How prepared are you? Will you be like thousands of people and wait until the last minute to stock up on food and water? Do you have a working flashlight at home or in your car? As we have clearly seen, waiting until it is too late does not work. Grocery stores are depleted, gas stations are depleted, and we certainly can’t depend on government help.
You need to start planning today, preparing for the unexpected so you and your family can survive. Official sources always recommend having a 72-hour or 3-day kit. While it certainly helps, it’s not suitable for a long-term survival situation. As we have seen, a natural disaster can last more than 3 days. A potential avian flu pandemic can keep you confined to your home for weeks or months at a time. So how much is enough and what do you need?
You should plan to meet your family’s daily needs for a minimum of one month, preferably up to 3 months or more. This may include:
Food: Stock up on the basics. Flour, sugar, non-perishable foods like macaroni products, rice (a 25-pound bag of rice is about $6.00 at SAM’s club), powdered milk. Canned products usually last one or two years. Start adding to your pantry now by buying a few extra items every time you go to the grocery store. Take advantage of sales, coupons and store brands. Buy foods that you can easily prepare, don’t need a lot of water, or don’t need to cook at all. You can also add long-term dehydrated foods to your supply that can supplement your other food stores. They are vacuum sealed and have a shelf life of 20-30 years. MRE’s ready-to-eat meals can also expand your food stores. Buy food and supplies in bulk at Sams club or Costco. Rotate your stock so you always have the freshest food available. It also includes things like high energy bars. Don’t forget the pet food.
Water: You can store water in large containers, 5-gallon mylar water bags, camping jugs, and other containers. You should also have a good water purifier.
Tools – Are you equipped to do minor repairs around your home? Fix yourself? Repair or build the necessary survival supplies? Tools to shut off natural gas, shovels to dig, chainsaws to cut fallen trees, and other essential rescue tools may be needed.
Power: There may be interruptions or blackouts in electrical and other services. Do you have an alternative way to heat your home? A way to supply power to lights and other necessary electrical devices? Are you full of batteries? A portable generator can be used for emergency backup. You will need gasoline to run the generator. Solar panels are useful for charging batteries. The extra propane can be used for a stove, lights, or heat. Have several flashlights on hand. Newer flashlights feature LED bulbs that shine brighter and last forever. Also look for hand held flashlights that don’t require batteries. Include lighting such as oil or propane lamps.
Doctor: a good first aid kit is a must. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, antacids, etc. Also personal medications and other first aid supplies. Don’t forget spare glasses/lenses and contact lens solution. Improve your first aid skills.
Household Supplies: Everything from shampoo and toothpaste to toilet paper, soap, detergent, bleach, disinfectants, and everything else you use on a daily basis. Don’t forget hair clippers if you can’t get to the salon. Have supplies on hand to deal with sanitation and trash.
Communication: Newer walkie-talkies that have a range of 10 to 12 miles will help you stay in touch with your family in case your cell phone stops working. Give one to each member of your family and tune them all on the same channel. Buy an emergency battery for your cell phone. They are good for about 60 minutes of talk time. Portable shortwave radios will help you stay in touch with the world. A small portable television will also help keep you informed if the power goes out. A crank radio is also a must.
Camping equipment: stoves, tents, sleeping bags, all can be useful, especially if you need to move. Pick up camping supplies for sale and used gear at garage sales.
Bicycles: If you need to get around and gas is out, a bicycle is the best item to have.
Relocation – If you choose not to stay in your home, then you need a plan for how you will relocate – to another town or remote cabin, etc. You may want to stock your vacation home with supplies and be prepared to “run out” before travel is restricted.
Calculate how far you need to go. Think about storing extra gas so you have a full tank and enough for your trip. 3 or 4-5 gallon gas cans could be enough to get you several hundred miles away. Due to the danger of fire, it is very important that you store them safely and rotate them regularly. That is, if you have 3 full cans, the first week dump that into your gas tank and refill that can. Week 2 dump the second can into your gas tank and refill that can. Week 3 dump can 3 into your gas tank and refill that can. Week 4 starts again with can one. With this system, you’ll always have 15 gallons of fresh gas on hand in addition to the gas already in your gas tank.
Plan your exit strategy from your city or town. Keep a map in your car with the roads highlighted. Find all the alternative routes outside your city or town. Stay off main roads if possible. Have copies of the map in other vehicles if other family members need to meet you later. Practice your escape route by driving it at least once.
Store your “get away” survival supplies in containers that can be quickly loaded into your vehicle. Keep a smaller version in your vehicle at all times.
Start preparing for the unexpected today, and if it does happen, you won’t have to divert your time and energy from caring for your family, waiting in long lines for essential goods and services, or waiting for the government or other relief organizations to come to your aid. your rescue.