How prepared are you? Will you be like thousands of others andwait until the last minute to stock up on food and water? Do youeven have a working flashlight in your home or auto? As we haveclearly seen, waiting until it is too late does not work.Grocery stores run out, gas stations run dry and we certainlycan't depend on the government to help.You need to start planning today, preparing for the unexpectedso that you and your family can survive. Official sources alwaysrecommend having a 72 hour or 3 day kit.
While it certainlyhelps, it is nowhere near adequate for an extended survivalsituation. As we have seen a natural disaster can last for morethan 3 days. A possible bird flu pandemic may keep youhousebound for weeks or months at a time. So how much is enoughand what do you need?You should plan on meeting your family's daily needs for aminimum of a month, preferably up to 3 months or longer. Thiscan include:Food--Stock up on the basics. Flour, sugar, non-perishable foodslike macaroni products, rice (a 25lb bag of rice is around $6.
00at SAM's club), dried milk. Canned goods usually are good for ayear or two. Start adding to your pantry now by buying a fewextra items every time you go to the grocery store. Takeadvantage of sales, coupons and store brands. Buy foods you canfix easily, don't need a lot of water or don't need to be cookedat all. You can also add to your supply long term dehydratedfoods that you can supplement your other food stores. They arevacuumed sealed and have a shelf life of 20-30 years. MRE'sready to eat meals can also expand your food stores.
Buy foodand supplies in bulk at Sams club or Costco. Rotate your stockso you always have the freshest food available. Also includethings like high-energy bars. Don't forget pet food. Water--You can store water in large containers, 5-gallon mylarwater bags, camping jugs and other containers. You should alsoown a good water purifier.Tools--are you equipped to handle minor repairs around yourhome? Fix your auto? Repair or build needed survival supplies?Tools to turn off natural gas, shovels to dig out, chainsaws tocut up downed trees and other essential rescue tools may beneeded.
Energy--there may be interruptions or outages in electrical andother utilities. Do you have an alternative way of heating yourhome? A way of supplying power to lights and other neededelectrical devices? Stocked up on batteries? A portablegenerator can be used for emergency backup. You will need gas torun the generator. Solar panels are handy for chargingbatteries. Extra propane can be used for a stove, lights orheat. Have several flashlights on hand. Newer flashlightsfeature L.E.D. bulbs that burn brighter and last forever.
Alsolook for hand cranked flashlights that don't need batteries.Include lighting such as oil or propane lanterns.Medical-- a good first aid kit is a must have. Over the counterdrugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, antacids, etc. Also personalmedications and other first aid supplies. Don't forget spareglasses/contacts and contact lens solution. Brush up on yourfirst aid skills.Household supplies--everything from shampoo and toothpaste totoilet paper, soap, detergent, bleach, disinfectants andeverything else you use on a daily basis.
Don't forget hairclippers if you can't get out to the barber. Have supplies onhand to deal with sanitation and garbage.Communication--Newer walkie-talkies that have a 10-12 mile rangewill help you stay in touch with your family in the event yourcell phone stops working. Give each member of your family oneand tune them all to the same channel. Buy an emergency batteryfor your cell phone. They are good for about 60 minutes of talktime. Portable shortwave radios will help you keep in touch withthe world.
A small portable tv will also help keep you informedif the power is out. A hand cranked radio is also a must have.Camping equipment--stoves, tents, sleeping bags can all come inhandy especially if you need to relocate. Pick up campingsupplies on sale and used equipment at garage sales.Bicycles--if you need to get around and there is no gas a bikeis the best item to have.Relocating--if you choose not to stay in your home, then youneed a plan on how you will relocate-to another town or remotecabin, etc.
You may want to stock your vacation home withsupplies and be prepared to "bug out" before travel, Two Way Walkie Talkie Products, isrestricted. Figure out how far you need to get away. Think about storingextra gas to provide a full tank and enough for your journey. 3or 4-5 gallon gas cans, could be enough to get you severalhundred miles away. Because of the fire danger it is veryimportant that you store them safely and rotate them on aregular basis. Meaning, if you have 3 filled cans, week one dumpthat in your gas tank and refill that can.
Week 2 dump thesecond can in your gas tank and refill that can. Week 3 dump can3 into your gas tank and refill that can. Week 4 start over withcan one. Using this system you will always have 15 gallons offresh gas on hand in addition to gas that is already in your gastank.Plan your exit strategy from your city or town. Keep a map inyour car with the roads out highlighted. Find all thealternative routes out of your city or town. Stay away from mainhighways if at all possible. Have copies of the map in othervehicles if other family members need to meet you later.