Jubilee on Earth
May 22nd, 2008, 08:32 AM
This is not for anything long-term... this is more for an emergency when the electricity might go out, or when we might be stuck in our homes for a few days.
I know there have been numerous posts on how to prepare for a long-term emergency (gardens, generators, root cellars, etc.). That is not what this post is for. This is to assist those on this board like me who have a small space, and who haven't been through any type of crisis or disaster yet (thankfully) and who aren't quite sure about what to do.
Here's what I did to make a 5-day kit. I used those rubber storage bins with lids that you can find almost anywhere, that way if we are in a natural emergency (flood, fire, tornado), we can grab them quickly and go.
Go out and buy three large storage tubs (Rubbermaid or similar). Fill it with these items:
Tub # 1:
--flashlights
--batteries
--a crank radio
--old fashioned "landline" phone (this came in handy during the blackout, since our cell phones didn't work)
--glowsticks
--candles
--matches, lighters
--charcoal handwarmers (if you live in a cold climate)
--first aid kit
--Small bottle of bleach (for water purification)
--medicine dropper (for the bleach)
--antibacterial hand wipes, sanitizer
--cups, plates, silverware
--can opener
--small pot, large spoon
--paper-towel
--baby supplies, medicines
--feminine hygiene products
--bars of soap (or travel sized toiletries)
--toothbrushes, travel toothpaste
--washcloths, baby wipes
--small garbage bags & twist ties
--roll of toilet paper
--ponchos
--"space blankets" (those fold-out, silver blankets)
--sunscreen
--bug repellant
--whistle (to call for help, if needed)
--books, games for little kids
(Be sure to check all dates on medicine and ointments. Most have a date that is 3-4 years out. If there is no need to use the contents after a couple of years, pull out those items and put in your medicine cabinet for regular use -- and of course, replace with new ones for the tub.)
Tub # 2:
--two gallons of drinking water
--crackers
--Capri Sun juice boxes (they last a long time)
--nuts
--trail mix
--beef/turkey jerky
--canned soups, beans, ravioli
--granola, protein bars
--peanut butter
--jelly
--fruit snacks
--Crystal light or Kool Aid packets (helps water taste better if it's stale)
(In this tub, you can put anything that will keep for a while. Typically, canned goods and crackers only last a couple of years. When shopping, check dates to get the ones that are farthest out. After a year or so, if you haven't needed to use the food, you can consume and replace as needed.)
Tub # 3:
--one extra pair of tennis shoes/sneakers for each person in the family
--four pair of socks for each person
--four pair of underwear for each
--t-shirts, pants, sweaters
--hats/caps
--blanket
--gloves (if in a cold climate)
(This may require two tubs for a large family. Instead of throwing out old/worn tennis shoes, place in this tub. For kids with growing feet, buy a cheap pair at the local thrift store or on sale.)
Place all three tubs in one specific area, like a basement or closet (not the garage, where it might get too hot or too cold for the foodstuffs). In this area, also keep an additional two gallons of water per person (for washing, toilets, etc.). You can buy the big (5 gallons, is it?) containers of water practically anywhere, and these will be easier to transport than 10 one-gallon jugs.
Now, some on this board stated that water does not store for very long -- only about 3-5 months. For this reason, the water must be used and replaced about 4 times a year. If you have time in an emergency, you could always fill up jugs from the sink, as well as the bathtub or washing machine with water. You wouldn't want to use this for drinking unless you had to -- it would be more for washing/toilet flushing. In a dire situation, you could use that water for drinking if you boiled it first or treated it with a few drops of bleach. (Those instructions and other suggestions can be found elsewhere on these boards.)
Also, in the area with the rubber totes and water, keep a small firebox or envelope with copies of all important documents: birth certificates, marriage license, passports, insurance papers, mortgage papers, telephone numbers, etc.
If a situation arose where you had to evacuate quickly, you could simply gather up these few totes and water jugs and load it all up into your vehicle within minutes. Or, on the other hand, if the electricity went out and your family was stuck in the house for a week, you could easily ration food and liquids from this central "storehouse area" once the food in the fridge/kitchen was consumed. It's also nice to have one central spot to keep all things like flashlights, batteries, candles, etc. versus having to search for them in the dark.
Don't worry if you have very little of these things and don't have the money for them. Simply buy one or two items every time you go out to the store or grocery shopping. Most of it (candles, matches, etc.) is inexpensive. Often you can find lanterns and flashlights at a local thrift shop or Army supply store.
Also, it may be helpful to have a propane cookstove or charcoal grill on-hand. Eating packaged foods might be okay if it's cheese and crackers, but soups and beans would be better if heated.
Again, these preparations are not indented for a nuclear war, or martial law, or the tribulation. I believe that the good Lord will take care of us if such circumstances occurred. A few stored cans of food and a jug of water will not help us in the event of a nuclear attack or world war. In that instance, we will need to rely on the grace of God to get us through. This post was simply about being smart, and provided an easy way to prepare and care of your family during a short-term emergency.
Suggestions? Thoughts? Anything I forgot for a short, 5-day emergency pile? :scratch
I know there have been numerous posts on how to prepare for a long-term emergency (gardens, generators, root cellars, etc.). That is not what this post is for. This is to assist those on this board like me who have a small space, and who haven't been through any type of crisis or disaster yet (thankfully) and who aren't quite sure about what to do.
Here's what I did to make a 5-day kit. I used those rubber storage bins with lids that you can find almost anywhere, that way if we are in a natural emergency (flood, fire, tornado), we can grab them quickly and go.
Go out and buy three large storage tubs (Rubbermaid or similar). Fill it with these items:
Tub # 1:
--flashlights
--batteries
--a crank radio
--old fashioned "landline" phone (this came in handy during the blackout, since our cell phones didn't work)
--glowsticks
--candles
--matches, lighters
--charcoal handwarmers (if you live in a cold climate)
--first aid kit
--Small bottle of bleach (for water purification)
--medicine dropper (for the bleach)
--antibacterial hand wipes, sanitizer
--cups, plates, silverware
--can opener
--small pot, large spoon
--paper-towel
--baby supplies, medicines
--feminine hygiene products
--bars of soap (or travel sized toiletries)
--toothbrushes, travel toothpaste
--washcloths, baby wipes
--small garbage bags & twist ties
--roll of toilet paper
--ponchos
--"space blankets" (those fold-out, silver blankets)
--sunscreen
--bug repellant
--whistle (to call for help, if needed)
--books, games for little kids
(Be sure to check all dates on medicine and ointments. Most have a date that is 3-4 years out. If there is no need to use the contents after a couple of years, pull out those items and put in your medicine cabinet for regular use -- and of course, replace with new ones for the tub.)
Tub # 2:
--two gallons of drinking water
--crackers
--Capri Sun juice boxes (they last a long time)
--nuts
--trail mix
--beef/turkey jerky
--canned soups, beans, ravioli
--granola, protein bars
--peanut butter
--jelly
--fruit snacks
--Crystal light or Kool Aid packets (helps water taste better if it's stale)
(In this tub, you can put anything that will keep for a while. Typically, canned goods and crackers only last a couple of years. When shopping, check dates to get the ones that are farthest out. After a year or so, if you haven't needed to use the food, you can consume and replace as needed.)
Tub # 3:
--one extra pair of tennis shoes/sneakers for each person in the family
--four pair of socks for each person
--four pair of underwear for each
--t-shirts, pants, sweaters
--hats/caps
--blanket
--gloves (if in a cold climate)
(This may require two tubs for a large family. Instead of throwing out old/worn tennis shoes, place in this tub. For kids with growing feet, buy a cheap pair at the local thrift store or on sale.)
Place all three tubs in one specific area, like a basement or closet (not the garage, where it might get too hot or too cold for the foodstuffs). In this area, also keep an additional two gallons of water per person (for washing, toilets, etc.). You can buy the big (5 gallons, is it?) containers of water practically anywhere, and these will be easier to transport than 10 one-gallon jugs.
Now, some on this board stated that water does not store for very long -- only about 3-5 months. For this reason, the water must be used and replaced about 4 times a year. If you have time in an emergency, you could always fill up jugs from the sink, as well as the bathtub or washing machine with water. You wouldn't want to use this for drinking unless you had to -- it would be more for washing/toilet flushing. In a dire situation, you could use that water for drinking if you boiled it first or treated it with a few drops of bleach. (Those instructions and other suggestions can be found elsewhere on these boards.)
Also, in the area with the rubber totes and water, keep a small firebox or envelope with copies of all important documents: birth certificates, marriage license, passports, insurance papers, mortgage papers, telephone numbers, etc.
If a situation arose where you had to evacuate quickly, you could simply gather up these few totes and water jugs and load it all up into your vehicle within minutes. Or, on the other hand, if the electricity went out and your family was stuck in the house for a week, you could easily ration food and liquids from this central "storehouse area" once the food in the fridge/kitchen was consumed. It's also nice to have one central spot to keep all things like flashlights, batteries, candles, etc. versus having to search for them in the dark.
Don't worry if you have very little of these things and don't have the money for them. Simply buy one or two items every time you go out to the store or grocery shopping. Most of it (candles, matches, etc.) is inexpensive. Often you can find lanterns and flashlights at a local thrift shop or Army supply store.
Also, it may be helpful to have a propane cookstove or charcoal grill on-hand. Eating packaged foods might be okay if it's cheese and crackers, but soups and beans would be better if heated.
Again, these preparations are not indented for a nuclear war, or martial law, or the tribulation. I believe that the good Lord will take care of us if such circumstances occurred. A few stored cans of food and a jug of water will not help us in the event of a nuclear attack or world war. In that instance, we will need to rely on the grace of God to get us through. This post was simply about being smart, and provided an easy way to prepare and care of your family during a short-term emergency.
Suggestions? Thoughts? Anything I forgot for a short, 5-day emergency pile? :scratch