PREP Overlooked Preps

fish hook

Deceased
Kewl!

Just as a notation on lighters. The Bic (propane/butane)type lighters are in general are ok, and can work when wet. However wind and starting fires causes problems with burnt fingers. Just saying can still use, and I have, but be careful with fingers.

Zippo type are great for wind and fire starting, but won't work wet.

So it's a take your pick.

While everyone is considering lighters, you also might want to consider kitchen matches, and specifically "strike anywhere" kitchen matches.

Great for fires and for reaching into Hurricane lanterns (no lighter unless on extreme high can do that), and if you'll treat them with like clear finger nail polish will waterproof them.

"Strike on Box" are also good, BUT if the box gets damp, your done. AND if you plan to use as barter, you have to either cut up the box or throw the whole thing in. I have and keep these for starting fires in the wood heater.

"Strike Anywhere" while hard to find (some will say they are outlawed, but you can still find them) and you can carry and barter a few at a time, without the box.

I also have these treated for back up. Cuz like dude, who doesn't want to be like Clint, and reach into your vest pocket and pull out a match and strike it with your thumb, or drag it on your leg, and light your smoke.
I have had good luck with Ronson refillable lighters. I don't use them that much but my last one lasted for years. Available at Wal Mart.
 

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
Just bought some new undies so I have enough till I can wash them. Ordered some seeds for the spring too. DH brought home some chick feed and some layer pellets as we plan on getting some chickens as soon as we can get accomodations for them. Thought I might as well get while it is still available..
How are you planning on storing that feed? Watch for rodents, insects (probably already inside the bags, ready to explode) and moisture. If you don't have a plan, I'll tell you what worked for us. But right now my good eye 8s crossing itself! And I've gotta quit. Thanking God for husbands and strapping sons who willingly rethread sergers and sewing machine needles "helped out" by little hands and grandma's scissors!

Summerthyme
 

fish hook

Deceased
I had to root around town looking for something to kill pantry moths; 55 years and never had a bug in my pantry, as late DH said, why, they. just. wouldn't. DARE. LOL.
...so very late to the game I am, and looks like it'll be ever so much fun. ..
If the foods in your pantry is properly sealed, or can be temporarily moved out, spray the under parts of the shelves and the ceiling. Use some long lasting pesticide like Tempo or Demon. As quick as it dries you can put the food back, other than what the moths are in, that must be thrown out.
 

Mushroom

Opinionated Granny
How are you planning on storing that feed? Watch for rodents, insects (probably already inside the bags, ready to explode) and moisture. If you don't have a plan, I'll tell you what worked for us. But right now my good eye 8s crossing itself! And I've gotta quit. Thanking God for husbands and strapping sons who willingly rethread sergers and sewing machine needles "helped out" by little hands and grandma's scissors!

Summerthyme
I have a patio box that holds my sun oven and dutch oven. They are under the patio roof so they are dry and water resistant. I am hoping to get a chicken tractor made within the next couple of months so the food will be used soon. I wanted to get a start on my chicken empire while I still could. I have room for a couple more bags so that will be the end of my stocking chicken feed. With the cold, I don't expect a lot of bug activity before I need to use it. If there are bugs in it, more protein for the critters.
 

West

Senior
I have a patio box that holds my sun oven and dutch oven. They are under the patio roof so they are dry and water resistant. I am hoping to get a chicken tractor made within the next couple of months so the food will be used soon. I wanted to get a start on my chicken empire while I still could. I have room for a couple more bags so that will be the end of my stocking chicken feed. With the cold, I don't expect a lot of bug activity before I need to use it. If there are bugs in it, more protein for the critters.

But it starts to cake(if bug infested), then it's really no good, even the chickens don't like it. Get some good anti-caking agent. Like Diatomaceous Earth feed grade buy the 50# bag. It stacks forever, and has many more usages.
 

CaryC

Has No Life - Lives on TB
What with all the saber rattling, and stupid Senator, and threats going back and forth about using nukes, I had the thought of maybe looking into getting a geiger counter. (Been watching Jericho too, but that doesn't count)

We have had a bunch of new people on the board lately, so not only Welcome, but also may not know a member here, "shane", has all kinds of nuke stuff for sale. Here is his link:

Potassium Iodide Pill Source with RADSticker, NukAlert, FEMA Radiation Meters, MRE's, fallout shelters, etc. (ki4u.com)

I would suggest familiarizing yourself with nuke survival, at the very least with some books. If you can only get one, this is the best:

"Nuclear War Survival Skills" by Cresson H. Kearny, which is at Shanes site, has a link to a free .pdf, and don't mean to under cut Shane, just info purposes, Walmart online has geiger counters. Shane's site has ton's and ton's of info about fallout and maps and just kill a whole day or two.

Just saying nuke knowledge, much less nuke testing, and shelters (knowledge of) may be an overlooked prep.
 

Marthanoir

TB Fanatic
Thinking about picking up a couple of acoustic guitars and an acoustic bass, have electrics and amps but it'd be handy to have acoustics,

Downtime will be easier with music,
 

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
The biggest problem with bugs is they invite mold with the dampness they produce in their lifestyle. Plus, their protein comes from somewhere,,, the grain they just ate! Truly, they cost a lot of calories, net.

What I found was decanting as much grain as would fit into a clean galvanized garbage can (or plastic one, or a "pet food keeper" type storage...) filling it to within a couple inches of the brim (less air exposure equals less rancidity) and then spread 1/2" diatomaceous earth from edge to edge, completely sealing the grain from the air.

Every can we did this way stayed fresh and insect free. We just mixed the DE into the grain before feeding.


The NukAlert that Shane sells is an awesome product!
It is, and nearly gone! I've carried one for many years. Have had it alarm twice... once for 20 miles driving past a "nuclear waste processing facility" (!!!... confirmation the rumors about tons of leaks there weren't made up!),and once for several hours at our farm. We finally figured some radiation may have been carried in on high level winds and was dumped with some heavy snow the night before!

Shane spent well over an hour on the phone with me that afternoon, trying to figure it out. Great guy and service.

Summerthyme
 
Top