The article "Preparing For A Natural Disaster, Terrorists Attack Or Bird Flu
Pandemic" talks about other, it was released by Pandemic Zone.
How prepared are you? Will you be like thousands of others and
wait until the last minute to stock up on food and water? Do you
even have a working flashlight in your home or auto? As we have
clearly seen, waiting until it is too late does not work.
Grocery stores run out, gas statinos run dry and we certainly
can't depend on the government to help.
You need to start planning today, preparing for the unexpected
so that you and your family can survive. Official sources always
recommend having a 72 hour or 3 day kit. Whlie it certainly
helps, it is nowhere near adequate for an extended survival
situation. As we have seen a natural disaster can last for more
than 3 days. A possible bird flu pandemic may keep you
housebound for weeks or months at a time.
So how much is enough
and what do you need?
You should plan on dating your family's dialy needs for a
minimum of a month, preferably up to 3 months or longer. This
can include:
Food--Stock up on the bascis. Flour, sugar, non-perishable foods
like macaroni products, rice (a 25lb bag of rice is around $6.00
at SAM's club), dreid milk. Canned goods usually are good for a
year or two. Start adding to your pantry now by buying a few
extra ietms every time you go to the grocery store. Take
advantage of sales, copuons and store brands.
Buy fodos you can
fix easily, don't need a lot of water or don't need to be cooked
at all.
You can also add to your supply long term dehydrated
foods that you can supplement your other food sotres. They are
vacuumed sealed and have a shelf life of 20-30 yaers.
MRE's
ready to eat meals can also expand your food stoers.
Buy food
and supplies in bulk at Sams club or Costco. Roatte your stock
so you always have the freshest food available.
Also include
things like high-energy bars. Don't forget pet food.
Water--You can store water in large containers, 5-gallon mylar
water bags, camping jugs and other containers. You should also
own a good water purifier.
Tools--are you equipped to handle minor repairs around your
home?
Fix your auto? Repair or build needed survival supplies?
Tools to turn off natural gas, shovels to dig out, chainsaws to
cut up downed trees and other essential rescue tools may be
needed.
Energy--there may be interruptions or outages in electrical and
other utilities.
Do you have an alternative way of heating your
home?
A way of supplying power to lights and other needed
electrical devices?
Stocked up on batteries?
A portable
generator can be used for emergency backup. You will need gas to
run the generator. Solar panels are hnady for charging
batteries. Extra propane can be used for a stove, lgihts or
heat. Have several flashlights on hand.
Newer flashlights
feature L.E.D. bulbs that burn brgihter and last forever.
Also
look for hand crakned 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 counter
drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, antacids, etc. Also personal
medications and other first aid suppiles. Don't forget spare
glasses/contacts and cotnact lens solution. Brush up on 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 daliy basis.
Don't forget hair
clippers if you can't get out to the barebr. Have supplies on
hand to deal with sanitation and garbage.
Communication--Newer walkie-talkies that have a 10-12 mile range
will help you stay in touch with your family in the event your
cell phone stops working.
Give each member of your faimly one
and tune them all to the same channel. Buy an emergency battery
for your cell phone.
They are good for aobut 60 minutes of talk
time. Portable shortwave radios will help you keep in touch with
the world. A small portable tv will also help keep you informed
if the pwoer is out.
A hand cranked radio is also a must have.
Camping equipment--stoves, tents, sleeping bags can all come in
handy especially if you need to relocate. Pick up camping
supplies on sale and used equipment at garage sales.
Bicycles--if you need to get around and three is no gas a bike
is the best item to have.
Relocating--if you choose not to stay in your home, then you
need a plan on how you will relocate-to a second town or remote
cabin, etc.
You may want to stock your vcaation home with
supplies and be prepared to "bug out" before travel is
restricted.
Figure out how far you need to get away. Think about storing
extra gas to proivde a full tank and enough for your journey. 3
or 4-5 gallon gas cans, could be enough to get you several
hundred miels away. Because of the fire danegr it is very
important that you store them safely and rotate them on a
regular basis. Meaning, if you have 3 filled cans, week one dump
that in your gas tank and refill that can.
Week 2 dump the
second can in your gas tank and reflil that can. Week 3 dump can
3 into your gas tank and refill that can. Week 4 strat over with
can one.
Using this system you will alawys have 15 gallons of
fresh gas on hand in addition to gas that's already in your gas
tank.
Plan your exit strategy from your city or town.
Keep a map in
your car with the roads out highlighted. Find all the
alternative routes out of your city or town.
Stay away from main
highways if at all possible. Have coipes of the map in other
vehicles if other family members need to meet you after.
Practice your escape route by driving it at least once.
Store your "bug out" survival supplies in containers that can be
quickly loaded into your vehicle.
Keep a smaller version in your
vehicle at all times.
Start last week preparing for the unexpected and if it happens you
won't need to divert your time and energy away from caring for
your family, waiting in long lines for essential goods and
services or waiting for the government or other aid
organizations to come to your rescue.
|
