steps ahead of me, is all the motivation I need to go for a walk in the evening to edge her out!

    Check out the Fitbit we love it!!

    If you liked today’s post, you’re welcome to use it in your own newsletter or blog as long as you include the following blurb: No More Piles Project Manager, Joan Robinson, helps working moms and families focus on what is important. Get our FREE weekly tips and advice at www.NoMorePiles.com.

     

     

  • Tara Donohue Rudo Earns Certified Organizer Coach® Designation

    Tara Donohue Rudo Earns Certified Organizer Coach® Designation

    Media Contact:
    Kelly Beninghove

    410-861-2095
    Owings Mills, MD  21117
    [email protected]
    www.NoMorePiles.com
     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    BALTIMORE, MD – June 9, 2014 – No More Piles congratulates Tara Donohue Rudo, Owner, for receiving the designation of Certified Organizer Coach.  Rudo is now the only person in Maryland to have achieved both the Certified Professional Organizer® and Certified Organizer Coach® designations.

    Coach Approach for Organizers™ was created in 2006 by Denslow Brown in collaboration with ADD coach and CTI graduate Cameron Gott. The International Coaching Federation granted Coach Approach full accreditation status in 2014.

    The COC designation requires a minimum of two years of classes and training, over 100 hours of paid client coaching work, mentoring hours, and a rigorous written application process which included a graded recorded coaching call and live coaching evaluation.

    Rudo said, “I am honored to have earned the COC designation.  To be part of such an elite group of coaches is humbling.  I look forward to working with many clients in helping them achieve their goals through accountability coaching.  Most of us struggle to find true accountability partners to keep us focused, but the 95% success rate achieved by those with accountability partners speaks for itself.”

    About No More Piles
    No More Piles is a privately held, woman-owned company providing organizing, coaching and public speaking. Founded in 2002 by Tara Donohue Rudo, No More Piles is located in Owings Mills, MD  For more information, visit www.NoMorePiles.com or call 410-861-2095.

     

  • Organize Your Kids for Summer Day Camp

    Summer is finally here!  After a LONG winter, I know that I am ready for summer and that means…. Summer Camp Organizing!  Even my kids love getting organized for summer day camp because it means that school is almost over.  Whether your kids are going to one summer camp for all 9 weeks or they are switching camps week-by-week, these tips will help make your summer run a little smoother.  Here are my top tips for organizing for summer camp:

    1. Buy at least enough of each clothing type to get you to Wednesday.  Most kids need swim suits, towels, shorts, socks, sneakers, water shoes, etc.  My recommendation is that you go find at least 6 towels, 6 bathing suits, shorts, socks, t-shirts, etc (not shoes, but at least 2 each of those).  By Wednesday, the damp towels and bathing suits are getting smelly anyway, so it is time for a load or two of washing.

    2. Assemble your camp bags right from the laundry.  Don’t bother folding and putting away their camp clothes.  You are only going to have to bag them for the week.  I use the plastic shopping bags since it keeps the dry clothes protected from the wet during the day (and I don’t mind if I lose them or they get dirty).  My kids need two bags per day: a.m. bag with towel, bathing suit and swim shoes and p.m. bag with underwear, shorts and towel.  I pre-pack on Sundayfor Sun-Wed.  I do a load of laundry on Wednesday evening and pack for Thurs-Fri.

    3. Roll morning clothes for less stress.  I put the clothes that they are going to wear in the morning rolled complete with socks, underwear, shirt and shorts.  If they go to camp in a bathing suit, shirt, shorts and socks, then roll those the same way.  This way they can still choose their outfit for the day, but it is one choice instead of five.  This streamlines our mornings and eliminates time suckers and arguments.

    4. Buy different colored towels for each kid.  This will make it easy for packing and help you make  sure that all your towels have made it home.  If all six (or 10) didn’t make it home, then you know to have them check the lost and found.

    5. Make sure you have clothes and shoes that are easy for the kids to get off and on.  Since they change at least twice a day and have bathroom breaks in between, making sure your child can easily and independently get their clothes off and on will reduce their and their camp counselors frustrations and time. I highly recommend tankinis for the girls (two piece bathing suits that still provide full coverage).  For shoes, don’t send your child in tie shoes, if what they really need is velcro.

    6. Label Everything!  I can’t stress this one enough, unless you have unlimited funds to replace all the items of clothing that will get lost if you don’t.  Our camp told us that by the end of the summer they have 10 large trash bags full of lost clothes, shoes and towels.  That is a lot of lost money!  Lovable Labels has great self stick labels that adhere to the tags of the clothes and stay on even through the wash.  They even have a camp pack that includes labels for water bottles, shoes and clothes.   https://www.lovablelabels.ca/     Enter code TaraRLB1 to get 10% off your order.

    7. Make lunches easy.  There are 10 weeks of summer, so if your kids are in camp 5 days per week that means you have 50 lunches to pack for the summer.

    a. Pre-label all 45 bags (our camp requires disposable lunch bags) with your child’s name, bunk and other necessary information.  If you want to get fancy, use 4×4 shipping labels and just print a few sheets of them to affix to the front of the bag.

    b. Pre-pack 5 bags for the week with all the non-perishable items: snack, fruit leathers, spoon/fork, napkin, water bottle, etc.  This way you will only have to add a sandwich or main course.

    c. Don’t over pack. Our camp tells us that 50% of all packed lunches end up in the trash.  Only pack what you think your kids will reasonably eat while having a fun lunch with their friends.

    8. Streamline your morning routine.  There are so many things that need doing in order to get out the door in the morning, so make your life as easy as possible.  Hair needs brushing, ponytails put in, sunscreen on, bug spray, back packs packed, etc.  Keep all the items you need to get this done in a bin in your kitchen or mudroom or get an over-the-door hanger with pockets to keep everything at your finger tips.

    9. Prepare for summer first aid.  No matter how great the camps are at supervising our little ones, there will always be sunburn, bug bites, bee stings, cuts, scrapes, water in the ear, red eyes from chlorine in the pools and any number of minor first aid situations.  Make sure you have a good stock of all the necessary cures on hand.  Whether you like to use aloe, Calendula, peroxide or cortaid creme for whatever ails your little people, stock up now before the need arises.

    Summer is a time for the kids to step away from the books and enjoy all that summer has to offer, just make sure that you are ready to handle the changes before they hit.  By getting organized for summer camp, you can ensure that both you and your kids have a fun-filled and stress free summer!

    If you liked today’s post, you’re welcome to use it in your own newsletter or blog as long as you include the following blurb: Certified Professional Organizer, Certified Organizer Coach and Life Management Expert, Tara Donohue Rudo, helps working moms and families focus on what is important. Get her FREE weekly tips and advice at www.NoMorePiles.com.

  • Mediterranean Crockpot Turkey

    Every other day I hear from friends and clients that they struggle with finding new recipes that their family will eat and are easy enough to get them on the table with minimal fuss.  So, we are going to add blog posts each month with staff tested recipes and our families have eaten and enjoyed and are easy to get on the table.  This week’s recipe is Mediterranean Crockpot Turkey.

    Ingredients:
    1 (4 pound+) turkey breast (bone in or boneless)
    Ingredients, Before and After
    Mediterranean Crockpot Turkey
    3 cups chopped onion (about 2 medium)
    1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives
    1/2 cup julienne-cut drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
    2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic (or 2 dorot frozen garlic cubes)
    1 teaspoon salt
    1/2 teaspoon pepper
    1/2 cup chicken broth
    1/2 teaspoon thyme
    1/2 teaspoon oregano
     
    Combine all ingredients in crockpot and cook on low for 7 hours.  When done, turkey can be plated by shredding into smaller pieces and topped with the jus and onion mixture from cockpot.  For pickier eaters, serve the onion mixture and jus on the side.  Baked potatoes, mashed potatoes or rice and green beansmake great side dishes.

    If you like this recipe, you are welcome to use it in your own newsletter or blog as long as you include the following blurb: Certified Professional Organizer and Life Management Expert, Tara Donohue Rudo, helps working moms and families focus on what is important. Get our FREE weekly tips and advice at www.NoMorePiles.com.

  • Top Tips for Managing the Flu

    The arrival of old man winter also brings with it peak flu season.  How can you keep yourself and family healthy during this time? Here are our top tips for managing the flu.

    We all know the basics of washing our hands frequently with soap and water, coughing and/or sneezing into our elbows or a tissue, staying home or keeping your distance from others when sick and to disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school.  Many local food/retail stores also offer wipes to disinfect shopping carts for your health and convenience. 

    What are some other ways of keeping your health in check?  Some of you might be feeling run down after the holiday rush and getting back into a routine of work or school with your families.  Here are a few tips to assist:

    • get plenty of sleep (7-9hrs. per night
    • be physically active (at least 30min. a day and a 15min. standing/stretching/walking break per hour for each hour while sitting at a desk)
    • manage your stress (exercise and planning can help – consider a life coach or a new form of exercise {yoga or meditation} to keep your mind fresh and engaged in a new activity)
    • drink plenty of fluids; stay hydrated
    • eat nutritious food (fresh fruits and vegetables high in vitamins A and C; vitamin D & E)

    If you or a family member does become ill, here are a few tips to assist in keeping the rest of the family healthy.  Gather some items to put into a “health kit.”

    Health Kit items:

    • thermometer and thermometer covers, if necessary
    • box of tissues
    • disposable gloves
    • bottle of water
    • disinfecting wipes or your own mix of disinfecting agent
    • paper towels
    • plastic tub or bowl

    Keep in mind the symptoms one may have while being ill with the flu – fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and/or fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea.  You could also keep any over-the-counter or homeopathic remedies for these types of symptoms in your kit.  Be sure to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth while caring for someone whom may be ill before washing your hands thoroughly and disinfect doorknobs or any other shared surfaces throughout your home.  A humidifier could be helpful to the person whom is sick as well.  The No More Piles team wishes you and your family a happy and healthy rest of winter.  Bring on Spring!

  • New Year’s Resolutions-Week 2

    We have completed week two of our New Year’s Resolutions 6 week accountability program and we had a much more successful week.  Yay!!  There were three big lessons that came out of this week that we want to share with you:

    1. PLAN to succeed.  Planning our weeks with time blocks for our resolution activities helped keep us on track.  For me with my flossing, I have now put floss everywhere!  I have it in my bathroom, kitchen, car and purse.  By surrounding myself with the necessary supplies, I don’t have to worry about forgetting to grab what I need.

    2. Give yourself a BUFFER.  If you are trying to get 5 hours in a week and you know that it is a crazy week with lots of balls in the air, plan for 6 hours and you are much more likely to get the 5 done.

    3. Get it done FIRST thing in the morning.  If we scheduled the task for right when we woke up, we were much more likely to get it done.  By checking the box first thing in the morning, we also felt great for the rest of the day knowing that we were one step closer to our weekly goals.

    So, here is the team update for this week:

    Tara – Flossed three days this week.  Now that I have floss in every nook and cranny of my house and car, I am expecting to hit a five for the coming week.

    Joan – Great improvement!  Was only 15 minutes shy of her 5 hour target.

    Krista – Got all 3 workout sessions in!  Great week for Krista!

    Terri – Lost 1.8 pounds last week.  Huge week for Terri!

    I am so proud of the work the team is putting and of their willingness to put their learning out here for all to see.  Remember, the biggest part of accountability is the learning.  Learning what worked and what didn’t and making changes to keep working toward your goals.

     

  • New Year’s Resolutions – Week One

    accountability in team
    There is accountability in teams

    So, we are one week into our New Year’s Resolutions 6 week accountability program and we are off to a rough start!  Like many of you, we are busy getting back into the swing of real life after time off over the holidays.  I would say that our current success rate is about 10%.  Sounds terrible, right?  Actually, it is just the reality of starting a new habit.  We begin with the best of intentions, but actually putting a plan into reality takes work, discipline, creativity and organization.  Our team is proof that the best of intentions only get you to about 10%.  Here is what we each learned over the last week:

    Tara – Flossing your teeth sounds easy, but remembering to do it every day (or not blowing it off to go to bed and get an extra 2 minutes of sleep) is harder.  I am going into the next week by carrying flossing supplies with me everywhere: in my car, my purse, kitchen, etc.  My goal is that if I remember AND the supplies are convenient, my chances of success are higher.

    Joan – Didn’t get those 5 hours of exercise in, but realized that exercise is a necessity, not a luxury.  She has booked 6 days of exercise into her schedule for the next week, so if one gets derailed, she will still hit her target.  She has also downloaded an app called 7 minute workout https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/7-minute-workout/id650762525?mt=8. This way, even if she can’t make it to the gym, she is still getting in a workout.

    Tracey – She bought a nutribullet so she can pack more fruits, vegetables and nutrients into her (and her family’s) diet.  She isn’t getting any more complaints from the kids about ‘having to eat’ their veggies.

    Terri – Instead of losing, she gained a pound.  So, she cleaned out her pantry and frig of all the holiday, bad-for-you remnants and has restocked to restart!

    Krista – Krista realized that it is easier to have accountability when her husband is not traveling for work and is there to work out with her.  She is working to put a secondary accountability in place (like her work teammates) to hold her to her workout schedule.

    Accountability is about self-flagellation for not getting it ALL done exactly right the first week.  Accountability is about noticing what got in the way of you achieving your goals and gathering your resources to restart and try again.  Noticing what gets in your way, whether it is self-talk, scheduling issues, lack of will power, lack of organization or all of the above, will help you take an honest inventory and strategize ways to avoid those pitfalls.  So, if you are off to the same slow start that we are, find a partner for your own accountability.  If you can’t find one, use us.  We are available for coaching or you can just post questions or successes on our facebook page.

  • New Year’s Resolutions 2014

    It is January 2014 and that means it is new year’s resolution time!  Many of us choose resolutions, but only 8% of people are successful in achieving their resolution.  So, this year we want to set you up for success.  The first key to success is setting a SMART goal.  A SMART goal is one that is: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant & Time-bound.  The second key to success is accountability!  Adding accountability will improve your chances of success from 8% to around 95%. Here are the hard truths:

    Here are your chances of success if:

    You hear an idea  – 10% chance

    If you consciously decide to do something – 25% chance

    If you schedule tasks for the project – 40% chance

    If you commit to someone else to complete the project – 65% chance

    If you set accountability appointments with a committed person – 95% chance

    So, if you are serious about making real change in your life this year, you are going to need help.  Enlist a friend or family member to be your accountability partner and commit to reporting to each other at a specific date and time.  You can also add a consequence for failing to meet your goal:  babysit their kids for a night, pay for their dinner or make a donation to their favorite charity.  If you don’t have someone that fits this bill, hire someone.  Depending on your goal, hiring a coach, personal trainer or nutritionist can not only give you an expert’s advice, but add the necessary accountability to help you reach your goals.

    As organizers, we are often put on an accountability pedestal.  Many assume that since we are organized that we can easily achieve our goals.  I am here to tell you that we have to work just as hard to create new habits or break old ones as anyone else.  So, scroll down to see our team’s goals for the next six weeks.  We plan to post a new blog entry each week to report in to you on how we are doing.  We will also be posting on our facebook and linkedin pages, so you can check those out too.

    Tara – Floss my teeth 5 times per week
    Joan – Exercise 5 hours per week
    Kelly – Exercise for 30 minutes per day up until delivery, then it will change to find one new “clean” recipe a day to implement into our weekly meals.  (Kelly has a baby due in 3 weeks)
    Terri – one pound a week for six weeks.
    Krista – exercise at least 30 minutes 3x week
    Tracey – Lose 1/2 pound per week
     

    If you have made a decision to create/stop a habit, set a SMART goal and have an accountability partner, then you are well on your way to success.  Feel free to go to our facebook or linkedin pages and leave your goals there for added accountability.  Good luck!

    If you liked our post, you’re welcome to use it in your own newsletter or blog as long as you include the following blurb: Certified Professional Organizer and Life Management Expert, Tara Donohue Rudo, helps working moms and families focus on what is important. Get our FREE weekly tips and advice at www.NoMorePiles.com.

     

  • Ringya – Our Favorite App of October 2013

    ringya pic
    Here is a screen shot of my Ringya screen

    As busy, working professional organizers here at No More Piles, we are always on the look out for new apps that help us stay organized and improve our productivity.  Here is our favorite app for October 2013:  Ringya.   https://ringya.com/  This app is available on both apple and android stores.  The app is amazing because it allows you to take a picture (or email) a phone list and it imports the names and contact information contained in the list.  You can now send texts or emails to anyone on the list. This is perfect for class lists, the soccer team roster or even your team at work.  I can send an instant group text or email to every parent in my daughter’s class to find a sub for the day I am supposed to volunteer.  Or, I can send a group text to my No More Piles team to check on a matter.  The best part is that if someone from the class calls me, and I don’t know them, it gives me a message of “John Smith from Mrs. Brockmeyer’s First Grade Class”, which will keep you from answering your phone without thinking it is a stranger.

    Even better, it doesn’t add them to your contacts, but creates a temporary contact folder so that if you delete the list from Rigya, it will also be deleted from the temporary folder.  Whether I emailed the list, or took a picture, it worked like a charm.

    If you liked our post about Ringya, you are welcome to use it in your own newsletter or blog as long as you include the following blurb: Certified Professional Organizer and Life Management Expert, Tara Donohue Rudo, helps working moms and families focus on what is important. Get our FREE weekly tips and advice at www.NoMorePiles.com.

  • Emergency Checklist for National Preparedness Month

    September is upon us and for most that means fall is right around the corner with holidays and cooler temps.  It also brings us to National Preparedness Month.  Our team member, Kelly Benninghove, is from Oklahoma and she has had lots of experience with prepping for weather related emergencies.  She has put together this emergency checklist so that you can make yourself and your family as comfortable as possible in the event of a weather event.  There are also some ideas of how to store and/or carry your emergency kits as well as some national and local resources you should store on your Smartphones or have within easy access. 

    You might ask yourself, “What do I need to be prepared for?” – a natural disaster such as a tornado, hurricane, earthquake, blizzard and any type of power outage or interruption in water service for an extended period of time.  You should prepare yourself, your family and pets for at least three days worth of food/water/medications. 

    If there were an emergency within your community or home, what are some things you may need to grab easily to get you (your family) to a safe place quickly?  How would you stay in touch with what is going on in the area should the power be out or your cellphone battery has died or is not working?  Below, we have compiled a list of things to make an Emergency Kit for your family. 

    My basement shelf for emergency supplies
    My basement shelf for emergency supplies

    Supplies (you should budget for at least three days worth of supplies per person/per pet)

    • Water – one gallon; per person, per day
    • Food – non-perishable items which can be eaten cold
    • Multi-purpose tool – one that contains a can opener function
    • Hand-crank/Battery-powered weather radio – NOAA Weather Radio (we recommend this type of radio which is also a renewable power source for other devices such as a cellphone)
    • Flashlight(s) and extra batteries
    • First Aid Kit – Redcross First Aid Kit
    • Whistle to signal for help
    • Wet wipes, garbage bags, plastic ties or a bucket with a tight-fitting lid and toilet paper for personal sanitation
    • Disposable plastic gloves (non-Latex)
    • Small tool kit (to include a wrench or pliers)
    • Scissors
    • Plastic tarp
    • Duct tape
    • Work gloves
    • Surgical masks
    • Matches in a Ziploc bag
    • Household Chlorine Bleach and Medicine Dropper – when diluted, nine parts water to one part bleach= disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water (do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners)
    • Cash
    • Sturdy shoes (either work boots or tennis shoes)
    • Extra set of clothes (jeans/long pants, socks, long-sleeved shirt or sweatshirt)
    • Emergency blanket(s)
    • Family and Emergency Contact Information
    • Disposable camera (for documenting damage and as backup to a smartphone camera)
    • BABIES/TODDLERS: Baby formula, bottles, baby food, powdered milk, diapers, wipes, change of clothes
    • Pet Supplies – food, leash, collar, bowls, ID or vaccination information
    • Oxygen, medicine and/or other medical supplies for elderly, sick, disabled and pets, if applicable (7 day supply recommended)
    • Extra pair of glasses or contacts, contact solution
    • Deck of cards or an easily transportable game for children
    • Plastic cups, plates, utensils
    • Paper towels

    If you have older family members, neighbors or kids in college, consider helping them put together an emergency kit.

    Storing your supplies in a clear, large storage tub with a lid or in individual backpacks is a great way to have quick access should a disaster strike.  Keep all of the items in one place where each family member has access to and is aware of the location

    Preparing Your Paperwork

    If you were asked to find the following documents in less than a minute, could you do it?

    • Home and Auto Insurance Policies
    • Birth Certificates and/or Passports for all family members
    • Credit Card and Bank Account numbers
    • Health Insurance cards
    • Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home)

    Our guess is that many of you could not locate those documents in such a short timeframe.  If you needed to evacuate your home, these are the documents that you would need to take with you.  If your neighborhood is declared a disaster area, this is the proof needed to gain entry to your property.  Having these documents in a safe or safety deposit box is great, but what happens if you need to evacuate and your bank is flooded with water or destroyed by a tornado?

    Another part to your emergency kit is to gather copies of these documents or creating a document with all of your policy and account numbers along with the national phone numbers.  Consider saving this information in one of our favorite apps, Dropbox, or to place these copies in a Ziploc or waterproof bag.

    Emergency Plan

    It is important that each member of your household knows the Emergency Plan and what to do or where to go should you all not be together should a disaster strike.  Discuss what types of emergencies could take place in your area and determine what responsibilities, if any, each member would take ownership.

    • Choose two meeting points.  In case of fire, somewhere directly outside of the home. If disaster, somewhere outside of your neighborhood.
    • Choose one contact person within your immediate family for checking in.  You should also establish one emergency contact person outside of your local area.
    • Practice your plan 2x’s per year.
    • Know the school/day care emergency plan.
    • Make a plan for after – text, call, social media; enact your established meeting place.
    • Teach children to seek out and ask for help from First Responders such as Police, Fire, Paramedics should they be separated from parents or caregivers.
    • During an evacuation, if your home is not safe for you, it isn’t for your pets either.  Take them with you and keep a list of “pet-friendly” hotels or motels as Redcross Shelters do not allow pets.

    Additional Tip for Pet Owners: The ASPCA recommends using a rescue sticker alert to let people know that pets are inside your home. Make sure it is visible to rescue workers, and that it includes the types and number of pets in your household and your veterinarian’s phone number.

    If you must evacuate with your pets (and if time allows) write “EVACUATED” across the stickers so rescue workers don’t waste time looking for them.

    Apps

    • Redcross – 1.) will alert friends/family that you are safe 2.) alert beacon if trapped 3.) depending on the area in which you live, there are several different apps to download such as tornado, hurricane, shelter finder, first aid, etc.
    • Flashlight

    Resources

    Call 1-800-RED-CROSS to “register” your family as safe in a disaster

     If you liked our Organizing Emergency Checklist for National Preparedness Month for weather related emergencies’ post, you’re welcome to use it in your own newsletter or blog as long as you include the following blurb: Certified Professional Organizer and Life Management Expert, Tara Donohue Rudo, helps working moms and families focus on what is important. Get our FREE weekly tips and advice at www.NoMorePiles.com.