Showing posts with label Preparedness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Preparedness. Show all posts

Friday, April 30, 2010

Emergency Toilet

Yesterday, at our Provident Living class, we learned how to put together an emergency toilet. It would be pretty handy, even if your water was shut off for a couple days. For example, our neighbors water heater went out and had to be replaced. They had to wait an entire weekend, without running water! I don't know about you, but in my house this would be an emergency situation.

Home toilets may be unusable and going in the bushes quickly promotes diseases. A simple solution is a 5 or 6 galon plastic bucket lined with a plastic bag with a snap on toilet seat. When full, transport waste to a central dumping hole or station.

Emergency Toilet
Store all items in bucket until needed

For one toilet you need:
  • Bucket - You can use a bucket and purchase a toilet lid separately, or purchase a "Porta Potty" such as Luggable Loo. (My dad screwed three screws into the bottom of a toilet seat, to help hold it in place, and this is what we used while camping. It worked fantastic)!
  • Plastic Bags - 30 - 50 heavy duty bags, 10 - 15 gallons
  • Toilet Paper - center cardboard can be removed and TP can be wrapped in plastic to keep dry and save space in bucket
  • Hand Sanitizer or wet wipes for clean up (I personally would go with hand sanitizer on this one)
  • Kitty Litter - 1 bag. Sprinkle a small amount over waste to help with smell; or, Sawdust - fill with 3" of sawdust after each use to reduce odors, absorb, and help with decomposition.
  • Rubber Gloves - 2 pair, use as you dispose of the bag and clean off the lid with disinfectant.
  • Privacy Curtain - shower curtain or tarp
  • Rope - for privacy curtain
  • Disinfectant - pour a little in bucket after each use. Also for cleaning off the toilet seat lid!
To help with disease control, keep the lid tight when not in use.

Disposal: Using rubber gloves, carefully remove the bag, press out excess air, and tie securely for disposal. The bag can be stored in a covered and lined trash can until disposal service is resumed. Bag can also be buried 3 feet deep, 50 feet from a water source. The same hole can be used for several bags. Cover hole with 12" of soil when not in use.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Earthquake Preparedness

I gleaned this information from an article on KSL. Click here to read it.

The first step to being prepared is: Have a plan
  • Choose two meeting places - one outside your home and one outside your neighborhood in case you can't get to your home.
  • Choose an emergency contact person outside your area because it may be easier to get in touch with them if local phone lines are down.
  • Prepare a first aid kit with basic supplies.
Basic Items You will Need:
  • 72 Hour Kit
  • Gloves
  • Flashlight with Good Batteries
  • Water
  • First Aid Kit
  • Sturdy Shoes
  • Radio with Good Batteries
  • Extra Medications
(This is the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter)

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

72 Hour Emergency Kit Documents

For March's Provident Living class, we were given a list of important documents to keep with our 72 hr. kits. I thought I'd share some of it with you, just in case you'd like to have copies with yours. Place the items in a folder with your kits so that you can grab it and go if needed.
  • Scriptures
  • Family history disk
  • Patriarchal Blessing
  • Birth certificates
  • Will
  • Passports
  • Vaccination records
  • Homeowners insurance policy
  • Auto insurance policy
  • Life insurance policy
  • Bank statements
  • Utility statements
  • Work/tax documents that would be difficult to replace
  • Retirement statement
  • Internet passwords (banking, work, personal, school, etc...)
  • Cash - small bills and change
  • Credit card, or copies of card front and back
  • Pre-paid phone card
  • Social Security cards
  • Family evacuation/communication plans
  • List of doctors and their phone numbers
  • Summary of family member's known allergies, illnesses, surgeries, hospitalization's, etc.
  • Copies of important prescriptions for medicines and eyeglasses
  • Anything else you feel important

Monday, February 8, 2010

72 Hour Kit

I saw this 72 hour kit at Safely Gathered In. It has some good suggestions.

1 sturdy bag or container per person

1 change of clothes per person
1 set of scriptures per family
1 flashlight per person
Batteries
First aid kit
Personal documents
2 gal. water per person, minimum (3's better)
$100 cash (small bills)
Ax and shovel
Utility knife
Bucket
Battery powered radio
Small sewing kit
Food
2 light sticks
Hand warmer / canned heat
Blankets / sleeping bags
1 small toothbrush per person
Toothpaste, soap, and shampoo
Silver foil emergency blankets
Mosquito repellent
Small entertainment (crayons, card game, etc.)
Camp stove or portable BBQ and fuel
2 pair work gloves
Mess kits or disposable plates, cups, bowls, utensils

Pet supplies
Candles, holders, matches
Aluminum foil
Can opener
Disinfectant
Garbage bags

Friday, August 7, 2009

Story Time

The Three Little Pigs
Adapted by Milt Banta and Al Dempster
from the Walt Disney Motion Picture "The Three Little Pigs"
Illustrations by the Walt Disney Studio

Once upon a time there were three little pigs who went out into the big world to build their homes and seek their fortunes.

The first little pig did not like to work at all. He quickly built himself a house of straw. Then off he danced down the road, to see how his brothers were getting along. And as he danced he sang:

"I built my house of straw,
I built my house of hay.
I toot my flute -
I don't give a hoot -
And play around all day."

The second little pig was building himself a house, too. He did not like to work any better than his brothers, so he had decided to build a quick and easy house of sticks. Soon it was finished, too. It was not a very strong little house, but at least the work was done. Now the second little pig was free to do what he liked.

What he liked to do was to play his fiddle and dance. So while the first little pig tooted his flute, the second little pig sawed away on his fiddle, dancing as he played. And as he danced he sang:

"I built my house of sticks,
I built my house of twigs.
With a hey diddle-diddle
I play on my fiddle,
And dance all kinds of jigs."

Then off danced the two little pigs down the road together to see how their brother was getting along.

The third little pig was a sober little pig. He was building a house, too, but he was building his of bricks. He did not mind hard work. He wanted a stout little, strong little house, for he knew that in the woods nearby there lived a wolf who liked nothing better than to catch little pigs and eat them up! So slap, slosh, slap! Away he worked, laying bricks and smoothing mortar between them.

"Ha-ha-ha!" laughed the first little pig, when he saw his brother hard at work. "Ho-ho-ho!" laughed the second little pig. "Come down and play with us!" he called. But the busy little pig did not pause. Slap, slosh, slap! went the bricks on mortar as he called down to them:

"I build my house of stones.
I build my house of bricks.
I have no chance
To sing an dance,
For work and play don't mix."

"Ho-ho-ho! Ha-ha-ha!" laughed the two lazy little pigs, dancing along to the tune of the fiddle and the flute.

"You can laugh and dance and sing," their busy brother called after them, "but I'll be safe, and you'll be sorry when the wolf comes to the door!"

"Ha-ha-ha! Ho-ho-ho!" laughed the two little pigs again, and they disappeared into the woods singing a merry tune:

"Who's afraid of the big bad wolf,
The big bad wolf, the big bad wolf:
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?
Tra-la-la-la-la-a-a-a!"

Just as the first pig reached his door, out of the woods popped the big bad wolf! The little pig squealed with fright and slammed the door. "Little Pig, little pig, let me come in!" cried the wolf. "Not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin!" said the little pig. "Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in!" roared the wolf. And he did. He blew the little straw house all to pieces!

Away raced the little pig to his brother's house of sticks. No sooner was he in the door, when knock, knock ,knock! There was the big bad wolf! But of course, the little pigs would not let him come in.

I'll fool those little pigs, " chuckled the big bad wolf to himself. then he said out loud, "Those little pigs are too smart for me. I'm going home." He started off toward the deep woods, but he did not go far. He hid behind a big tree.

Soon the door opened and the two little pigs peeked out. there was no wolf in sight. "Ha-ha-ha! Ho-ho-ho! laughed the two little pigs. "We fooled him." Then they danced around the room, singing gaily:

"Who's afraid of the big bad wolf,
the big bad wolf, the big bad wolf?
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?
Tra-la-la-la-la-a-a-a!"

Soon there came another knock at the door. It was the big bad wolf again, but he had covered himself with a sheepskin, and was curled up in a big basket, looking like a little lamb. "Who's there?" called the second little pig. "I'm a poor little sheep, with no place to sleep. Please open the door and let me in," said the big bad wolf in a sweet little voice.

The little pig peeked through a crack of the door, and he could see the wolf's big black paws and large sharp fangs. "Not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin!" "You can't fool us with that sheepskin!" said the second little pig.

"Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in!" cried the angry old wolf.

So he huffed,
and he PUFFED,
and he puffed,
and he HUFFED,

and he blew the little twig house all to pieces!

Away raced the two little pigs, straight to the third little pig's house of bricks. "Don't worry," said the third little pig to his two frightened little brothers. "You are safe here." soon they were all singing gaily.

This made the big bad wolf perfectly furious! "Now by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin," he roared, "I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow you house in!" So the big bad wolf huffed and he PUFFED, and he puffed and he HUFFED, but he could not blow down that little house of bricks!

How could he get in? At last he thought of the chimney! So up he climbed, quietly. then with a snarl, down he jumped - right into a kettle of boiling water! With a yelp of pain he sprang straight up the chimney again, and raced away from that little house as fast as he could go!

The three little pigs spent their time in the strong little brick house singing and dancing merrily. and the big bad wolf never came back again.

Helaman 5:12
"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the arock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your bfoundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty cstorm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Emergency Survival Bar

Emergency Survival Bar
This recipe will make 2 bars - each containing approximately 1000 calories - enough food for one person for one day. These store for a long time, are excellent for emergency packs, etc..., and taste really good!

3 c. cereal (oatmeal, cornmeal, or wheat flakes)
2 1/2 c. powdered milk
1 c. sugar
1/4 t. salt
3 T. honey
3 T. water
1/2 c. jello (I used one small box of red jello and it was nummy)!


Place all dry ingredients, except jello, in a bowl. Bring water, honey, and jello to a boil. Add to dry ingredients. Mix well. Add water a little at a time until mixture is just moist enough to mold. Place in a 9x9 square dish and dry in the oven under very low heat. (It doesn't take very long). Wrap and store. Eat dry or cook in about 3/4 c. water.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Homemade Washing Machine

A few months ago, I ran across a really nifty idea on Preparedness Brings Peace! You will all want one of these! Now, I know you are all asking yourselves, "What is this really cool, amazingly nifty thing that I have to show you?!" Well, everybody, it's your very own personal homemade washing machine! It's all man-powered, but I can just imagine kids standing around in long lines waiting to try it out! (It reminds me of white-washing in Tom Sawyer, or was that Huck Fin? I just can't remember, it's been too long...) Not only can you use this in an emergency, but you can even take it camping! What a cool idea?!

Clothes Washing Kit

Yet another idea from a Preparedness class I attended...a way to do your laundry in an emergency. You can easily put this together yourself.

CLOTHES WASHING KIT
5-gallon bucket with lid (cut hole in middle of lid for plunger handle to fit through)
Toilet plunger (brand-new, clean)
Store in bucket:
Liquid laundry detergent
Stain remover/stain stick
Vinegar (add 1/2 cup to rinse water) helps remove soap
Rope (for clothes line)
Clothes pins

To Use:
Empty contents of bucket.
Place water, small amount of detergent, and clothes in bucket.
Move plunger up and down for a few minutes or until clothes are clean.
Remove soapy clothes and ring them out.
Dump out soapy water (on your garden or lawn.)
Place soapy clothes in bucket and fill with clear, clean water.
Add 1/2 cup vinegar to rinse water.
Move plunger up and down to rinse clothing.
Wring out clothes and hang to dry.
Conserve water - use rinse water for next load of laundry.

NOTE: You could store two 5-gallon buckets, stack one inside of the other. Use one bucket for the soapy water and the other for the rinse water. You may be able to wash and rinse a couple of batches of clothes without changing the soapy water depending on how dirty the clothes are.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Food Storage...on the Path to Preparedness

I ran across Food Storage...on the Path to Preparedness the other day, and thought I'd put a link on here. This is a 14 page handout, compiled by Debbie Kent, that addresses many topics, like:
  • Why Should You be Prepared?
  • Warnings and Where they can be Found
  • The NEW Food Storage Plan
  • 90 Days the Easy Way -- Think SOS
  • WATER
  • Filling 55-Gallon Barrels
  • Rotating
  • Water Ideas and Rotating Systems
  • Financial Reserve
  • Long Term Food Storage/One Person/One Year (in addition to your 90 day supply)
  • Why Store These?
  • I Have a Year Supply...That's All I Need
  • What Will This Provide Per Day?
  • MENU Using Basic Year Supply
  • Survival Mode
  • Menu Planning
  • Using Your Year Supply
  • Storing Your Food Storage
  • Inventorying
  • How Can I Afford Food Storage?
  • How Do I Find all the Food I Need?
  • What Are You Going to do With This Info.?
  • 6 Steps to Success
  • Going the Extra Mile
  • Why Do We Prepare
  • The Path to Preparedness
  • Will You Be Ready?
  • Top 10 Reasons Why I Don't Have My Food Storage
  • A Year's Supply for $58.81?
  • OTHER BASICS and "Fun Stuff"
  • Menu Suggestions
Flip through the pages and see if something catches your eye.

Wednesday Prep Day - One Day Late

Wow, everybody! It's Thursday...where did Wednesday go?! This week, for our 72 hr. kits, we're going to gather personal documents. After reviewing two sites, Safely Gathered In and Food Storage Made Easy, I've compiled a small list of items you may want to have.
  • Birth Certificates
  • Marriage Certificates
  • Will
  • Passport
  • Vaccination Records
  • Credit Card Information - front and back
  • Automobile Insurance Policy
  • Homeowners Insurance Policy
  • Life Insurance Policy
  • Social Security Cards
  • Bank Statements
  • Retirement Statements
  • Internet Passwords
  • Utility Statements
  • Work/Tax Documents that would be difficult to replace
  • etc...
Whether you choose to keep these items in your 72 hr. kit, file cabinet, fire/water proof box, or ziplock bags in the freezer - yes, people do this too - it's up to you. Just make sure you have a way to remind yourself to grab them when it's time to go.

Now, how is your three months of storage coming? Do you have a plan? If so, keep pluggin' along. You'll get it. If you don't have a plan for your three month supply, lets make one together. To start, make a menu: seven breakfasts, seven or fourteen dinners. Seven's easier to plan, fourteen gives you more options.
  1. Write the recipes for each breakfast and dinner down.
  2. If you do seven meals, multiply the ingredients by 13 to find out exactly how much of each item you need for three months. If you do fourteen, you can multiply all of the meals by seven or half by seven and half by six. It's up to you.
  3. Make a master shopping list.
  4. Begin shopping always remembering to stick to your budget. Little by little you will cross all the items off. Just be persistent and patient.
This month, we are collecting Oats for our long-term storage. Liesa Card suggests a food storage program that fits the way we collect long-term storage on this site; although, there are many ways to go about gathering your storage.

Another way that makes sense is gathering a one year supply for one person at a time. (When you have one year gathered, just do it again). If you have one year for one person, you will also have a six month supply for two people, a four month supply for three, and so on. Isn't that COOL?! (I thought you might like it)! Happy collecting...

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Wednesday Prep Day

Good Morning Everybody! Okay, when I started writing this it was morning. Now it's after 10:00 p.m.! Where does the time go? Today we are going to begin collecting a First Aid Kit for our 72 hr. kits. You can make it as basic or involved as you want. You can even have your regular first aid kit and keep it in a place with the 72 hr. kits so you can grab-and-go if needed. If you want ideas for a first aid kit, click here. I also know that I saw one at Walmart a week ago. I didn't get a chance to look at it, but I did note that it had 72 pieces and was $9.00. What else...Oh, check out the American Red Cross for ideas too! Their site is full of information.

Another thing I just want to mention about 72 hr. kits. You don't have to have everything for everyone now. Would it be nice? Of course! Is it always practical to collect everything all at once? No. You must always consider your resources, budget, etc. Five flashlights would be ideal for my family; but, one or two is still better than none. So do what you can and just keep working at it. If you're persistent, you'll get there.

Now, how is your three months of storage coming? Do you have a plan? If so, keep pluggin' along. You'll get it. If you don't have a plan for your three month supply, lets make one together. To start, make a menu: seven breakfasts, seven or fourteen dinners. Seven's easier to plan, fourteen gives you more options.
  1. Write the recipes for each breakfast and dinner down.
  2. If you do seven meals, multiply the ingredients by 13 to find out exactly how much of each item you need for three months. If you do fourteen, you can multiply all of the meals by seven or half by seven and half by six. It's up to you.
  3. Make a master shopping list.
  4. Begin shopping always remembering to stick to your budget. Little by little you will cross all the items off. Just be persistent and patient.
This month, we are collecting wheat for our long-term storage. Liesa Card suggests a food storage program that fits the way we collect long-term storage on this site; although, there are many ways to go about gathering your storage.

Another way that makes sense is gathering a one year supply for one person at a time. (When you have one year gathered, just do it again). If you have one year for one person, you will also have a six month supply for two people, a four month supply for three, and so on. Isn't that COOL?! (I thought you might like it)! Happy collecting...

Friday, June 26, 2009

First Aid Kits

Good morning everybody! It's raining and lovely here on this fine Friday! Last night, I had the opportunity to attend a First Aid class hosted by a wonderful woman in my ward. I'd like to share the hand outs she gave us. They are from Simply Prepared and can be accessed by the link on the right side of the page.

All right...on to the good stuff...

A good first aid kit should be serviceable everyday as well as in disaster situations. A family first aid kit will be more practical if it is also a medicine chest. Storing all medicines and first aid supplies in one container allows them to be easily included on family trips and outings to provide for most medical and health needs. Store supplies in a closed container, preferably water resistant. Containers that work well are tool boxes, tackle boxes, and plastic storage containers. Keep the kit in a place where it can be used but not easily reached by young children.

Stock your first aid kit with items your family uses on a regular basis and those you may use in an emergency. Keep sufficient quantities for the size of your family but remember to rotate medications.

The following list is a guide:
  • antibiotic ointment
  • burn ointment
  • anti-fungal cream
  • anti-itch lotion
  • regular prescription medications
  • pain relief tablets
  • diarrhea medication
  • laxative
  • eye drops
  • ear drops
  • soap or antiseptic wash
  • eye wash solution
  • nose drops
  • cough medicine
  • allergy medicine
  • decongestant
  • motion sickness capsules or patches
  • throat lozenges
  • antacid
  • alcohol
  • hydrogen peroxide
  • petroleum jelly
  • sunscreen lotion
  • insect repellent
  • sterile burn dressings
  • bandages, plastic strips
  • ace bandages
  • gauze pads (4" x 4")
  • adhesive tape
  • bandages, sterile roll 2" and 4" wide
  • triangular bandage
  • sterile eye pads
  • moist towelettes
  • cotton balls
  • cotton tipped swabs
  • first aid manual
  • tweezers
  • scissors
  • single edge razor blade
  • needles and thread
  • safety pins
  • water purification tablets
  • plastic spoons
  • pocket knife
  • eye dropper
  • thermometer
  • dental floss
  • two pair sterile gloves
  • syrup of Ipecac
  • baking soda
  • salt
  • chemical cold pack
  • chemical hot pack
  • paper cups or collapsible plastic cup
  • space blanket
  • safety matches
  • emergency phone numbers
  • phone money
Fanny Pack Emergency Kit
For School, Office, or Car
http://simplyprepared.com/fanny_pack_emergency_kit.htm

Place in a medium or large fanny pack:
  • 12-hour light stick
  • 1200 calorie food bar
  • 3 or more water pouches
  • pocket first aid kit
  • thermal blanket
  • rain poncho
  • wet wipes
  • pocket knife
  • whistle
  • dust mask
  • ID such as a business card
  • home and emergency contact information
  • coins for a phone call or a non-expiring phone card
  • list of pack contents
  • work gloves, if there is room
Dust mask, ID, contact information, coins/phone card and list should be kept in resealable plastic bags. Food bars can be larger if there is room in the pack.

Keep the pack in a school locker, desk, filing cabinet drawer, car trunk, glove compartment, or anywhere else that is accessible when away from home.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Homemade Space Heater

I learned this trick from an older gentleman in my old ward. While growing up in Europe during the war, this idea was published in the newspaper. It's a Terra Cotta Pot Heater. You may be able to find a use for this somewhere. Here's how to make one:

What you need - two Terra Cotta Pots with hole in the bottom, a candle, and matches or lighter. One pot has to be small enough to flip upside-down and rest on the inside bottom of the other pot.

Place the candle in the center of the larger pot. Place the smaller pot upside down over the top of the candle. When lit, the pots magnify the candles heat. Now, obviously, you will want to use this where there is air circulating because of smoke; but, he said "we had three of these in our bomb shelter, and we were toasty."

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Weekly Menu Plan

I saw this post on Joy this week and thought it was a very handy idea! After seeing it, take a step back and ask "How can this affect my short term and long term storage?" Well, once the menu is outlined, recipes assembled, and shopping list made, multiply by the number of weeks you want the meals for, and voila! You now have a plan and a goal for your storage. Isn't that AWESOME?!

http://justorganizeyourself.blogspot.com/2009/06/todays-menu-monday-is-breeze-now-that-i.html

Remember, a goal without a date is just a dream. So as scary as it may be, if you haven't already, make a date for your food storage goal and write it down.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

An Unexpected Post

Today, I received this letter from my aunt via Grandma. Thanks guys! It has links to alternative ways of cooking. Check them out for ideas.

Dear Family,

I was talking to [my son] about other ways to cook if the power is out, or you don't have natural gas for some reason. I'm looking for inexpensive ways because not everyone can afford a $2 - 400.00 solar oven. I believe these copy cat ideas are great.But as good as they are if we haven't acquired the materials for them,we may not be able to locate what we need, I remember when we had an ice storm 3 years ago, we had no gas to heat or cook with and the interstate was shut down leaving City Market with almost totally empty shelves. It was an eerie feeling realizing had it been a prolonged event like what happens back in the Northeast almost every winter, we would have been in a pickle.

I'll remind everyone about rocket stoves--which require only small amounts of twigs and branches.

Also, a chaffing dish. I have bought one at Sam's for $25 dollars and the fuel is only $12 for 12 containers with a lot of heating ability. I just bought one at DI also. And a person can easily rig up a small metal stand to put your own pans on if you have purchased the fuel.

This is what I'm excited about. Solar ovens. Here is a link that I hope will inspire everyone to try this out. And if you can't afford a windshield shade, the biology professor at Mesa State, who is also a bishop here in GJ, made one with cardboard and heavy-duty aluminum foil.

Here are some websites that deal with this:

Here are the websites for Wend DeWitt's you tube classes and her recipes for solar cooking:

MOM

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Wednesday Prep Day

Today we are finishing up car kits! Just add a small pocket knife and $5-$20 in small bills and change. Make sure you have a variety because you never know what you'll need it for. Next week we'll have a "catch-up" week so you can grab anything you may still need. Then...on to 72 hr. kits! Hurray!

How is your 3 month supply coming? Remember...it's always easier when you have a plan. You know what they say, "Plan your work. Work your plan." Wendy DeWitt's up-dated book has a GREAT food storage plan that can be used for as short a period of time as you want, or as long as you want! Click here for a downloadable .pdf file. It's full of recipes and all sorts of useful information - definitely worth it!

This month for Long Term Storage, buy what ever basics you may still need. Shop wisely and stick to your budget. It's hard, and really slow sometimes, but you can do it!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Wednesday Prep Day

I really like how the website Safely Gathered In has set up gathering items for emergency car kits, 72 hr. kits, and short and long term storage! So I am adopting this into my blog. Thank you Safely Gathered In! I'm just going to start where they currently are because we will come back and finish after the 72 hr. kits are complete. (It will keep both cycles the same and hopefully not cause confusion). Thank you again Safely Gathered In!

"Every [Wednesday], we post specific items you should gather in order to supplement your emergency car kit, your 3-month supply, and your longer-term storage. If you are new to our blog, don't worry! You won't be left behind. Just start up where we are and follow along. You will eventually have everything completed! Once the car kit is complete, we'll be putting together 72-hour kits again (week by week). Once those are done, we'll gather the car kits again. So don't worry, just jump on in and join us where we are today!
"

"This week for your car kit, add some hand sanitizer (just a small travel bottle should be fine) and a small notepad and pens/pencils. Hand sanitizer is always a good idea to have around, and the pen and paper could come in handy for a variety of reasons - taking down information from someone, playing a game, making a grocery list on the go, etc."

"How is your three month supply coming along? Do you have a master shopping list? Do you have inventory of what you have? I know it's really overwhelming to think about all of that, but it's the perfect activity for a rainy day or just some down time (I know... that's hard to come by sometimes!). However, if you keep an up-to-date inventory of what you have, it makes your food storage seem so much easier."

"We're still gathering "other" items this month for longer-term storage. Are you catching up on another basic item that you missed, or are you gathering something completely different? Whatever you decide to get, good luck! Make sure you store it well so that it doesn't go bad. 5 gallon buckets or #10 cans are perfect... gotta keep the bugs out!"

Saturday, May 9, 2009

My Preparedness Blog

I'm beginning a preparedness blog. It really doesn't have much on it now, and it's a bit random; but, my goal is to do a post five days a week. I've just figured out the format. Monday is motivational. Tuesday will be a food storage recipe. Wednesday we'll work on 72 hour kits, emergency kits, and short term and long term food storage. Thursday will be preparedness ideas like, well the insulated tent that's on there now. Next week I think I'll do a box oven. Friday will be a surprise! (It's a surprise to me too)! Hopefully this will be a success and maybe someone will find something useful. Love to you all!

The link is http://goodnewsminutes.blogspot.com/

Friday, May 8, 2009

Water Storage

When I saw this, I got very excited! Many ways of storing water exist. This way may help with the large 55 gallon barrels! The idea comes from Wendy DeWitt and is found on her blog http://everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com/. For instructions that are a little easier to understand, click here http://www.theideadoor.com/Preparedness/storing_water.htm#Storing_Water_Barrels

To treat water in a 55 gallon drum, use 1/8 teaspoon Chlorine crystals, the kind used for hot tubs. Add them to the water. Don't add the water to the Chlorine crystals because it creates a poisonous gas! Chlorine crystals never expire, unlike liquid chlorine which is only good for 6 months after manufacturing!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Insulated Tent

Here is Roger K. Young's design for an insulated tent. Click on the images below to view a larger image.