Preparedness 101

Since we “spring forward” this weekend I checked my stash of batteries and was shocked to find that those 2 legged mice had been in them again. So I thought while I was doing my “spring” prep check and checking the stuff in our BOBs I would take a look at other stuff. I had a friend call during the midst of me upside down in a tote checking things out and she said “you know I have been thinking about doing that but I don’t know where to start.” So these next few weeks will be just for her. I don't want her caught like this

Where to start? Well there is really no beginning spot to really start I am going to just cover it all the best I can.

First of all we will start with Bug Out Bags. I know I have done one post on this already but there is some much more available I thought I would do a new one. FEMA suggest 72 hours well that is a good start but I lean more towards the 5 day storage. If there was anything I learned from Katrina it was it takes time to get people in where people can’t get out of. Did that make since if not you will figure it out. It takes more than 3 days to get basic supplies to a disaster area. So here is a “suggested” list and by no means is this a complete list.

1. Backpack or an easy to carry bag that you can stuff everything in.
2. Two changes of clothes. Don’t forget socks and sturdy shoes. Remember Snakes.
3. Toilet paper. You can always find a place to potty but you won’t always find TP.
4. Sleeping bag and pillow. If you have to leave you are going need something to sleep on.
5. Flash light with extra batteries.
6. Cell phone and charger. A good car charger as well as a wall charger.
7. Cash – if there is no power ATMs will not work and there is no telling what you might need cash for. I suggest $100 in 5s and 1s a well as a roll of quarters. Remember more the better, but anything over $100 I would do in 10s and 20s
8. Prescriptions – DO NOT forget these.
9. Glasses – if you have spare pare it wouldn’t hurt to pack them so you will have them in case the ones you wear daily break.
10. Rain Poncho or rain suit.
11. Work Gloves. Several good pair of heavy duty work gloves are a must
12. Note pad, pen, pencil
13. Address book – even if you have your cell phone be sure and have a hard copy.
14. Map of your local area. A GPS system is good but again battery operated.
15. Knife, fork, spoon. I would suggest the camping set that clips together.
16. Baby wipes and hand sanitizer (would also add powder helps with the chafing in the heat)
17. Several garbage bags, zip lock bags
18. Radio (solar, hand cranked or batter powered)
19. Walkie Talkies – extra batteries. These are must. Be sure to invest in a good set. These will serve you well on many occasions.
20. Multi tools, a good knife, DO NOT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THESE
21. Feminine products. Yeah I know but it never fails mother nature arrives at the worst possible time.
22. First aid kit. This does not have to be fancy but a good one never the less. Make your own. Again DO NOT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THIS.
23. cards, puzzle books, travel games, books and magazines to help pass the time
24. Personal hygiene stuff – tooth brush, tooth paste, deodorant, etc.
25. Personal documents, birth certificate, marriage license, insurance papers etc. It is also good to have family pictures scanned to disk so that if you loose them you will have back ups.
26. Animals now unless you are going to a friend’s for family you have to think about your animals. Most shelters will not allow animals unless they are service animals. So think about food, water and care for them.
27. Food and water for 5 days.

Now let’s look at #27 a little more. Food and water for 5 days may not sound like much but you think 1 gallon of water per person per day. That is 5 gallons just for one person. You will need more if you are pregnant or nursing. FAINT!! I know that is a lot of water but you must have water. We get around the extra water by taking baby wipes to wash with. But we still need it to drink. I have not come up with a good solution to this. Other than buy the 2.5 galls jugs and put them in your car. Now for the food- You will need for this to be food that can be eaten cold and out of the can. So let’s look at some options for food… (remember think high protein…energy food)

Milk – There is now shelf stable milk you can buy and it stores well for about 6 months.
Crackers – there is a wide variety of cheese or peanut butter crackers.
Nuts or trail mix. This is fast energy.
Fruit and pudding cups, these do not require refrigeration.
Canned spaghetti, tuna, jerky etc Remember must be pop top or pack a can opener. Tuna in the pouches are good they don’t take up much space.
Peanut butter, I noticed you can now buy peanut butter in pouches.
Granola bars
Gum
Pop Tarts

Individual servings of cereal
Snack pack of chips
Dried fruit, fruit roll ups, raisins.
Juice boxes
Also powdered drink packages would be good for variety. You can get individual packages that you add to a 16oz bottle of water. They come in variety of flavors from Kool-Aid, Gatorade and lemonade. You can even get juices like cranapple and crangrape juice.

A lot of people like to buy MREs so that they have everything they need. The only thing with an MRE they are like 3000 calories and you only need one a day unless you are really burning the calories.

There is so much out there you just have to look. Just be sure and get ready to eat food that does not require water or preparation. Oh and remember you want it in hard packages. There is nothing worse than trying to eat crushed and broken crackers.