6 ExperTIPS to Keep Your Family Prepared This Hurricane Season 

Hurricane Season on the Atlantic Coast is from June 1 through November 30, with the peak times being August and September. Hurricanes cause high winds, flooding, and heavy rain. Hurricanes do not only affect the coastline; severe rain, wind, and tornadoes are also a threat inland. Here are six healthcare tips to keep you and your loved ones prepared for hurricanes and other inclement weather: 

1. Review and update important documents. Make sure your personal documents, such as health insurance policies, passports, medical documents, and personal identification forms are up to date. Make copies and keep them in a secure password-protected digital space.

2. Have emergency supplies ready. Make sure you have enough emergency medical supplies such as any prescription medicines, inhalers, and a first aid kit. You may not have access to these supplies for several days or weeks after a hurricane. In addition, have bottled water, food, and flashlights on hand. Your emergency food supply should have a long shelf life with limited cooking and should not require refrigeration. For more information on emergency food and water supplies, visit the CDC’s website here.

3. Make an emergency plan. Discussing where you will evacuate, how you will receive emergency information such as alerts and warnings, and a shelter plan are all important to know ahead of time. Also sharing this information with your children and having a family communication plan in place can help provide clarity in inclement weather situations. For pet owners, pre-identifying a pet friendly shelter can cause peace of mind. Local animal shelters may be able to offer advice on what to do with your pets if you are asked to evacuate your home.

4. Gather important phone numbers. Find phone numbers for your physician, pediatrician, pharmacist, counselor, and veterinarian. Other important numbers you should know include:

-Poison Control Center: 800-222-1222
-Animal Poison Control Helpline: 888-426-4435
Disaster Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990

When you know a hurricane is forecasted, keep your cell phone charged and have any portable or backup chargers nearby.

5. Know the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning. (source CDC)

-A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 miles per hour [mph] or higher) are possible in a stated area. Experts announce hurricane watches 48 hours before they expect tropical-storm-force winds (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) to start.

-A hurricane warning is more serious. It means hurricane-force winds are expected in a stated area. Experts issue these warnings 36 hours before tropical-storm-force winds are expected in the area to give people enough time to prepare for the storm.

6. Get your family ready. If you or a loved one is older or disabled and won’t be able to leave quickly, get advice on what to do during any inclement weather conditions. Call the hospital, public health department, or the police about any special needs.

ExperCARE is always here for you! Walk in at your convenience or book ahead at any of our convenient Georgia urgent care locations. Book ahead and contact us here 

For more information about hurricanes and hurricane preparedness, visit these educational resources Hurricanes | Ready.gov and CDC- Hurricanes. 

With the school year in full swing, we had our team submit some of their favorite quick and delicious after school snacks to have on-hand. Check out 3 of our favorites below! We hope you enjoy these submissions from our team.  

For a sweet tooth: No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars 

Ingredients:  

  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter  
  • 2 sticks butter, softened, plus more for greasing the pan 
  • 1 cup chunky peanut butter 
  • 2 cups powdered sugar 
  • 1 box (12 ounces) vanilla wafers 
  • 1 bag (12 ounces) semi-sweet mini chocolate chips  
  • ½ cup chopped peanuts  

Directions: 

  1. For the topping: Using a microwave, melt the chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter. Allow it to cool for a couple of minutes while you make the bars.  
  1. For the bars: grease a 9-by-13-inch pan with some butter. Using a stand or electric hand mixer, mix together the butter and chunky peanut butter until smooth. Stir in the powdered sugar one cup at a time. 
  1. Add the vanilla wafers to a food processor and process until they are crumbs. Then add the crumbs and mini chocolate chips to the peanut butter mixture and mix until just combined. Spread it evenly into the buttered pan and set aside.  
  1. Pour the topping over the base. Spread it out evenly and sprinkle over the chopped peanuts. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, then cut into 20 bars.  
  1. Keep refrigerated, as the bars and chocolate will soften at room temperature.  

Salty Snack: Garlic-Ranch Party Mix 

Ingredients 

  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter 
  • 4 1/2 cups Rice Chex cereal 
  • 4 1/2 cups Wheat Chex cereal 
  • 2 cups bite-sized or mini pretzel twists 
  • 2 cups cheese crackers, such as Cheez-Its 
  • 1 cup oyster crackers 
  • 2 (1-ounce) packets ranch dressing seasoning mix (about 1/2 cup total), divided 

Directions 

  1. Arrange 2 racks to divide the oven into thirds and preheat the oven to 250°F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. 
  1. Place 8 tablespoons unsalted butter in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 10-second intervals, stirring between each, until fully melted, 50 to 60 seconds total. (Alternatively, melt in a small saucepan on the stovetop over low heat.) 
  1. Place 4 1/2 cups Rice Chex, 4 1/2 cups Wheat Chex, 2 cups pretzel twists, 2 cups cheese crackers, 1 cup oyster crackers, and 1 packet of the ranch dressing seasoning mix in a large bowl, and lightly toss to combine. 
  1. Pour half of the butter over the cereal mixture and gently toss to coat. Sprinkle in the remaining ranch packet and butter, then gently toss again so all the pieces are evenly coated. 
  1. Divide the mixture between the prepared baking sheets and spread into an even layer. Bake, stirring every 15 minutes, until lightly browned and crisp, 45 to 50 minutes total. Let cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheets before serving. 

Source {Garlic-Ranch Party Mix} 

Simple + Healthy Beverage: Strawberry Banana Smoothie 

Ingredients: 

  • 1 cup Strawberries- fresh or frozen 
  • 1 Banana- fresh or frozen; it is easiest to pre-chop and freeze bananas that are brown 
  • ½ cup Milk- can sub dairy-free milk, apple juice or orange juice  
  • For the best possible smoothie, make sure at least one of your fruits is frozen!  

Directions: 

  1. Blend all ingredients until smooth, adding a touch more milk as needed to reach a texture to your liking.  

Source {Strawberry Banana Smoothie} 

ExperCARE is always here for you! Walk in at your convenience or book ahead at any of our convenient Georgia urgent care locations. Open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

How to Prevent Back to School Germs

As the back to school season approaches, it’s important to take steps to prevent the spread of germs in the classroom and at home. With so many children coming together in one space, the risk of illness spreading is high. However, by practicing good hygiene habits and taking preventative measures, you can help keep yourself and your family healthy.

1. Wash Your Hands

One of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs is by washing your hands frequently. Encourage your child to wash their hands throughout the day, especially before eating and after using the restroom. Use warm water and soap, and lather for at least 20 seconds before rinsing.

2. Use Hand Sanitizer

In addition to washing your hands, hand sanitizer can be an effective way to kill germs. Keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your child’s backpack for use when hand washing is not possible.

3. Teach Good Cough and Sneezing Etiquette

Coughing and sneezing are common ways for germs to spread. Teach your child to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If a tissue is not available, encourage them to cough or sneeze into the crook of their elbow instead of their hands.

4. Keep Hands Away from Face

It’s easy for germs to enter the body through the eyes, nose or mouth. Encourage your child to keep their hands away from their face unless they have just washed their hands.

5. Disinfect Surfaces

Germs can live on surfaces for several hours, so it’s important to disinfect items as they go to and from school. Use an all-purpose cleaner or disinfectant wipes to keep these surfaces like backpacks and lunchboxes clean.

6. Stay Home When Sick

If your child is feeling sick, it’s important to keep them home from school to prevent the spread of germs. Make sure your child knows the importance of staying home when they are not feeling well and encourage rest and proper hydration.

ExperCARE is here to serve you when someone does bring home an icky, back-to-school germ! We are open 7 days a week, extended hours, accept insurance, and you never need an appointment. Visit one of our convenient locations today.