In October, a good time to go back to our Emergency Preparedness Plan by going “Back to the Basics.” Depending what our station in life is, our Emergency Preparedness supplies could include a whole house electric generator, back up solar panels, a back-yard bunker, or simply an extra can of beans in the pantry. All humans have the same needs, but how we take care of those needs depends largely on our means, and often times, the difference between a true emergency and a small bump in the road is the resources that we have set aside for such situations.
As we age, we realize that “needs and wants” are not the same thing. When our kids state that they “need” a new video game or that they “need” a new car, they could not be further from the truth. Our needs as humans are pretty basic: we need breathable air. Without that we succumb in a hurry. We need minimal protection from the elements to keep our bodies from over heating or freezing up. We need water and we need food for energy. All the rest is the fluff that we enjoy on a regular basis.
So, let’s start with a very basic and fairly easy item: water. Water is something that we all need and will suffer if we don’t have. One of the most convenient ways to build up an emergency water supply is by re-purposing plastic containers that we already have. When I empty a gallon milk jug, I triple rinse it, fill it with water with tap water and store it in the basement. If I time I will do a quick rinse with bleach, dump all the bleach out and fill the jug with water as before. Over time your water supply will build to something that will get you through a couple days of interrupted water supply. Not an A+, but it will get you through in a pinch.
Food is something that most of over-enjoy. Many of us have all kinds of stuff in our basements that we don’t eat and that our kids or Grand-kids will throw out for us when we are gone. Store what you use. Each time you go to the store, buy one or two extras of the things that you eat and will keep for a while and then rotate those items to keep them fresh.
These ideas are for the minimum, as you progress in your plan your stores and confidence will increase.
Week One Back to Basics, Water
We use water for all sorts of things, including: drinking, cooking and hygiene. The amount we use in a day would surprise us if we didn’t have it readily available flowing out of our faucets. Water delivery systems can be disrupted or contaminated during a disaster, which is just one reason we store some extra just in case. Each time you empty a gallon milk jug or large soda container, rinse it out a couple times, fill it with tap water and store it in a cool dry place. Doing this on a regular basis will be a good start to your water storage program.
Food
To acquire enough food to last your family a year or two is a daunting and pricey task. Many struggle to make it from paycheck to paycheck, let alone forking out thousands for emergency food supplies. A good way to start building up your emergency provisions is to buy one or two extra of whatever you purchase regularly at the store. Over time this adds up to a supply that will take the edge off in tough times. As time and funds allow, this pantry can increase to a formidable store.
Light
We have made great progress in LED lighting in the last decade. This has made emergency lighting more efficient and affordable. Candles can still be used, but are smoky, dim and a fire hazard. Battery powered LED flashlights and camp lanterns can fill a tremendous void if a power outage lasts into the night. Store adequate battery power or add the solar power option to keep the light (bright) on in an outage.
Comfort
Exposure to the elements at any time can be uncomfortable and in an emergency situation can even turn deadly. Winter coats can be worn inside an unheated house to help keep us warm. Additional blankets or quilts may be added to sleep comfortably if central heat is not available. Heat can be deadly as well. Sources of shade like a tarp or patio umbrella may make a summer emergency more tolerable.
Handy Add Ons
Ask any handy man and he will tell you the number of things for which he has used duct tape. A roll or two in your emergency supplies can cure many ills. Multi tools are handy as well. A sharp knife, axe and a simple tool kit can help make repairs caused by an upset in normal life. A roll of plastic sheeting can be a substitute for many things. Think about some similar things you can add to your emergency stores.