Emergency Preparedness ~ Braving the Storm

The weather report calls for a storm and everyone runs to the store stocking up on toilet paper, milk, batteries, gas for the generator and snacks. I'm sitting in the beginning of Blizzard 2015, with over a foot of snow, wind whipping, thinking of emergence preparedness and trying to get my thoughts down before we lose power.

I'm thankful that I wasn't one of the thousands running out for supplies yesterday. I've had to do that in the past. Elbowing your way down isles just to find out that what ever you needed in that isle is sold out. Worry and dread in your heart. How will we keep warm? What will we eat? Oh darn, I need diapers and dog food too.

Being prepared is a wonderful feeling. You may be wondering, where do I start? Here is a list of  items that you should have extra on hand in case of an emergency. (Such as bad weather where you lose power for days and can't get to a store.)

• Toilet paper
• Diapers/Wipes
• Pet Food/litter
• Batteries
• Candles/Matches
• Drinking Water
• Water to do dishes/flush
• Blankets
• Food
• Non electronic entertainment (cards, board games, books)
• Flashlights
• Generator/gas
• Prescriptions/vitamins
• First aid supplies
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Tissues, Paper towels 

So, how much is enough? A three month supply is a good start. I know your thinking, why on earth would I need a three month supply for a two day power outage? In New England, in the Ice Storm of '98 there were people without power for over three weeks. You never know how bad or how long the aftermath of a storm will be. Let me note that your food storage should be a supply of things you already eat on a daily basis. Granted, if your starving you might not be that picky but if you aren't used to eating wheat and have 50 pounds in your food storage, your digestive tract is going to go hey wire when you have to start using it three meals a day.

Here is a list of places you can shop to start building your food storage.

1. Max Life Foods
2. Survival Warehouse
3. Buy Emergency Foods
4. Wise Company
5. The Ready Store
6. Emergency Essentials

I recommend Emergency Essentials. That is where I get my food from.

For water, you can buy gallons of drinking water to keep on hand. For water to do the dishes and flush, consider rinsing and refilling 2 and 3 liter soda bottles and milk jugs or you can buy a water bob and fill it when the weather suspects a storm where power could be lost. (I would suggest doing both just in case.)

Braving the storm doesn't have to be a last minute frantic shopping trip to stock up on every day essentials. Simply buy a few extra things a week and start building up your reserve. Shop coupons and deals to get the best prices. In no time you will be prepared for the next emergency.

Hint: Keep matches, candles, flashlights and batteries together in a place easy to get to. It should be a place out of the reach of children that you can get to in the dark. (in case you wake up in the middle of the night with no power.)