Think About Emergency Preparedness

Think About Emergency Preparedness

Look around the world we live in. Watch the news. Hurricanes have been hitting both coasts. Huge snow storms cripple parts of the world. Terrorists try to disrupt normal life. Who knows what is going to happen next...and whether it will happen to you.

All of this has brought about a new interest for many people...a potentially vital one...emergency preparedness, and new breed of people... preppers.

In the news, we have seen people in America, one of the richest and most rock-solid nations in the world, lining up to get food and water handed out to them by the National Guard. We have seen riots, floods, and other natural disasters leave thousands of people trapped in their homes...often without food or water.

The point is, none of us even knows where the next emergency will be, what it will be, or who it will happen to. With that in mind, doesn't the idea of emergency preparedness just make common sense?

I don't want to be an alarmist, and I don't want to turn you into a Doomsday Prepper. However, I did grow up on the Gulf Coast, and lived through a few hurricanes. We never really had major problems, but, it was just luck that we didn't have something as bad as hurricane Katrina. Even so, my father made sure that we lived in a state of emergency preparedness. When the hurricanes were coming, the lantern was ready, the food and water was stocked up for a few days, and we were pretty well set.

After that, and several years in the army, it just makes sense that being prepared for the worst is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your loved ones. If not for yourself, then how about the others in your life. If your parents get caught in an emergency, do they have the food and water they need to survive?

Are you, or your loved ones, prepared for the possible results of a storm, an earthquake, civil unrest, or climate change?

There's a lot of things involved in emergency preparedness, and, if you're just trying to figure it out on your own, it's easy to overlook stuff. What about light? What about warmth? What about emergency communications? How can you recharge your cell phone if the power's out?

Heck, what about toilet paper?

Well, I don't have to worry about that stuff, because I have already set it up. Lots of emergency food stores, extra water, a way to cook food and sterilize water, if I have to get it from the pond down the road, and, yes, both a hand cranked and a solar phone charger.

On this page, and on some of the following ones, I hope to share some tips that may help you begin your emergency preparedness journey. Each of us is different, and you will have to make some choices based on your own personal abilities, needs and expectations.

For example, I am retired military, in good physical condition and am willing to defend myself and my family. Weapons are part of my emergency preparedness paradigm. Maybe that just won't work for you.

Got it. Do what you do, but, be ready for bad times. They come sooner or later, and, if they come and you are not ready, you, and your loved ones can suffer gravely.

You never know. A few months before writing this, I had never heard of ISIS, and had only read an occasional news story about Ebola. Now they're all over the news, and who knows what will happen if either gains a foothold where you live.

The information is out there, it's up to you to not only find it but follow up on it. For example, the following tips are from the emergency service from the California office of the Red Cross.

Without water, there is not going to be any survival.

Your first step towards emergency preparedness is to keep a water supply ready. You should have at least a gallon for each person for each day you expect an emergency to last. You should probably have at least enough for 72 hours at the minimum, but, enough for a week might be better.

At the minimum, your water storage containers should be plastic. The containers should, obviously, be clean, but, there are also commercially prepared containers which will keep your water safe for a long time. Even with stored water, however, you may run out or find that some of your water is not safe, so, it is a good idea to have water purification tablets, emergency water filters, or pumps. At the very least, if you are unsure of the safety of your water, boil it before drinking.

After water, you need to store enough food for yourself and your loved ones.

Food that is good for long term storage could be canned goods, powdered drinks and foods, or food in hermetically sealed pouches. If you buy your food stores at the grocery, check expiration dates. Some of these off-the-shelf foods are good for up to three years. One good emergency preparedness tip is to only buy foods you will normally eat. That way, you can eat what you have and buy newer replacements during the good times.

There are emergency foods specifically designed for emergency preparedness which will last up to 25 years. Most are freeze dried and you will have to add water, so, make sure you figure that into your water needs.

As a rule of thumb, you will need, at the minimum, enough for three days to a week, for each person, of course. I buy my food in 56 meal tubs which are easily stashed in a closet.

Have a backup plan...and equipment and supplies.

We rely an awful lot on electricity and running water. What are you going to do about bathroom needs in the event of an emergency when there is no running water. How will you cook your food if the electricity is out.

For cooking, your grill may be of some benefit, if it is not space-aged and can double as a fire pit. You can move a bit upscale by having a propane camp stove or similar method of cooking. Some of your pots and pans may be suitable for cooking over a fire, but some may not be.

While your toilet may not function without running water, you can still use it to dispose of waste, at least for a while, if the pipes are not broken or clogged, say in the event of an earthquake.

With a porta-potty and a supply of blue juice, you can have something resembling a flush toilet, and cut the risk of poison ivy. You might be able to dump the porta-potty down a drain or in a hole away from where you are living. NOT, however, near a possible water supply.

Have clothes ready.

This might not be too much of an issue if you are hunkering down in your own home. However, in some instances, you may need to move to another spot, and having clothes packed and ready can be a big help during an emergency.

Here's a little tip. Keep a couple of bandannas for each person. They come in handy as makeshift towels, wipes, bandages, slings, or anytime you may need to tie something up.

Again, if you are home, it might not be a big deal, but, having a sleeping bag for each person is a standard step in emergency preparedness if there is a possibility you might be displaced.

Have a supply of fuel, probably wood.

If you think you will need to heat, cook, or keep the night away, a fire is going to be welcome, and, it can help reduce the strain on cooking fuel. A supply of wood is easier to gather and store before the emergency than afterwards. If you have a fireplace, you might want to collect a supply of fireplace logs if wood is not readily available.

You need to be able to see.

As I mentioned, we get used to electricity, which is how we normally light our homes. When the power goes out for a few hours, a few candles may do just fine. If the power is out for a longer time, or, if you have to move around at night, you are going to need some good quality lanterns or flashlights.

Flashlights generally need batteries, but, in the last few years, there has been a huge upsurge in the development of solar-powered, or crank-powered flashlights, emergency radios, and device chargers. I have several of these, and even have a solar generator which can supply light at night, and run or recharge electronic devices, such as computers and cell phones. It can also power small 9 Volt devices. I even keep a GoalZero solar/crank flashlight in my car, and will never be out of light in case of an emergency.

You can even get a gas generator for less than $200, but then, you have to make sure you have a supply of gasoline. That's why I prefer the solar generator.

Have the medicines you need.

You will want to always fill your prescriptions and keep these ready to be scooped up in an emergency. If you have been getting 30 day refills, you might want to go to 90 day refills to increase your odds of having enough on hand.

You should also have a good first aid kit on hand. Don't try to piecemeal this yourself. It's actually going to be cheaper, and probably more effective to get one already set up. You also should have a list of all prescriptions. That way, if you wind up in some shelter where there are medical personnel available, they will be able to determine what you need.

Have cash and gas available.

In the event of an emergency, don't count on your credit card being accepted or ATM's working. Even cash may be refused after a while during an emergency involving the federal government, but having enough to get along for a while is important.

Along the same line, keep your car's gas tank full. In the event of an emergency, you might not be able to get gas, have to wait in long lines, or pay exorbitant prices.

Also, it is best if you keep the gas tank of your car half full. This is so to avoid the long lines in gas stations.

Prepare to be amused.

I know that, during an emergency, your mind may be on a lot of other things than keeping yourself amused. However, it can be a good thing to have a diversion, such as books or puzzles, to take your mind off things. Also, if you have children, it can be important to do something, such as play cards or board games, to keep them amused.

Know yourself, and your neighbor.

As I alluded to earlier, you need to go into emergency preparedness to the level of your abilities and needs. However, in emergencies, having a neighbor whose got your back, or who can do the things you cannot, can be invaluable.

My wife and I used to joke about a neighbor we called "Eric the Viking". As aggravating as he, and his kids, could be, we both agreed that, if there ever was an emergency, we wanted him to be on our side, as his survival skills, and his arsenal, far outweighed ours.

So, part of your emergency preparedness plans should include forming a bond with those who live near you so you all can help each other in the event of an emergency.

One last thing...

As I said, you never know when an emergency will happen or how long you will need to be ready for, so, to some extent, all of this will be guesswork. However, another thing to keep in mind is that you might not be able to stay in your home. You may have to go to a shelter, you may have to move in with neighbors, or you may have to head for the woods. You should consider having some sort of bugout bag, one per person, which will give you supplies for at least 72 hours.

That's a short, and admittedly incomplete discussion on emergency preparedness.

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Think About Emergency Preparedness
Page Updated 1:03 PM Saturday, November 27, 2021