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Prep 101 (newbies, not vets): Part I
Here are a few tips for newbies - you vets already know this.
So you want to make your home safe in the event of a disaster, health-related or natural. Congratulations! That's an achievement in itself, so don't feel overwhelmed or "dumb." You just proved you aren't stupid, and that you have common sense. Overwhelmed? Yeah, that's natural, and here's how you work on that.
Start with the basics. Walk around your home, from room to room, and make a list of the things you use everyday and can't possibly live without. Include things you know you need but don't have, like a healthy stock of sheets and towels or even dishes (Hey, we remember what it's like to be single, when all your drinking glasses came from drive-through windows!)
Decide how much you can reasonably afford to spend. Going into debt will only create a different kind of crisis. Yes, there are probably a thousand things you need RIGHT NOW....but you have to work within limits. Accept this and don't beat yourself up over it.
Consider buying a few items each payday. Simply add to the quantity of groceries when you shop. Instead of one can of coffee, buy two. Rotate your stock and always use the oldest first.
Don't forget the wonders of layaway. This is how I got most of my camping equipment, like the sleeping bags, camp stove, Coleman lanterns.... Simply go to K-Mart or Wal-Mart, pick out what you want, and put it on layaway. A small payment every couple of weeks for three months and it's yours to take home. Try for a "double play shop": watch the Sunday sale ads and put it on layaway while it's on sale for even bigger savings.
First off, you need a safe place to hole up. This is probably your home...but IS it safe? This is the focus of our first discussion.
Needed repairs should be made NOW. If the roof leaks, or windows are busted, fix these first.
Do a plumbing and wiring checkup.
A major hazard during disasters of all kinds is FIRE. You may or may not be able to call the fire dept, and if there's tons of debris from Hurricane Hades in the road they may not be able to reach you. Response time is going to be dreadful as well.
Check your smoke detectors. Change the batteries, and stock backup batteries. Ditto for the carbon monoxide detector. (More on this later)
Do what you can to fireproof your home. Clean out closets, the attic, and the GARAGE. It's amazing how much flammable stuff is in the garage. Get rid of greasy, oily rags - which can generate enough heat to start burning by themselves - old motor oil, cans of paint, the stacks of old "National Geographic".....give away what you don't need. There are often restrictions on disposal of hazardous materials such as paint, so check with your city. My town has a particular day each month when the city dump will accept these materials and dispose of them for you.
Buy a few fire extinguishers. I recommend the multi-purpose kind which is good for all kinds of fires: electrical, grease, and wood. (All fires are not created equal, and water ain't gonna put out a grease fire) These aren't that expensive. I got mine at K-Mart for about $14 each. Put one in the kitchen, one in the garage, the utility room, and the car. Make sure each family member knows where they are and how to use them.
Baking soda and salt will put out most oven and stovetop fires, or you can use a pot lid. DO NOT GRAB A FLAMING PAN AND RUN OUTSIDE WITH IT, EVER. This can (a) spread the flames and (b) severely burn you.
Have a fire drill. Plan escape routes and set a place where everyone is to meet once they're out of the home. Discuss basic fire safety.
Know where the shutoff valves for water, gas, etc, are in your home, and how to use them.
Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer. You can't feel it, smell it, or taste it. Most homes with natural gas are now equipped with these, but some aren't. It's a good investment, and you'll need one if you plan to use an alternative heating source, like kerosene. ALL FOSSIL FUELS, INCLUDING WOOD, PUT OFF TRACE AMOUNTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE. Of course the most volatile are gasoline and natural gas, but even a fireplace will put some out. In a fireplace it goes up the chimney with the smoke. But if you're using a kerosene heater, it's a good idea to have one. Yes, it's a small amount....but do you want to bet your family's life on it?
Home defense is another issue and deeply personal. Personally I recommend arming yourself, and with as much firepower as possible, but this isn't for everyone. Decide now how far you'll go to protect your family and plan accordingly. Gun safety is recommended for EVERYONE in the family if you choose to stock firearms. Kids should be taught not to touch the guns or ammo.
Consider a dog. They're great additions to the family and they MAKE NOISE. This is enough to scare off many a wannabe-criminal.
Okay, so you're safety-proofing your home. This helps ensure that you have a safe place to hole up in. Next up, we'll discuss your next priority, food and water.
Part II: Will feature Food and Water
Part III: Emergency health supplies and how to make a great first aid kit
Part IV: Suggested survival equipment to begin purchasing
©1999 by Fruit Loop. Permission granted to quote, copy, and disseminate at will. Permission to publish as part of other media if credited to original author. This information is intended to help save lives. Share it around!
Here are a few tips for newbies - you vets already know this.
So you want to make your home safe in the event of a disaster, health-related or natural. Congratulations! That's an achievement in itself, so don't feel overwhelmed or "dumb." You just proved you aren't stupid, and that you have common sense. Overwhelmed? Yeah, that's natural, and here's how you work on that.
Start with the basics. Walk around your home, from room to room, and make a list of the things you use everyday and can't possibly live without. Include things you know you need but don't have, like a healthy stock of sheets and towels or even dishes (Hey, we remember what it's like to be single, when all your drinking glasses came from drive-through windows!)
Decide how much you can reasonably afford to spend. Going into debt will only create a different kind of crisis. Yes, there are probably a thousand things you need RIGHT NOW....but you have to work within limits. Accept this and don't beat yourself up over it.
Consider buying a few items each payday. Simply add to the quantity of groceries when you shop. Instead of one can of coffee, buy two. Rotate your stock and always use the oldest first.
Don't forget the wonders of layaway. This is how I got most of my camping equipment, like the sleeping bags, camp stove, Coleman lanterns.... Simply go to K-Mart or Wal-Mart, pick out what you want, and put it on layaway. A small payment every couple of weeks for three months and it's yours to take home. Try for a "double play shop": watch the Sunday sale ads and put it on layaway while it's on sale for even bigger savings.
First off, you need a safe place to hole up. This is probably your home...but IS it safe? This is the focus of our first discussion.
Needed repairs should be made NOW. If the roof leaks, or windows are busted, fix these first.
Do a plumbing and wiring checkup.
A major hazard during disasters of all kinds is FIRE. You may or may not be able to call the fire dept, and if there's tons of debris from Hurricane Hades in the road they may not be able to reach you. Response time is going to be dreadful as well.
Check your smoke detectors. Change the batteries, and stock backup batteries. Ditto for the carbon monoxide detector. (More on this later)
Do what you can to fireproof your home. Clean out closets, the attic, and the GARAGE. It's amazing how much flammable stuff is in the garage. Get rid of greasy, oily rags - which can generate enough heat to start burning by themselves - old motor oil, cans of paint, the stacks of old "National Geographic".....give away what you don't need. There are often restrictions on disposal of hazardous materials such as paint, so check with your city. My town has a particular day each month when the city dump will accept these materials and dispose of them for you.
Buy a few fire extinguishers. I recommend the multi-purpose kind which is good for all kinds of fires: electrical, grease, and wood. (All fires are not created equal, and water ain't gonna put out a grease fire) These aren't that expensive. I got mine at K-Mart for about $14 each. Put one in the kitchen, one in the garage, the utility room, and the car. Make sure each family member knows where they are and how to use them.
Baking soda and salt will put out most oven and stovetop fires, or you can use a pot lid. DO NOT GRAB A FLAMING PAN AND RUN OUTSIDE WITH IT, EVER. This can (a) spread the flames and (b) severely burn you.
Have a fire drill. Plan escape routes and set a place where everyone is to meet once they're out of the home. Discuss basic fire safety.
Know where the shutoff valves for water, gas, etc, are in your home, and how to use them.
Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer. You can't feel it, smell it, or taste it. Most homes with natural gas are now equipped with these, but some aren't. It's a good investment, and you'll need one if you plan to use an alternative heating source, like kerosene. ALL FOSSIL FUELS, INCLUDING WOOD, PUT OFF TRACE AMOUNTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE. Of course the most volatile are gasoline and natural gas, but even a fireplace will put some out. In a fireplace it goes up the chimney with the smoke. But if you're using a kerosene heater, it's a good idea to have one. Yes, it's a small amount....but do you want to bet your family's life on it?
Home defense is another issue and deeply personal. Personally I recommend arming yourself, and with as much firepower as possible, but this isn't for everyone. Decide now how far you'll go to protect your family and plan accordingly. Gun safety is recommended for EVERYONE in the family if you choose to stock firearms. Kids should be taught not to touch the guns or ammo.
Consider a dog. They're great additions to the family and they MAKE NOISE. This is enough to scare off many a wannabe-criminal.
Okay, so you're safety-proofing your home. This helps ensure that you have a safe place to hole up in. Next up, we'll discuss your next priority, food and water.
Part II: Will feature Food and Water
Part III: Emergency health supplies and how to make a great first aid kit
Part IV: Suggested survival equipment to begin purchasing
©1999 by Fruit Loop. Permission granted to quote, copy, and disseminate at will. Permission to publish as part of other media if credited to original author. This information is intended to help save lives. Share it around!