Last week the Michigan State Police (MSP) announced that 515.7 pounds of prescription drugs were collected at MSP posts across the state during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day held on Saturday, Sept. 27. The MSP partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other local law enforcement agencies for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day to provide a safe, convenient and responsible venue for citizens to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

All 29 MSP posts participated in the one-day effort by serving as drop-off points for citizens to discard expired, unused and unwanted medications for destruction. The service was free and anonymous with no questions asked.

Your Niles Post, which has a fixed, permanent drop-off box, tied for third of the 29 MSP Posts with 36lbs collected on this day.

Continuing with October’s theme of power, Do 1 Thing’s tip this week is: Have flashlights ready in an easily accessible place and check batteries in flashlights and radios.

When the lights go out, the safest way to provide emergency lighting is with flashlights or battery-powered lanterns. Keep flashlights with fresh batteries in several places throughout your home and check them for proper operation regularly. Always keep a supply of extra batteries. Think about buying a rechargeable flashlight. Batteries might be hard to find in a disaster.

This is something I constantly do when shopping. I look for batteries on sale, all sizes, and get a pack. I have batteries in my family go-kit for the little flashlight to sizes needed for the battery operated lanterns. This is not an obsession, just being prepared and being prepared is something we should all be doing.

With the fall weather, let’s not wait for fall storms to knock out power to realize we don’t have batteries or even battery operated equipment. This recent weather also reminds us that winter storms are approaching and I’m sure everyone has heard the rumors of this year’s winter being just as bad, if not worse, than last year.

Let’s make any time a survivable situation by planning ahead and getting prepared.

 

Rob Herbstreith is a trooper with the Michigan State Police Niles post. Any questions or comments can be directed to TrooperRob53@yahoo.com or (269) 683-4411.