Emergency preparedness

With all the various natural disasters and terrorist attacks, that happen seemingly on a daily basis, it just seems plain silly to me to not be somewhat prepared to be able to provide for your family for a few days at a minimum. I began thinking about these things more and more over the past year or so and started making my little preparation kits, and buying some things that my wife just rolls her eyes at when I tell her why I'm buying them. That's just the thing, no one ever thinks they will need them, and if the time comes they think they can run down to the local store and buy what they need. That is the exact problem. PRACTICALLY EVERYONE thinks "they will make an announcement on the news and I can get ready." Well, that MAY work for a short bit of time. But when panick ensues that plan is shot. Here is a simple example. A year or so ago when alerts came out that gas was going to skyrocket, a friend called me and we were talking about it. He mentioned that the local stores were reporting that all the gas cans were being bought up and they were quickly running out of stock. Well, what did I do? I ran from store to store to buy a gas can, and sure enough had to go to several before I found some. I bought 2 (even though I already own about 5). But sure enough the gas cans were being sold out in the entire area in half a day. When the weatherman calls for snow, what is the first thing you do? Run to the grocery store to buy bread, milk and eggs and if you get there early enough you may get some.

When the alert comes over every tv and radio around that something real serious is about to happen will you need to be running to the store in order to have food and water for a few days? If you answered yes, I think you should reconsider. If people went this crazy over gas cans, what do you think they will do over food? It would be a free for all.

I live a pretty good ways out in the country and it is not uncommon for the power to go out for several days at a time. While it is inconvenient, we have no trouble making it. I have a woodstove for backup heat and cooking. A couple different types of camping stoves with extra fuel for them. I keep the pantry full of all kinds of canned foods that can be easily heated up for a quick meal. But most importantly is water. You would be suprised how much water is needed. Water is needed for cooking, cleaning, drinking, and after a day or 2 it's nice if you have enough to flush the toilet (I go outside myself to avoid that problem, bu convincing my wife and daughter to do this is extra work). I save 2 liter drink bottles and milk jugs occasionally and keep myself a decent supply of water. If you intend on drinking the water at some point, it will need to be rotated out to keep fresh.

It's always a good idea to have a basic first aid kit handy. I keep one in a kit I keep put away for such situations so that things don't get taken out of them and not replaced.

Take a minute, go look in your cabinets. Can you feed your family for a week? Can you keep them warm for several nights? If they are hurt or injured, or get sick, can you care for them for a few days without seeing a doctor? I can.